A bill in the name of  Labour MP Meka Whaitiri . Introduced on March 19, it amends the Environmental Protection Authority Act to add an additional objective that the organisation must aim to protect, maintain, and enhance New Zealand’s environment. Received its first reading on July 22. The bill was backed by all Opposition parties who were joined by the Maori Party and United Future to ensure it was sent to the Local Government and Environment Committee for consideration. Reported back on December 14 with the  National party majority on the committee recommending it does not proceed. However if the bill is still backed by the Maori Party and United Future it has the numbers to pass into law. Second reading debate interrupted on March 2. The bill was defeated on March 16 with the Maori Party joining National and ACT to negate the bill. The Maori Party said it was working with the Government  on improvements to the EPA and legislation such as the Resource Management Act reform to ensure the environment was protected but economic development flourished.   Environmental Protection Authority (Protection of Environment) Amendment Bill