New Zealand: Energy
Labour seeks help for fossil fuel action
12 Jul 2013
Labour is looking for cross-party support for its attempt to bring back a ban on new fossil fuel electricity generation in New Zealand.
Genesis gets nod for biggest windfarm
5 Jul 2013
New Zealand’s largest windfarm has been given the go-ahead – but it’s unlikely to be built for a while.
Dunne decider on thermal power future
14 Jun 2013
Beleaguered MP Peter Dunne could be called on to cast the deciding vote over whether new thermal electricity generation is banned or not.
Industry sees bioenergy as key to jobs
14 Jun 2013
Legislation supporting bioenergy production of electricity will provide employment and economic growth in rural areas, says the Bioenergy Association.
Carbon price cancels out CCS potential
7 Jun 2013
A potentially lucrative industry in the underground storage of carbon dioxide is being stymied by almost negligible carbon prices.
WWF accuses NZ of hypocrisy
7 Jun 2013
The New Zealand government is subsidising the oil and gas industry to the tune of $46 million annually, an investment at odds with its claims on the world stage to be ‘spearheading’ efforts to reform fossil fuel subsidies, says global conservation organisation WWF.
Look to NZ geothermal power, US hears
24 May 2013
America is falling behind New Zealand and Iceland in developing geothermal energy, researchers say.
Todd takes control of tidal power project
17 May 2013
Todd Energy has taken control of the company behind plans for a tidal energy plant on the Kaipara Harbour.
Pot party pushes hemp for houses
17 May 2013
Cannabis should be legalised for the sake of the environment, says the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.
Power switch will cut emissions, says solar chief
3 May 2013
Exposing domestic electricity consumers to the spot market would lead to substantial cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the Solar Energy Association says.
Don’t deafen our dolphins, marine scientists urge
26 Apr 2013
The world’s largest marine science professional body says New Zealand should stop seismic testing in the habitat of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin.
World wind power on a roll
19 Apr 2013
Wind power surged to a new record in 2012, with the United States emerging as the dominant player.
Hurunui wind farm gets green light
19 Apr 2013
Meridian Energy’s $200 million Hurunui wind farm is to go ahead.
Museum aims high to cut emissions
5 Apr 2013
Auckland Museum aims to cut carbon emissions by 31 per cent in two years - a move expected to save it hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
EXCLUSIVE: Upstream paddle for next SOE floats
28 Mar 2013
The Mighty River Power share float will attract at least 228,000 personal investors – but at this stage Genesis and Meridian might struggle to get more than half that.
NZ firms win solar fresh water contracts
28 Mar 2013
Two New Zealand companies are taking fresh water to the Pacific.
Drought costs power company $2m
28 Mar 2013
The North Island drought will cut King Country Energy's income by about $2 million, as the company is forced to buy electricity on the spot market.
Renewable energy share on the rise
28 Mar 2013
Initiatives aimed at cutting carbon emissions and establishing long-term energy security will see renewable energy claim a 36 per cent share of global cumulative installed capacity by the end of the decade, says the latest report from business intelligence firm GBI Research.
Power plant gas emissions show rise
22 Mar 2013
New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation last year were up more than 20 per cent on the previous year.
Wind energy firm laps up UK tariff deal
22 Mar 2013
New Zealand's Windflow Technology says it has just installed its first exported wind turbine on the windy island of Westray in the Orkney Islands off the far northern tip of Scotland.
Islands eye switch to renewable energy
22 Mar 2013
Most of New Zealand’s Pacific neighbours should move closer to achieving 50 per cent of their electricity from renewable means as a result of the two-day Pacific Energy Summit to behosted in Auckland jointly by New Zealand and the European Union next week, the Government says.
Meat exporter targets energy savings
15 Feb 2013
One of New Zealand’s biggest meat exporters is set to build its international brand through a range of energy management and efficiency measures.
Clean energy tops agenda at talkfest
8 Feb 2013
New Zealand should stop resting on its hydro-electricity-generation laurels and start making real steps towards a clean energy future, says the organiser of next week’s Energy Conference in Wellington.
Companies in court over cost of ETS
8 Feb 2013
By PATTRICK SMELLIE. South Island mining company OceanaGold Corp is refusing to pay for diesel it bought from Z Energy, which charged for the fuel based on a higher cost of the Emissions Trading Scheme than the New Zealand-owned company actually pays.
New wind generator does it on the ground
1 Feb 2013
A new wind-energy company will change the way that people look at windpower, say the company's directors.
Power plant gas emissions drop
14 Dec 2012
The emissions intensity of electricity generation in New Zealand has dropped.
Meat producer eyes millions in energy savings
14 Dec 2012
One of New Zealand’s largest exporters is set to save more than $2 million a year and enhance its global reputation as a sustainable producer through a company-wide energy management programme.
Power company grows home generators
7 Dec 2012
Meridian Energy says it has captured the growing home-generation market in New Zealand.
Get smart with power, says PowerSmart chief
30 Nov 2012
New Zealand could switch to solar energy generation more quickly if the industry was on a level playing field with traditional generation, says one of the founders of a company just named the sustainable small business of the year.
Insulation scheme hot news, say Greens
30 Nov 2012
The Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart home insulation scheme is a success story that shows how government can work with community groups and local businesses to create green jobs, improve the lives of New Zealanders, and reduce our impact on the environment, says Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei.
Fracking report due next week
23 Nov 2012
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on fracking will be released on Tuesday.
Textile companies slash energy costs
9 Nov 2012
Ten New Zealand textile companies have cut energy costs by an average 17 per cent this year.
Wind turbine pioneer finds overseas market
2 Nov 2012
New Zealand wind turbine developer Windflow Technology has exported its first turbine.
How to build green - for free
2 Nov 2012
The Government is offering free advice on designing low-energy buildings.
Trustpower surges ahead with Snowtown 2
2 Nov 2012
The turning of the first sod for South Australia’s largest wind farm has signalled the start of construction for Snowtown Stage 11, a 90 turbine expansion of TrustPower’s existing Snowtown wind farm, capable of generating a further 270 megawatts of renewable power for South Australia.
Have your say on mining changes
2 Nov 2012
The Government is calling for public feedback on proposed changes to royalties and the taxation of minerals.
Denniston debate goes back to court
26 Oct 2012
A scheme to mine the Denniston Plateau will be back before the courts on Monday.
Poll shows Maori mood against mining
19 Oct 2012
Opposition to minerals exploration is stronger among Maori than it is among the general population, a poll shows.
Mining mood catches industry by surprise
12 Oct 2012
The mining industry is rethinking its communications strategy in the light of research suggesting most New Zealanders give mining qualified support.
Developing countries adopt green energy
12 Oct 2012
Investments in renewable energy continued their steady rise last year - and the developing world is taking the lead.
Emissions cut, but still at high level
28 Sep 2012
New Zealand’s emissions of greenhouse gases from the energy sector fell slightly last year, but overall, our growth remains high compared to other countries, jusat-out figures show.
CarbonScape picks up rich second prize
28 Sep 2012
New Zealand carbon-refining company CarbonScape has been pipped at the post in one of the world’s largest competitions for sustainable innovation.
RMA not all hot air, says wind chief
14 Sep 2012
The wind energy industry says that environmental groups should not lose sight of the good parts of proposed changes to the Resource Management Act.
Aquaflow wins major Asia award
14 Sep 2012
Kiwi renewable fuels company Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation won a Red Herring magazine Top 100 Asia Award in Hong Kong this week.
Europe bulbs ban leaves NZ unmoved
7 Sep 2012
Europe’s decision to cut power use by banning the sale of energy-hungry incandescent light bulbs has failed to impress the New Zealand Government.
Water-wise Maori now look to the wind
7 Sep 2012
As the Government prepares to negotiate with Maori over ownership of rivers, a Waitangi Tribunal claim is being finalised for Maori to earn a dividend for the use of wind for commercial electricity generation.
Blenheim innovator makes world final
7 Sep 2012
Carbon-refining company Carbonscape is a finalist in the international Postcode Lottery Green Challenge.
Industry slams Govt biofuel backdown
31 Aug 2012
The Government’s decision to stop subsidising biofuel development and to allow Solid Energy to retreat from the alternative fuels is damaging, the industry says.
Mining cuts won't ease gases liability
31 Aug 2012
Solid Energy’s decision to cut coal production in the face of depressed prices might result in fewer climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions, but it will do little for New Zealand’s GHG liability.
Greens slam move to disband Environment Ministry
Fri 20 Feb 2026
The Green Party has joined climate and health advocates in condemning the Government's decision to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment as part of a multi-ministry merger.
Govt's solar on farms initiative to cut costs, boost resilience
Tue 17 Feb 2026
Farms across Aotearoa will begin installing solar panels and battery systems as part of a government-backed demonstration programme designed to test whether on-farm renewable energy can reduce electricity costs and improve energy security for the food and fibre sector.
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.
NZ could become ‘dumping ground’ for dirty vehicles: Commissioner
16 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has warned the Government that its changes to the clean car standard could turn the country into a dumping ground for high emitting cars, making future emissions budgets harder to achieve.
Slash for cash turns storm debris into jobs and climate resilience
Thu 19 Feb 2026
A community-led initiative in Tairāwhiti is transforming storm-damaged forestry slash into jobs, soil regeneration and long-term climate resilience.
Kiwi startup takes on global plastic pollution
12 Feb 2026
A New Zealand startup is launching what it says is the world’s first plastic-free effervescent drink tablet, with the ambitious aim of eliminating bottled beverages to reduce global plastic pollution.
