News Direct: Media releases
Te Uku wins Meridian environmental award
20 Aug 2010
Meridian Energy’s commitment to high environmental standards at its Te Uku wind farm have won Environment Waikato’s inaugural earthworks ‘Site of the Year’ award.
Foresters want ban on illegal lumber imports
13 Aug 2010
The government needs to urgently adopt measures to prevent products from illegally logged forests being sold in New Zealand, says the Forest Owners' Association.
MAF allocates funds for soil erosion work
13 Aug 2010
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has allocated two more erosion treatment projects a total of $7.62 million under its Sustainable Land Management Hill Country Erosion Fund.
Televisions can now earn an Energy Star
13 Aug 2010
The Energy Star energy efficiency mark is being extended to televisions.
Farmers like large recycling bag for plastic
6 Aug 2010
The Agrecovery Wrap recycling programme has introduced a large recycling bag.
Waterweed idea wins science prize
23 Jul 2010
An idea for iwi to turn waterweed into energy has won Foundation for Science, Research and Technology funding worth $107,500 over three years.
Curry theory adds spice to emissions science
23 Jul 2010
Forget low-energy lightbulbs and solar-powered homes – curry spices could hold the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists switch on super computer
23 Jul 2010
One of the most powerful supercomputers of its kind has been switched on at the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research.
NIWA harnesses Nelson’s sunshine
23 Jul 2010
They are silent, produce no emissions when operating, and create electricity - and NIWA has got 56 on the roof of its Nelson office.
National’s biofuels policy a shambles, says Labour
23 Jul 2010
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee’s constant blundering is leaving the New Zealand biofuels industry hamstrung, Labour’s associate energy spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.
Yealands to turn vine prunings into power
23 Jul 2010
Yealands Estate has received funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority for a project that will cut the winemaker's carbon emissions to zero.
Entries open for Concrete3 Sustainability Awards
23 Jul 2010
The Cement and Concrete Association's 2010 Concrete3 Sustainability Awards are open for entry, offering those involved in building New Zealand’s future a chance to have their achievements recognised and to draw inspiration from others.
Greens applaud AA advice on tyre pressure
23 Jul 2010
New Zealanders could save money and hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions by inflating their car tyres correctly, says the Green Party.
National 'takes chainsaw' to afforestation grant scheme
16 Jul 2010
Budget documents show that the Government will downscale the Afforestation Grant Scheme by $2m per year over the next three years, before eventually ceasing it, the Labour Party says.
Labour: National needs a plan, not just a recession and rain, to beat emissions
16 Jul 2010
The Government can claim no credit for today's official greenhouse gas emissions statistics, which show the first ever reduction in transport sector emissions and a decrease in electricity sector emissions due to less coal-fired generation, Labour's environment spokesperson Charles Chauvel says.
Greens: Govt relies on rain and recession to reduce emissions
16 Jul 2010
The Green Party says John Key’s Government is relying on heavy rain and recession to lower greenhouse emissions, while simultaneously building more motorways.
Chinese firm pumps $18m into LanzaTech
16 Jul 2010
New Zealand-based clean technology company LanzaTech has attracted US$18m of Series B financing from investors led by China focused venture capital firm Qiming Ventures.
Sustainability down the list, say Greens
2 Jul 2010
The hope of building a sustainable Auckland Super City is under threat by the relegation of sustainable development positions to a fifth-tier job under Auckland Council’s workforce plan, the Green Party says.
Govt fails to provide climate-friendly choices, say Greens
2 Jul 2010
The John Key Government has failed to provide climate-friendly choices to help households avoid the higher costs that could result from their Emissions Trading Scheme, says the Green Party.
Seniors voice opposition to ETS
2 Jul 2010
New Zealanders over 55 do not think the Emissions Trading Scheme should continue to be introduced when seven out of 10 of New Zealand’s main trading partners have not introduced similar schemes, says Seniors Card.
Taxpayers face $1.1 billion Kyoto liability, say authors
25 Jun 2010
New Zealand’s failure to reduce emissions to its Kyoto Protocol target means the taxpayer still faces a $1.1 billion net liability after all the ETS charges have been paid.
Analysis shows National's ETS the 'worst of all worlds'
25 Jun 2010
A book by Victoria University economist Geoff Bertram and climate change analyst Simon Terry highlights the deep flaws in National’s Emission Trading Scheme, Labour’s climate change spokesman Charles Chauvel said.
Entries open in EECA Awards
18 Jun 2010
Organisations with successful energy efficiency or renewable energy projects are being invited to enter the 2010 EECA Awards.
Government backs farm recycling scheme
18 Jun 2010
Farmers are being encouraged to recycle and reuse rather than burn or bury thousands of tonnes plastic waste under a new scheme launched by the Government this week.
Report highlights importance of water storage
18 Jun 2010
Federated Farmers says it is pleased to see water storage and infrastructure given high importance in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's annual Situation and Outlook for New Zealand Agriculture and Forestry report.
Green business tool transferred to business community
18 Jun 2010
Commerce Minister Simon Power has transferred the Government’s Envirostep scheme to the environmental certification company Telarc SAI Ltd.
ARC and Honda drive tree programme
18 Jun 2010
A partnership between the Auckland Regional Council and Honda New Zealand to restore biodiversity has seen native trees popping up around Auckland.
MWH produces NZ ETS guide
18 Jun 2010
Consultancy firm MWH has prepared a new guide to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
Power companies look at hedge market
4 Jun 2010
Major electricity users are welcoming news that New Zealand's five largest power companies are looking to develop a futures and options market with ASX.
Information and reputational risk drives big shift in office paper choices
30 Apr 2010
Business and Government got together in Wellington this week to launch a new edition of an influential guide to buying sustainable office papers.
Delay ETS, say major electricity users
30 Apr 2010
“The announcement this week by the Australian Government of a significant delay to an ETS in Australia is a game-changing event that will impact every NZ householder and business” said Ralph Matthes, executive director of the Major Electricity Users’ Group.
Proceeding with ETS ill advised, says EMA Northern
30 Apr 2010
The Government should follow Australia's decision and delay the implementing of its emissions trading scheme until they introduce theirs, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.
Suspend the ETS until 2013, says farmers' lobby
30 Apr 2010
Federated Farmers is urging the National-led Government to match the Australian Government's decision to defer its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) until at least 2013.
Support for ETS slumps further, says business lobby
23 Apr 2010
Business support for the Emissions Trading Scheme, due to start for emitters on July 1, appears to have slumped, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).
First funding round of WMF now closed
16 Apr 2010
The first annual funding round for the WMF closed March 1, with 164 eligible applications were received, requesting approximately $55 million.
Government puts its own water forum under threat, says Labour
16 Apr 2010
The Government's own initiative through its Land and Water Forum to get the balance right on freshwater management is under threat because of its legislation axing Environment Canterbury, says Labour's water spokesman Brendon Burns.
Insulation rate high through summer, says Brownlie
9 Apr 2010
The warm summer months have failed to dent demand for the government's Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart scheme, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said.
Greens put emphasis on transport
1 Apr 2010
The Green Party today announced a renewed focus on transport issues by appointing new spokespeople to several key transport-related portfolios.
UK Budget shows NZ the way
26 Mar 2010
Major new policies to help the United Kingdom become a low carbon economy announced in the latest Budget there indicate the type of moves which could be considered in New Zealand, says the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Mt Cass wind farm progressing
26 Mar 2010
Mediation over MainPower's proposed windfarm at Mt Cass has finished with good progress being made on several issues.
Meridian to mark Earth Hour
26 Mar 2010
The country’s biggest electricity generator will be turning off the lights at its own premises this coming Saturday as it marks Earth Hour 2010.
Bayfield goes green again
26 Mar 2010
The Sustainable Information Expo is on again at Bayfair Shopping Centre, following its successful debut last year.
Thanks from Carbon News: 41 million-plus pages and counting!
12 Mar 2010
Carbon News is celebrating its second anniversary.
Saving the planet one printer at a time
5 Mar 2010
Canon New Zealand and JB HiFi are trialing a new initiative to encourage consumers to recycle obsolete printers.
New Ford eco car due in NZ
5 Mar 2010
Ford's new green machine overtakes hybrids as the most fuel efficient vehicle in New Zealand, the company says.
New civic building the 'greenest' in NZ
19 Feb 2010
Christchurch’s new Civic Building has today been awarded the highest possible rating for environmental design by the New Zealand Green Building Council.
World engineers' chief praises minister
19 Feb 2010
The president of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers has hailed Environment Minister Nick Smith as one of the most well informed politicians he has met.
Tyres meet tough chemical safety rules
19 Feb 2010
Companies keen to be on the right side of carbon regulations can move to the Bergougnan tyre range that meets tough new European chemical safety restrictions.
Efficiency incentives proposed for RMA
19 Feb 2010
The Government is determined to improve the processing of resource consents and will introduce incentives to ensure this occurs from July 1, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.
Christchurch getting its head around e-cars
12 Feb 2010
Christchurch City Council is the first council in New Zealand to commit to understanding the infrastructure that may be needed for electric vehicle technology, Mayor Bob Parker says.
Gene tech reforms face political split
Today 11:00am
By Shannon Morris-Williams |The Government’s Gene Technology Bill continues to divide Parliament, after the Health Select Committee released its long-awaited report last week outlining key recommendations and lingering concerns.
Govt launches strategy backing wood-based heat sector
Today 11:00am
By Pattrick Smellie | Forestry biomass could replace as much as 40% of fossil fuel-generated process heat by 2050, but access to supply, regulatory settings and business cases for converting to wood-based heat sources are required, the Government says in a series of documents released yesterday.
Council buys dairy farm to help clean up Lake Rotorua
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has bought a 266-hectare dairy farm in the Lake Rotorua catchment and plans to retire it from production to reduce nitrogen entering the lake.
Govt releases updated emissions projections
13 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Ministry for the Environment has released updated emissions projections to 2050, which show significant differences to the Climate Change Commission's recent projections for the same period.
NZ’s government wants tourism to drive economic growth – but how will it deal with aviation emissions?
Wed 22 Oct 2025
By Robert McLachlan, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University | Following a brief dip during the COVID pandemic, aviation is back in a growth phase.
Emails show forestry lobby fought Gisborne crackdown as slash clean-up drags on
26 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Sustainable land use advocates are accusing Eastland Wood Council of stonewalling efforts to tighten forestry rules, after correspondence between the group and the local council was released under the Official Information Act.
Govt to ease climate reporting thresholds, water down liability
Wed 22 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The rollback of climate change reporting requirements has produced a wave of relief in corporate New Zealand as managed investment funds and listed companies with annual revenue under $1 billion are exempted.
