Environmental Risk Management Authority
The Environmental Risk Management Authority or ERMA regulates new organisms and hazardous substances in New Zealand.
ERMA consists of two parts: the authority, which makes decisions on applications, and the agency, which gathers and collates information on environmental issues from experts and the wider community.
In this video conference, secondary school students found out more about ERMA’s role in protecting the environment, from Dr Val Orchard and Dr Manuka Henare, who are both members of the Authority. Five secondary schools were involved including students from:
- Forest View High School
- Solway College
- Tauhara College
- Taratahi Agriculture Centre, Stratford High School
- Te Aroha College
- Turakina Māori Girls College.
Find out more about ERMA’s role in protecting the environment, regulating new and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and hazardous substances.
Video clips
What is ERMA? (V0345)
Making decisions for the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Duration: 1:31
Why do we need ERMA? (V0346)
Learning from mistakes made in the past.
Duration: 1:11
Risks and Benefits (V0347)
Decision-making – a delicate balancing act.
Duration: 1:17
New organisms (V0348)
Is a bear a new organism?
Duration: 2:04
Genetically modified organisms (V0349)
Rules, regulations and public opinions.
Duration: 3:10
Benefits of biocontrol (V0350)
New organisms may get rid of unwanted organisms.
Duration: 0:58
Genetically modified food (V0351)
Improving on nature or playing God?
Duration: 1:43
Genetically modified medicines (V0352)
Could GMOs save your life?
Duration: 1:23
