New Zealand: Politics
Eco question: What price our environment?
7 Oct 2011
A British environmentalist who started the first eco-tourism business in the Galapagos Islands says that New Zealand needs to follow the British example and put some dollar values on intrinsic worth of the environment.
Greens demand subsidy answers
30 Sep 2011
The Government is being accused of subsidising the fossil fuel industry while at the same time campaigning internationally for an end to fossil fuel-industry subsidies.
Business wants green growth answers
23 Sep 2011
Some of New Zealand’s top business leaders will put a ruler over politicians’ election plans for green growth.
Green jobs galore, promises Norman
23 Sep 2011
The Green Party has launched a policy it says will create 100,000 new green jobs through business incentives and government leadership.
Green group's hands tied, says watchdog
23 Sep 2011
The Government’s Green Growth Advisory Group has not been given the scope it needs to do its job properly, says Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright.
That's it ... till after the election
16 Sep 2011
The Emissions Trading Scheme has been kicked for touch until after the election.
Carbon progress ... early start, late arrival
16 Sep 2011
How does New Zealand’s transition to a price on carbon compared to that proposed for Australia?
ETS review: We've been heard, say farmers
16 Sep 2011
Federated Farmers sees many of the key points for which it has advocated reflected in the Emissions Trading Scheme review panel’s report.
ETS review: Messages mixed, says Labour
16 Sep 2011
The Government continues to have two messages on whether it will include agriculture in its Emissions Trading Scheme, says Labour's Climate Change spokesperson, Brendon Burns.
ETS review: Weak scheme gets weaker
16 Sep 2011
The review of the Emissions Trading Scheme proposes to increase subsidies to climate polluters at the cost of the New Zealand taxpayer and the climate, the Green Party says.
ETS review: Act stands for abolition
16 Sep 2011
The Government should "drop the pretence" and scrap the Emissions Trading Scheme, the Act Party says.
ETS review: Where are emissions reductions?
16 Sep 2011
With each change to the Emissions Trading Scheme, the subsidy regime is expanded and the taxpayer picks up more of the tab, while there is minimal impact on gross emissions, the Sustainability Council says.
ETS review: Slow is best for business
16 Sep 2011
Slowing down the implementation of New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme would be a good move, says BusinessNZ.
ETS review: Farm costs worry Fonterra
16 Sep 2011
Fonterra is committed to emissions reductions and will continue to work within the business and on-farm to see them achieved.
ETS review: Check facts, Government told
16 Sep 2011
The Emissions Trading Scheme review report is unjustifiably optimistic on the global climate change response, and the Government is urged to get its own facts before reaching any decisions, Straterra says.
ETS review: Costs will increase, says coalition
16 Sep 2011
The recommendations of the ETS review panel would increase the cost of the scheme to consumers and businesses after next year and are not supported by public opinion, according to the sponsors of an annual survey of climate change opinion.
Well done New Zealand, says Europe
9 Sep 2011
New Zealand has been congratulated by Europe for its emissions trading scheme.
Greens push for Pacific climate action
9 Sep 2011
New Zealand and Australia can, and must, lead on real action to respond to climate change to save the endangered Pacific Island nations, the Green Party says.
Green only way, says EU climate chief
2 Sep 2011
Our government is about to meet a politician who says that addressing climate change is core conservative politics.
Doctor fears climate treaty challenge
2 Sep 2011
A Maori public health specialist says that the Government is failing to address climate change – and that could leave the way open for a Treaty of Waitangi challenge.
Sound science the key, say academics
2 Sep 2011
Sound science should underpin sound environmental planning, policy development and management, say scientists at Waikato University's new Enviornmental Research Institute.
New Zealanders right behind sustainability
26 Aug 2011
Nearly 90 per cent of New Zealanders think sustainability - and use of the 100% Pure brand - provides the country with an important competitive advantage when trading in global markets, a new survey says.
Environment reporting: What do you think?
19 Aug 2011
The Government is calling for feedback on plans to strengthen rules around environmental reporting.
Callaghan: We need schemes, not dreams
12 Aug 2011
New Zealand does not have a clean-tech natural advantage, says one of our leading scientists.
Survey shows we fret over climate costs
12 Aug 2011
A climate change-policy lobby group says that its latest survey shows New Zealanders are worried about the cost of dealing with climate change.
Heating scheme reaches more homes
5 Aug 2011
An extra 1250 households each year will be able to access Government funding to replace their old solid fuel heaters, the Government says.
Air quality record improves
5 Aug 2011
New Zealand’s average number of air quality exceedances dropped to 3.5 in 2010 – the best level since nationwide records began in 2000, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.
Major changes unlikely, says ETS review head
1 Aug 2011
The Emissions Trading Scheme review panel is unlikely to change its recommendations substantially in light of Australia’s carbon pricing moves.
ETS review extended in wake of Aussie plan
1 Aug 2011
Climate Change Minister Nick Smith is seeking an update from the Emissions Trading Scheme review committee to take account of Australia’s recent announcements to implement a carbon price.
Business sings new tune on ETS
1 Aug 2011
The business sector is much more positive about the Emissions Trading Scheme than it was two years ago.
Beware of Australian ETS, says report
29 Jul 2011
Integration with the Australian carbon market would disadvantage New Zealand businesses, says a new report.
Auckland talks make a little progress
29 Jul 2011
International climate change negotiators made tentative progress at a meeting in Auckland this week, our International Climate Change Minister says.
One-for-two deal must stay, says coalition
29 Jul 2011
The Greenhouse Policy Coalition is warning that New Zealanders will face higher prices for fuel and electricity if the Government removes the one-for-two obligation in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Climate deal-makers head for Auckland
22 Jul 2011
International climate change negotiators will meet in Auckland next week, it has just been announced.
Youth group makes zero-carbon stand
22 Jul 2011
A new youth-based political movement is calling for today’s carbon bills to be paid today.
ETS review findings linger with minister
15 Jul 2011
There's no word yet on when the review of the Emissions Trading Scheme will be made public.
Future leaders give their vision of NZ
15 Jul 2011
New Zealand’s future business leaders are being asked what the country could look like in 2050 if the it adopts sustainable development.
Are we keeping up, asks energy expert
15 Jul 2011
The argument by some New Zealand businesses and farmers that NZ should not be a leader in climate change mitigation is beginning to wear thin, says an expert on renewable energy.
Govt under fire over southern lignite
15 Jul 2011
The Government came under fire in Parliament this week for supporting plans for a lignite mine in Southland while talking about how the world should phase out subsidies for fossil fuels.
Group to eye benefits of green brand
8 Jul 2011
New Zealand needs to consider how it leverages off its clean green brand in global markets and how new technologies can be developed to reduce environmental impacts, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Acting Minister for Economic Development David Carter say.
COMMENT: Government misses Pure Advantage
8 Jul 2011
The launch of Pure Advantage last night is an attempt to fill a leadership vacuum.
NZ needs oceans plan, says NIWA chief
8 Jul 2011
New Zealand urgently needs a national oceans strategy to sustainably manage and use its extensive marine resources to boost the economy, says NIWA chairman Chris Mace.
ETS review team hands over report
1 Jul 2011
The Government has the Emissions Trading Scheme review panel report.
New enviro watchdog to run ETS
1 Jul 2011
The new Environmental Protection Authority kicks off today, and from January it will be responsible for administering the Emissions Trading Scheme.
WWF calls for countries to act on carbon
17 Jun 2011
Fast and scaled-up support for innovative approaches to developing a low-carbon economy is both possible and essential, says a new WWF report.
Climate fighter has a big job for NZ
10 Jun 2011
Scientist and climate change campaigner Dr James Hansen says that New Zealand could be the country he has been looking for to "stand up and tell the truth" - that our addiction to fossil fuels can be cured only by an honest, rising price on carbon.
What James Hansen told the Prime Minister ...
10 Jun 2011
Prime Minister John Key, who has been singing the praises of Solid Energy's lignite plans in Southland, has been told by top scientist James Hansen that New Zealand should not go down this path.
Taxpayers face Kyoto bill worth billions
3 Jun 2011
New Zealand taxpayers face a future Kyoto liability of up to between $1 billion and $5 billion, the Sustainability Council is warning.
Carbon tax soon, say Aussie Greens
3 Jun 2011
Australia may leapfrog New Zealand on pricing carbon, that country’s Green Party leader says.
NZ attitudes concern climate cameraman
3 Jun 2011
New Zealand businesses are not interested in climate change, despite the concern of some individual business people, says an expatriate photographer whose work is dedicated to portraying the impact of climate change.
Govt redirects energy innovation funding to solar on schools
Today 12:15pm
By Liz Kivi | Schools will save money, have greater energy security, and reduce carbon emissions through a $30 million Government initiative to put solar panels on up to 500 schools across New Zealand, say Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Education Minister Erica Stanford.
Greens condemn planned coal mine next to protected wetland
4 May 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Green Party says a new plan for a coal mine and fertiliser plant next to an internationally significant wetland is “ecological vandalism and climate denial.”
Carbon removal plans falling billions of tonnes short, experts warn
Today 12:15pm
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand needs to look beyond forestry and rapidly expand other forms of carbon removal to help meet global climate goals, according to a major international report.
Rotorua extends diesel bus contract after NZTA declines extra funding
25 May 2026
By Mathew Nash, Local Democracy Reporter | Rotorua is stuck with its diesel-powered public buses after a funding snag played a part in setting back plans for zero-emission buses by years.
Govt ramps up war on wilding pines with $79m boost
25 May 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government is ramping up efforts to contain the spread of wilding pines with a $79 million funding boost aimed at protecting farmland, biodiversity hotspots, tourism landscapes and water catchments across New Zealand.
Govt’s LNG plan puts trade deals at risk, lawyers warn
26 May 2026
By Liz Kivi | Lawyers for Climate Action are warning that the government’s plans for an LNG import terminal and to subsidise gas fields are in breach of New Zealand’s free trade agreements with the UK and the EU.
