The government claims environmental responsibilities will continue seamlessly under the new arrangements.
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
The Ministry for the Environment has been scrapped, with legislation bringing the 40-year-old ministry to an end passing in Parliament on Wednesday night.
Its demise makes way for the creation of the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT).
Environment Minister Nicola Grigg says environmental responsibilities will continue seamlessly under the new arrangements.
“The Bill formally transfers the Ministry for the Environment’s statutory functions under the Environment Act to the Secretary for the Environment,” she said.
MCERT’s chief executive would carry out the responsibilities of the Secretary for the Environment, Grigg said.
“Environmental functions remain central to the work of the new department. Integrating these portfolios will support more practical and joined-up decision-making that both protects the environment and supports economic growth.”
The Green Party condemned the move, saying it cemented the coalition as the most anti-environment government in New Zealand’s history.
Green Party environment spokesperson Lan Pham said none of the coalition partners campaigned on the change.
“New Zealanders of all political stripes care about the environment, swim in rivers, lakes, and at the beach, and fish for kai. They know that nature is the backbone of our economy. They did not ask for this,” she said.
“At a time when all our environmental outcomes across freshwater, air, biodiversity and oceans are going backwards, climate change is flooding communities week after week, costing billions of dollars, lives, and livelihoods, this Government’s response is to dismantle the ministry responsible for environmental protection,” Pham said.
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