Low Carbon Kapiti fights for wetlands
Use your voice
Some of the biggest decisions affecting Kāpiti’s climate future are made in council chambers and government consultations – and they’re open to all of us. When plans, policies and consents go out for feedback, anyone can make a submission, and every one of them counts.
A submission is simply your chance to be heard: to back the changes that move us toward a low-carbon Coast, and to speak up when proposals fall short. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care.
Below you’ll find the submissions we’ve written and how to add your voice.
Use your voice
Climate decisions for Kāpiti are made through public consultation – and that means your voice has real weight. Making a submission is one of the most direct ways to shape what happens on the Coast.
Submissions tended by LCK
We don’t just encourage others to have their say — we have ours too. Below are the submissions Low Carbon Kāpiti has made to local and central government on the issues that matter for a thriving, low-carbon Coast. Each one represents hours of reading, research and community korero, and we share them here so you can see where we stand, borrow ideas for your own submission, or simply follow the kaupapa as it unfolds.
Submission writing resources
Helpful guides to writing and lodging submissions to local and central government. You don’t need to be an expert — these resources walk you through it step by step.
Start here — the official how-to
The most authoritative, plain-language guides to the process itself.
- NZ Parliament — How to make a submission — The official walkthrough of written and oral submissions to select committees, including Easy Read and a guide for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent submitters.
- NZ Parliament — Make a submission (open items) — The live list of bills currently open, with deadlines and the submission form.
- govt.nz — How to make a submission on a bill — A short, accessible overview, with the option to submit in writing, online, in person, or in NZ Sign Language.
Best fit for an environmental or local-council campaign
These speak directly to having your say on environmental issues, including at council level.
- Greenpeace Aotearoa — Writing a submission for the environment — Practical tips aimed specifically at local council feedback. A personal, accessible tone that reminds decision-makers of the real impact on your community goes a long way.
- Forest & Bird — Submissions hub — A library of their own environmental submissions, national and council Long-Term Plans, useful as worked examples to model your own on.
- ECO — Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ — A clearinghouse that gathers climate and environment submission guides from multiple groups, including Generation Zero, 350 Aotearoa, Forest & Bird Youth and OraTaiao.
Plain-language walkthroughs and campaigner toolkits
For supporters who want it broken down step by step, or who want to organise others.
- ActionStation – campaigner community guide – Covers submissions as one tactic within a broader campaign, with tips on telling your story persuasively.
- ActionStation – Hot tips for campaigners – A regularly updated list of their favourite campaigning resources, including The Workshop, a NZ agency with research-based guides on persuasive communication.
Have your say on local Kāpiti campaigns
This is where local submissions actually happen. Both councils run “Have Your Say” portals listing current and past consultations — you can browse projects, read the background, and lodge feedback directly. Many are squarely in our kaupapa: emissions reduction, biodiversity, coastal hazards and freshwater.
- Kāpiti Coast District Council — Have Your Say — The district council’s engagement hub. You can filter projects by category (including Climate action and Environment) and sign up to be notified when relevant consultations open. Recent and recurring projects directly relevant to a low-carbon Kāpiti include Shifting to a low-carbon Kāpiti, the Emissions Reduction Plan 2026–30, the Stormwater Management Framework, coastal hazards and sea-level-rise adaptation, and rural indigenous biodiversity incentives. The Long-term Plan 2027–37 is currently open for early feedback – a key chance to shape Council’s priorities and spending.
- Greater Wellington Regional Council – Have Your Say – The regional council’s engagement hub. GWRC leads much of the region’s environmental work – freshwater and catchment health, flood protection, biodiversity, regional parks and wetland restoration (including the QE2 Park wetlands), and public transport. Regional consultations and Long-Term Plan / Annual Plan feedback all run through here.
Tip: Create a free account on each portal and follow the climate, environment and coastal categories. You’ll be emailed when new consultations open, so you never miss a submission window.
Our submission: a low-carbon Kāpiti that saves ratepayers millions
Low Carbon Kāpiti has lodged its submission on the Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Draft Emissions Reduction Plan 2026–2030 – and the headline is a simple one. Cutting emissions isn’t a cost. Done well, it’s one of the biggest savings opportunities the District has. Our central finding: committed, action-focused leadership could save ratepayers in the order
Low Carbon Kāpiti submission on the draft second national emissions reduction plan (ERP2)
The New Zealand government is consulting on the draft second national emissions reduction plan (ERP2) until 25 August 2024. You can find out more about this here: https://consult.environment.govt.nz/climate/second-emissions-reduction-plan/ Here is the response that Low Carbon Kāpiti submission prepared (summary and full doc): Introduction We, like many others, don’t believe the draft ERP2 document does enough
Passenger Rail Inquiry submission
By Jake Roos, 11 November 2022 Asher Wilson-Goldman and myself presented to the Transport Select Committee inquiry on 27 October on behalf of Low Carbon Kāpiti regarding restoring passenger rail services between our cities. You can read our submission below, which was prepared in large part by Paul Callister (Thanks Paul!). Also, due to the
Our submission on the RMA reform ‘Issues and Options’ Paper
Prepared by LCK member David Yockney with assistance from Irene Thomas and Jake Roos. V3 LCK Submission on the Comprehensive Review of the Resource Management Act-1-2-20 v3 For background on the review see: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/rmreview
Let councils regulate carbon emissions! Please have your say by 7 November
The Resource Management Act is currently under review. It sets out the system and rules for planning authorities (mainly councils) to approve or reject applications for new developments of all kinds. The 2004 amendment to the RMA specifically prohibits planning authorities from considering the global warming effect of greenhouse gas emissions. The offending sections are 104E and 70A both of which state
Speeches to Council in support of the ‘Carbon Neutral 2025’ petition
23 May 2019 – to the elected members of the Kāpiti Coast District Council Jake Roos – Chairperson We are here today to present our petition urging council to adopt a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 so council can play its part in addressing the climate crisis. Over 1,520 people have signed it.