Are there any laws to protect “whistle-blowers” who report environmental violations/matters?
There is protection in place for certain ‘whistle-blowers’ who report environmental violations in New Zealand. Protection for employees who wish to bring attention to a “serious wrongdoing” by their employer is covered by the Protected Disclosures Act 2000. The Act only covers employment situations and there are guidelines that must be followed in order to be afforded such protection. The environmental violation must constitute a “serious wrongdoing” to the environment. This is defined in the Act as including any act, omission or course of conduct that constitutes a serious risk to the environment. No person who makes a disclosure under this Act is liable for civil or criminal proceedings.
