News Direct: Media releases
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.
Fonterra should be ashamed of causing coal mine expansion, says Cana
29 Sep 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - Bathurst Resource¡¯s planned extension of its Canterbury coal mine, shut down by protesters this morning, is proof that dairy companies like Fonterra are not moving out of coal fast enough, says Coal Action Network Aotearoa.
Coal activists' target misplaced - Straterra
29 Sep 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - Activists blocking a Canterbury coal mine over a proposed expansion need a reality check, says Straterra, New Zealand’s minerals sector industry organisation.
Wood fibres report welcomed
2 Sep 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - The Wood Fibre Futures report is a welcome addition to our understanding of New Zealand’s clean fuel futures, said Professor Ian Wright, chair of the National Energy Research Institute.
Fuel-cell trucks here next year
1 Sep 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - New Zealand’s Hiringa Energy and United States-based HYZON Motors Inc. have signed a Heads of Agreement that secures access for Hiringa and its fleet partners to the supply of zero -mission heavy-goods vehicles powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technology.
China will have more than 25% of global offshore wind power capacity by 2030
27 Aug 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - GLOBAL DATA: The global offshore wind segment is likely to grow seven-fold by 2030 mainly driven by capacity additions from three major markets - China, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Big penalty for environmental pollution
27 Aug 2020
An Auckland Council prosecution has seen a golf resort fined $86,000 for pumping untreated sewage into the environment.
Funding welcome for recycling plant upgrades
26 Aug 2020
Local Government New Zealand has today welcomed the stimulus funding to upgrade seven high-tech recycling plants across New Zealand, including recommendations on how New Zealand’s kerbside recycling can be standardised.
Clemenger Group New Zealand awarded for commitment to climate action
24 Aug 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - Clemenger Group New Zealand - the country’s leading group of advertising, marketing communications agencies - has been awarded a Toitû carbonreduce certification.
The end of Tiwai Pt could open huge opportunities for NZ
9 Jul 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - COAL ACTION NETWORK AOTEAROA -The announced closure of Tiwai Point is welcome news for the clean energy future of New Zealand, and presents huge opportunities in areas such as electrifying transport and developing new, high-tech industries, Coal Action Network Aotearoa said today.
Building for Climate Change programme a historic leap towards zero carbon
6 Jul 2020
Sustainable Business Council: A new programme, which sets a firm course for the Building and Construction sector to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is welcomed by the Sustainable Business Council.
Feds telling their members they can’t sell land for forestry
6 Jul 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - FOREST OWNERS ASSOCIATION - The Forest Owners Association is startled that the new Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair is asking the government to restrict the right of farmer members to plant trees or sell their land for forestry.
NZ winery commits to reducing its carbon emissions by 80 per cent
23 Jan 2020
MEDIA RELEASE - YEALAND WINE GROUP: Yealands Wine Group has today announced its commitment to lowering its carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2045, and 50 per cent by 2030.
Wind energy crucial to EU's carbon neutrality
23 Jan 2020
MEDIA RELEASE GLOBALDATA: The European Union, whose 28 members collectively account for the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States, has strengthened its long-term commitment by announcing the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan and additional measures towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Mercury Quarterly Operational Update - 3 months to Dec 31, 2019
23 Jan 2020
MEDIA RELEASE MERCURY: Mercury maintained a prudent approach to risk management in Q2-FY2020, decreasing hydro generation by 74GWh compared to the same quarter last year, resulting in a strong hydro -storage position in the approach to the third quarter; historically the lowest inflow quarter for the Waikato catchment.
Vegetarianism in schools is entirely appropriate
21 Jan 2020
MEDIA RELEASE NZ VEGETARIAN SOCIETY: The NZ Vegetarian Society has responded to claims that a new climate change resource which encourages students to eat less meat and dairy should be removed from schools.
Westpac NZ and Contact Energy agree first sustainability-linked loan
16 Jan 2020
MEDIA RELEASE WESTPAC NZ & CONTACT ENERGY: Westpac NZ and Contact Energy have entered into a $50 million, four-year sustainability-linked loan facility, the first such loan issued by Westpac NZ and one of the first of its kind in New Zealand.
European cement industry strives for carbon-neutrality by 2050
16 Jan 2020
MEDIA RELEASE CEMBUREAU: CEMBUREAU, the Association of the European cement industry, has today announced its intention to make a decisive contribution to the Green Deal by striving for carbon neutrality along the cement and concrete value chain by 2050.
Air NZ wins sustainable business award
25 Oct 2019
Air New Zealand has been recognised at the New Zealand Tourism Awards for its contribution to growing a sustainable tourism industry, winning the Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence category for businesses with more than $6m annual turnover.
YHA celebrates carbon footprint reduction
23 Oct 2019
YHA New Zealand has reconfirmed its carboNZero certification by celebrating a 21 per cent reduction in carbon emissions since 2016.
Ports of Auckland buys world-first electric tug
5 Aug 2019
Ports of Auckland has signed a contract with Dutch company Damen Shipyards to buy the world’s first full-size, fully electric port tug.
Gene editing has crucial role in cutting emissions
30 Jul 2019
Gene editing has a crucial role to play in reducing emissions to deal with climate change, BiotechNZ executive director Dr Zahra Champion says.
LGNZ gets clear climate message from school activists
26 Jul 2019
School Strike 4 Climate NZ organisers Sophie Handford and Raven Maeder delivered a clear message to more than 600 local government mayors, chairs, chief executives and councillors at the recent LGNZ conference: make climate change a priority.
New plant makes food packaging from recycled plastic
16 Jul 2019
A new plant to make New Zealand’s first range of food packaging from recycled plastic has won Government backing.
Energy agency welcomes Government moves on e-vehicles
11 Jul 2019
Proposals to get more low-emission vehicles on New Zealand roads could be a major step for the transport sector and for transitioning the country to a low-carbon economy, according to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Wood industry centre wins more funding
10 Jul 2019
A project to foster the wood industry on East Cape has won another injection of Government funding.
YHA and Sunshine in line for energy excellence award
10 Jul 2019
YHA New Zealand and partners Sunshine Solar have been recognised as finalists in the Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards.
Kangaroo Island shows rock-solid promise for lithium
25 Jun 2019
Mining and energy company Lithium Australia has reported it has found anomalous lithium and tantalum samples that suggest mining potential on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
Bottled water giants back new global plan to cut plastic waste
13 Jun 2019
The world’s biggest yoghurt maker Danone and food packaging giant Tetra Pak are among companies leading a global scheme to reduce plastic waste.
CellCube to bring grid battery to South Australia
23 May 2019
Renewables firm Pangea Energy and vanadium battery producer CellCube have signed on to build a 50MW storage system alongside a solar farm in South Australia.
Minesto partners with leading financial adviser
22 May 2019
Swedish marine energy developer Minesto has engaged with leading financial adviser Pareto Securities to intensify relationships with institutional investors.
Finland using circular economy of textiles
21 May 2019
In Finland, end-of-life textiles no longer end up in landfills, but there is still a lot of room for improved efficiency in their recycling and reuse.
Adidas launches 100% recyclable footwear
26 Apr 2019
Adidas has launched a 100 per cent recyclable shoe aimed at unlocking a circular future for the sports industry.
Whangarei likes electric vehicles
16 Aug 2018
Whangarei, winner of the most electric vehicle friendly town in New Zealand award, has a big advantage over other regions.
Mercury mission to convert hearts as well as minds
7 Mar 2018
Mercury has taken a step to inspire New Zealanders to embrace the future of transportation with a hi-tech conversion of a classic car.
Calix gets finance for carbon-captue project
1 Feb 2018
Australian technology company Calix says it has secured 3.4 million euros in working capital from Efic, the Australian Government’s export credit agency, to build a carbon dioxide-capture facility for the Low Emissions Intensity Lime and Cement project in Belgium.
Minesto eyes first ocean current electricity generation
24 Jan 2018
Swedish marine energy developer Minesto is intensifying activities in Taiwan to establish the company's unique Deep Green technology in the Asian market.
Mercury confirms Tesla battery for grid trial
23 Jan 2018
Tesla has been confirmed as the battery provider for Mercury’s scalable national grid-connected battery trial, following a competitive tender process that began in September last year.
Auckland takes zero-waste world crown
6 Dec 2017
Auckland is one of 10 international cities honoured today at the C40 Cities Awards in Chicago which recognises the world’s most inspiring and innovative cities tackling climate change.
Ravensdown appoints consenting planner
1 Dec 2017
Ravensdown has appointed Victoria Caseley as a principal planner to develop the consenting capability in its environmental consultancy.
Ethical retailer attracts $2m in investments
27 Nov 2017
In one of the biggest capital raises for a social enterprise in New Zealand’s history, the ethical retailer champion Conscious Consumers has attracted $2 million of investment for its upcoming launch into the United Kingdom.
Govt overhaul leaves the door open for coal mining on conservation land
Today 12:00pm
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government’s sweeping reclassification of thousands of hectares of publicly-owned conservation land has met with sharp criticism, with environmental groups saying the decision leaves vulnerable ecosystems exposed to mining and development.
Hydro increases overall renewable electricity generation in September quarter
Today 12:00pm
The September quarter saw 89.4% of all electricity generated from renewable sources, with hydro, geothermal and solar leading the charge, according to new data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Govt warned that scrapping ag emission pricing comes with risks
Thu 11 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Government’s move to halt plans for agricultural emissions pricing without replacing it with any other action will leave New Zealand facing a bigger gap to meet its third emissions budget, Environment ministry officials have warned.
Transport dominates NZ’s rising consumer emissions
Wed 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.
Christchurch Airport boasts world-first liquid-hydrogen refuelling for test aircraft
30 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Local companies working on hydrogen-electric flight have made ‘a significant step forward’ in successfully filling aviation tanks with liquid hydrogen produced and stored on-site at an international airport for the first time.
Uncertainty eroding confidence in forestry sector
5 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Warnings are mounting that tree planting is set to plunge to “very close to zero”, as new Ministry for Primary Industries data shows ETS registration applications falling sharply as confidence in forestry declines.
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.
