News Direct: Media releases
Environment Court rules Mackenzie biodiversity deserves bespoke protection
Thu 17 Apr 2025
Media release | In a decision years in the making, the Environment Court has upheld EDS’s contention that Te Manahuna / the Mackenzie Basin’s significant ecology and indigenous biodiversity warrants a bespoke planning regime to protect it from farming intensification.
Straterra has a new name: the New Zealand Minerals Council
Wed 16 Apr 2025
Media release | Straterra has been renamed as New Zealand Minerals Council, says chief executive Josie Vidal.
NZCTU announces transformative policy vision for Aotearoa
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Media release | The plan would ensure that Aotearoa meets its climate obligations and guarantees a just transition for the workers and communities who will bear the brunt of the climate crisis and technological change.
NZ could make better use of natural processes to reduce flood risk
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Media release | New Zealand could make better use of natural processes to reduce the risk of flooding, according to research by the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
New Zealand’s glacier volume down 42% since 2005
Mon 14 Apr 2025
Media release | Total glacier ice volumes in Aotearoa New Zealand decreased by 42 percent between 2005 and 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
Global EV adoption fails to cut CO2
11 Apr 2025
There's little point in buying an electric vehicle if you're charging it with electricity generated by fossil fuels. In fact, when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, your EV may be doing more harm than good.
Take a stand for climate health at Friday’s climate strike: OraTaiao
10 Apr 2025
Media release | “As health practitioners, we know that the health of our environment is fundamental to human wellbeing” says Dr. Steve Grimson, executive member of OraTaiao.
Consumers hold line on sustainability, expect business to do the same
9 Apr 2025
Media release | New research shows that while the cost of living remains top concern for New Zealand’s consumers, their commitment to sustainability remains strong.
Can the future of energy be affordable, secure and sustainable?
9 Apr 2025
Media release | Global experts are coming together to address the challenge of creating energy solutions that are both sustainable and achievable by 2050.
Question mark over Government modelling for pine planting on public conservation land
8 Apr 2025
Media release | Forest & Bird is concerned about modelling revealing that meeting the Government’s climate commitments would require planting vast areas of conservation and other Crown land in permanent pine forests, in a desperate attempt to meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s net zero emissions 2050 goal.
Are carrots threatened by climate change?
8 Apr 2025
Media release | The humble carrot is a staple in many diets worldwide, but it may soon be under threat as the effects of climate change intensify, impacting seed production and global food security.
Gene Tech Bill risks farmers’ livelihoods, trade, and NZ’s global reputation: OANZ
7 Apr 2025
Media release | Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has told Parliament that the proposed Gene Technology Bill will have devastating impacts on the organic sector.
Construction starts on New Zealand’s largest solar farm
4 Apr 2025
Media release | Construction on New Zealand’s largest solar farm project has officially begun at Te Aroha in Waikato, marking a significant milestone for the country’s renewable energy future.
Southern Ocean warming may affect tropical drought and rainfall more than Arctic warming
3 Apr 2025
Southern Ocean warming may have a greater impact than Arctic warming in some regions, particularly affecting tropical rainfall patterns, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
Xero and Sumday partner to offer free carbon accounting tools
2 Apr 2025
Media release | Xero, the global small business platform, today announced an expanded partnership with Sumday, a carbon accounting software provider, making it easier for small businesses and accountants and bookkeepers to track and manage their carbon footprint.
New tool reveals shallow groundwater elevations
2 Apr 2025
Media release: NIWA | A new online tool that identifies areas at risk from groundwater flooding has been developed by New Zealand scientists.
Hawke's Bay Schools Climate Change Challenge now open
1 Apr 2025
Media Release │ Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has announced the launch of the Hawke’s Bay Schools Climate Change Challenge, open to all schools across the region.
New deep sea mining study shows ecosystem recovery from mining could take centuries
28 Mar 2025
Media release | A new study shows that the damage from deep sea mining would be so severe that any recovery from mining could take hundreds of years.
Interactive climate change exhibition at Te Papa
27 Mar 2025
Media release | Our Changing City is an interactive digital installation that is changing the way Wellingtonians understand climate impacts in the capital.
'Profound' drop in oxygen in the world's lakes in past 20 years
24 Mar 2025
Media release | Globally, dissolved oxygen levels in lakes are dropping due to climate change and heatwaves, modeling suggests.
Iwi join discussion on geothermal potential
21 Mar 2025
Media release | Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand's geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
New report exposes climate finance failures
20 Mar 2025
Media release | A new climate finance report highlights failings in funding urgent climate action.
Extreme atmospheric rivers could double in future climate
19 Mar 2025
Media release | New Zealand could face twice as many of the most extreme atmospheric rivers by the end of the century, according to new research by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
Fiordland's marine habitats surveyed to develop first complete picture of biodiversity
17 Mar 2025
Media release | Scientists have long known Fiordland's marine habitats are home to a diverse range of species, from bright orange cup corals to huge black corals. A project to survey and catalogue these habitats is now underway to help support evidence-based management of this unique environment.
Shifting climate behaviours tops conference agenda
14 Mar 2025
Carbon and Energy Professionals (CEP) has just announced the first Keynote speaker for its conference in Auckland in May as Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, MBE.
High share of quarterly renewable electricity generation as industrial demand for electricity fell
13 Mar 2025
Media release | The latest Energy Quarterly data release from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) shows electricity generation in the October to December 2024 quarter was the lowest December quarter on record since 2016, says MBIE Domains Manager Amapola Generosa.
Third NZ weed evolves Roundup resistance
13 Mar 2025
Media release | Wild carrot could become difficult to control in vineyards, after becoming the third NZ weed to develop a resistance to the widely used herbicide Roundup (glyphosate).
EU carbon market on course for highest CO2 price in the world by 2030: report
11 Mar 2025
Media release | LONDON: Europe's new Emissions Trading System is expected to have the world's highest carbon price in 2030 at 149EU, BloombergNEF forecast reveals.
Major plan approved for sea-level rise in Lyttelton Harbour
7 Mar 2025
Christchurch City Council has approved a 100-year plan for adapting public assets to the impacts of sea-level rise in Whakaraupo Lyttelton Harbour.
The pot is already boiling for 2% of the world's amphibians
6 Mar 2025
Media release | Amphibians are increasingly vulnerable to global warming, according to new research.
Odds favour a warmer than usual autumn for parts of NZ
5 Mar 2025
Media release | Seasonal air temperatures are expected to be above average for the north and west of both the North and South Islands, according to NIWA's Season Climate Outlook for March-May 2025, with about equal chances for near average or above average seasonal temperatures for the east of the North Island and the east of the South Island.
Melting Antarctic ice sheets will slow Earth's strongest ocean current
4 Mar 2025
Media release | Melting ice sheets are slowing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world's strongest ocean current, researchers have found.
Half of Kiwis seek action on climate
3 Mar 2025
One in two New Zealanders believe the Government should invest more to protect people and properties from extreme weather events, according to a new survey.
Govt easing rules to drive investment in electricity
27 Feb 2025
Media release | Restrictions on electricity lines companies investing in generation will be eased to help strengthen the energy network, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say.
Atlantic Ocean currents might withstand future warming
27 Feb 2025
Media release | The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) may be able to withstand future global warming and could avoid collapse, a modelling study presented in Nature suggests.
Research examines links between human and planetary health
26 Feb 2025
Media release | Climate change and environmental degradation will cause new health problems that health professionals need to manage, says University of Auckland research fellow Dr Eileen Gilder.
Harvesting fog?
24 Feb 2025
Media release | A field study spanning a year showed that water collected from fog could ease water scarcity.
Workplace culture often overlooked in corporate sustainability plans
21 Feb 2025
Media release | Businesses can cut energy waste by creating a workplace where saving power feels encouraged, not enforced, research shows.
Putting rainforests into fuel tanks? Groups warn IMO against 'biofuel disaster'
20 Feb 2025
Media release | The International Maritime Organization and its 176 Member States must oppose the promotion of biofuels in international shipping and commit to a future powered by genuine clean energy, say Biofuelwatch and the Global Forest Coalition.
Shifting to a sustainable marine economy could contribute $14bn by 2035
18 Feb 2025
Media release | New Zealand's marine economy could make a bigger contribution to the Government's goal of doubling the value of exports over the next 10 years if it's able to transition to more sustainable practices, according to a new report by Westpac NZ.
Environmental groups clarify qualities of stewardship land in meeting with prime minister
17 Feb 2025
Media release | Earlier this week the Chief Executives of four leading ENGOs (EDS, Greenpeace Aotearoa, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Forest & Bird) presented the Prime Minister with a Memorandum that called out some of his ministers for misrepresenting the quality of stewardship land in public.
Climate change exhibition at Auckland University
13 Feb 2025
Media release | A powerful exhibition that showcases the devastating impacts of climate change in the Pacific has opened at Auckland University of Technology's Te Wai Ngutu Kaakaa Gallery.
Genesis and Foresta in biomass supply negotiation
12 Feb 2025
Media release | Genesis Energy Limited (GENESIS) and Foresta (NZ) Limited (FORESTA) have signed a term sheet to advance negotiations on the supply of torrefied black wood pellets for electricity generation at Huntly Power Station.
Signs of hope as Whangamarino Wetlands bounces back from fire
10 Feb 2025
Media release | The internationally significant Whangamarino Wetland has proven more resilient to fire than expected, thanks to the healthy state of the peatland before the blaze.
Clarity on elusive atmospheric 'detergent' reveals climate change realities
10 Feb 2025
Media release | The Earth's atmosphere has strengthened its ability to remove air pollutants, including the potent climate-warming gas methane, according to new research published this month in Nature Communications.
Carbon neutral music video - NZ's first?
7 Feb 2025
Media release | Celebrated singer and co-writer from iconic NZ band Goldenhorse, Kirsten Morrell, has today released what is said to be New Zealand's first carbon neutral music video.
More extreme weather predicted for subantarctic islands
4 Feb 2025
Media release | A Department of Conservation study is predicting more extreme weather for New Zealand's southernmost subantarctic island, which is likely to impact the sealions, albatross and other threatened species living there.
Hundreds of native species highly vulnerable to climate change
3 Feb 2025
Media release | A major assessment released by DOC shows many of New Zealand's native plants and animals are in for a rough time as climate change impacts increase.
Pukekohe rail electrification completed
3 Feb 2025
Media release | The completion of the Papakura to Pukekohe rail electrification project will provide commuters with more reliable and efficient journeys and help reduce congestion on our roads, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Insurers welcome govt's climate adaptation response
31 Jan 2025
Media release | The Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) has welcomed the Government's commitment to introduce legislation to Parliament this year on a Climate Adaptation framework and prepare New Zealanders for the impact of climate change on lives, property and communities.
Green's anti-mining bill drawn from ballot
11 Apr 2025
The Green Party's Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill has been drawn from the ballot and will be debated in Parliament.
Winter’s tale of electricity market woes
Thu 17 Apr 2025
A study of last winter’s events in the electricity market has confirmed that the major players suffered from high prices, and there was little or no indication of them gaming the market with their wholesale pricing.
Fonterra linked to illegal deforestation, claims Greenpeace
5 Mar 2025
Dairy giant Fonterra's supply chain is linked with illegal deforestation, according to Greenpeace Aotearoa, after New Zealand's major importers of palm kernel have been found to be illegally operating palm plantations in Indonesia.
NZ's emissions fell 2% in 2023 - latest GHG inventory
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Aotearoa New Zealand’s gross greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 2% in 2023, according to the latest greenhouse gas inventory.
Peters unveils plans for rail-enabled interisland ferries
1 Apr 2025
Two new rail-enabled ferries will arrive by the end of 2029, but the costs remain under wraps.
Commissioner calls for urgent reform of carbon forestry in ETS
10 Apr 2025
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is calling on the Government to remove forestry from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, warning that the country’s flagship climate policy is entrenching risky land use decisions and undermining long-term emissions reductions.
Govt needs to look at alternatives to free pollution credits for industrial emitters: Commission
11 Apr 2025
The Climate Change Commission says there are “legitimate questions” about hundreds of millions of public money spent on free carbon credits for polluters, and the government should be looking at alternatives.
