News Direct: Media releases
Climate leader Bronwyn Hayward named Supreme Woman of Influence
11 Feb 2022
Media Release - Internationally-recognised sustainability and climate change advocate Professor Bronwyn Hayward has been named the Supreme Winner at the Women of Influence Awards.
Greenpeace delivers oceans petition
10 Feb 2022
Media Release - Greenpeace activists sidestepped the chaos in Wellington yesterday to deliver a petition demanding stronger protection for the oceans.
More than 4500 sign save rail petition
9 Feb 2022
Media Release - A campaign asking the Government and KiwiRail to back the continuation of axed national passenger rail services continues to grow with more than 4,500 people signing an online petition.
Hamilton aims to increase native vegetation from 2% to 10%
9 Feb 2022
Media Release - Hamilton City Council’s Nature in the City programme aims to increase native vegetation in Hamilton from 2% to 10% by 2050. It’s no surprise there are already people in our community doing the mahi to bring back nature in the city.
Majority support cutting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser: Greenpeace poll
4 Feb 2022
Media Release - A Greenpeace commissioned poll released today shows that twice as many New Zealanders support a phase out of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser than oppose it.
Tauranga organisations and councils announce pledge to cut transport emissions
3 Feb 2022
Media Release - Tauranga City has one of the highest rates of private car use in Australasia and traffic flows have been increasing by up to 8% each year. The Tauranga City Community Carbon Footprint found transport makes up 61% of the city’s carbon footprint, of which 97% comes from road transport.
Corporations using misleading climate pledges to greenwash their image
3 Feb 2022
Media Release - Major global companies are avoiding meaningful climate action and are instead using false, misleading or ambiguous green claims, a new report shows.
Chapman Tripp first New Zealand Law firm to join Net Zero Lawyers Alliance
2 Feb 2022
Media Release - Chapman Tripp is the first New Zealand law firm to sign up to the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance (NZLA) – a collaboration of top-tier law firms committed to accelerating the transition to net zero emissions by 2050.
More electic trains for Auckland
2 Feb 2022
Media Release - Auckland Transport (AT) is preparing for future growth, announcing the purchase of an additional 23 electric trains for its rail network.
Driverless, low emissions tractor in development
28 Jan 2022
Media Release - A driverless tractor able to perform up to three tasks at once is on the cards for New Zealand orchards.
Greener burials uncovered by new Canterbury research
27 Jan 2022
Media Release - While many are striving to live in a more eco-friendly way, a University of Canterbury (UC) academic says we should also have the option to be buried more sustainably.
Otari gets money to conserve native orchids
26 Jan 2022
Media Release - Otari-Wiltons Bush has received a grant through Te Tahua Taiao Nga Taonga Lotteries Environment and Heritage Fund for a project aiming to save some of New Zealand’s most threatened orchids from extinction.
Education and support needed for climate-concerned SMEs
24 Jan 2022
Media Release - A new survey by business management platform, MYOB, has revealed a significant proportion of local SMEs are concerned about the impact of climate change, and while the majority are acting to minimise their carbon outputs, support and education is needed to help more SMEs do the same.
Native tree numbers on the rise in Bay of Plenty
23 Dec 2021
Media Release - The 775,000 native trees and shrubs planted by Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana and volunteers in the past financial year are expected to remove 307,515 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over the next 80 years.
WCC seeks waste minimisation proposals
22 Dec 2021
Media Release - Expressions of Interest are now open for Wellington City Council’s new Waste Minimisation Seed Fund which focuses on diverting organic waste from the landfill.
Wellington councils draw down first green loans from Local Government Funding Agency
21 Dec 2021
Media Release - Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington have become the first local authorities in New Zealand to draw down green loans from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA).
Air New Zealand seeking innovators for next generation aircraft
21 Dec 2021
Media Release - Air New Zealand wants to get a zero emissions aircraft in the air in the next five years and is calling on traditional aviation manufacturers as well as entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world to help achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The bird that measures Antarctic ice
20 Dec 2021
Media Release - It’s a bird, it’s a plane…It’s a laser-shooting electromagnetic ice device!
Toitu Brighter Futures Awards 2021 announced
20 Dec 2021
Media Release - Toitû Envirocare recognises its top performing clients with the Toitû Brighter Future Awards. These awards symbolise Toitû Envirocare’s values underpinned by best-practice and science-based sustainability expertise, along with a belief in a brighter, more sustainable future.
NZ should follow Netherland's lead and drastically cut stock numbers: Greenpeace
17 Dec 2021
Media Release - On Wednesday the Netherlands announced a plan to drastically transform the agriculture system which is expected to reduce livestock numbers by close to a third. Greenpeace Aotearoa says this sets an example for the New Zealand Government to follow.
‘Keep it clear’ when buying plastic bottles: Hamilton City Council
16 Dec 2021
Media Release - Hamiltonians are being encouraged to ‘keep it clear’ when choosing a soft drink bottle.
Open letter to ministers of forestry and climate change: Ekos
15 Dec 2021
Media Release - Dear Ministers, Ex-tropical cyclones smash our country and cause huge damage to our economy. Under a warming climate these cyclones will get stronger and do even more damage, harming our rural communities.
US$53 million boost for Tongan climate and disaster resilence
13 Dec 2021
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved two new projects totaling US$53 million to boost the climate and disaster resilience of Tongan schools, roads, and ports.
Land and water ecosystems, 'stressed to a critical point': FAO
13 Dec 2021
Land and water resources are “stressed to a critical point”, following significant deterioration over the past decade, according to a major new report released on Thursday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Canterbury floods more severe due to climate change
10 Dec 2021
Media Release - Researchers studying the effects of climate change on severe weather events in New Zealand have found that the extreme rainfall that brought flooding to Canterbury in May 2021 was 10% to 15% more intense as a result of human influence on the climate system.
Green Party calling for PKE phase out
10 Dec 2021
Media Release - The Green Party is calling on the Minister of Agriculture, Damien O'Connor to phase out the use of the Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) on farms to help address the climate crisis.
Bay of Plenty climate projects given a boost
9 Dec 2021
Media Release - Two community led climate change adaptation projects have received funds from Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council this week to explore the future impact on their community and begin planning.
Wellington wetland restoration milestone
8 Dec 2021
Media Release - Ten thousand wetland plants have now been added to Taupô Swamp, a milestone in restoration work supported by Ngâti Toa Rangatira and Greater Wellington.
NZ Green Investment Finance partners with NZ Post to accelerate EV transition
7 Dec 2021
Media Release - New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) and NZ Post have signed a $20 million financing agreement to accelerate the transition of the NZ Post fleet and its delivery contractors’ vehicles, to electric vans (E-Vans) or low emissions vehicles (LEVs).
Shift happens - BNZ's Future of agribusiness report
7 Dec 2021
Media Release - The Bank of New Zealand's (BNZ) Shift Happens Future of agribusiness report reveals a divided primary sector, adapting to the challenges of climate change and regulation, demanding more from rural connectivity, and grappling with COVID-induced …
Coastal shipping will help keep New Zealand’s supply chain buoyant
6 Dec 2021
Media Release - Transport Minister Michael Wood has welcomed the release of the Coastal Shipping Investment Approach State-of-Play report as an important step towards a more sustainable coastal shipping sector, which will further diversify New Zealand’s supply chain.
Giant crowdfunded note to PM on climate emergency anniversary
3 Dec 2021
Media Release - On the one-year anniversary of Jacinda Ardern’s Climate Emergency declaration, Greenpeace has positioned a cheeky, four storey high, crowdfunded "climate emergency to-do list" on a wall near Parliament in Wellington.
International meeting could open up ocean mining, drastically undermining ocean health
3 Dec 2021
Media Release - Critics are sounding the alarm that an upcoming meeting of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the international body that regulates and controls mining activities in the world’s ocean that lies beyond national jurisdictions, could push through ocean mining regulations in as little as two years.
Record jump in energy and carbon savings from NZ efficient product sales
2 Dec 2021
Media Release - The increasing energy efficiency of appliances sold in New Zealand has saved $38 million over one year and reduced carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 19,600 cars off the road1, according to EECA.
Our seas are sizzling again: Niwa
1 Dec 2021
Media Release - Coastal sea temperatures around Aotearoa New Zealand have risen well above average, NIWA forecasters say.
Hamilton's emissions up
1 Dec 2021
Media Release - A Hamilton City Council report has revealed that operational emissions have risen compared to 2020 - a year that saw Covid-19 lockdowns cause a big drop in emissions.
New Zealand's first hydrogen truck unveiled
30 Nov 2021
Media Release - New Zealand’s first hydrogen-electric truck, Hyundai’s XCIENT FCEV, was unveiled last Friday in Mount Wellington by the Transport Minister, Hon Michael Wood.
Tourism industry challenge to cut carbon
30 Nov 2021
Media Release - Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism industry is being challenged to lead the fight to reduce carbon emissions, with a major new initiative announced at Tourism Summit Aotearoa yesterday.
NZ Super Fund ranked among the world’s most responsible asset allocators
30 Nov 2021
Media Release - The NZ Super Fund has once again been named a world leader in a ranking of the responsible investing practices adopted by the world’s top sovereign wealth funds and government pension funds.
Emissions Reduction Plan falls well short: Wise Response Society
29 Nov 2021
The overall emissions budget proposed by the Ministry for the Environment is not nearly ambitious enough,’ says Chair of the Wise Response Society, Prof. Liz Slooten. ‘The IPCC requirement to keep global warming to 1.5C by 2030 means a median reduction of 45%. New Zealand should have an emissions reduction budget of 60%.’
Fish & Game supports calls for forestry re-focus
26 Nov 2021
Media Release - Fish & Game NZ is supporting calls for an urgent rethink on the rapid proliferation of exotic forests currently being supported by central government, and instead refocus on native plantings for better long-term environmental and social outcomes.
Timaru’s on-demand public transport hits 200,000 ride milestone
26 Nov 2021
Media Release - Timaru’s on-demand public transport hits 200,000 ride milestone Innovation has paid off in Timaru as the city’s new on-demand public transport service goes from strength to strength.
Auckland's living bus shelters coming to life
25 Nov 2021
Two of Auckland’s bus shelters have come to life with more than 1000 plants adorning their walls and roofs.
Climate change awareness not matched by action
23 Nov 2021
Media Release - We know we must do better by the planet, but when will we start? As Aotearoa’s awareness of climate change and its impact increases, Stuff’s latest NowNext survey asked Kiwis how that knowledge is influencing decisions in their everyday lives. The findings shine a light on how important sustainability really is to Kiwis
Global fisheries even worse than thought
22 Nov 2021
Media Release - The decline in fish populations is far worse than previously estimated, according to Minderoo Foundation’s Global Fishing Index (GFI) - the largest independent assessment of global fish stocks to date
International unions call for jobs to be at centre of a just transition
19 Nov 2021
Media Release - The COP26 climate agreement acknowledged the science, recognised the gaps to realise the 1.5C target and embedded the call for Just Transition but the compromises made in Glasgow fall short on ambition, finance, responsibility and inclusion.
New Zealand’s first carbon zero hospital unveiled
18 Nov 2021
Forté Hospital in Christchurch has been named New Zealand’s first Toitû carbonzero certified hospital.
Signature Homes tackles carbon emissions from home construction
18 Nov 2021
Media Release - Signature Homes has signalled its intention to mitigate its house construction carbon dioxide emissions by planting around 45,000 native trees annually
It’s up to citizens and markets to kiss fossil fuels goodbye: Barry Coates
18 Nov 2021
Media Release - Governments made some progress during COP26, but not enough. Now the mantle passes to citizens and markets to decarbonise our economy, says Mindful Money's CEO Barry Coates.
Activists condemn Covid fast tracking of motorways
17 Nov 2021
Media Release - The Covid fast track consenting panel, set up by the Ardern Government under the Covid 19 Fast-Track Consenting Act, has approved the expansion of State Highway 1, which will see a third lane added in each direction between Papakura and Drury.
Energy and environment in an election year
Today 12:15pm
Parliament resumes this week but the year ahead is already framed by the November 7 election.
Shifting peak power use could save NZ $3 billion, report finds
Today 12:15pm
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Almost a quarter of New Zealand’s peak electricity demand could be shifted to off-peak hours, saving the country $3 billion in power generation and infrastructure to meet peak demand, according to new analysis from EECA.
State-owned farmer drives profit growth with emissions reductions
19 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Government-owned Landcorp, trading as Pāmu, is one-third of the way to meeting its 2031 emissions reduction targets, with five years left to run to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30.3% against 2021 emissions.
Transport dominates NZ’s rising consumer emissions
10 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Transport pollution was the biggest contributor to an increase in New Zealand’s consumption-based emissions in 2023, with emissions from household travel up 12%, and consumption-based emissions totalling 58.3 million tonnes – up 1.6% from the previous year.
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.
Govt consulting on further ETS fee cuts for foresters
Today 12:15pm
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government has moved to reduce compliance costs for forest owners, announcing a further cut to ETS registry charges and a new consultation on service fees, a move welcomed by forestry industry groups.
Investors must support positive climate-tech
28 Nov 2025
OPINION: We need better leadership than the current ‘climate opportunism’ that is rife in the Beehive, and we need to back a marketplace that will make it happen, writes Rob Campbell.
