AGP Executive Report

Climate Signals: Earth Sciences New Zealand scientist Peter Sperlich helped identify a wildfire fingerprint in methane measured at a Southern Ocean station, as global greenhouse gas levels hit records. El Niño Preparations: Forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may bring drought risk into 2027; MPI is urging lifestyle-block owners to prepare for dry conditions and water shortages. Flood Resilience: Wellington candidates support widening buyouts for flood-hit residents, while councils are calling for more climate-resilience funding. Marine Protection: The High Court will hear a challenge over protections for Māui and Hector’s dolphins. Hundreds also rallied against bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf. Environmental Monitoring: Earth Sciences NZ’s Dobson instrument, which measured Antarctic ozone for nearly four decades, is taking its final bow.

Energy and Inflation: The Reserve Bank held the OCR at 2.75%, while the Greens said New Zealand’s reliance on imported fossil fuels leaves households exposed to global price shocks and called for investment in electrification. Climate Resilience: Councils are urging the next Government to fund flood protection and climate adaptation, saying local ratepayers cannot keep carrying the cost of disasters. Weather Risks: Vero says weather-related claims jumped to $184.6 million in the year to June and climate change could lift natural-hazard claims by up to 15% by 2040. Drought Preparedness: MPI is urging lifestyle-block owners to plan for El Niño, including securing water and feed and managing livestock early. Wildlife: Kaikōura farmers are trialling downward-facing, warmer dairy-shed lights to reduce light pollution that can disorient endangered Hutton’s shearwaters.

Water and Waste: Watercare plans $15.2 billion in water and wastewater projects over the next decade. Auckland Council says recycling contamination sends about 37,000 tonnes of waste to landfill each year and costs ratepayers $3.5 million. Marine Protection: A High Court challenge over protections for Māui and Hector’s dolphins is set to be heard, while hundreds rallied against bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf. Clean Energy: New Zealand and Singapore will share expertise on electricity markets and low-carbon energy as Singapore decarbonises its power sector. A German turbine company has also entered the New Zealand market with an order for the country’s largest wind farm. Climate and Conservation: The Green Party opposes the Ruataniwha Dam and conservation land swaps. Separately, a climate complaint argues that New Zealand’s new shield against emissions-related lawsuits may breach environmental commitments in its EU free-trade deal.

Dolphin Protections: A High Court challenge starting today argues the government’s plan does not adequately protect Māui and Hector’s dolphins from fishing deaths. An estimated 54 Māui dolphins remain; the Environmental Law Initiative says 27 of 30 reported Hector’s dolphin bycatch deaths since 2022 occurred inside marine mammal sanctuaries. Dam Opposition: The Greens have strengthened their opposition to the Ruataniwha Dam, ruling out conservation land swaps for economic development. The project would flood 380 hectares, including ecologically significant habitat, and could increase pressure for intensive farming. Coastal Conservation: A third protected coral has been found in the area proposed for a Bream Bay sand mine. Meanwhile, hundreds rallied against bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf. Biosecurity: Boaties at Northland’s Lake Taharoa will face a new gate and must self-certify before launching, as authorities seek to limit the spread of pests. Conservation Work: Native-plant restoration leaders from Otago have received national awards for community-led ecological work. Dry Summer: Gisborne emergency services are preparing for a dry summer as El Niño conditions raise concerns.

Northland Beaches: A council decision on a proposed vehicle ban at a Northland beach is on hold. At nearby Lake Taharoa, boaties will need to self-certify at a new biosecurity gate before launching. Hauraki Gulf: Hundreds rallied against bottom trawling ahead of the election, while a third protected coral has been found in the area proposed for a Bream Bay sand mine. Summer Risks: Gisborne emergency services are preparing for a dry summer amid El Niño, and Northland waters could see more marlin, sharks and turtles. Wildlife: A threatened native bird has been sighted at Parangarehu Lakes for the first time in 70 years; satellite monitoring of backcountry toilets may also help track predators. Climate Politics: Climate change has barely featured in the election campaign, despite warnings that emissions cuts are too slow to meet 2030 targets. NZ First is promising to remove the climate charge from fuel.

Resource Consents: Environment Canterbury says 83.6% of consents were processed on time in 2025–26, up from 62.1% the previous year. The council manages more than 26,000 active consents. Ecosystem Pressures: Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper warned that excessive fishing, damaging farming and chemical overuse are putting pressure on ecosystems, urging practical action to change course. Wildlife and Development: Selwyn’s mayor questioned the cost and delay of lizard surveys holding up three road projects. Each survey costs $14,000 and may delay work by six months; she said the council still cares about protecting wildlife. Freshwater Biosecurity: Boaties launching at Northland’s Lake Taharoa must complete an online self-certification and get a PIN to open a new gate, part of efforts to keep invasive freshwater clams and other pests out. Hauraki Gulf: Hundreds gathered to demand an end to bottom trawling, with campaigners pressing for action ahead of the election.

Hauraki Gulf: Hundreds rallied on Waiheke Island to demand an end to bottom trawling, which conservation advocates say is damaging seafloor habitats and adding to pressure on the Gulf. They want stronger ocean protection to be an election issue. Climate and Energy: Election policies are drawing a sharp contrast: NZ First promises to scrap the climate fuel charge, while a new poll finds 63% of voters favour a binding, long-term energy strategy. Summer Risks: Gisborne emergency services are preparing for a dry summer amid El Niño forecasts, while Canterbury farmers are bracing for possible drought. Wildlife and Habitat: DOC is appealing for information after a penguin chick was found dead and another went missing at Piha. A third protected coral has also been found near a proposed Bream Bay sand mine, raising fresh questions about the project’s effects on marine life. Conservation Tools: Satellites tracking backcountry toilets may soon help conservation teams locate predators.

El Niño Preparations: Gisborne emergency services are bracing for a dry summer. Parched soil could increase runoff and flash-flood risks if heavy rain follows. Conservation Watch: A third protected coral has been found in the proposed Bream Bay sand-mining area, while DOC is testing satellite sensors to monitor remote facilities and potentially track predators. Wildlife: DOC is seeking information after one penguin chick was found dead and another went missing at Piha. Climate Policy: NZ First says scrapping the emissions charge on fuel would cut prices, while 350 Aotearoa reports strong voter support for a long-term national energy strategy focused on affordable renewables. Waste and Biosecurity: Whitianga has opened an $11.5 million recycling centre, and boaties at Lake Taharoa must self-certify they’ve met biosecurity requirements before launching.

Seabed Mining: A third protected coral species has been found in the proposed Bream Bay sand-mining area. The fast-track panel is seeking further submissions before deciding on the 35-year project. Freshwater Biosecurity: Boaties at Lake Taharoa must now self-certify at a new biosecurity gate, helping keep invasive pests out of Northland’s prized dune lakes. Climate Policy: NZ First says it would remove the ETS charge on fuel, cutting pump prices but weakening a price signal intended to reduce emissions. New figures show New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.9% in the June quarter. Cleaner Energy: Trials are testing whether electric vehicles can power homes, cut bills and provide backup during outages. Wildlife: A threatened native bird has been sighted at Parangārehu Lakes for the first time in 70 years, while DOC is appealing for information after one penguin chick was killed and another went missing at Piha.

Wildlife: DOC is seeking information after one penguin chick was found dead and another went missing at North Piha in an alleged deliberate attack. Biosecurity: A new self-certification gate at Lake Taharoa aims to keep invasive freshwater pests, including the clam already found in other parts of the country, out of Northland’s treasured dune lakes. Election and climate: NZ First says it would remove the ETS charge from fuel, cutting pump prices but weakening a price signal intended to reduce emissions. Clean energy: Three New Zealand trials are testing whether electric vehicles can power homes, potentially helping households cut bills and stay supplied during outages. Sun safety: Lincoln University researchers have developed a playground design approach that uses shaded activity zones to protect children from harmful UV rays; it is already being used at a New Zealand school.

Penguin Attack: One penguin chick has died and another is missing after an alleged deliberate attack at North Piha beach. DOC is appealing for information. Wildlife Recovery: Fernbirds have been spotted at Parangarehu Lakes for the first time in about 70 years, a hopeful sign for wetland restoration in Wellington’s East Harbour Regional Park. Marine Protection: Greenpeace says the Government is backing a move to allow trawling over a deep-sea coral hotspot in the Tasman Sea, raising concerns about damage to fragile marine life. Waste and Recycling: Whitianga has opened an $11.5 million transfer station and recycling centre to improve local waste services. Climate Risks: Canterbury farmers are preparing for a potentially severe El Niño summer, with drought concerns returning.

Wildlife Harm: DOC says a kororā nest at North Piha was deliberately disturbed; one chick died and another is missing. Wetland Recovery: Mātātā have been spotted at Wellington’s Parangarehu Lakes for the first time in about 70 years, while Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has welcomed two young kākāpō and 122 giant wētā. Pollution Risks: A rubbish-truck fire in Auckland exposed mixed, medical and industrial waste, including unidentified hazardous chemicals, dumped on the road. Climate and Farming: New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.9% in the second quarter, but Canterbury farmers are bracing for a potentially harsh El Niño summer as the region also grapples with rising nitrate levels in freshwater. Marine Protection: Greenpeace says a government bid to open a Tasman Sea deep-sea coral hotspot to trawling threatens a fragile marine area.

Emissions: New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.9% in the June quarter, with reduced fuel use as prices rose among the factors reported. Climate Risk: Insurers are urging the next government to act on extreme-weather threats, while Canterbury farmers brace for a potentially dry El Niño summer. Marine Protection: A bid to open a Tasman Sea deep-sea coral hotspot to trawling has drawn accusations the government is putting industry first. Pest Control: In Akaroa Harbour, invasive seaweed is being harvested for use as wakame, turning a marine pest into a business opportunity. Recycling: New Zealand’s mobile-phone recycling scheme has collected more than one million devices. Nature Learning: Cabinet has agreed to enable nature-based early childhood education.

Nature-Based Learning: Cabinet has agreed to create a clear legal framework for nature-based early childhood education, ending uncertainty for programmes that take children outdoors. Pest Plants: Otago Regional Council is asking residents to report giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, purple loosestrife and Chilean mayten, which can spread rapidly and threaten native plants. Drought Risk: Canterbury farmers are preparing for a potentially severe El Niño summer, with warm, dry conditions threatening feed and water supplies if they persist into next year. Emissions: New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.9% in the June quarter. Local Nature: Auckland Council’s pathway budget has ballooned from $4.1 million to nearly $10 million, with a nature reserve reportedly at risk. Clean Energy: Feasibility permits have opened for offshore wind projects in Taranaki and Waikato.

Native Wildlife: DOC released about 215 critically endangered Canterbury knobbled weevils into the foothills after breeding a population from six. Habitat loss, rodents and hedgehogs remain threats. Emissions: New Zealand’s industry and household greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.9% in the June quarter, mainly as manufacturing and transport emissions declined; emissions from power generation rose 22.2%. Climate Risk: Insurers are urging the next government to protect communities from extreme weather, while Canterbury faces warnings of another major flood within a decade as Kaikōura recovery continues. Renewable Energy: Feasibility permits are open for offshore wind projects off Taranaki and Waikato. Marine Protection: Greenpeace says a government bid to open a Tasman Sea deep-sea coral hotspot to trawling threatens fragile habitat. Waste: The RE:MOBILE scheme has collected more than one million phones for recycling, diverting 174.5 tonnes from landfill.

Nature Reserve Dispute: Auckland Council plans a $4.7 million, three-metre-wide concrete pathway through Wai o Taiki Bay Nature Reserve, despite residents backing a narrower nature trail and saying they weren’t consulted on the changed plan. E-waste: New Zealand produces an estimated 99,000 tonnes of electronic waste a year, but only about 2% enters trackable recycling. A separate phone-recycling scheme has collected one million devices and diverted more than 174 tonnes from landfill. Emissions: Household emissions fell 5.3% in the June quarter, with lower fuel use driving a 5.7% drop in household road-transport emissions. Renewable Energy: New Zealand’s first offshore wind feasibility permits are open for projects in Taranaki and Waikato. Flood Risk: Environment Canterbury warns another major flood is likely somewhere in the region within a decade as Kaikōura faces more than $30 million in repairs after July’s floods. Climate Science: New Zealand-led research is using AI to assess how warming could intensify the country’s most extreme downpours. Marine Protection: Greenpeace says the Government is backing a bid to allow trawling in a Tasman Sea deep-sea coral hotspot.