The Green Party is accusing the Government of allowing industry lobbying to shape key parts of its replacement resource management laws, warning the changes could weaken protections for climate, waterways and native species. Green environment spokesperson Lan Pham says documents obtained by the party show some industry requests closely reflected provisions subsequently included in the…

Labour is promising a dedicated Rainbow Pae Ora health strategy if elected, saying rainbow communities need to be formally recognised in the planning and delivery of New Zealand’s health services. Labour’s Rainbow Issues spokesperson Georgie Dansey says the policy would embed the health needs of rainbow New Zealanders into health-system planning, alongside a proposed ethnic…

A recreational fishing advocacy group says new reductions to tarakihi catch limits do not go far enough, accusing the Government of putting commercial fishing interests ahead of rebuilding depleted stocks. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced a 20 percent reduction in commercial limits for the combined eastern tarakihi fishery and around a 55…

Aotearoa Educators Collective says National’s proposed restrictions on screen use for young children risk targeting the wrong part of the problem, arguing greater attention should be placed on supporting parents and whānau. National has proposed ending screen and individual-device use in early childhood education and tightly restricting it during the early years of primary school…