Heartbreaking how immigration New Zealand's recently discovered profiling system seeks to tear apart a family in mourning. It is simply an unjust and unfair system that predicts possiblity of threat. I have appealed on behalf of this family on multiple occasions but responses seem to indicate that this family's plight is falling on deaf ears. Hon. Minister, the deportees in question, Tawaketini and Josese Gaunavou have appealed on humanitarian grounds, but unfortunately the bureaucracy of the system refuses to understand their circumstances or even review their case. The brothers are expected to leave New Zealand and their widowed mother and younger siblings and return to Fiji, a place that no longer holds anything for them. All we seek is that this case be reconsidered, that the deportation liability be overturned because I don't believe New Zealand can be so heartless and unrelenting in their approach to humanity and the plight of those we bring into New Zealand. This family has had to liquidate all their assets back in Fiji to be able to give their children a hope for a future here in New Zealand and in the last 8 years have spent over $114,000 in education for their children and immigration cost and now that New Zealand has their hard earned savings, the system is dispensing of them like used rags. Please consider this mother's plea.....her children have never broken the law, have had great positive influence on the youth in their community but that doesn't seem to phase anyone in ministry. Again, please allow this mother to keep her family together and her sons the ability to make a future for themselves.

We're sick of seeing the state of our rivers getting worse. Dairy intensification is continuing in Southland. Wetlands are still being destroyed. More cows are being piled onto our Southland Plains. More cows mean more sick rivers. The central Southland plains are geologically similar to the Canterbury plains - porous glacial outwash gravel. Like Canterbury, it is the wrong place for intensive industrial dairying. Like Canterbury, Too Many Cows are destroying our rivers and threatening our aquifers. We want our rivers to be swimmable but also liveable for the creatures that depend on them for life, such as trout, galaxids, bullies, mudfish and tuna eels, as well as the mayflies, beetles and others. In 2012 Environment Southland said they would work to improve the state of our rivers. They expected a 10% improvement by 2020. Since then, the quality of Southland rivers has continued to deteriorate. We need a stop to more cows - a sinking lid policy on intensification and support for farmers to transition away from intensified dairying to lower impact regenerative farming. We demand Environment Southland to pay more than lip service to cleaning up our rivers: • Stronger regulations with enforceable prosecutions. No more stock in our rivers and streams. • No more draining of wetlands. • No new dairy conversions or intensification of current farms - we need an enforceable sinking lid policy. Cow numbers need to go down, not up. • Intensive winter grazing must be phased out (this is where the worst nitrogen leaching and sediment runoff occurs). Replace with fewer cattle numbers and wintering barns. • Active support for transition away from intensive to regenerative farming If you care about the health of our rivers and the quality of our water, SaveOurWater- Otago/Southland asks you to please sign this petition. (you can also find us on facebook) Today we visited Environment Southland and showed them firsthand whats lurking on our riverbeds https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/102454510/poo-protest-at-environment-southland http://www.channel39.co.nz/news/frustrations-dumped-environment-southlands-door Listen to this podcast with Jenny Campbell on Radio Southland to hear why http://www.accessradio.org/Player.aspx?eid=fb84139b-e3e9-488d-8945-f29a96069ee4

For the sake of wildlife, our climate, our oceans and creeks, we urgently need to phase out plastic shopping bags now.The Council is consulting on the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. But the scope of the plan does not include a phase out of plastic shopping bags. Sign here to tell Council this is an top priority. In 2015 the Local Government Conference called on central Government to introduce a levy and phase out single use plastic bags. In 2017 Auckland mayor Phil Goff signed an open letter calling on the government to do the same, or enable Councils to charge their own levy. Currently Councils are unable to apply a levy to plastic bags. However, they can do many things, such as work in communities and with retailers to educate and support the phase out. It's time Council instructed staff to act on this urgently. 17,000 tonnes of soft plastics were sne tto landfill in 2016. Considering the light weight of plastic bags this is a huge number. Time to ban the bag.

Straw Free Waiheke is committed to make Waiheke plastic straw free. We're already halfway there with 36 venues pledging to ditch plastic straws. But we need your help, and your voice, to achieve the dream of ridding our island paradise of plastic straws? Over 500,000 straws are being produced every day globally. Unfortunately, a vast majority of these straws end up in our streets and seas. In a year, it has been estimated that at least 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles are harmed when they entangle themselves in or ingest plastic pollution littered in our oceans.

We have made it easy by making an online submission template for you. We are encouraging people to speak on behalf of their submission. If you wish to do this please make it clear at the bottom of the submission (currently it is says "I do not wish to be heard"). Alternatively, if you would like to send in your own you can do that by going to: Northland Regional Council Application number - NRC APP.039494.01.01 Enquiries about NRC applications Stuart Savill Phone: 09 470 1101, free phone 0800 002 004 Email: stuarts@nrc.govt.nz AND/OR Kaipara District Council Application number - KDC RM170441 Enquiries about KDC applications David Badham Phone: 021 203 1034 Email: davidb@barker.co.nz

Single-use disposable plastic bags are not recycled and although often reused, they pollute and poison the marine and land environment and negatively impact human and animal health. The ingestion of plastic in our sea waters seriously threatens turtles, whales, sea birds and myriad other creatures. Plastic bags take several hundred years to break down leaving microscopic pieces of highly toxic plastic in the environment as they fissure. Toxicity from plastic components has been scientifically linked to metabolic disorders and threats to fertility in humans and sea creatures. Stopping the use of single-use disposable plastic bags is a relatively easy way we can make a positive difference.

Labour have acknowledged that cannabis is a medicine by proposing to amend the law so that terminally ill patients no longer risk going to jail for possession or use of medicinal cannabis. With this in mind, medicinal cannabis should be available for doctors and medical practitioners to prescribe as they would any other medicine. This includes for chronic pain such as migraines, degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, mental health issues such as stress and all cancer treatments, regardless of whether terminal or not, to name a few. The fact is, Labour are continuing National's precedent in denying New Zealanders our human right to access medicine. Currently, Labour's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill does not go anywhere near far enough increasing access for those who need it. The Bill so far has the full support of the National Party and is not what the voting public had in mind when Labour campaigned on legalising medicinal cannabis. Now is the time to have YOUR say. Submissions to the Health Select Committee are now open until the 21st of March, and we encourage everyone who wants better access to medicinal cannabis for ALL sick New Zealanders to write a submission, regardless of length. With around 70-80% of Kiwis in favour of better access, please share this petition far and wide and encourage friends and family to also write a submission and engage in our democracy. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_75877/misuse-of-drugs-medicinal-cannabis-amendment-bill Proposed Bill wording: 'The Bill will introduce an exception and a statutory defence for terminally ill people to possess and use illicit cannabis and to possess a cannabis utensil.'

The plastic problem in the environment and in the ocean is ever increasing. Recently on a short haul flight I was very upset and disappointed to see the amount of plastic that was used. I thought about the fact that this was just one flight, I thought about all the other flights that day and the day after and the amount of plastic those flight must produce. On that same flight I read an article in the Air NZ magazine talking about the good work they are doing to contribute to conservation and offset carbon. The amount of damage carbon emissions do is massive, so why not limit the amount of damage done in all other areas. I believe one way that Air NZ could really make a difference is to stop using so much plastic!! As a leading airline that represents New Zealand, bringing millions of people from all over the world to our shores, I believe they have a responsibility to set a good example and lead the movement to end single use plastics in this country. For example they could use biodegradable cups, filtered water served in metal jugs instead of using bottled water. Milk from a jug instead of small plastic throw away containers. Paper or biodegradable rubbish bags, there are many sustainable options available. Some of them made right here in Aotearoa. We should all be doing our bit to support local businesses and protect the environment. How about you, Air New Zealand - will you do the right thing? Will you make the move to a healthier and more sustainable Aotearoa for future generations?!

There is poo on our beaches! Auckland's waterways and beaches are seriously polluted by stormwater regularly contaminated by sewage, trade waste, heavy metals, toxins, chemicals, and oils thanks to years of inaction by the council, and fear of rate rises. We need urgent action so that New Zealanders can enjoy our urban waterways and beaches without fear of sickness or injury or swimming with poo and we protect our freshwater and marine organisms from pollution and destruction. We need action now, not in 10 years time. Give us back our beaches, estuaries, lagoons streams and rivers! This campaign is about raising peoples’ awareness of what is going on under our feet with inadequate infrastructure to cope with climate change and the massive intensification of Tamaki Makaurau, the Auckland region. So far there is almost a sole emphasis on rural areas and the problems intensive farming is causing to our rural waterways and lakes. This is really important. but so is the disgraceful state of many urban waterways and beaches where people are now regularly being told they cannot swim. These problems have been neglected and overlooked for too long. This is not the Aotearoa NZ we want our children to grow up in. We have to act now for our own planet's survival, our fresh water and marine life marine, and our children's futures. No more sewage or contaminated stormwater in our backyards and beach environments. We need to work together to clean this up - Māori, Pakeha, diverse communities, churches, community organisations, environmental groups, businesses, political parties, schools, and individuals. Awhina mai!

Te Waikoropupū Springs are some of the clearest waters in the world but they are now under threat from intensive dairy farming. Increasing nitrate pollution and increased water extraction are major dangers to the Marble Arthur Aquifer which feeds Te Waikoropupū Springs. The local Iwi, Ngāti Tama, are seeking a Water Conservation Order (WCO) from the Government. A WCO is a bit like national park status for a water body. It will protect the Springs now and into future. The tribunal who will decide whether to grant protection are asking the public for submissions. The more of us who make a submission the more likely it is that the Springs will be protected. Note: the following is a condensed version of the Save Our Springs submission. The full submission is available on the Save Our Springs Te Waikoropupū Facebook page or from saveoursprings@yahoo.com SUBMISSION: I support the application made by Ngāti Tama Ki Te Waipounamu Trust and Andrew Yuill for a Water Conservation Order (the Order) for Te Waikoropupū Springs and associated water bodies. I recommend that the Special Tribunal to the Minister for the Environment grant the order, as requested in the application. I ask that: Ngati Tama’s voice as Kaitiaki (guardian) of Te Waikoropupū be valued and respected; That the spiritual presence that manifests at Te Waikoropupū be afforded protection; That steps be urgently taken to reduce the nitrate pollution entering the aquifer as a result of intensive dairy farming; Steps be urgently taken to replenish the reducing levels of dissolved oxygen in the aquifer as a result of intensive dairy farming; Steps be taken to reduce the levels of silt washing into the aquifer following heavy rain as a result of intensive dairy farming; Steps be taken to reduce the length of the extended intensive dairy season which is causing faeces and nitrate to wash into the aquiver during the heavy autumn rains; I ask that urgent and practical steps be taken to reduce the size of intensive dairy herds; I ask that the amount of fertiliser used in the Takaka valley be reduced and regulated; That no further water rights be granted to intensive farmers; and after a 5 year period, all water rights be reduced; That intensive farmers be encouraged to follow the example of sustainable farmers who have reduced herd sizes, reduced fertiliser use, sown heritage grasses, farm without irrigation and yet are still able to make a healthy income; I ask that the tiny creatures and bugs (stygofauna) within the aquifer be fully protected. It is the stygofauna who clean the waters and create the crystal clear flow we see at Te Waikoropupū. Too much nitrate pollution and not enough dissolved oxygen will kill the stygofauna. I ask that this precious ecosystem be fully protected.

To stop the dumping of poisons in our food chain and promote the ethical treatment of all animals, and the long-term health of our environment.

The New Plymouth District Council is proposing to cut the stunning coastal Fitzroy Golf Course and Public Recreational Reserve in half, reducing it to a 9-hole golf course and selling off 180 sections to develop private luxury housing. We need your help to stop this; please sign the petition to stay informed and let the Council know that you oppose these plans. There are many reasons to oppose the development of this protected public land: • The golf course is a huge asset to the local people of all New Plymouth. The land provides beautiful views for everyone and it is a social and recreational venue for all to enjoy, including visitors and tourists to the area - not just golfers. • The roads into and around Fitzroy are already narrow and often congested. To increase the population by such a large number will mean even busier roads and overcrowding throughout the Fitzroy suburb. • Many Fitzroy residents will be disrupted by such a long development and construction period, with large trucks on the roads, noise and dust from the subdivision earthworks and building construction. • Some local residents will have their views destroyed, and the view back toward the golf course from the coast and the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge for everybody, locals and visitors alike, will be vastly different with this sprawling subdivision. • Fitzroy Golf Club members and 1000s more casual green fee players do not want to see their course reduced to a 9-hole. • The land is enjoyed by many now, to sell off the land to a wealthy few means taking that privilege away from the public, which would be contrary to why it was protected under the reserves act in the first place. • There are significant wetlands, coastal vegetation and wildlife living in the area that would be adversely affected. • Fitzroy Primary School and St John Bosco School will be impacted by increased roll demand, and will be challenged to provide the facilities as they are both at full capacity already. • Selling off this local gem is not only impacting this generation but also future generations. • Once an environmental/green and recreational asset is removed, it can never be replaced. Keep up to date with news and commentary on this issue here: https://www.facebook.com/SaveFitzroyGolfCourse/ And with Council meetings and the minutes here: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/Council/Meetings/Meetings