# Question 138: For the 2026 New Zealand general election: What do parties propose about freshwater, pollution, biodiversity and resource management? Collected 2 November 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 8 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 12e1397d-2a8c-4e11-9bc1-75a89a865a47 # 2026 New Zealand general election: Environmental policies compared The biggest divide in the 2026 election is between parties prioritising stronger environmental protections and restoration and those prioritising economic development, farming flexibility and streamlined resource management. The main issues are: - Freshwater: How to improve rivers, lakes, groundwater and drinking-water quality. - Pollution: How to control agricultural runoff, nitrates, sewage, industrial discharges and waste. - Biodiversity: How to protect native species, wetlands, forests and threatened ecosystems. - Resource management: How land, water and other natural resources should be allocated, and how environmental rules should balance conservation with development. The comparison below covers the seven main parties: National, Labour, ACT, NZ First, the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and The Opportunities Party (TOP). ## 1. Party-by-party comparison ### National Party Development and economic growth focus National's approach is to make resource management more efficient, reduce regulatory barriers and support primary industries while retaining environmental protections. - Freshwater: Supports changes to freshwater rules affecting farmers. Proposes easier consent rules for irrigation and up to $300 million in low-cost loans for on-farm water storage. - Pollution: Emphasises practical improvements and farming productivity rather than imposing substantially tighter restrictions on agricultural activity. - Biodiversity: Promises $100 million annually from the International Visitor Levy for the Department of Conservation. Also proposes $30 million for cleaning up contaminated Crown land. - Resource management: Supports replacing the Resource Management Act with a new planning system designed to make development easier. Supports more enabling rules for infrastructure, energy and economic activity. National also proposes changes to fisheries management, including new marine protection measures around the Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island. Sources: National's [2026 policy programme](https://www.national.org.nz/policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com) and [The Conversation policy tracker](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### Labour Party Environmental protection with a pragmatic approach Labour's position is broadly to restore environmental protections and improve freshwater quality, while balancing environmental objectives with economic activity. - Freshwater: Supports cleaning up rivers and lakes and improving water quality. - Pollution: Supports restoring the Emissions Trading Scheme and maintaining commitments under the Paris Agreement. Its environmental approach includes addressing agricultural and industrial pollution. - Biodiversity: Has previously advocated greater conservation investment and restoration of degraded natural environments. - Resource management: Supports reform of environmental legislation, but with stronger environmental safeguards than the current government's approach. One important distinction: Labour's 2026 campaign policies are less detailed on freshwater and biodiversity than those of the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and TOP. Its current policy programme includes environmental commitments, but it has not presented an equally comprehensive package of specific freshwater measures. Source: [Labour's 2026 policy programme](https://www.labour.org.nz/policy?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### Green Party Strong environmental protection and restoration The Greens have one of the most extensive environmental policy programmes. - Freshwater: - Introduce stronger, science-based freshwater standards. - Reduce nitrate limits for drinking water. - Reduce synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use. - Reduce livestock stocking rates where catchments require it. - Strengthen wastewater discharge rules. - Protect and restore wetlands. - Improve monitoring and enforcement of drinking-water quality. - Pollution: - Make major polluters pay for environmental damage. - Strengthen controls on agricultural pollution. - Reduce industrial and wastewater contamination. - Phase out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. - Biodiversity: - Establish a sovereign biodiversity fund. - Increase funding for invasive species and pest control. - Establish ecosystem regeneration employment programmes. - Protect all remaining natural wetlands. - Strengthen native species and habitat protection. - Resource management: - Repeal the Fast-track Approvals Act. - Restore stronger environmental safeguards. - Strengthen Māori participation in environmental decision-making. - Prioritise ecological health in freshwater management. The Greens also propose substantially greater marine protection, including protecting 30% of the Hauraki Gulf by 2030 and ending bottom trawling. Source: [Green Party 2026 Manifesto](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### ACT New Zealand Less regulation and greater property rights ACT generally favours reducing environmental regulation and giving farmers, landowners and businesses greater flexibility. - Freshwater: Wants to remove Te Mana o te Wai requirements from resource consenting as part of its changes to environmental rules affecting farmers. - Pollution: Favours regulatory approaches that it considers practical, evidence-based and proportionate. - Biodiversity: Supports conservation approaches that recognise private property rights, landowner interests and hunting. - Resource management: Favours simplifying environmental legislation, reducing compliance costs and making it easier to undertake development. ACT's position contrasts with the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, particularly over the role of Māori principles in freshwater governance and the extent of regulatory controls on farming. Source: [The Conversation policy tracker](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### New Zealand First Economic development and resource utilisation NZ First's environmental approach places considerable emphasis on economic development, regional interests and practical resource utilisation. - Freshwater: Emphasises water infrastructure, productive land use and the needs of rural communities. - Pollution: Generally favours practical environmental management rather than extensive additional regulation. - Biodiversity: Supports conservation alongside recreational access, hunting and regional economic interests. - Resource management: Favours reducing barriers to development and making greater use of New Zealand's natural resources. NZ First's 2026 position also includes opposition to aspects of existing climate policy, including withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Its freshwater and biodiversity proposals are less comprehensive and specific than those of the Greens, TOP and Te Pāti Māori. Source: [2026 party policy comparison](https://knowyourvote.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### Te Pāti Māori Māori authority, ecological health and restoration Te Pāti Māori proposes a major change in how freshwater and natural resources are governed. - Freshwater: - Give Māori decision-making authority over freshwater governance. - Recognise Māori rights and interests in water. - Establish enforceable environmental limits for rivers, lakes and aquifers. - Prioritise ecological health over commercial extraction. - Reject privatisation and trading of water rights. - Support iwi, hapū and marae-led freshwater initiatives. - Pollution: Supports stronger environmental controls and reducing agricultural pollution, including phasing out synthetic fertilisers. - Biodiversity: Supports Māori guardianship and greater protection of whenua, native ecosystems and taonga species. - Resource management: - Repeal the Fast-track Approvals Act. - Oppose mining on conservation land. - Strengthen Māori participation and authority in environmental decision-making. - Recognise the relationship between Māori communities and natural resources. An important feature is its emphasis on tino rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga rather than simply adjusting existing environmental regulations. Source: [2026 party policy comparison](https://knowyourvote.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### The Opportunities Party (TOP) Environmental limits and market-based solutions TOP offers an interesting middle ground between stronger environmental protection and economic incentives. - Freshwater: - Reinstate Te Mana o te Wai. - Strengthen enforcement against polluters. - Introduce cap-and-trade arrangements for nitrates and phosphates. - Increase riparian planting and wetland restoration. - Pollution: - Establish limits on nutrient pollution. - Use trading mechanisms to incentivise reductions in pollution. - Introduce a national container deposit scheme. - Biodiversity: - Establish a $500 million Nature-based Solutions Fund. - Support biodiversity credits for Significant Natural Areas. - Fund councils, iwi, hapū and communities to restore natural environments. - Develop stronger forestry standards and native forestry strategies. - Resource management: - Limit ministerial overrides of fast-track projects. - Protect councils' ability to establish stronger environmental standards. - Strengthen environmental accountability. TOP's approach is distinctive because it combines stronger environmental standards with financial incentives and market mechanisms. Source: [2026 party policy comparison](https://knowyourvote.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ## 2. Side-by-side comparison The following table summarises the broad direction of each party's proposals. | Party | Freshwater | Pollution | Biodiversity | Resource management | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | National | Farming flexibility, irrigation and storage | Practical controls | Targeted conservation funding | Enable development | | Labour | Clean up rivers and lakes | Restore emissions controls | Conservation investment | Environmental safeguards | | Greens | Stronger standards and nitrate reduction | Stronger controls on agricultural and wastewater pollution | Extensive restoration and protection | Strong environmental limits | | ACT | Remove some freshwater consent requirements | Less prescriptive regulation | Property rights and conservation | Reduce regulatory barriers | | NZ First | Productive water use | Practical management | Conservation alongside economic use | Enable resource development | | Te Pāti Māori | Māori authority and ecological limits | Reduce agricultural pollution | Māori-led protection and restoration | Māori participation and authority | | TOP | Nutrient limits and trading | Polluter accountability | Nature restoration funding | Stronger safeguards and accountability | ## 3. Where the biggest differences lie ![Sustainable and Reliable Water Supply for New Zealand](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/e2-591-9OIw5t_ewQoO9LAKgyjioZHbxP9Mv_Qm0YhWzF9IoKnuBBcYtVCUuQxQ0IfZWkpLravgGSD0qH0LDNtM51ENhgK-o2o8JnHOWLB29XWBV8P4KkIYxToxHZvAPiAE6xn6nZsxI7zy7qyYlCigsPjSIsrpSuoA4Q-MxPcw?purpose=inline) Freshwater protection The Greens and Te Pāti Māori favour stronger ecological protections and more stringent governance. TOP also favours stronger limits, using nutrient trading. National and ACT place greater emphasis on reducing regulatory constraints on farmers. ![Farm management for healthy waterways, including stock exclusion | NZ Government](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/380soe9SZPAFortekNcefgnUxE-bWSAss409hPpb777339zm8hM8-HlEClsZXeWgloVtJrORBlSLi_G9CdzgzD_-69Rmttiypc3lpiELUnovsBwJN-UZywj4kJBhj3JguOr2S6avdSd8CmvcLJToBrXP3QZwoTke1V5FIcb5pUw?purpose=inline) Agricultural pollution The Greens favour stronger controls on fertiliser use, livestock intensity and wastewater. TOP favours enforceable nutrient limits and trading. National, ACT and NZ First generally favour greater flexibility for farming. ![Greater Wellington — Next generation play important role in restoring Te Horo wetland](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/99s1kPK9eio5wwDdhYnQoaptz1uCSUXnC2kBZuVyXREXYpJb3Gq2TMLDusR2WPqpDDQWbJ3nkZUQlWy6Amz8OEKbRX5r3817kQIt1LbC35zW6O1kKMNox8w6XOVtCLP5vQTgRaOxZT7m_kLF-n7jAbKUaNvPI5mPGY1sgMP49DQ?purpose=inline) Biodiversity The Greens and Te Pāti Māori emphasise protection and restoration. TOP proposes substantial dedicated funding. National favours targeted conservation investment, while ACT and NZ First place greater emphasis on balancing conservation with land use and economic activity. ![Have wildlife permits become roadkill?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/r8bRLX1ZJxw7FyBbOdPt_PJciTrO1nqaAj_wRj1Y74N1xffPuhek9RoeCti5p9TxXXpd7taUTX06EXv7ryJAp-2Vk379mtCWiz3Vjg8CpYqTpZ9VZwrr1JbMe_X275gINLhR8_0vNCmxenJyL2Hlr-hE9ktb6sAwUHEllSBvxnY?purpose=inline) Resource management The central disagreement is whether environmental rules should become stronger and more enforceable, or whether they should be simplified to facilitate development, farming, infrastructure and investment. ## 4. An important consideration: what happens to environmental law? This election is particularly significant because New Zealand's environmental management framework is changing. Two developments matter: - The amended National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management came into force on 15 January 2026. It includes requirements relating to ecosystem health, threatened species, mahinga kai and freshwater monitoring. [National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management](https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/national-policy-statements/national-policy-statement-freshwater-management/)[National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management](https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/national-policy-statements/national-policy-statement-freshwater-management/) - The Natural Environment Act 2026 was passed on 30 September 2026. Its objectives include enabling resource use while safeguarding ecosystems, protecting human health from contaminants and protecting significant indigenous biodiversity. [Natural Environment Act 2026](https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/acts/natural-environment/) Consequently, parties are not simply proposing different environmental programmes. They are also offering different approaches to how the new legal framework should be implemented, changed or strengthened. ## 5. Independent environmental assessment One useful additional perspective is Greenpeace Aotearoa's 2026 environmental scorecard. It assessed the seven main parties across five areas: conservation, oceans, freshwater, climate, and environmental law and democracy. Its overall grades were: | Party | Greenpeace assessment | | --- | --- | | Greens | A | | Te Pāti Māori | A | | TOP | B | | Labour | C | | National | F | | ACT | F | | NZ First | F | These are Greenpeace's assessments, not an independent government rating or a universal measure of policy quality. Greenpeace has an explicit environmental advocacy perspective. [Vote for the environment this New Zealand election](https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/story/vote-for-the-environment-this-new-zealand-election/)[Greenpeace 2026 General Election Scorecard](https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/act/election-environmental-policy-scorecard-2026/?j=371031&jb=12007&sfmc_sub=352954329) You can read its assessment here: [Greenpeace 2026 environmental policy scorecards](https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/act/election-environmental-policy-scorecard-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ## 6. Overall takeaway If freshwater quality, agricultural pollution, biodiversity and environmental protection are your main priorities, the broad policy groupings are: - Strongest emphasis on ecological protection: Greens and Te Pāti Māori. - Environmental protection combined with economic incentives: TOP. - Environmental protection with a more moderate approach: Labour. - Greater emphasis on farming flexibility and economic development: National, ACT and NZ First. One final qualification: these are party proposals, not guaranteed outcomes. Under New Zealand's MMP system, coalition negotiations can substantially change which policies are implemented. The eventual government programme will matter as much as individual party manifestos. [Know Your Vote](https://knowyourvote.nz/) For a voting decision, I would pay particular attention to three questions: Will freshwater quality standards become stronger? Will agricultural nutrient pollution be more tightly controlled? Will biodiversity protection take priority over development when the two conflict? Those questions reveal some of the most important differences between the parties. ## Gemini Answer ID: f06d5fdc-5298-4c00-a83f-20ad64e55498 For the 2026 New Zealand general election, political parties presented sharply contrasting approaches to freshwater, pollution, biodiversity, and resource management. These positions generally divide the political landscape into two major blocs: center-right parties prioritizing economic growth, resource extraction, and streamlined approval processes, and center-left/minor parties focusing heavily on ecological protection, stringent regulation, and climate-resilient nature funding. --- ### 1. Freshwater and Pollution * **The Center-Right (National, ACT, NZ First):** Generally favor a balanced approach that protects economic viability—particularly for the agricultural sector—while maintaining baseline environmental standards. They lean toward reducing regulatory red tape for landowners and infrastructure projects, arguing that overly punitive freshwater rules can damage regional economies. * **The Left and Minor Parties (Green Party, Te Pāti Māori, The Opportunities Party):** Advocate for much tighter rules on water quality and pollution. This includes stricter limits on agricultural runoff, phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, and asserting *tino rangatiratanga* (Māori self-determination) over freshwater governance. The Opportunity Party and Greens also emphasize catchment-level protections and circular economy strategies (such as national container deposit schemes) to keep plastics out of waterways and coastlines. ### 2. Biodiversity and Conservation * **Predator-Free and Ecosystem Protection:** Broad cross-party support exists for components of environmental preservation (such as elements of Predator Free 2050), but methods and funding scales differ. * **The Left and Minor Parties:** The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori (both rated highly by environmental advocacy groups like Greenpeace for this election cycle) propose substantially increased public conservation funding, legally binding protections for 30% of New Zealand's oceans by 2030 (alongside expanding marine reserves), permanent bans on seabed mining, and phasing out destructive inshore fishing practices like bottom-trawling and dredging. * **The Center-Right / Governing Focus:** While supporting conservation, the National-led government framework has pursued updates to laws like the Conservation Act to balance environmental safeguards with economic opportunities, such as enabling controlled regional growth, mining, and concessions on public conservation land where appropriate. ### 3. Resource Management and Fast-Track Consenting * **Resource Management Act (RMA) & Fast-Tracking:** Resource management reform has been a central battleground. * **National and ACT:** Strongly emphasize cutting "red tape" to stimulate export-led economic growth, boost infrastructure, and support regional industries like mining and energy production. They champion legislative mechanisms (including fast-track consenting legislation and updates to resource laws) to bypass what they view as growth-strangling delays. * **Greens, Te Pāti Māori, and Opposition Parties:** Strongly oppose broad ministerial overrides in fast-track processes, arguing that they undermine local council authority, community input, and strict environmental checks. They push for laws that prioritize long-term ecological limits, climate mitigation, and nature-based solutions over immediate commercial extraction. ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 87881f6b-7943-46d6-9029-bdc8e339c423 As New Zealand approaches the general election cycle, political parties outline contrasting visions for environmental and resource management policy, focusing on freshwater standards, pollution controls, biodiversity protection, and the ongoing overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA). According to tracking platforms like Policy.nz, the core stances and proposals from across the political spectrum group into several key areas: 1\. Resource Management Act (RMA) & Consent Approvals * **National-led and Coalition/Right-leaning Perspectives:** The current governing parties have prioritized replacing the legacy RMA with new resource management laws emphasizing economic growth, infrastructure delivery, and development. They advocate for streamlined processes, including mechanisms like the Fast-track Approvals Act, arguing that cutting red tape is essential for economic recovery and housing while maintaining balanced environmental safeguards. * **Labour, Green, and Left-leaning Perspectives:** Opposition parties strongly critique fast-track and loosened approval frameworks, calling for the repeal of fast-track legislation. They argue that weakening resource consent oversight compromises long-term environmental integrity, local democratic input, and protection for vulnerable ecosystems. 2\. Freshwater and Pollution * **Water Quality and Regulation:** Left and progressive parties (such as the Green Party and Labour) advocate for tightening national bottom lines for freshwater quality, phasing out synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, and enforcing stricter controls on agricultural runoff and intensive land use. * **Māori Rights and Interests:** Discussions around freshwater feature calls from progressive and Māori-aligned platforms to explicitly recognize and provide for _tino rangatiratanga_ (self-determination/authority) over freshwater resources, aligning water management more closely with Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. * **Right/Centre-leaning Views:** Centre-right and conservative parties generally favor flexible, industry-led or regional council-driven approaches to water management rather than rigid national mandates, aiming to protect farmers and growers from compliance costs that impact agricultural productivity. 3\. Biodiversity and Conservation * **Indigenous Biodiversity & Funding:** Parties on the left propose increased public conservation funding, job guarantee programs focused on ecological regeneration, and stricter measures to prevent ongoing loss of native flora and fauna. Proposals also include doubling support for mechanisms like the QEII National Trust to protect private land-based habitats. * **Public Conservation Land & Recreation:** Debates heavily feature access and usage rights on public conservation land. Some parties push for expanded access for recreational and game-animal hunting (including partnerships with entities like the Game Council and Fish and Game), while conservation-focused parties resist grazing concessions and commercial exploitation on public conservation estate. * **Marine Protection:** Progressive and green platforms campaign for aggressive marine conservation targets—such as protecting 30% of New Zealand's oceans/marine territory by 2030—and phasing out destructive commercial practices like inshore bottom-trawling. _For detailed, party-by-party comparisons as platforms are officially updated and finalized, voters can consult Policy.nz._ ## AI Overviews Answer ID: fb2eb8f8-2ffa-43cf-bcb3-29f64634b9ed For the 2026 New Zealand general election, environmental policies represent a core ideological divide between the center-right coalition and the center-left opposition. The primary debate centers on balancing economic development, infrastructure speed, and primary industry freedom against ecological preservation, conservation land protection, and strict water quality bottom lines. The environmental platforms of the major political parties focus on these critical areas: 💧 Freshwater Quality & Allocation * **National:** Focuses on a technology and infrastructure-led approach to water storage. The party has promised up to **$300 million in low-cost loans** to help farmers store water. They oppose pricing frameworks that they argue would punish rural communities or send agricultural production overseas. * **ACT & NZ First:** Champion "pragmatic environmentalism" and deregulation. **ACT** vows to completely **remove _Te Mana o te Wai_** (the framework prioritizing the health of water first) from the resource consenting process to alleviate the regulatory burden on the farming sector. * **Labour:** Pledges to restore **_Mana Whakahono ā Rohe_ agreements** to rebuild resource management partnerships with iwi. They advocate for stronger regulatory frameworks to clean up waterways, opposing what they call the coalition's erosion of freshwater rules. * **Green Party:** Focuses heavily on strict, evidence-based national bottom lines for both human and ecosystem health. They have proposed a specific **Water Services Amendment Bill** to mandate that the Water Services Authority (_Taumata Arowai_) regularly publishes online data on drinking water quality to tackle rising nitrate pollution at the source. * **Te Pāti Māori:** Positions its freshwater policy firmly in _**kaitiakitanga**_ (guardianship). They advocate for direct Māori water rights, indigenous sovereignty over freshwater resources, and strict penalties for agricultural runoff. 🏗️ Resource Management & The Fast-Track Process * **National, ACT, & NZ First (The Coalition):** Defend their legislative overhaul as vital for economic growth. Having repealed the previous Natural and Built Environment Act, they are progressing a **comprehensive replacement of the Resource Management Act (RMA)** focused on protecting property rights and slashing red tape. They strongly advocate for the **Fast-track Approvals Act** , which streamlines consenting for major infrastructure, mining, and quarrying projects by bypassing long environmental impact assessments. * **Labour:** Vows to reform the resource management space to bring back environmental safeguards. They actively oppose the fast-track regime, warning that Christopher Luxon's "fast-track gamble" risks leaving local ratepayers stuck with long-term infrastructure and environmental bills. * **Green Party:** Pledges a total rollback of coalition environmental laws, promising that conservation land will be managed strictly for **nature rather than corporate profit**. They intend to dismantle the fast-track mechanism and limit the influence of commercial lobbying on environmental law. * **Te Pāti Māori:** Strongly opposes the coalition's resource management changes. They argue the Fast-Track Act explicitly strips away the public's and iwi's rights to defend local ecosystems, and they demand resource legislation that strictly honors _Te Tiriti o Waitangi_. 🌿 Biodiversity & Conservation Land * **National:** Promotes **"hunter-led conservation"** and protecting public access to the outdoors for recreation. They support commercial and tourism opportunities on the conservation estate provided they balance economic utility. * **Labour:** Focuses on restoring funding to conservation programs and supporting native ecosystem regeneration. They propose establishing a **job guarantee program** specifically targeted at jobs in ecological restoration. * **Green Party:** Demands an immediate, legally enforced **ban on commercial mining on all public conservation land**. They also advocate for a job guarantee scheme centered around ecosystem regeneration, alongside massive funding boosts for the Department of Conservation to manage invasive pests. 🌊 Pollution & Oceans * **National:** Takes a targeted approach to oceans, matching the Greens' policy to **ban ring-net fishing** in the high-protection areas of the Hauraki Gulf, but otherwise favors keeping commercial fisheries highly operational. * **Labour:** Targets corporate and agricultural pollution by fixing the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to drive down carbon, while proposing to **phase out inshore bottom-trawling by 2030** to protect marine habitats. * **Green Party & Te Pāti Māori:** Both advocate for a sweeping **Thriving Oceans Plan**. This includes expanding New Zealand's marine reserves to **protect 30% of ocean territory by 2030** , completely phasing out bottom-trawling, and enforcing a zero-waste strategy that completely eliminates low-quality, non-recyclable plastics. * **ACT & NZ First:** Argue against further lockdowns of marine or land areas, stating that expanding restrictions harms the primary industries and commercial fishing sectors that drive the New Zealand economy. Summary of Alignment Policy Focus| National / ACT / NZ First Coalition| Labour Party| Green Party / Te Pāti Māori ---|---|---|--- **Freshwater**| Infrastructure loans; remove _Te Mana o te Wai_ to reduce farming red tape.| Restore iwi management partnerships; tighten agricultural rules.| Enforce strict nitrate/drinking water limits via regular online transparency. **Resource Management**| Push **Fast-track Approvals Act** ; rewrite the RMA to prioritize property/economic growth.| Repeal or heavily amend the Fast-track Act to protect ratepayers and local environments.| Total block on fast-track projects; rewrite environmental law to favor nature over profit. **Biodiversity & Mining**| Protect outdoor/hunting access; open up select conservation areas for economic utility.| Fund ecosystem regeneration jobs; restrict commercial footprints on public land.| Complete **ban on mining on public conservation land** ; fund massive native restoration. **Oceans & Pollution**| Target specific bans (e.g., ring-netting); safeguard commercial fishing quotas.| Phase out inshore bottom-trawling by 2030; strengthen the ETS to penalize polluters.| Protect **30% of oceans by 2030** ; total ban on bottom-trawling; phase out low-grade plastics.