Stronger Environmental Law, Better Future
Raewyn Peart, Policy Director of the Environment Defence Society (EDS), and litigation defence lawyer, gave Ponsonby U3A members a compelling view of the environmental situation in New Zealand.
Raewyn, a scholar, an author, a sailor and an environmental defender, has a B.Soc.Sc., an LLB, a B.Com., and an M.Com. Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to environmental and conservation policy, she is a member of a policy think tank. She has written major books on coastal development, dolphin protection, fisheries management and the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Raewyn, in her succinct and colourful, story-telling manner, took members through past events, especially the history of environmental defence; what the Coalition Government is doing currently; and, on a hopeful note, what can be done in the future.
Established in 1971, EDS, operating from a legal base provides a voice for the environment, develops policy and raises awareness. Acting at the other end to Greenpeace, the focus is on trying to change the system from within to influence government policy. Much needs to be done, especially when a government prioritises the economy over the environment.
Raewyn chronicled the history of governments’ relationships with environmental defence from the 1970s when the economy was paramount and there was heavy regulation, conservative judges and shoddy environmental practices. Foreshadowing today, the main debate was how to generate electricity at a time when a more affluent society was buying appliances. Shrouded in secrecy, the then government was looking at nuclear power and scoping nuclear power station sites until EDS forced a public enquiry.
In the era of think big, with nuclear power off the table, the government changed its focus. EDS advocated against several initiatives including the development of gas extraction off the Taranaki coast, the establishment of an aluminium smelter in Aramoana, the flooding of orchards around the Clyde Dam, and hydroelectricity on the Motu River. Additionally, EDS employed delaying tactics to prevent open-cast mining for gold on the Coromandel Peninsula. Other EDS successes followed.
The EDS sometimes lost cases but won the war because they got publicity and a gradual shift in the law.
Currently, there is an unprecedented attack on nature. Fast Track legislation will diminish environmental protection, legislation to improve waterways has been amended, biodiversity protection has been stymied, and schemes for reducing agricultural emissions have been disestablished. As well, funding cuts and redundancy of DOC staff work against protecting nature and affording legal defence.
Raewyn asserts people must be aware this avalanche of adverse policies comes from National’s coalition partners. The EDS aims to enable nuanced decisions, offer constructive ideas, think long term and collaborate with willing iwi Māori and landowners. Above all, people must help defend the environment because the stronger the law, the better the future for nature.
Ponsonby U3A ten-minute speaker of the day was Craig Jenson. Craig gave an impassioned account of his 50-year love affair with opera.
During his schooldays he engaged in performing and won a scholarship. He discovered Joan Sutherland and his uncle, an art critic, gave him tickets for Rigoletto and Carmen. From then on, he was hooked. Craig went on to describe many of the performers he discovered at various world-famous venues. As his taste expanded, he experienced Wagner’s famous ring cycle, all fifteen hours of it.
While Craig frequents cinemas and local productions to hear opera, he is looking forward to further trips abroad.
Ponsonby U3A holds monthly general meetings which feature a principal speaker, experts from disciplines such as science, medicine, the arts, corporates, sport and journalism, to name a few. During the meeting, a member gives a short presentation on a topic of choice.
Visitors are welcome but please call President Bronwen Hughes first on M: 021 549 093. (CHRISTINE HART)
NEXT MEETING: 10am, Friday 9 May 2025
SPEAKER: Ty Kin-Wall, Artistic Director, Royal New Zealand Ballet
ENQUIRIES: Bronwen Hughes, President, Ponsonby U3A. M: 021 549 093, www.u3a.nz
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