News Direct: Media releases
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.
Lodestone Energy's third and largest solar farm powers up
30 Jan 2025
Media release | Lodestone Energy, Aotearoa's leader in utility-scale solar generation development, has reached another significant milestone with its third and largest solar farm to date, Te Herenga o Te Rā, starting generation.
LINZ begins 3D mapping of New Zealand coastline
29 Jan 2025
Media release | A new project is getting underway to map large parts of New Zealand's coastline in remarkable detail to help communities mitigate the impacts of climate change and understand our ever-changing coastline.
Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
28 Jan 2025
Media release | The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says.
New flood technology to prepare communities
28 Jan 2025
Media release | UC research is advancing geospatial technologies to improve flood risk assessment and mitigation, tackling critical global challenges.
Anti-climate action groups tend to arise in countries with stronger climate change efforts
27 Jan 2025
A new study suggests that counter climate groups emerge as a form of backlash to stronger environmental policies and institutions.
Higher temperatures may result in 2.3m extra deaths in European cities by 2100
24 Jan 2025
Temperature-related deaths in European cities could increase by up to 50% to reach up to 2.3 million additional deaths by the end of the century if we fail to tackle climate change, warn international researchers.
International trade law needs overhaul to address climate change: expert
23 Jan 2025
Media release | As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, oceans warm and carbon dioxide levels hit record highs, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is working through swathes of submissions regarding the legal obligations of states to address climate change and protect vulnerable communities and future generations.  
'A death sentence for our islands' - Pacific leaders respond to Australia approving new coal mines
20 Dec 2024
Media release | Despite making multiple international commitments to “transition away from fossil fuels” under both the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Talks, the Australian government approved three new coal mines earlier today at Boggabri, Caval Ridge and Lake Vermont Meadowbrook.
Govt seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
19 Dec 2024
Media release | The Government has released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced.
Warmer seas chief suspect for seabird ‘wreck’
18 Dec 2024
Media release | Hundreds of seabirds found washed up along the west coast of the North Island are likely to have died from starvation due to climate change impacts.
Loss of local news means weaker communities as climate crisis bites
17 Dec 2024
Media release | Solutions must be found for communities that have lost their local news service and whose local democracy is at real risk, according to the incoming president of the New Zealand Journalism Education Association (JEANZ).
Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan officially launched
17 Dec 2024
Media release | The Canterbury Mayoral Forum has launched the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan, a comprehensive strategy developed by all 11 councils in Canterbury that aims to address climate change and build a sustainable, resilient, and low-emissions future.
Methanexit? New report reveals risk of subsidising gas price hikes
16 Dec 2024
Media release | A dry winter in 2025 or beyond could enable our largest gas user – Canadian company Methanex – to push up gas and electricity prices, according to a new report, titled “Methanexit: should NZ be subsidising our largest gas user?”
Govt delivers standardised emissions measurement tool
16 Dec 2024
Media release| The Government is delivering on its Q4 commitment, restoring certainty and credibility to the agriculture sector by introducing a standardised, science-based method for measuring farm-level greenhouse gas emissions, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, has announced.
Low hydro lake levels require continued reliance on coal and gas for electricity
13 Dec 2024
Media release | The latest Energy Quarterly release from the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE) shows the difference weather conditions can make to energy generation in New Zealand.
Wood products pivotal to NZ meeting climate targets
12 Dec 2024
Media release | Government support for boosting wood processing as outlined in NZ’s second emissions reduction (ERP2) plan is a step in the right direction says the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association.
New Zealand left behind as Australia invests a further $A500 million in energy efficiency
11 Dec 2024
Media release | New Zealand investment in energy efficiency has fallen further behind Australia after the Albanese government doubled funding for energy efficiency retrofits of social housing.
$35,000 of Environmental Leaders Fund grants allocated
11 Dec 2024
Media release | Twenty-three Northland schools and early childhood centres are to share in $35,000 of Northland Regional Council Environmental Leaders Funding for projects ranging from ecosourcing and propagating native plants to a solar panel project.
Not too late to fix controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill
10 Dec 2024
Media release | Parliament is expected to pass the Fast-track Approvals Bill into law in the next few days.
Kāinga Ora’s ‘KO’ to the wool industry
9 Dec 2024
Media release | Federated Farmers says Kāinga Ora’s decision to categorically rule out use of woollen carpets in social housing is a total slap in the face for struggling Kiwi sheep farmers.
New Zealand Green Investment Finance shares Ministers' concerns with SolarZero liquidation
6 Dec 2024
Yesterday representatives of New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF) met with its Shareholding Ministers to discuss matters relating to the voluntary liquidation of SolarZero.
Auckland Council awards grants to advance community climate action
4 Dec 2024
Media release | Auckland Council has approved $260,000 from a total funding pool of $372,451 to support 11 community-led initiatives addressing climate change projects from sustainable water infrastructure to increasing access to bikes.
Scientists find link between temperature and carbon storage rates
4 Dec 2024
Media release | A huge global study has used teabags to measure carbon storage in wetlands.
Pacific Youth hope historic hearing in the Hague delivers climate justice where COP did not
3 Dec 2024
Media release | Save the Children is urging world leaders to heed the call of Pacific children and young people as a landmark action to clarify states’ obligations to tackle the climate crisis gets underway before the International Court of Justice.
New Zealand must step up and pay our fair share post-COP29
29 Nov 2024
Media release | World Vision New Zealand and Oxfam Aotearoa are urging the New Zealand Government to seize the momentum off the back of the global climate conference, Cop29, and pay our fair share toward global climate action.
Princess Cruises confronted by climate protestors
28 Nov 2024
Media release | Climate Liberation Aotearoa gave Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers an informative spirited welcome to Ōtepoti Dunedin on Tuesday.
Science minister 'asleep at the wheel' says science community, as reforms continually delayed
27 Nov 2024
Media release | Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins is further delaying reforms of the science sector, and ignoring pleas from the science community for resolutions, says science advocacy group Save Science Coalition.
Microbes behind unprecedented surge in methane emissions
26 Nov 2024
Media release | Microbes - such as those living in wetlands, landfills or the digestive tracts of livestock - are behind unprecedented spikes in methane emissions, according to new research from the University of Colorado and NIWA.
Single agency needed to coordinate climate adaptation and recovery
25 Nov 2024
Media release: Infrastructure New Zealand is calling for the establishment of a single, central authority to coordinate climate adaptation and recovery efforts in New Zealand.
Complex Article 6 rules pave way to unruly carbon markets
25 Nov 2024
Media release | Despite the best efforts of activists and some climate negotiators, the agreement reached on Article 6 carbon markets at COP29 in Baku risks facilitating cowboy carbon markets at a time when the world needs a sheriff.
New Zealand drops in global ranking on climate action
21 Nov 2024
Media release | Greenpeace is accusing the New Zealand government of ‘quiet quitting’ on climate change as the country drops seven points in the global rankings on climate action.
Scientists develop tool to monitor coastal erosion in fine detail
21 Nov 2024
Media release | An online tool developed by scientists at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland allows for detailed monitoring of the nation’s coastal erosion from satellite imagery.
Youth call for NZ parliament to take urgent climate action
20 Nov 2024
Media release | World Vision youth advocacy ambassadors will this week deliver more than 2,000 postcards from Kiwi children and young people calling on the Government to take urgent climate action.
Commissioner calls on govt to better manage economic risks of climate change
Mon 12 May 2025
Climate change is creating an inevitable liability for the government which needs to be understood and managed, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Genesis reports rising coal, declining gas
2 May 2025
Talks about the future of the third Rankine unit at Huntly continue as Genesis reported a third quarter result that showed the rise of coal and the decline of gas.
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 could ditch 8 million fossil fuel machines right now to slash emissions
7 May 2025
The majority of the country’s ten million fossil fuel machines could be replaced cost-effectively with electric equivalents right now, new research from Rewiring Aotearoa has revealed.
Air New Zealand announces less ambitious emissions ‘guidance’
2 May 2025
Air New Zealand has published its first “emissions guidance,” saying it expects to reduce net “well-to-wake” greenhouse gas emissions from jet fuel by 20-25% by 2030, from a 2019 baseline.
Farming lobby attacks ‘loopholes’ in carbon forestry limits
7 May 2025
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is urging the government to close what it says are loopholes in new guidance around limits on carbon forestry.
FMA exemption grants compliance relief to climate reporters
7 May 2025
The Financial Markets Authority has signed off on new exemptions giving climate-reporting entities a break from some of their compliance duties.
