The Fast-Track is a War on Nature Many of the proposed fast-track projects threaten conservation land - ecologically essential landscapes which have been placed under protection for future generations. Fast-track legislation would hand over this irreplaceable public land to private corporations with a known track record of environmental destruction.  For example, if allowed to proceed, Bathurst’s proposal [2] under the fast-track approvals process would devastate the 40-million-year-old landscape on the Denniston Plateau. Open-cast mining destroys everything in its way including the habitat of flora and fauna that don’t exist anywhere else in the world! All future generations will be deprived from enjoying this unique geographical treasure so that an overseas owned coal company can make a quick buck.  The Fast-Track Undermines Democracy A recent amendment [3] would also block New Zealanders from holding these companies accountable for the destruction that they cause. For example it would stop Mike Smith’s case [4] against major polluters from being heard in court even though the Supreme Court ruled that it should go to trial! This is an example of government over-reach that would undermine the rule of law and the power of the courts to hold corporations accountable for their harmful actions.  Fast-Track Undermines Te Tiriti o Waitangi  It breaches Te Tiriti principles by bypassing the need for consultation and undermining the tino rangatiratanga of iwi in making decisions about Māori whenua. Even in the English translation of the treaty, the crown said it would guarantee Māori “the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their lands, forests & fisheries”. That promise was long-since broken by the confiscation of land, the fast-track now threatens to destroy those very forests and fisheries.   The Fast-Track  Prioritises Corporate Profits over Community Health Fast-track cuts local communities out of the decision-making processes and then blocks their legal avenue for redress. Taking away these legal pathways protects polluters at the expense of communities, the environment and future generations. This process and the current government prioritise profit over life. Extractive (mining) industries provide short-term profits for the companies and leave communities to manage long-term environmental devastation. For example, in 2024 the taxpayer spent $3.67 million on acid mine drainage remediation alone, whilst only $3.7 million was collected in mining royalties [5].  There is a Better Path We believe in Kaitiakitanga — our shared responsibility to protect and care for the whenua for those who come after us. We believe in democracy, where every community has a voice and the power to influence decisions that impact them. We believe that Te Tiriti o Waitangi must be honoured and that local knowledge and expert advice must guide decision-making.  We believe in a future where people and nature can thrive together. That is why we call on the New Zealand Labour Party to commit to; • Repeal the fast-track legislation in full, • Revoke all mining consents granted under the fast-track process, • Oppose any legislation that would block climate accountability cases (like Mike Smith’s) from being heard by the courts, and commit to revoking this legislation if you get into government.  Now is the time to act — to protect the people and land of Aotearoa from a fast-track to devastation. Sign the petition today! For more ways to participate, check out the Climate Liberation Aotearoa website: HOME - Climate Liberation Aotearoa References 1. The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/flawed-fast-track-bill-silences-impacted-communities Greenpeace Aotearoa https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/explore/fast-track-approvals-bill/?#h-fast-tracked-destruction The Parliamentary Commission for the Environment https://pce.parliament.nz/our-work/news/fast-track-approvals-bill-poses-significant-risks-to-the-environment/? University of Auckland https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/04/24/fast-track-approvals.html? 2. Bathurst Resources Limited https://bathurst.co.nz/assets/reports/2024-10-09-Projects-named-on-Fast-Track-Approvals-Bill.pdf 3. ICLG https://iclg.com/news/23858-new-zealand-moves-to-block-climate-lawsuits-ahead-of-landmark-trial/ 4. E-Tangata https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/mike-smith-this-is-corrosive-to-democracy/ 5. Newsroom https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/02/all-of-govts-2024-coal-earnings-spent-treating-damages-at-a-single-mine/

The BSA is the only real protection New Zealand has against the broadcasting of lies, abuse or misinformation. Since 1989, it has done an excellent job supporting our television and radio broadcasters to be responsible by providing an avenue for complaints from the public. The BSA upholds standards which all broadcasters must meet. These cover: • offensive and disturbing content,  • the interests of children,  • promotion of illegal or antisocial behaviour,  • discrimination and denigration,  • balance,  • accuracy,  • privacy, and   • fairness. Without these standards, New Zealand’s media cannot claim to be responsible and trustworthy. A different organisation called the Media Council regulates print and online media but it has no teeth. It can't force media organisations to be responsible if they go rogue. Moreover, if media like the Platform and Reality Check Radio don't join the Media Council (which they haven't), they're not within its jurisdiction and can be as irresponsible as they wish.  For years, many observers have been calling on the government to increase the BSA’s scope to include online media.  Instead, the government proposes to scrap the BSA and increase the Media Council to include radio and television. As a result standards will slide and NZ will drift inexorably towards a media system like we see currently in the US.

The Waitakere Ranges are precious.  They provide Auckland with fresh air and clean water.  They provide us with serenity and artistic inspiration.  They have been described as “the lungs of Tamaki Makaurau” and Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa is a very effective sequesterer of carbon.  To address threats to the Ranges, the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act was passed in 2008.  It has worked well at holding development pressures at bay and maintaining the beauty and uniqueness of the Ranges.  Law changes now before Parliament risk gutting the protections in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008. The Heritage Area Act cross-references the Resource Management Act. But the Government is replacing the RMA with the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill without updating those references — which would render large parts of the Heritage Area Act meaningless. That would strip consent processes, Regional Spatial Plans and Land Use Plans of their duty to protect the Ranges. In short: the Ranges could be weakened by a thousand cuts. Subdivision of the Ranges would be more likely and decision makers would not have to have as one of their guiding principles the protection of the Ranges. The Bill is reported back to Parliament on June 26. Urgent action is needed if we are to fix this before then.   Together we can protect the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area for future generations. Please sign and share this petition with friends and family. For more information please refer to this Environmental Defence Society article in the Herald and the Waitākere Ranges Local Board's submission can be read here.

Right now, our community is already enduring worsening air quality, and the Council is currently operating under an abatement notice for their ongoing failures at the plant. ​Instead of focusing 100% of their resources on fixing the root cause of the odour, the Council is spending millions of ratepayer dollars to investigate dumping partially treated wastewater directly into our ocean outfall. This is being looked at as a "Diversion Option" under their Pond Resilience Project.  ​We need to stop this for three main reasons: ​Trading One Crisis for Another: We cannot allow the Council to trade a devastating air quality crisis for a marine environmental disaster in Pegasus Bay. Pumping partially treated wastewater into our ocean is not a solution; it is a dangerous band-aid. ​Wasting Millions of Dollars: It is completely irresponsible to spend millions of dollars just to investigate a backup plan that the community vehemently opposes. That money needs to be spent on actual, permanent fixes at the plant itself. ​Enough is Enough for the East: The residents of Bromley and the surrounding areas have endured enough disruption and environmental stress. We are united in saying no to this outfall diversion, and we refuse to let this happen in our city. ​We need to send a loud, undeniable message to the Council before they vote on the Pond Resilience Project on April 1st. Sign this petition to demand they take the ocean outfall investigation off the table permanently and focus entirely on fixing the plant.   References [1] Christchurch City Council, "CWTP Odour Proposed Pond By-pass" briefing document, outlining the proposed secondary treatment bypass (Page 1). Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mydPWu6wWuGTF9NwmzmSj3EdTriFQxOm/view?usp=drivesdk  

Our Ahipara community should not have to live in fear of roaming dogs. My kids saw a dog being attacked right in front of them — it was violent, chaotic, and traumatic. No child should have to witness that, and no Council should accept it as normal. This is not about being anti-dog. It’s about keeping our community safe, ensuring people take responsibility for their pets, and preventing harm before it happens.

Over half of New Zealand’s population lives in the Golden Triangle, and it is one of the fastest-growing parts of the country — it makes sense to have a modern, safe and efficient train service between Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.  Te Huia is already showing how passenger rail can help people get to work, study, healthcare, and visit whānau without relying on long, expensive, and often dangerous road trips.  Investing in passenger rail eases congestion, improves road safety, reduces emissions and supports regional growth and tourism. With major rail infrastructure already in place and the City Rail Link opening in 2026, now is the time to build on Te Huia’s foundations — not walk away from them.

Fossil fuels are the biggest driver of climate change—and just like tobacco, they’re harming our health, our environment, and our future. Yet fossil fuel companies continue to run ads and sponsorships that mislead the public and delay climate action. It’s time to stop the greenwashing. Just as Aotearoa once led the world in banning tobacco advertising, we must now ban fossil fuel ads and sponsorships. Other countries like France, the Netherlands, and the UK are already doing it. Local councils in Australia have joined in too[1]. Here in Aotearoa, companies like Z Energy are under fire for deceptive climate marketing[2]. We can’t allow fossil fuel giants to shape the public narrative while continuing to pollute. We urge you to support a national ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorships. Join us in building a safer, healthier, climate-resilient Aotearoa. Please sign the petition and share it with your friends and family  References [1] fossiladban.org/learn/ [2] www.consumer.org.nz/articles/z-energy-continues-the-business-of-greenwashing-as-its-emissions-rise  

Why is this important? Auckland should be a city built for people, not for cars - no matter where you live everyone should be able to access great, affordable, and reliable public transport. Every Aucklander knows traffic is out of hand and only getting worse Aucklanders spend more than 80 hours a year in traffic on average[1]. It costs the city more than $2billion dollars a year in lost productivity. An estimated 2,247 premature deaths, 9,400 hospitalizations and 13,200 cases of childhood asthma come from vehicle emissions per year in Aotearoa[2]. Transport makes up 39% of Aotearoa's greenhouse gas emissions[3]. It's also expensive: $7,000 a year to maintain a car, and New Zealand has by some measures the highest car ownership in the world. As Auckland continues to grow it is important that we give people alternatives to car ownership. Trains, Buses and Ferries that are all well connected and affordable can make a huge difference. We know this because it happened before. Back in 1955 when the tram system still existed in Auckland, 58% of trips were made via public transport - now in 2025 it’s down to 5%.  It is time to build cities for people and not for cars - sign this petition and together we can make a change!   If it's there people use it: in 1955 when the tram system still existed in Auckland, 58% of trips were made by public transport. Now it's just 5%. 40% of commuters from the North shore now use the Northern Expressway buses. It is possible to build a city for people rather than cars. References 1 https://at.govt.nz/media/pqxhk3cn/auckland-transport-cost-of-congestion-white-paper.pdf 2 https://www.esr.cri.nz/media/edmf0i4c/esr-environmental-health-report-public-health-risks-transport-emissions.pdf 3 https://environment.govt.nz/publications/aotearoa-new-zealands-first-emissions-reduction-plan/transport/

Restoring this vital rail link would benefit over 750,000 people by providing an affordable and accessible alternative to air travel and long-distance coaches, which older and disabled passengers often find inaccessible. It would reduce reliance on private vehicles, improving road safety. Reintroducing this service would boost regional economies, uplift tourism in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and under-served regions, and build a more connected and equitable transport network for all.

No matter where we live in Aotearoa our communities need access to essential services, education and opportunities to grow and thrive. That includes Tokoroa and other small regional communities throughout the South Waikato.  But as a result of this Government’s decisions Tokoroa’s Toi Ohomai campus is facing closure. The Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology has published a proposal to cut over 160 jobs which would lead to the purpose built campus in Tokoroa being closed. Toi Ohomai has said the proposal was in response to a Government expectation to become “financially viable”. Tokoroa has already faced the devastating blow of Kinleith Mill shutting down one of its plants with 150 people losing their jobs. Families have had to reevaluate their lives in the South Waikato, with many deciding to move out of the district for more job opportunities. Some have decided to stay, looking into retraining at Toi Ohomai or seeking employment in other areas in the district.  The Toi Ohomai campus in Tokoroa is a beacon of light for those who otherwise wouldn't have the means to travel to continue tertiary education in Rotorua, Tauranga or Hamilton. The campus and its courses are an asset to all ages, from young high school graduates to adult learners looking to upskill or retrain. With new housing developments and the Maraetai Road Business Park build, there is a light at the end of the economic recovery tunnel for Tokoroa and the wider South Waikato. If Toi Ohomai remains open in Tokoroa, it has the potential to become a significant economic catalyst for local businesses and the recruitment and retention of young people in the district. If we lose Toi Ohomai in Tokoroa, opportunities for locals will once again become extremely limited and the wider community will be left with the burden to fill the gaps. To creatively and collaboratively invest in our local community and allow time for possibilities to flourish is to contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the South Waikato and provide hope to future generations. "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet". Sign this petition to signal to Toi Ohomai and the government that the Tokoroa community deserves better and will not stand by as our opportunities for youth and future generations are shortsightedly taken away. Let’s show Toi Ohomai leadership that the Tokoroa campus is a valued asset in the community and it must stay open. 

A restored Southerner train route offers affordable transport for 750,000 SI residents, bridging gaps where air is too costly for students/low-income, coaches inaccessible for disabled/elderly, and car travel unsafe/expensive. This boosts regional economic development and tourism. Recent rail investments, like Hillside Workshops, new ferries, and Inland Ports, confirm rail's viability in the South Island. 

Why we want Aotearoa to stay incinerator-free Incinerators are a serious health hazard Incinerators release highly toxic dioxins, heavy metals, and PFAS, among other pollutants. These are some of the most toxic substances known to science, and can cause things like cancer, damage to the nervous system and organs, birth defects and infertility! Would you want to be breathing, drinking and eating this stuff?  Incinerators still need landfills Incinerators do not stop the need for landfills. The ash, which can be as much as a third of the total amount of rubbish that went in, has to be landfilled and handled as hazardous waste. Along with that, some stuff simply can't be burnt ever because of its toxicity, or because the material simply isn’t burnable.  Incinerators are an economic loser The hype around incinerators suggests they will provide lots of jobs and economic benefits to the communities they are built in. But, for every job an incinerator provides, activities that actually stop the waste before it’s created - like recycling, composting, reuse and repair - provide hundreds more jobs and local economic activity.  Incinerators pollute air, land and water Even the most sophisticated modern incinerators release harmful substances out of their chimneys and into the ash and wastewater, leaving a toxic legacy for those spaces and ecosystems for generations to come. The toxic ash has to go somewhere - mostly to a specialised landfill, where the pollutants can leach out. Incinerators are a disaster for the climate In 2024 the BBC found that incineration is just as bad for the climate as coal power, and five times more polluting than the average unit of UK energy. New Zealand reports have also found that incinerators will spew out far more carbon than landfills, especially as more organic waste gets composted instead of landfilled to meet New Zealand’s methane reduction targets.  Incinerators keep the waste train going Incinerators need 20 to 30 years of burning as much rubbish as they possibly can to justify the hundreds of millions of dollars needed to build and run them. Imagine if all that money was invested in smart zero waste projects instead? What a waste!    Would you want a dirty incinerator in your community? For a future where the earth's resources are valued, where people have opportunities to do meaningful zero waste work, and where we know our air, water, soils and food is safe… Let's Keep Aotearoa Incinerator Free! FAQ Should we follow Europe’s example? Europe’s incinerators are not what they’re cracked up to be, and are fast becoming yesterday’s technology. These days Europe is retreating from burning rubbish because it is harming their climate and waste reduction, reuse and recycling goals. For example, Denmark has invested heavily in incinerators but now generates more waste per capita than any other country in Europe. They recently announced a plan to close down 30% of the country's incinerators in order to get their greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation under control. Wales and Scotland have also banned any new incinerators being built, and England is considering it too. And the EU no longer considers incinerators eligible for climate-friendly investment. What about technologies with fancy names like pyrolysis and gasification?  Despite all the hype, these technologies have a horrendous track record of failure across Europe and elsewhere. They might be OK for clean, organic materials like forestry slash, but add anything else and they create toxins as bad or worse than incinerators.  Aren’t incinerators generating much needed power? While companies like to sell these technologies as ‘waste to energy’, they not only produce dirty, non-renewable energy, but they are extremely inefficient. A study from 2023 found that European incinerators are only able to capture a small proportion of the energy they burn - roughly 25% at best, compared to around 35% for coal power, and 55% for natural gas. Zero waste - is it really achievable? Absolutely! Zero waste is not just about the literal goal of achieving ‘zero’; it's as much a practical toolkit and guidebook to drastically reducing waste across our communities starting with preventing the creation of waste in the first place. It is well-established, with an extensive evidence-base and a huge range of real life options already being implemented in communities all over the world right now. Check out the mahi of groups like Para Kore, Zero Waste Aotearoa, Zero Waste Europe, and GAIA for some inspiration!