LCNZ Position Paper 2021: ‘How Lighting can Support New Zealand’s Economic Recovery and the Goal of a Net Zero Carbon Economy.’

This LCNZ Position Paper was distributed widely to Government Ministers and Agencies, NGOs and Industry Partners, to inform and support the economics of the COVID-19 recovery, and the delivery of New Zealand’s ambitious goals for its energy and carbon future.

It led to the EECA-LCNZ Lighting Workshop being held in July 2021 to the above recipients, which was also recorded as a resource for use and distribution – please see below.

Auckland Council Plan Change 79 – Amendments to the Auckland Unitary Plan – Section E24 Lighting – Appeal Process LCNZ and IESANZ – Joint Position Paper

Auckland Council has revised its outdoor lighting planning bylaw ‘Unitary Plan – Section E24 Lighting’ (E24). This lighting change is part of a wider ‘Plan Change 79’ (PC79) and was enacted by Auckland Council in August 2024. There are major changes to the requirements for private spaces in medium-density multi-unit residential housing. LCNZ is working with the IESANZ as part of a collaborative appeal process, via planning advisors Campbell Brown Consultants Ltd. The attached Position Paper (and later condensed version) highlights our concerns, presented to AC as part of the collective appeal process.

House of Representatives – Light Pollution Report

In May 2023 a petition was presented to the House of Parliament:

‘Petition of John Hearnshaw: New Zealand needs a national law to limit light pollution and promote dark skies’.

This requested that the House of Representatives introduce legislation to limit light pollution. The Petitions Committee of Parliament considered this petition and received submissions from interested parties.

The LCNZ submission absolutely supported the desired goal to reduce the proliferation of light pollution in NZ, but did not agree that the proposed method of new national legislation was the best implementation approach. LCNZ recommended that multi-party consultation be organised to develop an agreed ‘NZ Light at Night Strategic Plan’ with a view to collectively raising awareness, tightening, and harmonising of existing local council level regulation.

The LCNZ Petitions Committee submission is here: –