Media round-up
Fri 23 May 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: What is behind delays to a taxpayer-funded methane satellite? Is carbon capture a fossil fuel industry scam? and David Hall argues that efficient forms of energy are not "lesser evils."
Taxpayer-funded climate satellite MethaneSAT finally reveals what's behind delays
By Eloise Gibson, RNZ
The group behind a taxpayer-funded methane satellite has finally revealed what is behind delays to a crucial milestone.
E-bikes for everyone: 3 NZ trials show people will make the switch – with the right support
By Caroline Shaw, Karen Witten and Simon Kingham, The Conversation
Anyone who uses city roads will know e-bikes have become increasingly popular in Aotearoa New Zealand. But we also know rising e-bike sales have been predominantly driven by financially well-off households.
No, it is not ‘evil’ to justify reducing energy consumption
By David Hall, Newsroom
The end goals of the global energy system are not so terrible that even more efficient forms of energy may be considered ‘lesser evils’
Greens must reject 'tokenism' to connect with marginalised communities – Chloe Swarbrick
By Richard Larsen, RNZ
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says her party must confront the uncomfortable reality that it continues to struggle with support from lower-income New Zealanders, despite advocating policies aimed squarely at economic and social justice.
Whanganui politician crosses boundaries to stop seabed mine
By Craig Ashworth, Stuff
A Whanganui councillor has brought her campaign against seabed mining to local politicians in New Plymouth, saying their silence isn’t good enough.
By Rex Weyler, Greenpeace
Carbon capture has always been a fossil fuel industry scam, designed to distract and delay critical measures to cut emissions by phasing out coal, oil, and gas.
They said it couldn’t be done: Gene editing breakthrough preempts new law
By Fox Meyer, Newsroom
Scion reveal it’s field-testing the world’s first GMO pines, despite Government claims that our restrictive gene tech laws are suppressing such profitable research
The time is now: Working together to build a hydrogen future for Aotearoa
By Sir Stephen Tindall, The Post
OPINION: This month’s H2 2 ZERO Summit in Wellington couldn’t come at a more important moment.
Herbicide review bad for business, Harraways says
By Andrew Bevin, Newsroom
New Zealand’s only oat mill has submitted against a proposed hundredfold increase to the maximum limit of glyphosate in grains.
Budget 2025 – what on earth happened to New Zealand aid?
By Terence Wood, NZADD
What’s going to happen to New Zealand government aid? There’s good news and bad news.
Cuts to climate finance put exports in jeopardy: Lawyers
Fri 23 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has halved international climate finance, a move aid organisations describe as “devastating,” and which lawyers say could put our Paris Agreement commitments and export market access at risk.
Govt budgets $200m for would-be gas investors
Fri 23 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | Energy Resources Aotearoa has welcomed the government's plan to co-invest $200 million in fossil gas expansion, while environmental and climate groups have reacted with horror.
Budget undermines climate and environmental research, say scientists
Fri 23 May 2025
By Shannon Williams | Scientists are criticising the 2025 budget for sidelining environmental and hazard research, warning that deep cuts to core programmes reflect a growing shift towards profit-driven science at the expense of public safety and climate resilience.
Public transport woes for Canterbury’s big growth areas
Fri 23 May 2025
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | It is back to the drawing board on proposed bus services in the Selwyn district as Canterbury's regional council struggles with growing demand and limited funds, chairperson Craig Pauling says.
NZ moving too slowly to decarbonise – former commission chair
Thu 22 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand's energy transition is too slow and too controlled by vested interests, according to former Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr.
Govt puts off reviewing carbon subsidies
Thu 22 May 2025
By Shannon Williams | The government is no longer considering changes to phase-out rates for millions of dollars worth of carbon subsidies to industrial polluters under the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Public distrust over electricity sector
Thu 22 May 2025
A poll found that nearly half of New Zealanders feel more concerned about their power bill than last year and believe breaking up the electricity gentailers could improve competition.
Fed Farmers ‘ready to go into battle’ over methane target
Wed 21 May 2025
Federated Farmers say they will never accept a 24% methane reduction target, and they are prepared to go into battle with the government over the issue.
Council delays forestry plan as national rules remain unclear
Wed 21 May 2025
Tairāwhiti’s forestry reforms are facing fresh delays, with Gisborne District Council now tying its plan changes to national direction that remains uncertain.
