Environmental Protection Authority NZ

Last month, we concluded our annual EPA Games, a friendly competition to bring together kaimahi. This year, four teams representing the natural elements competed during lunchtimes, after work and over the weekend to secure bragging rights. Kaimahi challenged each other in quizzes, alternative athletics, soccer, photography, and month-long walking, running, and cycling events. Congratulations to the Water Tribe for taking out the top spot on the leaderboard this year. Special thanks to our Games committee for planning and hosting the events. Swipe for some pics of our friendly competition 👉

We’ve wrapped up the last quarter of the year in our latest Te Pūtara newsletter. In this issue we have tips to dispose of commonly used chemicals in summer, news about our proposal to ban chlorpyrifos insecticide, a reminder to provide feedback on our open consultations, and more. Subscribe and read Te Pūtara: https://zurl.co/RhYjo

Read this month’s HS Update newsletter for the latest decisions, consultations, rule changes and other news about hazardous substances. In our latest issue, you'll find details on our current Poa Cure and chlorpyrifos consultations, information about updates to labelling, safety data sheet and packaging rules, and some timely advice for importers and manufacturers. Sign up for HS Update to get the latest each month from our hazardous substances team: https://zurl.co/wI98F

The EPA is cracking down on operators who import and sell cheap hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gas without applying for a permit or paying the levy to cover the greenhouse gas emissions of the HFCs. The gases are mainly used in heat pumps, air conditioning, and refrigeration and in some medical devices. Illegal importers are undercutting legitimate operators and in some cases selling contaminated HFCs that could damage vehicles and equipment. The EPA recently seized HFC gases valued at more than $1 million in a joint operation with NZ Police and New Zealand Customs Service. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases. New Zealand has rules around HFC imports to reduce our use of HFCs and their contribution to climate change. Contact our investigations team in confidence at investigations@epa.govt.nz if you have any concerns or information. Read more: https://zurl.co/E5ia2

We’re proud to care for our local community by donating to the Christmas Star Boxes programme to support the The Wellington City Mission this holiday season. The boxes were overflowing as EPA kaimahi provided food and essential items for the Mission’s Christmas Day hampers and Social Supermarket, with toys going specifically to their Christmas Toy Store. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the cause to make a difference to those in need.  

We’re proud to share that Rebecca Isaacs, Senior Advisor, Hazardous Substances Reassessments, represented Aotearoa New Zealand on the global sporting stage. Rebecca was part of the first ever national women’s AFL team, the NZ Kahu. The team travelled to Australia to battle other nations for the AFL Pacific Cup, coming in second place and making history. Camaraderie was one of the highlights of Rebecca’s experience, with teams celebrating one another and performing a cultural haka as a sign of respect for the winning team. Swipe to see photos of Rebecca and NZ Kahu in action 👉

A small but mighty group of kaimahi represented the EPA on Saturday 23 November at Te Kōnohete where they serenaded the audience with original material. All the songs were environmentally themed, with two waiata and a mōteatea written by kaimahi James Akuhata and Gavin Reedy and a waiata gifted by a member of Te Herenga, our National Māori Network. This year more than 26 different government organisations came together to celebrate kapa haka, waiata, whanaungatanga and te reo in the 20th anniversary of Te Kōnohete.

Dr Shaun Presow, Manager Hazardous Substances Reassessments, has had a busy few weeks, sharing insights in global gatherings from his background in chemical regulations and chemical risk assessment. 🧪 A few weeks ago, Shaun was a speaker at the Chemical Watch Regulatory Summit Asia 2024 (pictured) hosted by Enhesa. He updated 110 regulator and company representatives from the Asia-Pacific region on the New Zealand regulatory system, including recent changes and upcoming projects. 🧪 Shaun was a keynote speaker at the Emerging Contaminants workshop for the Queensland Water Directorate this week, sharing how Aotearoa New Zealand regulates PFAS. 

The EPA is excited to host the first joint Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry SETAC Australasia / Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment (ACTRA) conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington next year. The conference will bring together individuals and organisations dedicated to advancing toxicology, ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry, indigenous knowledge, and risk assessment for the protection of human health and the environment. We’re calling for conference session ideas and continuing education workshop proposals. For detailed information on the sessions and workshops to support the conference, visit: https://zurl.co/i7xk Proposals close on 22 November.

Watching paint dry might be more interesting than you think 🎨 In our latest Science at work article, our EPA chemistry expert brushes up on: 🖌️ the colourful history of paint 🖌️ the science of what’s in paint 🖌️ how we use it to protect and beautify objects inside and out. Why is this coming from the EPA? We regulate the chemicals used in paints under the Surface Coatings and Colourants Group Standards, and the Graphic Materials Group Standard. This is to make sure people in New Zealand are using paints that don’t contain dangerous chemicals. Read our science of paint article: https://zurl.co/KM2d