Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ
Founded in 1971, ECO is a network of 67 organisations based all around New Zealand, who share a concern for conservation and the environment. The core of ECO’s work is promoting and strengthening community environmental action, and getting better government policies and management decisions.
ECO supports communities and environmental groups by providing information and advice, research and analysis, and a point of contact for networking and information sharing. ECO acts as a collective voice and representative for our member groups, communicating concerns to government, politicians and industry.
Our membership includes large international groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, national groups including Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand and the Wildlife Society, as well as smaller local groups such as Save the Otago Peninsula and Buller Conservation Group.
ECO has been centrally involved in campaigns to protect native forests, lakes and rivers, the reform of the Mining Act and Defeat of the National Development Act, and in supporting the Resource Management Act and the establishment of the Department of Conservation and Ministry of the Environment. ECO continues to be at the forefront of environmental campaigns on oceans and fisheries, climate change and environmental management.
