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Ecological modernization and sustainable development are the two dominant paradigms in environmental policy. This paper assesses the implications of competing understandings of ecological modernization and sustainable development using the case of genetic modification regulation in New Zealand. Although the New Zealand regulatory framework embraces the symbolic language of sustainability, it ultimately adheres to a narrow notion of ecological modernization. By adopting a technically driven risk management process and a diluted precautionary approach, alongside limiting public input into decision-making on genetic modification, it undercuts its commitment to sustainable development definitionally and procedurally. Analysis of the New Zealand biotechnology policy regulatory framework, which consists of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act and the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), shows how institutionalization of a narrow conception of ecological modernization can preempt real commitment to sustainable development. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, the New Zealand government has publicly strengthened its commitment to combating climate change by adopting a range of strategies, ambitious targets and an emissions trading scheme. Moreover, it has proclaimed an aspiration for New Zealand to become the first 'truly sustainable' country in the world. The article assesses these initiatives and claims against the background of the government's performance with regard to the promotion of sustainable development which, the author argues, has been weak. The measures adopted to combat climate change are largely of a technical and managerial nature and do not address the underlying causes of the wider environmental problematique. Although the policies adopted may help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, they are likely to fall short of the reductions required. Furthermore, on their own, they will not set New Zealand on the path to become a 'truly sustainable' country; following that path is an increasingly difficult task given a globalised economy and the continuing dominance of the belief that infinite economic growth is both desirable and possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of free trade negotiations between New Zealand and Southeast Asian countries with a focus on environmental issues. It is mentioned that the discussion aims to work out the pros and cons of free trade regarding the environment, it also seeks to determine part of the factors that impact the incorporation of trade and environmental policies in bi- and minilateral trade negotiations.

The article focuses on the development of KiwiGrow, a new approach to sustainable development in New Zealand, by Creative Decisions. KiwiGrow is centred around a new, seven-word ecosystem health model applicable to social, economic, environmental and cultural systems. The approach is being promoted as a Common Sustainability Language. KiwiGrow presents sustainable development as an aim or purpose.

This article confronts present main stream planning approaches against the perspective of ecological sustainability, as relevant for Rule of Law countries and based on a modern environmental law approach. It discusses the setting and implementation of environmental goals against the general experience of massive implementation deficits regarding environmental policies all over the world. In this confrontation, environmental planning, with at least some principles picked up from New Zealand's Resource Management Act, and much more taken from modern environmental law theory on legal operationalisation, is compared to adaptive management approaches which also allow for modifying the environment related goal if implementation fails or seems very difficult. The concept of adaptive environmental planning (AEP) is suggested as a possible road to choose for planning for sustainability, while maximizing development within the framework legally defined by means of environmental limits. This article presents five criteria, all of which must be met by AEP planning. One of these relates to a planning hierarchy which, among other things, leads to the conclusion that coastal planning, if it is intended to aim at sustainability, can not be dealt with in isolation, although such planning might have to meet very complex problems at the regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the diffusion of environmental policy innovations has become a topic of considerable interest. Often, studies of diffusion portray it in positive terms, as a process of 'policy learning' or the spread of environmental 'best practice'. Such portrayals, which tend to ignore the political-ideological roots of environmental policy innovation and diffusion, contribute to the depoliticisation of environmental (and sustainable development) decision-making. In particular, the spread of neo-liberal ideology has provided a basis for environmental policy innovations that, under the guise of 'objectivity', tilt the 'playing field' further to the advantage of dominant interests. Thus, the challenging political, economic and social issues generated by the environmental policy and sustainable development debates, which have the potential to re-politicise economic policy (the 'Washington Consensus'), are side-stepped. As environmental decision-making is devolved to 'the market', local government, experts, and the courts, the environmental 'threat' is defused. It is this effect that makes the New Zealand innovations attractive to the governments of other countries, especially those with an adversarial political system. The article analyses the neo-liberal roots, and effects, of New Zealand's New Zealand environmental innovations to demonstrate the argument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1990s represented a decade of immense changes in environmental management in New Zealand. This paper outlines the challenges of implementing the widespread reforms started in the 1980s. In terms of the environment, reforms came in the form of a large volume of new legislation and a new system of decentralised planning and management. This paper discusses these changes in the context of a shift toward a new environmental paradigm. Key issues and initiatives of the 1990s are discussed which address sustainability, integration, environmental leadership, and public involvement. Specific strategies are outlined in reference to biodiversity, which has been identified as New Zealand's most pervasive environmental issue. Ongoing challenges for the future include how to better involve stakeholders to incorporate alternative values in decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Resource Management Act, the cornerstone of New Zealand's legislated environmental policy, reflects the mediation of internationally debated constructs of sustainable development and profoundly local meanings of living within nature. The outcome is a made-in-New Zealand approach to conceptualizing sustainable management in national environmental policy. This paper demonstrates how and why the contribution of non-New Zealanders and the first peoples of New Zealand, the Maori, to this conceptualization differ so profoundly from each other. External influences, such as the thinking of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) on defining sustainable development, have the greatest impact in the initial conceptualization of policy formulation. It is through Kingdon's (1984) policy stream, rather thanthrough his other two streams of politics and problems, that outsideviews weigh in most convincingly. First peoples are positioned to beinfluential in policy formulation through all three of Kingdon's streams because of their appreciation of locality and long-term commitment to place. These factors are reflective of a philosophy and ideology which is not the bedrock of state legislation about sustainable management" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the efforts of the government of New Zealand to strengthen conservation of natural resources, improve efficiency, and save money. For the same the government has established a new cabinet-level Department of Conservation. With this new department, the government completely departed from the old system, which scattered conservation activities over several departments. Although it is still too early to declare whether the experiment has succeeded or failed, the government and the citizen conservation groups that advocated a reorganization have discovered that moving the pieces and the players does not necessarily solve all of the problems. INSET: The achievements of New Zealand's new Department of....

The article discusses the highlights of a study conducted by researchers from the University of Waikato to determine the views of New Zealand businesses on the efforts of New Zealand's government in dealing with carbon, waste and water issues.

The author reflects on efforts of the New Zealand government in combating climatic change. He argues whether the agenda would support sustainable development or protectionist policies to create strong farming lobbies. He cites the need for New Zealanders to ensure strategies which would counteract the negative effects of climate change. He adds that slogans promoting sustainable development should be fully implemented to achieve environmental policy goals.

The article discusses the efforts of the government of New Zealand to promote the sustainable use of energy resources in the country. The New Zealand Ministry for Environment aims to conduct a program which would help government agencies focus on energy saving measures. It also considers vehicle efficiency strategy with the help of lean burning injection engines and exhaust particulate filters.

The article focuses on the results of a survey on sustainable development conducted by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development. It found that sixty-seven percent of member companies reported improved brand value as a result of their sustainable business practices. The nationwide survey showed that most people do not understand what sustainable development means.