News Direct: Media releases
Solid Energy in talks with Downer EDI Mining over Stockton
15 May 2009
Solid Energy has selected Downer EDI Mining to negotiate an alliance arrangement to jointly manage and operate Stockton Opencast Mine in Buller from the beginning of October this year.
Green calculators add up for environment, says Canon
15 May 2009
Canon New Zealand has launched a new range of "green" calculators that have been manufactured using recycled materials from end-of-life Canon photocopiers.
Kiwis happy with economic management but want super coontributions continued
15 May 2009
Kiwis are happy with the Government’s economic management, but don’t want it to stop contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, according to a new survey.
New direction for Electricity Commission
12 May 2009
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has released a revised policy direction for the Electricity Commission.
Seresin Estate leads the way in organics and biodynamics
12 May 2009
Seresin Estate’s commitment to the environment has been recognised in the Marlborough Environment awards.
Chauvel: We'll help National fix the mess
12 May 2009
National needs to fix the mess that it has made of climate change policy and Labour is willing to help, Labour Climate Change spokesperson Charles Chauvel says.
Jennian and Right House form partnership
12 May 2009
Jennian Homes and Right House have joined forces.
Road user charges plan penalises diesel cars
8 May 2009
The new-vehicle industry has reacted with surprise to some of the recommendations of the independent review into road-user charges.
Antarctica and the ice-age puzzle
8 May 2009
The origins of an extraordinary warming event thousands of years ago are vital to understanding past ice ages, says a prominent earth scientist.
Australia's new GHG target shows up NZ's lack of target - Greenpeace
5 May 2009
The New Zealand Government has been caught out by Australia’s proposal for stronger and faster greenhouse gas emission cuts, says Greenpeace.
NZ can lead world in renewable energy, says expert
5 May 2009
An internationally renowned energy expert believes New Zealand could generate all its electricity from renewable sources within 20 years.
Fonterra wants intensity approach to ETS
5 May 2009
Dairy production in New Zealand may be reduced by five per cent, costing the New Zealand economy $650 million annually and allowing other countries to fill the gap in global supply risking further global emissions growth, unless the existing Emissions Trading Scheme is altered, says Fonterra.
Scientists speak out over Salinger sacking
5 May 2009
The business model underlying Government's science institutions, the Crown Research Institutes or CRIs, is again under scrutiny following the dismissal of Jim Salinger, one of NIWA's principal scientists and a leading spokesperson for weather and climate issues.
Minister concerned over Cook Strait cable failure
1 May 2009
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee is concerned over the failure of the Cook Strait power cable this week.
RMA review under attack, says Labour
1 May 2009
National’s rushed amendments to the RMA are under under further fire with a former Environment Court Judge slamming a number of the provisions as seriously deficient, says Labour MP Shane Jones.
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.
Growth, energy and climate in focus at Trans-Tasman bilateral talks
Fri 5 Sep 2025
Trans-Tasman climate cooperation was one of the themes at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, with senior government officials and business leaders from both sides of the ditch meeting in Canberra this week.
Meridian reports worst earnings in a decade
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Meridian Energy has posted its weakest result in 10 years, with earnings hit by a combination of droughts, low wind and declining gas supply.
International scientists slam NZ govt's proposed approach to methane
13 Aug 2025
New Zealand's proposed approach to methane emissions has again been attacked by international climate scientists, with a new study saying the attempt to redefine climate target-setting by livestock-exporting countries undermines the transition to a sustainable and equitable food system
Vector hits emissions reduction goal five years early
Fri 5 Sep 2025
By Liz Kivi | Auckland lines company Vector has met its 2030 emissions reduction reduction target five years early, more than halving its direct emissions, and crediting innovation and a laser-focus for its success in a hard-to-abate sector.
Air NZ declares surprisingly low SAF prices
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Air New Zealand is able to source sustainable aviation fuel at between 1.5 and 2.5 times the price of conventional fossil fuels used for flying, all sourced from the US.
Forest carbon stores massive blind spot - study
Thu 4 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Aotearoa New Zealand’s planted forests hold significant deep soil organic carbon — with over half of it stored below 30 cm, and much of it over 1,000 years old.
XRB consults on delaying climate reporting requirements
Thu 4 Sep 2025
The External Reporting Board is proposing a further two years relief for companies to adopt anticipated financial impacts reporting and scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions reporting and assurance.
