Oceania

This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives that exist in the region known as Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Micronesia, Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council of Australia Resolution to explore Rights of Nature frameworks

Country:Australia

Status:Approved in 2022

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council of Australia passed a resolution to explore Rights of Nature frameworks for Council strategies, plans and future actionsRead More →

Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council Conservation and Management Plan to protect the Martuwarra River’s right to flow as a living entity

Country:Australia

Status:Submitted in 2021

the Martuwarra River Council created a Management Plan recognizing First Law and guardianship, to protect the river's right to flow as a living ancestral beingRead More →

Fitzroy River Declaration recognizing Martuwarra-Fitzroy River as a living ancestral being

Country:Australia

Status:Approved in 2016

the Fitzroy River Declaration expresses First Law of Martuwarra Nations, recognizing "the Fitrzoy River is a living ancestral being and has a right to life"Read More →

New Zealand court case Sustainable Matatā v Bay of Plenty Regional Council (2015)

Country:New Zealand

Status:Approved in 2016

The Court found that Te Mana o Te Wai means more than just the mauri of a waterbody and encapsulates the entire waterbody including its banks and beds.Read More →

New Zealand court case Aratiatia Livestock Ltd v Southland Regional Council (2019)

Country:New Zealand

Status:Overturned in 2019

The Court declared Te Mana o Te Wai was a matter of national significance in the NPS-FM and freshwater must be managed via a framework that considers this.Read More →

New Zealand Draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity 2019

Country:New Zealand

Status:Submitted in 2019

This policy statement sets out objectives, policies and implementation requirements to manage natural resources to maintain indigenous biological diversity.Read More →

New Zealand Resource Management Act 1991

Country:New Zealand

Status:Approved in 1991

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is New Zealand’s current legislature governing how people interact with natural resources.Read More →

New Zealand Draft Natural and Built Environments Bill

Country:New Zealand

Status:Drafted in 2021

The draft Act is premised on the principle of Te Oranga o te Taiao and is intended to be the primary piece of legislation to replace the RMA.Read More →