News Direct: Media releases
Energy Data File highlights rich lignite resources
7 Jul 2009
Straterra, the industry group representing New Zealand’s natural resources industries, says release of the 2009 edition of The New Zealand Energy Data File highlights the huge – and largely untapped – economical potential of the country’s natural resources.
Security threats from climate change top Pacific agenda
7 Jul 2009
Security threats from climate change must top the agenda of John Key’s tour of Pacific island nations after a recent United Nations Security Council Resolution, says the Green Party.
Report shows positive shifts in energy use and supply, govt says
3 Jul 2009
Energy and Resources Minister, Gerry Brownlee has released the latest edition of The New Zealand Energy Data File, an annual record of energy use in New Zealand.
One in five likely to go for home insulation rates deal
3 Jul 2009
Paying back insulation loans through rates could appeal to 21 per cent of colder-home owners
Electrolux wins award for excellence in sustainable design
3 Jul 2009
The Electrolux 2008 Refrigeration Collection has won the 2009 Award for Excellence in Sustainable Design in the prestigious Australian International Design Awards, a division of Standards Australia.
Companies back-track on toxic electronics phase-out
3 Jul 2009
Three of the world’s largest PC companies are failing in their commitments to phase out toxic chemicals in their products according to the the latest edition of Greenpeace’s 'Guide to Greener Electronics' released yesterday.
Golden Bay house gets energy efficiency rating
3 Jul 2009
A Golden Bay holiday home may be New Zealand’s most energy efficient house, achieving nine out of 10 stars under the Home Energy Rating Scheme – the highest rating awarded yet under the scheme.
Same trucks, less carbon, says Gull
3 Jul 2009
Gull says that it supports the Government's announcement to increase the load carrying capacity of trucks on New Zealand's roads.
New licence improves access to environmental data
3 Jul 2009
Two major environmental databases are set to become more accessible and easier to use following the re-release of these digital maps by the Ministry for the Environment.
Government improves water quality monitoring
3 Jul 2009
“An important part of the Government’s strategy to address fresh water quality is improving the standard and frequency of monitoring”, Environment Minister Nick Smith said this week in addressing Fish & Game New Zealand’s annual staff conference.
Three-day event celebrates New Zealand Antarctic research
30 Jun 2009
The University of Auckland says it is proud to host the annual Antarctica New Zealand conference this week, with climate change on the agenda.
Cathay buys carbon credits
26 Jun 2009
Cathay Pacific Airways and sister airline Dragonair have announced the purchase of 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions reductions from leading offset retailer JP Morgan Climate Care for the airlines’ Fly Greener offset programme.
Commission declines Transpower request to amend settlement
23 Jun 2009
The Commerce Commission has declined a request from Transpower that the Commission amend the administrative settlement it reached with Transpower last year.
Sustainability cuts cost at council
23 Jun 2009
North Shore City Council sustainability manager Michael Field has been in the job less than two years - but over the past 12 months has saved $1.2m from city-wide and in-house initiatives with a positive environmental outcome.
Green hotel top choice for eco-conscious corporates
23 Jun 2009
A new Auckland hotel says that it is fast becoming a popular destination for eco-conscious dignitaries and business travellers wanting to lower their carbon footprints.
ETS economic impact report reaction: Government
19 Jun 2009
A joint report by economic consultants NZIER and Infometrics concludes that a modified emissions trading scheme is the best way forward for New Zealand on climate change policy, says the Government.
ETS economic impact report reaction: Labour
19 Jun 2009
Labour says it welcomes a long-awaited economic modelling of climate change policy options, recommending an emissions trading scheme as the best climate change policy response.
ETS economic impact report reaction: Greens
19 Jun 2009
New economic modelling shows that New Zealand can continue with an emissions trading scheme at little economic cost, and Green Party MP Jeanette Fitzsimons says it is a clear message to Government to stop dithering and get on with it.
Polluters should pay, say Greens
19 Jun 2009
The Green Party welcomes yesterday's acknowledgement of responsibility for historic contamination by a chemical company, but is calling for clear financial liability and a fairer contribution to the clean-up and health costs.
Good magazine celebrates; One year, six major milestones and zero emissions
19 Jun 2009
Good magazine, a New Zealand guide to sustainable living, is one year old this month.
Banks waive fees for home insulation scheme
19 Jun 2009
All main trading banks have agreed to join the government’s insulation and heating scheme, and all have agreed to waive their fees for top-up loans homeowners get as part of insulation retrofits.
Govt 'over-selling' home insulation scheme
19 Jun 2009
National is over-selling the extent of its home insulation programme, details of which were announced today, says Labour's energy spokesperson, Charles Chauvel.
Electric vehicles to be RUC exempt
19 Jun 2009
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says that the government will exempt light electric vehicles from paying road user charges for four years as a first step towards encouraging their uptake.
Kawerau Jet wins silver Qualmark award
19 Jun 2009
Queenstown's Kawarau Jet, the world's longest-established commercial jet boat operation, has achieved the Qualmark Enviro-silver accreditation in recognition of its dedication to environmental sustainable practice.
Study into impact of sugar policies on energy and food issues
19 Jun 2009
Research into how sugar policies in Europe, the United States Brazil impact on world food and energy issues will be undertaken by experts from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Salford.
New software measure farm emissions
12 Jun 2009
A software programme allowing farmers to estimate their on-farm emissions of greenhouse gases and assists their business in balancing profit and environmental impact is among the technology showcased by AgResearch at National Fieldays this week.
Tardy council consent processing proves need for reform
12 Jun 2009
A new report showing only four of the country's 84 councils are fully complying with the law by processing resource consents on time proves the case for reforming the system, says the Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Climate scientists drilling for evidence in Southern Alps
12 Jun 2009
Scientists from three countries will camp out high in Mt Cook National Park for the next three weeks collecting ice cores from glaciers for climate research.
Air quality standards to be reviewed
12 Jun 2009
New Zealand’s air quality standards need reviewing to ensure they are practical and achievable, says Environment Minister Nick Smith.
Government makes up mind in advance on outcome of water reforms, says Labour
12 Jun 2009
The Government appears to have decided the outcome of water management reforms before consultation even begins, says Labour environment spokesperson Shane Jones.
Tried-and-true recipes to tackle and gain from climate change
12 Jun 2009
Amidst the electric fence systems and EID Readers at this year’s Fieldays is an old-fashioned dairy offering free, value-added dairy products and tips on how farmers can tackle and gain from climate change.
RMA shake-up needed to fix late consents, says Smith
12 Jun 2009
Changes in law and practice are needed to address the record number of late resource consents, says Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith.
Change of focus on fresh water management
9 Jun 2009
A new process to improve fresh water management was yesterday announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter.
Mainzeal nails elusive Green Ribbon for environmental excellence
9 Jun 2009
Mainzeal says it has broken ground in the construction industry by receiving an award for the Businesses Making a Difference at the Green Ribbon Awards in Wellington.
Greens say transport plan is a win-win-win
9 Jun 2009
Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman has unveiled what he says is a bold plan to cut traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and help the economy.
North Canterbury company fined for burning tyres
9 Jun 2009
A North Canterbury company has been fined $2500 after pleading guilty to a charge of causing air pollution by the illegal burning of rubber tyres.
Being green leads to high growth
5 Jun 2009
A company that developed a low-cost carbon accredition programme has won the High Growth sector of the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards.
Kiwi organisations unite to tackle climate change
5 Jun 2009
To encourage appropriate action in response to climate change in the lead-up to the crucial UN climate change conference in Copenhagen this December, organisations nationwide are uniting through the New Zealand Climate Action Partnership, they say in a media
Gull discounts biofuel 12 cents per litre for World Environment Day
5 Jun 2009
Gull is marking World Environment Day today by discounting its award-winning biofuels by 12 cents per litre for 24 hours from 7am.
Cleaning company calls for better practices on World Environment Day
5 Jun 2009
New Zealand businesses are being urged to do their bit for their employees and the environment on World Environment Day today by switching to green cleaning products.
Green Ribbon Award winners
5 Jun 2009
Nine individuals, businesses and organisations from Kaitaia to Otago have been honoured for making an outstanding contribution to protecting the environment at the annual Green Ribbon Awards announced last night.
Cleanest 'Gypsy Day' ever, say farmers
5 Jun 2009
Farmers and transport operators deserve a big pat on the back for keeping stock effluent off the roads this Gypsy Day.
New Zealanders support insulation, but split on Budget
5 Jun 2009
New Zealanders overwhelmingly support health and insulation policies announced in the Budget, but don't believe the Government has produced enough new policy to successfully manage the economic recession.
Home insulation should be a woolly idea, say farmers
2 Jun 2009
Federated Farmers is embracing the $323 million home insulation package announced in the Budget, and says that by using poorer quality coarse wools, could also be good for the ailing wool industry.
Wood industry welcomes primary growth partnership
2 Jun 2009
The forest and wood products industry welcomes the initiative taken by the National Government in supporting innovation and development of the industry
Agrojet achieves new Qualmark Enviro status
2 Jun 2009
Rotorua's Agrojet is the first jet boat company in New Zealand to achieve a Qualmark Enviro-bronze accreditation.
Release details of home insulation deal, says Labour
2 Jun 2009
The National Government must urgently release practical details of how and when its home insulation package will be available for the people who need it most, Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran says.
Community group welcomes insulation package
2 Jun 2009
Community Energy Action Charitable Trust applauds the budget announcement that increases funding for subsidies of insulation and heating.
New loans key to home insulation success
29 May 2009
The key to hundreds of thousands of home owners taking up $1800 Government grants to insulate and efficiently heat homes will be the extra new loans to help to cover the whole cost of the work, says the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Contact keen to support insulation initiative
29 May 2009
Contact Energy says the Government and Green Party’s $323 million home insulation Budget announcement would make a real difference to New Zealand families, and Contact would look to actively support it.
Govt climate claims don't match reality, lawyers say
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Lawyers for Climate Action has accused the Government of presenting an overly positive picture of New Zealand's climate progress at the United Nations climate summit in Bonn, arguing key claims on emissions reductions and support for the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal are not reflected in domestic policy.
Decision on controversial Waipara solar farm delayed
Today 11:30am
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | The fire risk assessment for a proposed 181 hectare solar farm in North Canterbury will need to be redone over conflict of interest concerns.
Fed Farmers' election wish-list includes stopping whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry
9 Jun 2026
Federated Farmers has launched a five-point plan for the next government, setting out what it says should be a major focus for political parties heading into the November election.
'Terrible result': Emissions barely budged in 2024
5 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions were virtually unchanged in 2024, falling by 0.03%, despite the economy shrinking by ten times that amount during the same period, according to new data.
Labour pledges unlimited public transport for $20 a week
10 Jun 2026
The Labour Party is promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, if elected in November.
Nature-based solutions – such as forestry – crucial for carbon removal
5 Jun 2026
COMMENT: Transitioning from erodible pasture to well-managed forest can yield substantial environmental benefits, writes James Treadwell.
Ballance secures gas for 2026 as it progresses energy transition plan
Tue 16 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | One of the largest industrial gas users in New Zealand is working on an energy transition plan to futureproof domestic fertiliser manufacturing, while continuing to secure ongoing gas supply contracts.
