Tuesday 17 February 2026
Climate and Health experts say they have major concerns about plans to merge several ministries that are crucial to the country’s climate change response, given the Government’s track record of weakening or removing climate-critical policies and its chaotic upheaval of institutions like local government
Yesterday, as many communities around the country were busy responding to the recent extreme weather events, the Government released the draft bill to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment.
Dr Summer Wright, OraTaiao convenor, says the Government pushing forward with plans to merge the Ministry for the Environment with the Ministries of Transport, Housing and Urban Development, after spending their years in power weakening or removing policies designed to respond to climate change, is a serious cause for concern.
“Environment, transport, housing and urban development are critical in our national response to climate change, both mitigation and adaptation. The Government has shown in its actions over the last two years that it either does not understand, or is choosing to deny, the seriousness of climate change”.
With the ACT leader demanding smaller government over the weekend while celebrating more fossil fuel and agricultural emissions, it is clear a merger of this nature under this Government is a danger to our communities.”
“Climate change and the health, well-being and stability of our communities are clearly linked. Anyone witnessing the flooding and storm damage, including the loss of lives, can see this.”
“Merging these critical areas, having made major cuts to the public service and with a coalition partner that is seeking fewer resources for the public service, is ringing major alarm bells.”
OraTaiao says the merger is happening at the same time as already tumultuous changes to local government and overarching legislation responsible for planning, environmental protection and management, infrastructure and public health.
Wright says the Government’s upheaval of legislation and institutions is chaotic and poses huge risks to the public. For example, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in his comments on replacements for the Resource Management Act noted that “local government plays a critical role in the existing resource management system – it is envisioned that it will play a significant, but different, role in the new system. Yet its future is in flux with work going on in parallel to the resource management reform on the future of local government.”
“The Government is flooding Aotearoa with chaotic changes to institutions and legislation that are critical in our collective response to actual flooding, increased storm events and the cascading issues that arise with worsening climate instability. It’s irresponsible and dangerous.”
OraTaiao says the Government must call a halt to the merger and that politicians from both sides of the house must put mitigation of and adaptation to climate change at the top of their agenda this election year.
ENDS