AGP Executive Report

Drought Warning: Northland is nearing a drought crossroads as a powerful El Niño strengthens. Forecasts point to below-normal rain and river flows, prompting calls for households and farmers to check supplies and plan ahead. Kiwi Protection: A Northland woman has pleaded guilty after her dog killed four kiwi at a peninsula where dog attacks have repeatedly claimed native birds. Nature and Energy: New Zealand is testing UV lights and suction dredges to curb invasive seaweed spread on boats and fishing gear. A Canterbury solar farm has also won approval at a reduced scale, while the Government has quietly selected a provider for its planned LNG import terminal.

Drought Warning: Northland is preparing for possible drought as a strong El Niño brings a higher risk of below-average rain, river flows and soil moisture through December. The regional council is urging households and farmers to check supplies and plan ahead. Freshwater Wildlife: Waikato’s award-winning Pathways to the Sea project is helping native tuna and other fish pass safely through flood-protection pumps, combining mātauranga Māori, science and engineering. Kiwi Protection: A Northland woman has pleaded guilty after her dog killed four kiwi; DOC says the bay has seen repeated dog attacks on the endangered birds. Renewable Energy: Canterbury’s solar farm has been approved at a reduced scale. Energy Policy: The Government has shortlisted a provider for a proposed LNG import terminal, a significant development for New Zealand’s energy supply.

South Pacific Weather: A cyclone alert is in force near Suwarrow as a tropical depression strengthens, with damaging winds and heavy seas forecast. El Niño is also raising concern about Northland drought and a busier cyclone season across the Southwest Pacific. Fiordland Wildlife: Researchers have mapped 1,200 tawaki nests across nine fjords; their surveys suggest the elusive penguin population may be about three times larger than earlier estimates. Nature Protection: New Zealand is developing tools to tackle invasive seaweed, while the public is being asked to help shape plans for an East Coast marine reserve. Clean Infrastructure: Work has begun on Auckland’s next major wastewater tunnel, and a Canterbury solar farm has been approved at a reduced scale.

Piha Campground: The popular West Auckland site will reopen for summer despite council staff recommending an end to overnight camping over flood concerns. The local board approved reopening with flood warnings, monitoring and evacuation measures in place. Pacific Cyclone: Tropical Cyclone Wati has formed in Cook Islands waters unusually early, with residents urged to prepare and follow official warnings. Tawaki Research: A long-term survey has mapped 1,200 Fiordland crested penguin nests across nine fjords. Researchers say the population appears about three times larger than earlier surveys suggested, while continuing to study the elusive birds’ habits and threats. Invasive Seaweed: New Zealand is testing UV lights and suction dredges to tackle the spread of invasive seaweed carried on boat anchors and fishing gear. Summer Drought Risk: An El Niño forecast is raising concern about drought in Northland as summer approaches. Marine Protection: The public is being asked to help shape the direction of an East Coast marine reserve.

El Niño Watch: Northland faces a growing drought threat as summer approaches, while Gisborne farmers and wine growers see potential upside from the weather pattern. Climate Planning: New Zealand ranks poorly on health protection in its climate plans, raising concerns about how well communities are prepared for climate-related risks. LNG Debate: The Government has quietly selected a provider for a liquefied natural gas terminal, drawing criticism from climate justice groups. Renewable Energy: Commissioners approved a North Canterbury solar farm at a reduced scale, cutting the proposed site by 25% and requiring planting to soften its effects on nearby properties. Marine Protection: The public is being asked to help shape the future of an East Coast marine reserve. Biosecurity: New Zealand is testing UV lights and suction dredges to curb the spread of invasive seaweed carried on boats and fishing gear.

Native Fish: Waikato Regional Council’s award-winning upgrades help migrating eels and other native fish pass through flood-protection pumps. Drought Watch: El Niño is raising drought risks in Northland, while dry conditions are emerging inland in Gisborne. Farmers are preparing for water shortages and possible stock sales. Climate Readiness: A new assessment says New Zealand scores poorly on protecting health in its climate plans. Energy: The Government has shortlisted a provider for an LNG import terminal, drawing criticism from climate justice groups. Invasive Seaweed: New Zealand is testing UV lights and suction dredges to stop invasive seaweed spreading on boats and fishing gear. Marine Protection: DOC and Ngāti Konohi are seeking public feedback on the 25-year review of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve near Gisborne. Flood Recovery: Kaikōura is weighing repair options of $8 million to $30 million after July’s floods, with the higher-cost plan aimed at improving resilience to future extreme weather.

Climate & Health: New Zealand scored just 2 out of 32 in a global review of how countries include public health in climate plans, placing it among the lowest-ranked. Energy Policy: The Government has shortlisted a provider for an LNG import terminal, drawing criticism from climate justice groups over its fossil-fuel plans. Nature & Resilience: An Auckland-linked study found reefs around rat-free atoll islands grew faster, suggesting seabird and native vegetation restoration could help islands withstand rising seas. Weather Risks: Forecasters warn El Niño is tightening its grip on Northland, while the Southwest Pacific may face increased cyclone activity from November to April. Climate Action: Ōtautahi’s School Strike 4 Climate plans an October 23 rally, urging parties to put climate justice at the centre of election policy.

Energy Transition: MBIE has shortlisted a provider for a proposed Taranaki LNG import terminal, but the Government says no final decision will be made until after the election. The plan would bring in gas by ship, raising fresh questions about the country’s energy direction. Forest Restoration: Meridian is investing another $2.5 million in native forest restoration, with pest control part of the programme. Dry Summer Risk: El Niño is tightening its grip on Northland: September rainfall was about half the usual level, and soil moisture, groundwater and river flows are low. A dry summer could bring drought. Wetland Wildlife: A community-led Otago project is in its final year of tracking the critically endangered matuku-hūrepo, or Australasian bittern, to identify wetlands that need protection. Roads and Nature: Forest & Bird warns a proposed Brynderwyns highway route could put native wildlife at risk, and says the costly replacement needs a rethink.

Cyclone Risk: Earth Sciences New Zealand forecasts seven to 11 named cyclones in the Southwest Pacific this season, with at least four potentially reaching Category 3 or higher. A developing strong El Niño could bring more activity east of the International Date Line and an earlier start. Environmental Capacity: The new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport proposes cutting 400 roles, including 365 vacant positions, and aims to save $50 million a year. The restructure puts the future capacity of environmental agencies in focus. Mining and Fast-Track Rules: Resources Minister Shane Jones says the Government may further amend fast-track legislation if projects do not get favourable decisions, arguing the process is too slow. The comments renew questions about how environmental protections will weigh against development. Pollution: Two companies were each fined $8,000 after a stockfeed pile at a Mount Maunganui storage site heated up and produced foul odours, prompting 25 complaints.

Environment Ministry Cuts: The newly merged ministry covering environment, transport and cities plans to cut 400 roles and $50 million, warning a smaller agency cannot deliver the same volume of work. Climate & Health: A global scorecard says New Zealand’s climate commitments do not adequately consider health. Cleaner Harbour: Watercare’s $260 million Herne Bay tunnel aims to capture wet-weather sewage overflows and improve Waitematā Harbour water quality. Cyclone Outlook: More activity is possible across the Southwest Pacific, with a potentially early season; New Zealand’s overall risk is forecast as normal. Forest Restoration: Meridian has committed another $2.5 million to its native forest programme, which has planted more than 676 hectares and removed 13,000-plus pests. Protecting Maunga: Auckland’s 14 Tūpuna Maunga will close during Guy Fawkes to reduce fire risks to native vegetation and nearby communities. Roads & Wildlife: Forest & Bird warns the proposed Brynderwyn highway replacement could put native wildlife and taxpayers at risk. Invasive Species: New Zealand is building tools to tackle invasive seaweed.

Election and Environment: Greens’ Lan Pham says the Government has presided over “unprecedented” environmental decline, putting nature and climate policy in focus during the campaign. Food and Sustainability: A jar of Sichuan-infused Cromwell cherries won the top 2026 New Zealand Food Award, with judges praising its support for local produce and a more sustainable food system. Climate and Emissions: New Zealand has hit record greenhouse-gas emissions, while a separate campaign analysis says climate policy is missing from the election debate. Climate Risk: Around 10,000 homes could become difficult to insure by 2035, highlighting the growing financial stakes of climate hazards. Nature and Infrastructure: Critics say a proposed Brynderwyn highway replacement risks harming nature; elsewhere, plans for new Hauraki Gulf marine reserves and a ring-net fishing ban have put marine protection on the agenda. Wildlife: Researchers say invasive species cause especially heavy damage in New Zealand and Australia, renewing questions about how best to protect native ecosystems.

Climate and Emissions: New Zealand’s latest climate report warns that climate change is affecting nature, health, the economy and Māori relationships with the environment. The country produces 0.17% of global emissions despite having 0.06% of the population, with agriculture and energy choices shaping what comes next. Election and Environment: The Greens’ nearly $6 billion economic plan includes clean-energy investment and shifting incentives towards decarbonisation. National has promised new marine reserves, tougher fishing rules and a Hauraki Gulf ring-net fishing ban; critics say its proposed Brynderwyns highway route risks harming nature. Nature Protection: Bottom trawling’s damage to the seafloor is back in focus, while National has also promised a review of the practice. Climate Risk: New estimates suggest around 10,000 New Zealand homes could become hard to insure by 2035. Pollution: Testing in Rotorua has eased concerns about “forever chemicals” in the lake and forest.

Community and 1080: Wairarapa environmental advocate Garry Dittmer has died after speaking at a council meeting, where he was seeking answers about 1080 use and risks to drinking-water catchments. Climate Risks: A new estimate suggests around 10,000 New Zealand homes could be difficult to insure by 2035 as climate hazards grow. Transport and Nature: Critics say the proposed eastern replacement route for the Brynderwyns risks damage to nature and could be a costly mistake. Emissions: New Zealand has hit record greenhouse-gas emissions, while climate policy is barely featuring in the election debate. Oceans: National is proposing new marine reserves and tougher fishing rules, as scrutiny grows over bottom trawling’s damage to the seafloor. Wildlife: New Zealand’s remote islands remain vital sanctuaries for rare species, while invasive species cause unusually severe harm across the country.

Climate Risk: About 10,000 homes in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin could become difficult to insure by 2035 as climate-related hazards grow, a new government report warns. Election Environment: National has pledged new marine reserves, tougher fishing rules and a ban on ring-net fishing in the Hauraki Gulf, while New Zealand’s greenhouse-gas emissions have reached a record level. The Greens say large AI data centres should face environmental impact assessments and cover their own energy use. Nature: New Zealand’s glaciers are at risk of disappearing by 2100, while Stewart Island/Rakiura remains a refuge for rare wildlife, including thousands of tokoeka kiwi. Water Security: South Wairarapa’s 40-kilometre Longwood Water Race, serving about 60 properties, was left without its protective bylaw after it expired in 2024; the council is now consulting on a replacement.

Climate Litigation: Climate cases are gaining ground as governments scale back climate action. Australia’s top court has blocked a coal mine expansion over its climate impact, while international courts have affirmed countries’ obligations to act. Fishing and Marine Protection: National is promising new marine reserves, tougher fishing rules and a $20 million fisheries fund, as well as a Hauraki Gulf ring-net ban and a review of bottom trawling. Opponents say its fishing policy has shifted. Roads and Wildlife: Forest & Bird is urging a rethink of the proposed Brynderwyns route, warning it could cut through more than eight hectares of old-growth forest and threaten long-tailed bats, frogs, skinks and kauri snails. Pollution: Taylorville Resource Park has been fined $104,000 for dumping 2,733 tonnes of road waste. Restoration: A Tairāwhiti programme will deliver 10 catchment restoration projects, while New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions have reached a record level, according to a recent report.

Marine Protection: National has promised a new Waiheke marine reserve, an expansion of Goat Island reserve, a ban on commercial fishing in Hauraki Gulf high-protection areas and a review of trawl corridors. Its plan also includes a $20 million fisheries fund, while opponents accuse the party of shifting its position on fishing rules. Climate: New Zealand’s greenhouse-gas emissions have reached a record high, and a separate report warns the country’s glaciers could disappear by 2100. A study also warns climate change threatens many of the world’s best surf breaks. Coastal Wildlife: New restrictions on taking sea life from parts of the Auckland and Coromandel coast aim to protect rockpools; fishers have backed a new ban. Waste and Restoration: Taylorville Resource Park was fined $104,000 for dumping 2,733 tonnes of road waste. In Tairāwhiti, a new education programme will deliver 10 catchment restoration projects.