![Matthew Hooton: Government by the bureaucrats](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Matthew Hooton: Government by the bureaucrats
Comment: If civil servants are running the show, what are the politicians for?
Comment: If civil servants are running the show, what are the politicians for?
Single-use plastic shopping bags banned in New Zealand from today onwards.
The Government wants ideas that will be up and running by 2020
Mystery shopper-style audits will to carried out to catch retailers breaking the law.
Environmentalists want plan change "called in" - Horizons chairman opposed to it.
COMMENT: The whole climate debate has become farcical.
The Government has launched an investigation into the Otago Regional Council.
David Parker has some issues over filling in the Waitematā Harbour with more concrete.
Councils say Govt's planned Development Authority is no substitute for reforming RMA.
There a growing calls to revive a 1970s throw-back: the bottle deposit scheme.
A year ago Kaiaua was devastated by a monster storm.
Statistics show Kiwis are one of the worst recyclers in the world, says Marty Hoffart.
Disease-causing bacteria and antibiotic-resistant E. coli detected in Canterbury rivers.
Environment Ministry comes down hard on plastic pollution.
Car parks could be removed to widen Queen St for pedestrians, bikes and e-scooters.
Many farmers want to cut their greenhouse gas emissions - but nearly half don't know how.
No retailers will be excluded from a ban on all single-use plastic bags.
Scheme for uncontaminated water at Ōhakea takes another step forward
Looking for clarity in the murk of a polluted lake. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
COMMENT: Govt is taking a more controlling approach to engagement with the treaty partner.
Mixed results in 10-year trend for region waterways.
Protesters say they are highlighting a "huge contradiction" in the Government's policy.
Influential tribe is demanding direct engagement and hints at court action.
Government moves to supply safe water, provide blood tests for residents.
Third round of tests goes wider, continues to find contamination.
Health professionals have been urged to back Govt's proposed Zero Carbon Act.
Outgoing PM's science adviser Sir Peter Gluckman reflects on his decade in the top role.
A new commission should be created to help stop decline of our waterways, top forum says.
Eugenie Sage wants to phase out single-use plastic bags but no decision has been made.
It we don't act now, more plastic will be in the oceans than fish.