Leading environmental organisations across Aotearoa have come together to call for an urgent “environmental reset” ahead of the 2026 general election, urging political parties to prioritise nature and climate action as a matter of national urgency.
A joint roadmap released by the coalition of groups proposes a comprehensive programme of policies to protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and shift the economy toward sustainability. This blueprint for a nature-positive Aotearoa sets out specific actions the organisations believe should be enacted in the first 100 days of the next Government.
Central elements of the roadmap include ending environmentally destructive projects that have been fast-tracked through recent legislative processes, reinstating a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration that was removed under earlier government decisions, and stopping harmful fishing practices in sensitive marine areas such as the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana.
The coalition’s plan extends beyond immediate reforms, outlining longer-term goals to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, improve public and zero-emission transport infrastructure, and bolster sustainable agriculture. It also emphasises investment in nature-based solutions like wetland restoration and large-scale native reforestation, alongside proposals to ensure polluters bear the cost of environmental harm.
Environmental groups argue the current approach to natural resource management and climate policy has allowed ecological degradation to accelerate, with native species under pressure and communities facing rising risks from severe weather events linked to climate change. They contend that a reset of environmental priorities is necessary to safeguard long-term wellbeing, economic prosperity, and intergenerational equity.
The joint roadmap has been circulated to all registered political parties, urging them to adopt its recommendations as part of their election platforms. The initiative reflects growing public concern about the state of the environment and the perceived need for decisive leadership on climate and ecosystem protection through legislative and policy change.
The coalition’s call for an environmental reset comes amid wider debates in New Zealand about institutional arrangements for environmental governance, including recent proposals to reorganise government ministries and the broader direction of environmental regulation.
As the election campaign unfolds, the coalition’s roadmap is expected to shape discussions on how future governments will balance economic development with the urgent need to protect Aotearoa’s unique natural heritage and to respond effectively to the climate crisis.
