New Zealand environmental law
Encyclopedia
Environmental law
in New Zealand
is an increasingly well defined body of national law that has a specialist court, The Environment Court of New Zealand
(Māori
: Te Kooti Taiao o Aotearoa), to decide related issues.
of Britain. The increasing environmental awareness of the 1960s led to a specific body of environmental law
that developed in many Western
countries including New Zealand. Environmental law became more integrated in the 1980s with the passing of the Environment Act 1987 and the Conservation Act. These Acts set up the Ministry for the Environment
, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
and the New Zealand Department of Conservation
.
The most significant Act of Parliament concerning environmental law was the passing of Resource Management Act
in 1991. Issues under the Act are adjudicated by the Environment Court of New Zealand
.
Environmental law
Environmental law is a complex and interlocking body of treaties, conventions, statutes, regulations, and common law that operates to regulate the interaction of humanity and the natural environment, toward the purpose of reducing the impacts of human activity...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
is an increasingly well defined body of national law that has a specialist court, The Environment Court of New Zealand
Environment Court of New Zealand
The Environment Court of New Zealand is a specialist court for planning permits and environmental issues...
(Māori
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
: Te Kooti Taiao o Aotearoa), to decide related issues.
History
The roots of New Zealand environmental law can be traced to the common lawCommon law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
of Britain. The increasing environmental awareness of the 1960s led to a specific body of environmental law
Environmental law
Environmental law is a complex and interlocking body of treaties, conventions, statutes, regulations, and common law that operates to regulate the interaction of humanity and the natural environment, toward the purpose of reducing the impacts of human activity...
that developed in many Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
countries including New Zealand. Environmental law became more integrated in the 1980s with the passing of the Environment Act 1987 and the Conservation Act. These Acts set up the Ministry for the Environment
Ministry for the Environment
Ministry for the Environment may refer to:* Ministry for the Environment * Ministry for the Environment * Ministry for the Environment...
, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is an independent Officer of the New Zealand Parliament appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the House of Representatives for a five-year term under the Environment Act 1986...
and the New Zealand Department of Conservation
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
.
The most significant Act of Parliament concerning environmental law was the passing of Resource Management Act
Resource Management Act
The Resource Management Act passed in 1991 in New Zealand is a significant, and at times, controversial Act of Parliament. The RMA promotes the sustainable management of natural and physical resources such as land, air and water...
in 1991. Issues under the Act are adjudicated by the Environment Court of New Zealand
Environment Court of New Zealand
The Environment Court of New Zealand is a specialist court for planning permits and environmental issues...
.
Timeline of New Zealand environmental legislation
This timeline outlines the more significant environmental legislation in New Zealand:- 1903 - Scenery Preservation Act 1903Scenery Preservation Act 1903-Further reading:*Tony Nightingale and Paul Dingwall, Our picturesque heritage: 100 years of scenery preservation in New Zealand, Department of Conservation, Wellington, 2003...
- 1962 - Nature Conservation CouncilNature Conservation CouncilNature Conservation Council may refer to the following:*Nature Conservation Council, Japan*Nature Conservation Council of NSW*Nature Conservation Council, New Zealand-See also:*Nature Conservancy Council, a former British government agency....
set up under the Nature Conservation Council Act 1962. - August 1970 - New Zealand CabinetNew Zealand CabinetThe Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
established the Environmental Council - February 1972 - Cabinet established the position of Minister of the Environment
- August 1972 - Government creates the New Zealand Commission for the Environment
- March 1974 - The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Procedures (EP&EP) are instituted.
- January 1987 - Environment Act 1986Environment Act 1986The Environment Act 1986 established the Ministry for the Environment and the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.-References:* .*...
comes into force. - April 1987 - Conservation Act comes into force
- October 1991 - the Resource Management ActResource Management ActThe Resource Management Act passed in 1991 in New Zealand is a significant, and at times, controversial Act of Parliament. The RMA promotes the sustainable management of natural and physical resources such as land, air and water...
comes into force. - June 1996 - Hazardous Substances and New Organisms ActHazardous Substances and New Organisms ActThe Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act was an Act of Parliament passed in New Zealand in 1996.The Act is administered by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.-External links:* - text of the HSNO Act.* - gateway website.*...
See also
- Timeline of environmental history of New ZealandTimeline of environmental history of New ZealandThis is a timeline of environmental history of New Zealand. These events relate to the more notable events affecting the natural environment of New Zealand as a result of human activity.-Pre 1800s:...
- New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987The New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act is a New Zealand law passed by the Fourth Labour Government in 1987 "to establish in New Zealand a Nuclear Free Zone, to promote and encourage an active and effective contribution by New Zealand to the essential process of...
External links
- New Zealand Centre for Environmental Law - University of AucklandUniversity of AucklandThe University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
- New Zealand Journal of Environmental Law