New Zealand: Politics
Why Australia needs to increase emissions targets
28 Feb 2014
The Climate Change Authority’s new report on emission reduction targets makes a compelling argument for Australia to go much further in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, writes CLIVE HAMILTON, Vice-Chancellor's Chair, Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University.
Credibility key selling point for green economy
28 Feb 2014
The idea of the “green economy goes in and out of fashion, not least because it is rarely defined and frequently misunderstood, writes PAUL EKINS, Professor of Resource and Environmental Policy, University College, London.
Big emitters cash in on free carbon credits
21 Feb 2014
A loophole allowing heavy industrial emitters to coin it at the expense of taxpayers by selling free carbon credits is likely to be closed under a Labour-Greens government.
Angry Maori take carbon case to UN
21 Feb 2014
Frustrated Maori will take their carbon price grievances to the United Nations next week.
Iwi ultimatum earns support of political parties
21 Feb 2014
Iwi threatening to take a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal over carbon prices have the support of at least two major political parties.
Maori ultimatum leaves Government unmoved
14 Feb 2014
The Government appears to be ignoring an ultimatum from Maori to fix carbon prices or face the consequences.
Angry Maori table $600,000 carbon ultimatum
7 Feb 2014
Maori say they will lodge a $600 million Treaty of Waitangi claim if the Government doesn’t move fast to shore up carbon prices.
Earth Law move perfect for us, says academic
7 Feb 2014
New Zealand is well-positioned to move into an emerging international Earth-centred legal regime because of Maori culture, an environmental law lecturer says.
Hang on, isn't carbon-happy China just making stuff for us?
7 Feb 2014
Is it fair that China is blamed for the carbon dioxide emissions it generates to manufacture products destined for the West? asks Glen West, of the Center for International Climate and Environment Research.
Academic eyes ways to hold back flood waters
7 Feb 2014
Floods are becoming harder to manage by trying to hold water back behind flood defences, so it’s time to look at how to defend against them at the building and community level.
It's the forestry effect, explains Groser
31 Jan 2014
The Government is blaming a projected greenhouse gas emissions increase on forestry cycles.
Think or swim ... that's our climate change choice
31 Jan 2014
Making people think about the impact climate change could have on their homes makes them more likely to take action to prevent it, researchers say.
Time for a green revolution, says Norman
31 Jan 2014
The Green Party is invoking the legacies of Seddon, Savage and Kirk in a bid to pitch the green economy as the next big thing for New Zealand.
Climate paralysis risks our reputation, say Greens
24 Jan 2014
New Zealand’s continuing failure to do our share on climate change puts our clean green image at risk, the Green Party says.
The war on science: Why we should be very afraid
24 Jan 2014
Climate scientist Dr JIM SALINGER on why we should be very worried by attempts to discredit data showing New Zealand's climate is warming:
Pulp politics bring tension to Tasmania
24 Jan 2014
KATE CROWLEY, Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Policy at the University of Tasmania, examines the tension between the economy and the environment in the state's politics:
Post-recession, we're becoming a nation of greener Kiwis
20 Dec 2013
New Zealanders coming out of recession have quite different attitudes to sustainability than they had going in, says a social trend researcher.
Govt sitting on millions worth of Kyoto units
13 Dec 2013
The Government is sitting on millions of Kyoto units which could reduce the cost of the country's carbon liability.
Govt releases climate change commitment report
13 Dec 2013
The Government has just released the Sixth National Communication on Climate Change report.
Restrictions on CERs and ERUs
6 Dec 2013
The use of international Kyoto credits in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme is to be restricted.
Beehive seems set to block cheap foreign credits
6 Dec 2013
The Government today is expected to announce moves to restrict the flow of cheap foreign carbon credits into New Zealand.
Country on countdown to pricing environment
6 Dec 2013
A decision will be made early next year on whether New Zealand will put a price on its natural capital.
NZ none the wiser after rejecting refugee’s case
29 Nov 2013
New Zealand has dealt with what is claimed to be the world’s first climate change refugee by throwing his case out of court and earmarking him and his family for deportation.
What Tim Groser told the world at Warsaw
22 Nov 2013
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser has put New Zealand’s emissions-reduction credentials to the COP19 gathering in Warsaw.
Abbott fund has high price, says analyst
22 Nov 2013
Australia’s Emissions Reduction Fund is likely to cost its government $A20 a tonne, and possibly $40 a tonne, an analyst says.
Melbourne expo might give us some answers
22 Nov 2013
Businesses looking for a steer on how Australia’s Emissions Reduction Fund scheme will work could find it at the Carbon Expo Australasia next month.
New-look Christchurch wins accolades at Warsaw
22 Nov 2013
The Christchurch rebuild has been recognised internationally as the best current example of urban regeneration.
Welcome to the Bill and Gerry Climate Change Show ...
15 Nov 2013
The Government is under fire over its apparent lack of belief in human-induced climate change, with two of the country’s most powerful politicians calling the science into question.
Our ministers ill-informed, says top scientist
15 Nov 2013
The New Zealand Government is ignoring “inconvenient” evidence about climate change, says a leading international climate scientist.
Government plays loose with ETS facts
15 Nov 2013
The Government is claiming credit for climate change policies – including the Emissions Trading Scheme - introduced by its predecessor.
Warsaw the great test of will, say Greens
15 Nov 2013
COP19 will be the critical test of the international community’s will to prevent dangerous climate change, says Green Party climate change spokesman Kennedy Graham.
Emissions cuts vital, says carbon watchdog
15 Nov 2013
Ambitious emissions reductions targets should be a prerequisite for access to international carbon markets, a carbon markets watchdog says.
Hope from Europe
11 Nov 2013
The NZU market finished the week on a subdued note, as selling interest dries up for now. OMFinancial reports:
Poland will be stepping stone, says Groser
8 Nov 2013
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser says that next week's COP19 conference in Poland will lay the groundwork for a new international agreement on tackling climate change.
New freshwater rules won't work, say scientists
8 Nov 2013
Farmers say it’s a new start to freshwater management, but at least some scientists say Government proposals released this week won’t improve the quality of our waterways.
Meet Kennedy Graham, green sheep of the family ... and a man business would be wise to watch
8 Nov 2013
By editor ADELIA HALLETT. The irony of an ancestor owning a coal mine is not lost on Dr Kennedy Graham.
Young man in a hurry ... all the way to Warsaw
8 Nov 2013
A young man with a commerce degree and an interest in alternate energy will represent New Zealand at COP19 in Warsaw next week.
Doha decision forced hand on setting 5% emissions target, says Groser
1 Nov 2013
New Zealand’s expulsion from international carbon markets was a factor in the Government’s setting of this country’s 2020 emissions reduction target.
Paper explains why public not consulted
1 Nov 2013
The Government chose not to consult the public over its 2020 emissions reduction target, despite knowing that the target was inconsistent with three-quarters of earlier public submissions.
Business must play major role, says minister
1 Nov 2013
The Government wants business to take a leading role as New Zealand moves to a low-carbon economy.
Papers reveal Treasury push for zero GHG target
25 Oct 2013
Treasury wanted New Zealand to adopt a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of zero per cent below 1990 levels.
Our GHG emissions on the way up ... not down
25 Oct 2013
New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions are on track to rise by 2020, not fall as the Government has pledged.
Parties stay quiet on 2015 carbon auctions
25 Oct 2013
A new government might not auction carbon units in 2015.
Greens quiz minister on emissions reduction
25 Oct 2013
News that New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are expected to grow by more than a third by 2040 prompted questions in Parliament this week, as Green Party climate change spokesman Dr Kennedy Graham sought to pin the Government down on just how it planned to reach its emissions reduction targets.
Labour again trying for foreign units limit
11 Oct 2013
Labour is having another go at limiting the number of foreign carbon units emitters can surrender under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
No nukes policy in line for world award
11 Oct 2013
New Zealand is in the running for the Future Policy Award, recognising policies that create better living conditions for current and future generations.
Rebel campaigner eyes NZ connection
4 Oct 2013
Leading Australian climate change campaigner Professor Tim Flannery says he would bring his privately funded Climate Council to New Zealand - if asked.
IPCC report means no more excuses for NZ
4 Oct 2013
The latest IPCC report on climate change removes New Zealand’s excuses for not taking strong action on the problems.
Political parties back Palmer on RMA
13 Sep 2013
Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s call for environmental protections to be written into a New Zealand constitution is gaining political traction.
Labour hopefuls and their green values
13 Sep 2013
Which of the three MPs battling to be leader of the Labour Party would be best for the environment?
Watts’s last stand: Simeon Brown takes energy portfolio
Thu 2 Apr 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Energy Minister Simon Watts has lost the portfolio to Cabinet fixer Simeon Brown in a reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this morning.
Fonterra admits ‘100% grass-fed’ claim breached law in greenwashing row
Thu 2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has admitted its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” claims on Anchor butter were misleading and breached the law, settling a case brought by Greenpeace Aotearoa over packaging used between December 2023 and April 2025.
Annual emissions fell to lowest in 15 years in Sept 2025
5 Feb 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest annual total in the year to September 2025 since records began 2010, according to Statistics New Zealand data published this morning.
Momentum speeds up for low-emissions heavy transport
Thu 2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand’s heavy vehicle sector is starting to move toward lower-emissions alternatives, with electric vehicles now delivering cost savings as well as lower emissions.
Wellington planting nears one million trees
30 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Greater Wellington’s parks restoration programme will hit one million native trees this year, with the first dams to rewet peat wetlands in Queen Elizabeth Park now completed after a years-long effort to bring these ecosystems – and their carbon sequestering superpowers – back to life.
Businesses look for ways to cut costs in response to oil shock
Wed 1 Apr 2026
New Zealand’s small and medium-sized businesses are looking for ways to ease the pressure as global tensions see rising fossil fuel prices and diminishing supply, with decision-makers mulling measures including work-from-home polices and transport or logistics changes.
