News Direct: Media releases
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.
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.
Peters backs rail over road as Govt weighs heavier trucks
Wed 29 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Winston Peters has broken ranks with the Government over proposed changes to heavy vehicle rules, saying rail – not bigger trucks – is the answer to New Zealand’s fuel pressures as the Coalition considers easing weight limits to reduce freight costs.
Announcements expected soon on $200M gas fund
Fri 24 Apr 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Fossil fuel companies appear likely to take up a $200 million government fund to encourage additional oil and gas exploration, dashing lobbyist Business New Zealand’s hopes that it might be repurposed to underwrite industrial electrification.
New funding for low methane farming uptake
Wed 29 Apr 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | The government will co-fund projects under an Early Adoption Accelerator scheme announced today to accelerate the uptake of low emissions farming technologies emerging from the AgriZero public-private partnership.
Climate pollution static but NZ still on track for first emissions budget, says MfE
17 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is still on track to meet its first emissions budget, according to the Ministry for the Environment, despite the pace of emissions reductions slowing to a standstill.
NZ’s latest push to roll out more EV chargers is a good thing – but can it go the distance?
14 Apr 2026
A $50 million plan to expand New Zealand’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network marks another step toward a lower-emissions transport system.
Wilding conifers continue to plague Southland
17 Apr 2026
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter | Fast-spreading conifer trees are causing headaches in Southland as inconsistent funding continues to hinder control efforts.
Victorian Hydrogen announces Southland urea fertiliser project using coal
22 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Australian-based Victorian Hydrogen has announced it is developing a new 1.5 million-tonne-a-year urea fertiliser operation in Southland, which it will apply for under fast-track legislation.
