Labour’s Big Mandate: here’s how they should use it. Gary Taylor, Environmental Defence Society

Few names have been associated longer with conservation and environmental protest than Gary Taylor. The executive director of the Environmental Defence Society has taken on mining companies, property tycoons, governments and even fellow conservationists with the cool-headed grit of a long-haul trucker. So what does he make of Labour’s extraordinary mandate to rule? What’s on his wishlist for action? What does he think will actually happen? And why, after so many decades of seeing environmental degradation and climate inaction, does he remain so charmingly optimistic?

Join Vincent and Gary as they traverse the Waitakere Ranges, the Hauraki Gulf, the McKenzie Country and a mercifully brief summary of the RMA reforms.

About Gary Taylor CNZM, QSO

Gary is the executive director and chairman of EDS and has extensive experience in corporate governance, having been the Chairman of the Auckland Area Health Board, the Climate Change and Business Centre (Australia) and the Peoples Centre Health Trust. He has been a director of Watercare Services Ltd, Infrastructure Auckland, the Queen Elizabeth National Trust, the Auckland Regional Transport Authority and the Hobsonville Land Company. He has also been a city and regional councillor. Gary is an experienced environmental policy analyst and consultant and is currently Executive Director of EDS.

Gary was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours.

EDS’ signature event Climate and Business is happening November 11-12.