News Direct: Media releases
New forward carbon product launched
18 Jun 2021
Media Release - emsTradepoint Ltd (a subsidiary of Transpower) has today launched a new quarterly forward product for carbon.
E-bike rentals for Hamilton
17 Jun 2021
Media Release - Hamilton will soon have new electronic devices available to hire on its streets. From July, two companies – Lime and Neuron – will operate personal hire devices within the city.
Greenpeace tackles NZ Rugby
15 Jun 2021
Media Release - Greenpeace is squaring up to tackle NZ Rugby over the sporting body’s reported intention to sign up INEOS, a petroleum giant and "merchant of plastic pollution", as a sponsor for the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Mâori and other national rugby sides.
Kiwis want action on climate change: IAG Poll
11 Jun 2021
Media Release - New Zealanders are increasingly expecting the government and business sector to take stronger action on climate change adaptation, according to the results of IAG’s fourth annual climate change opinion poll.
NIWA's climate change game
11 Jun 2021
Media Release - Farmers visiting NIWA’s Fieldays stand at Mystery Creek next week have the opportunity to see into their future by playing a game that dices with climate change.
AI tool for forestry sequestration attracts backing
8 Jun 2021
Media Release - Nelson Artificial Intelligence (NAI), a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for thorny environmental challenges, has spun off its first business after securing a $1.8 million investment in technology that gives landowners streamlined access to forest carbon credit markets.
Pests increase due to climate change
4 Jun 2021
Media Release - Climate change is making pests which ravage important agricultural crops even more destructive, heightening threats to global food security and the environment, a UN-backed study published this week found.
New website helps fleet operators switch to EVs
31 May 2021
Media release - Critchlow Geospatial has launched SwitchMyFleet, a free-to-air website for fleet operators who are considering switching to electric vans and trucks and could be the catalyst to give New Zealand businesses the confidence to switch to EV fleets and reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Inaugural ethical and impact investment awards
31 May 2021
Media release - Ethical Investment is set to become the new normal in New Zealand, but there has been widespread confusion over uneven standards. Mindful Money has launched the inaugural awards for ethical and impact investment awards to celebrate those setting best practice standards.
Lake Horowhenua to be restored
28 May 2021
A major milestone in restoring the health of Lake Horowhenua has been reached, with agreement to buy land to construct a nationally significant wetland.
Solar power initiative benefits Maori households
27 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Solar panels and other renewable technology will support more than 200 homes of kaumatua, papakainga and Maori-owned rentals to provide cheaper power, warmer, and drier homes, and valuable data. It’s part of the Government’s focus on creating targeted renewable energy solutions for Maori and public housing.
Nelson Council boosts climate change fund
25 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Additional climate change funding, consistent with Nelson City Council's vision to enable our community to respond to climate change, was approved for Council's Long Term Plan 2021-31 (LTP) at a deliberations meeting held last week.
Lithium from geothermal fluid firm attracts capital
25 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - New Zealand’s leading sustainable, mineral-recovery company, Geo40 Limited has secured up to $7.5m in equity investment from New Zealand deep-tech specialist Venture Capital firm Pacific Channel to fast-track plans to develop its nascent lithium-from-geothermal-fluid recovery technology.
Sustainable business groups welcome budget
21 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Business leaders from the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and the Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome the 2021 Budget announcement on climate action, noting that it sets high expectations for further commitments resulting from the imminent Emissions Reduction Plan, in next year’s budget.
Climate change putting people off having kids
21 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - New research finds people may choose not to have children because they do not want to contribute to climate change.
Taranaki engineering firm goes solar
19 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Sunergise New Zealand Limited and Energyworks Limited, today announce the launch of a 150kW solar power system as part of efficiency and sustainability drive.
Government failing to deliver on ‘Just Transition’ plan
17 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Almost three years after announcing its ‘Just Transition’ plan to help those people who were hurt by Labour’s short-sighted decision to ban oil and gas exploration, the Government hasn’t delivered on it, National’s Energy & Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says.
Government EVs a small step: Greenpeace
14 May 2021
PRESS RELEASE - "More electric vehicles for the public sector is a small step in the right direction," says Greenpeace Climate Campaigner, Amanda Larsson
Australian states setting the pace on climate change
3 May 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Investor Group on Climate Change director of policy Erwin Jackson welcomes the announcement by the Victorian Government that it will pursue a 45-50 per cent emissions reduction from 2005 levels by 2030.
Investor Group on Climate Change CEO Emma Herd calls time
30 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Chief Executive Officer of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC), Emma Herd, will step down after six years in the role marked by a rapid acceleration in climate action from Australian and New Zealand institutional investors.
Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards
30 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Covering Climate Now andColumbia Journalism Review are proud to launch an annual award to celebrate exemplary journalism about the defining story of our time.
Hawke's Bay proposes tree planting solution
29 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is proposing an ambitious tree planting solution to address the region’s significant erosion challenges in a way that retains and strengthens pastoral farms.
Climate Change photo competition winners announced
29 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - 1854 & British Journal of Photography announce the winners of the inaugural Decade of Change award
Greenpeace calls out PM
27 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Greenpeace is calling out Jacinda Ardern’s lack of action on emissions from agriculture as the Prime Minister speaks at the Leaders Summit on Climate convened by US President Biden.
Kiwi methane tracking satellite
23 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - New Zealand’s first government funded space mission has taken a ‘giant leap’ with Auckland University’s Te Pûnaha Âtea-Auckland Space Institute announced as the permanent host of the New Zealand based mission control centre for a global methane tracking satellite.
Wise Response's response to climate summit
23 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - An appeal for economic transformation at President Biden’s Climate Summit, 22-23 April 2021
12 new electric buses for Auckland
23 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - The launch of Auckland CityLINK’s 12 new electric buses today signals the end of the road for diesel urban buses according to the supplier of the buses.
Governments not consulting workers on climate change
22 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - An analysis by the International Trade Union Confederation has found that most new climate plans submitted by governments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change lack sufficient ambition, Just Transition plans and social dialogue.
Ardern should tackle issue of growth at summit
21 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - In meeting virtually with President Joe Biden and 39 other world leaders, PM Jacinda Ardern should press home the need to confront the current global economic model based on limitless growth. ‘It has failed us,’ says Wise Response chair, Prof. Liz Slooten.
350 Aotearoa welcomes govt's stance
20 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Climate justice organisation 350 Aotearoa is celebrating the direction from the government for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) to accelerate its moves to divest from investments in fossil fuels.
UN chief calls for revolution in city planning
19 Apr 2021
Media release - The United Nations Secretary-General, on Friday, called for a “revolution” in urban planning and urban transport to beat back impacts of climate change and build a green and sustainable future for all.
Sustainability despite Covid-19
16 Apr 2021
Media Release - Oxygen Consulting in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) have launched their 2021 Insights on New Zealand’s Sustainability Professionals.
Free range forest hens
15 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - A leading forest free range farm will open today near Tokoroa in South Waikato, pioneering sustainable egg production in New Zealand.
New climate indices launched
14 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Scientific Beta launches unique series of pure climate indices that translates companies' climate performance and alignment engagement into portfolio decisions
Climate change study win marine biologist a PM science prize
14 Apr 2021
Media Release - When Dr Christopher Cornwall began his biological research career, three unanswered questions bothered him about how climate change might affect marine organisms.
Covering Climate Again
13 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE: Covering Climate Now, a global journalism consortium of more than 460 news outlets with a combined audience of roughly 2 billion people, today launched our latest joint coverage week, themed “Living Through the Climate Emergency.” From April 12 to 22.
Nats call for ClimCom report back time extension
12 Apr 2021
Media release - National has written to Climate Change Minister James Shaw calling for him to extend the report-back time on the Climate Change Commission Report, National’s Climate Change spokesperson Stuart Smith says.
15000 ClimCom submissions
9 Apr 2021
Just over a week since submissions closed on the Climate Change Commission’s first draft advice to the Government, the commission says it is making good progress on reviewing feedback.
Marine species fleeing equator
8 Apr 2021
With tropical fish and other marine creatures already shifting south along Australia’s east coast, a new global study involving a USC ecology researcher has confirmed a drop in species numbers in the warming waters near the equator.
Renewable LPG the answer
7 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Renewable LPG can supply New Zealand’s LPG needs and achieve the emissions reductions proposed by the Climate Commission without the need to ban new connections, a new study shows.
MBIE seeking feeback on insulation
7 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - MBIE is asking for feedback on whether New Zealanders think the Building Code should be updated to require more insulation in new homes and buildings. The proposals also suggest adopting new climate zones to better reflect the New Zealand environment.
Apple commits to carbon neutrality by 2030
6 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Apple has unveiled plans to become carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030. The company is already carbon neutral today for its global corporate operations, and this new commitment means that by 2030, every Apple device sold will have net zero climate impact.
Climate strikers are back
6 Apr 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - The Youth of NZ will once again be standing up for climate action on April 9th of 2021. From Auckland to Dunedin and everywhere in between we will demand fast and effective climate action.
Opportunities and challenges as Aotearoa embraces climate-resilient and low emissions
24 Mar 2021
MEDIA RELEASE - Aotearoa will create a number of opportunities and challenges across all sectors and communities, as it moves to a thriving, climate-resilient and low emissions society, He Pou a Rangi, the Climate Change Commission says.
Climate change benefits include better health, quieter streets, cleaner water
24 Mar 2021
Government must encourage the benefits that come from climate change action, including health improvements, quieter streets, cleaner water and increased biodiversity through more native forests, He Pou a Rangi, the Climate Change Commission, says.
Transport crucial to meeting targets - ClimCom
23 Mar 2021
Reducing transport emissions is crucial to New Zealand meeting its climate targets and action will have an immediate and lasting impact.
Aotearoa must accelerate climate change efforts to reach targets
23 Mar 2021
He Pou a Rangi, the NZ Climate Change Commission says the Government must speed up attempts to become cleaner and environmentally-greener.
GCF approves loan for Liberia
22 Mar 2021
Songdo, Korea - To protect lives and build climate resilient livelihoods in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, the Green Climate Fund approved today $US17.2 million in funding for a new project that will benefit approximately 250,000 vulnerable people living in the Monrovia Metropolitan Area.
Cuba secures climate funds for coast
22 Mar 2021
The Green Climate Fund has approved $US23.9 million in finance for a coastal resilience project along Cuba’s southern coastline.
Recognising forestry's highest achievers
5 Oct 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - The New Zealand Institute of Forestry has announced the winners of its prestigious 2020 awards.
Climate Commission called to Waitangi inquiry over alleged breaches
Tue 10 Mar 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Climate Change Commission is being called to front up to the Waitangi Tribunal and give evidence over alleged legal breaches of its obligations to Māori.
Renewables surge cuts power emissions, but oil dominates fossil fuel use
Fri 13 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand’s fossil fuel emissions fell in 2025 as strong renewable electricity generation reduced the need for gas-fired power, but oil consumption is rising and now accounts for a record share of fossil emissions.
Govt's solar on farms initiative to cut costs, boost resilience
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.
Greenpeace slams Govt climate policies amid rising petrol prices
Thu 12 Mar 2026
As petrol prices climb to $3 a litre, Greenpeace is blaming Government decisions for leaving Kiwis harder hit by the oil price spike.
Tairāwhiti needs proper Govt support to heal the land – not empty announcements for political optics
24 Feb 2026
OPINION: The Government’s answer to Tairāwhiti’s severe erosion crisis – that the region apply for modest, contestable funding rounds – while rejecting the region's own land transition business case, leaves our long-term resilience hanging in the balance, writes Manu Caddie.
Rule changes could reshape corporate emissions strategies
6 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand organisations may need to rethink how they manage and report electricity-related emissions as proposed global accounting changes take shape, according to a new report.
