News Direct: Media releases
Water pollution major problem - survey
28 Apr 2009
Kiwis believe water pollution and water-related issues are the most important environmental issues facing New Zealand, according to the just-released fifth biennial survey of Public Perceptions of New Zealand’s Environment.
MainPower appeals Mt Cass wind farm decision
28 Apr 2009
MainPower has appealed to the Environment Court over its proposed Mt Cass Wind Farm.
Waikato student off to Asia-Pacific eco forum
28 Apr 2009
Management and science isn’t the most typical mix of subjects for a university degree, but for University of Waikato student Rebecca Williamson it’s opened the way to a place at a top youth forum on sustainable development.
Fully subscribed rights issue for Pike River Coal
24 Apr 2009
Pike River Coal has announed that its $41 million rights issue which closed on April 17 has been fully subscribed, and scaling of shareholders applications for shares under the excess subscription facility has been necessary.
Key's 'road' for economic recovery should look more like a light-rail line, say Greens
24 Apr 2009
Prime Minister John Key's recent signals of fiscal prudence in the upcoming Budget are to be praised, said Green Party co-leader Dr Russel Norman.
Kyoto news no reason for complacency, says lawyer
21 Apr 2009
The announcement that New Zealand is now expected to exceed its Kyoto target by 9.6 million tonnes - worth about $240 million – does not mean the country should abandon its carbon dioxide emission abatement activities, says a leading lawyer.
Simpson Grierson presents annual environmental law prize
21 Apr 2009
Cambridge law student Jill Thompson is the recipient of Simpson Grierson's Environmental Law Prize, awarded in Auckland Friday.
Sustainable practices win industry award for hotel
21 Apr 2009
A paperless check-in is just one of the many sustainable practices already being implemented at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, now proud recipients of Qualmark’s Enviro-Silver award.
Ford increases fuel efficiency, decreases emissions
21 Apr 2009
Ford's commitment to continuous product enhancement continues to pay off, with two of the most popular Falcon sedans, the XR6 and G6E obtaining improvements in fuel economy and C02 emissions, the company says.
Progressive under pressure to act on plastic bags
21 Apr 2009
A GetReal action in Christchurch is putting pressure on Progressive to match Foodstuffs new policy of charging five cents for plastic bags, campaigners say.
Green light for environmental footprinting centre
17 Apr 2009
New Zealand's has its first professorship in the carbon footprint and environmental impact of New Zealand’s primary industries.
Action needed on positive side of Kyoto ledger, say forestry contractors
17 Apr 2009
With yesterday’s update of New Zealand's volatile net emissions for Kyoto targets, positive action to increase tree-planting is absolutely essential according to the Forest Industry Contractors Association.
Two million dollars for new Kyoto forests
17 Apr 2009
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has awarded $2 million to 17 recipients to establish new forests, and is calling for further applications.
How New Zealand can learn from “Towards a Global Green recovery”
17 Apr 2009
The Council for Socially Responsible Investment endorses a recently released report prepared on behalf of the German Foreign Office for discussion at the G20 London Summit which highlights key measures in seven strategic areas that G20 members need to take to tackle the economic crisis and re-orient development towards sustainable, low-carbon growth.
Figures show why ETS should go ahead quickly
17 Apr 2009
The latest figures on New Zealand’s net position under the Kyoto Protocol shows why an emissions trading scheme is a good idea, says the Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Reality check time on emissions trading, says Federated Farmers
17 Apr 2009
This week's net position report on Kyoto Liabilities, which shows a possible surplus, represents an important reality check for New Zealand, says Federated Farmers.
More headroom for a better carbon scheme
17 Apr 2009
Business NZ says our changed position on greenhouse gas emissions gives us room to move on emissions trading.
ETS uncertainty points to serious energy problems, says Labour
14 Apr 2009
The confusion and uncertainty created by National’s climate change policy is putting New Zealand’s energy security at risk, Labour’s Energy spokesman Charles Chauvel says.
GetReal anti-plastic bag campaign hits the streets
14 Apr 2009
GetReal campaign teams say they are taking to the streets of South Island towns as part of their campaign to stop supermarkets giving away plastic bags.
TZ1 and American Carbon Registry form partnership
9 Apr 2009
American Carbon Registry, an enterprise of Winrock International and the longest serving US carbon registry, and TZ1 Environmental Registry, a financial-market-based platform for carbon and other environmental assets, have announced a strategic partnership to stimulate the market for trading US pre-compliance and global voluntary market carbon offsets.
NZ shamed at Bonn talks, says Greenpeace
9 Apr 2009
New Zealand should be ashamed of itself in front of its Pacific Island neighbours, Greenpeace said today, as UN climate talks wrap up in Bonn, Germany.
Government uncertainty over ETS must end, say Greens
9 Apr 2009
Business leaders and the public favour prompt Emissions Trading Scheme action to doing nothing by a margin of 2:1, according to a survey by the Business Council for Sustainable Development, says the Green Party.
Green cleaning saves businesses money
9 Apr 2009
New Zealand businesses are being urged to do their bit for their employees, the environment and their bottom line by using green cleaning products.
Lodge top for environment and accommodation
9 Apr 2009
A Wanaka lodge is the first accommodation provider in the area to be awarded both Qualmark’s 5 star grading and the prestigious Enviro-Gold rating.
'Polar bear' ministry cuts expected today
7 Apr 2009
The Green Party expects the Government's 'polar bear hunt' to close in for the kill at the Ministry for the Environment today, culling initiatives that have saved the taxpayer money.
NZ 'rearranges deckchairs' while ice shelf melts
7 Apr 2009
As the Wilkins ice Shelf draws closer to collapse in Antarctica, the New Zealand Government continues to contribute absolutely nothing towards progress on a climate deal in Bonn, says Greenpeace.
Cycleway idea too good to leave unfunded, say Greens
7 Apr 2009
Money that could otherwise fund the Prime Minister’s national cycleway looks set to go to roads if Bill English’s comments on TVNZ’s Q&A programme on Sunday are anything to go by, says the Green Party.
Reining in energy use in Christchurch
7 Apr 2009
Christchurch City's energy use is around 11 per cent of its $15 billion GDP, 29 per cent of its $5.5 billion total household income and increases at a rate of two percent per annum, the city council says.
Farmers care about fertilisers
7 Apr 2009
Farmers do care about responsible fertiliser use combined with precise application, according to the Fertiliser Quality Council.
Waitakere residents' pride in 'eco city'
7 Apr 2009
Waitakere's reputation as New Zealand's leading eco city is a tag its residents take a lot of pride in.
Environment Canterbury becomes authority for large dams
7 Apr 2009
Environment Canterbury has become a building consent authority, with responsibility for the consenting and safety of large dams throughout Canterbury.
CarboNZeroCert programme ranked No.1 in Australasia
3 Apr 2009
Consumers searching Carbon Catalog (www.carboncatalog.org) for the most transparent carbon offset provider in Australasia will find Landcare Research’s carboNZero programme at the very top of the list, the organisation says.
PC-makers clean up their act on climate
3 Apr 2009
The latest edition of Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics ranking shows a disappointing slump from some major companies in the toxics category, but an overall improvement on climate change criteria, the environmental organisation says.
Ministerial review of electricity market
3 Apr 2009
The Energy and Resources Minister, Gerry Brownlee, says a Ministerial review of the electricity sector will start work immediately.
Action starts for levy on supermarket bags
31 Mar 2009
A nationwide campaign to introduce a levy on plastic supermarket bags has been launched.
Council questions whether Govt should be taxing plastic bags
31 Mar 2009
The Packaging Council says that the current discussion about whether the Government should introduce a levy on plastic bags needs to be put in the context of the facts.
Glass claims inaccurate, says forum
31 Mar 2009
The Glass Packaging Forum says that rumors of a demise in the glass-recycling market have been misleading and inaccurate, and it welcomes new reports which it says are addressing the facts.
Biodiesel blend reaches Mobil pumps
31 Mar 2009
Renewable transport energy in New Zealand is making progress, with biodiesel now on retail sale and approval granted for 85 per cent ethanol blends in petrol, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says.
Make polluters pay, say businesses
31 Mar 2009
A new national survey shows that 80 per cent of business people think polluters, not taxpayers, should pay for their excess greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenpeace increases call for emission cuts
27 Mar 2009
New Zealand must make deeper and faster cuts in its greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought, Greenpeace is warning ahead of the first of the year’s global climate talks which begin in Bonn over the weekend.
Heat pump water heaters get $1000 boost in EECA pilot
27 Mar 2009
A new funding pilot for heat pump water heating will test another choice of efficient water heating for consumers, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's chief executive Mike Underhill says.
Businesses back Earth Hour
27 Mar 2009
A diverse group of New Zealand businesses have committed to switching off lights and signage to show their support for action on climate change in tomorrow's Earth Hour event.
'Big Picture' partnership claims top environmental prize
27 Mar 2009
A "big-picture vision" has earned an organic dairy farming partnership the top award in the 2009 Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Minister refuses to rule out further delays to ETS - Labour
27 Mar 2009
Environment Minister Nick Smith’s refusal in Parliament on Wednesday to rule out further delays in the implementation of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme is a cause for considerable alarm, says Labour’s Climate Change Issues spokesperson Charles Chauvel.
New Zealanders want faster action on climate change
24 Mar 2009
A new national survey of New Zealanders’ attitudes to climate change deals a major blow to those who argue it is not happening.
Gull backs renewable-energy vehicle research
24 Mar 2009
Gull Petroleum has made a commitment to support the University of Western Australia’s Renewable Energy Vehicle project.
Kiwi icons to go black for WWF’s Earth Hour
24 Mar 2009
The Mission Bay Fountain and the Eiffel Tower don’t have much in common, but both are among hundreds of global icons that will be plunged into darkness this Saturday at 8.30pm for WWF’s Earth Hour 2009.
National wastes opportunity to reduce waste, say Greens
24 Mar 2009
The government wants to dump meaningful waste reduction targets as well as crucial recycling programmes, says Green Party co-leader Russel Norman.
New name for water association
24 Mar 2009
New Zealand’s largest water industry representative body says it is changing its name to reflect the need for a more cohesive approach to the management, use and conservation of our most precious natural resource.
Green ideas on display at Bayfair
24 Mar 2009
The green knowledge-wave is gathering force as a new Sustainable Information Expo makes its debut this week at Bayfair Shopping Centre.
Cuts to climate finance put exports in jeopardy: Lawyers
23 May 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has halved international climate finance, a move aid organisations describe as “devastating,” and which lawyers say could put our Paris Agreement commitments and export market access at risk.
Gas supply reducing faster than forecast
Today 11:30am
By Liz Kivi | Gas reserves have reduced 27% as of 1 January 2025 compared to last year, according to data released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Controversy around NZ’s methane target hits international press
Tue 3 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand’s approach to methane targets has hit international media, with climate scientists from multiple countries penning an open letter warning Prime Minister Christopher Luxon not to weaken methane targets.
Tech alone won’t save us, warns climate expert
Wed 4 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Technology alone won't be enough to reach net zero emissions, environmental psychologist Lorraine Whitmarsh told the Carbon and Energy Professionals conference in Auckland last week.
“It’s not the car – it’s how we move” – EECA
Tue 3 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams| New Zealand’s transport emissions conversation has focused heavily on electric vehicles – but Richard Briggs, group manager, delivery and partnerships at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, says we’re asking the wrong question.
Environmentalists see forestry changes as dangerous step for Tairāwhiti
Tue 3 Jun 2025
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | Tairāwhiti environmentalists have called changes for commercial forestry under proposed Resource Management Act reforms “a slap in the face” and a return to weaker forestry regulations.
Kiwi cleantech companies on the world stage
27 May 2025
Six New Zealand 'cleantech' companies were in Singapore earlier this month, along with a venture capital firm and the MacDiarmid Institute, to meet investors and multinational partners.
