Friday 31 October, 2003
Media Release
Environment issues critical says Ministry

Improving air quality across the population centres of New Zealand is the major objective of new environmental standards about to be introduced, says Ministry for the Environment chief executive Barry Carbon.

“Based on current monitoring, 26 towns and cities around New Zealand – including Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin – will likely exceed the Ministry’s proposed National Environmental Standards.”

The Ministry is embarking on the Talk Environment roadshow from Monday 3 November to explain the new standards and to raise awareness of the issues amongst industry and the community, says Mr Carbon.

“Talk Environment is one of the most comprehensive community engagement programmes that the Ministry has ever undertaken. Over a two week period the roadshow – in partnership with councils – will visit 13 regions around New Zealand.”

As well as National Environmental Standards, the Ministry wants to hear the community’s views on a number of major areas of environmental work, including managing biodiversity on private land and the Resource Management Act.

“The Ministry is responsible for leading the management of New Zealand’s environment, fixing problems that need central government expertise and partnering with local government, business and the community to make a difference,” says Mr Carbon.

“The Talk Environment roadshow gives the community an opportunity to meet face-to-face with senior Ministry for the Environment staff and share views about how we can make that happen.”

For schedule of dates and venues, see http://www.mfe.govt.nz

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