7th September 2026

Tēnā koe
NZ POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES POSITION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION 2026

The Upper Waitematā Ecology Network (UWEN) is a collective of locally based, community-led, environmental restoration groups operating throughout the Upper Harbour Electorate. Delivering regenerative projects that are restoring native ecosystems on many of the areas 260 public reserves in the Electorate, we supported the activation of over 33,000 hours of service from local community members in 2025.

Part of UWEN's mahi is to advocate for nature, and we are interested in hearing your views on key issues Impacting the environment and society in the electorate. We wish to then share your position with our membership, so that they can have a clear understanding of your priorities and actions when they cast their vote.

1. Significant challenges faced in the Upper Harbour electorate

What do you believe are the three most significant challenges facing our Electorate? Why are these issues important to local residents? What practical steps would you take to address them if elected?

2. AI Data Centres

Within this current government’s term, New Zealand's AI Strategy has been launched with a clear mandate to invest $25-35 billion in data centres. Currently there is no requirement for environmental disclosure and no regulator monitoring energy or water use or water and light pollution, or mitigations regarding social impact. What is your view/parties view on this? Does your party intend to implement a national policy for data centres in NZ – and if so, what will it include?

3. Land-use and urban planning

Under the Planning Bill recent amendment, urban trees are no longer protected, unless they have significant historic heritage value. This means that 6,000 trees in Auckland are now vulnerable and no longer protected due to their ecology, amenity and ecosystem support. Whenuapai, just recently included in this Electorate, has only 8% tree canopy, when 30% has been shown to be required for healthy environmental and social outcomes. Auckland Council's Urban Ngahere strategy sets an overarching target of reaching a 30% tree canopy cover across Auckland's urban area by 2050.

In the face of high intensification and climate change, Upper Harbour is experiencing the urban heat island effect, mental and social health impacts and greater flooding risk. Trees have been proven to help mitigate these impacts. What is your position on this – and what will you do to protect the Electorate's mature tree coverage?

In addition, what is your position on continuing the Fast Track Approvals Act and Private Plan Changes, particularly on Future Urban Zones? How would you ensure this aligns with Council infrastructure delivery programmes and blue green spatial network plans?
 

Do you support or oppose the RMA reforms (including the recent proposed amendments) regarding

• Regulatory Relief

• Removal of Council placing Environmental caps 

• Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Protection Act 2025

​Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008

​We look forward to hearing your views.