News Direct: Media releases
EDS welcomes appointment of Nick Smith to cabinet
18 Nov 2008
The Environmental Defence Society has welcomed the appointment of Nick Smith to the new National cabinet as Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.
Climate Science Coalition welcomes National/Act agreement
18 Nov 2008
The New Zealand Climate Science Coalition has welcomed the agreement between the National and Act parties to appoint a special select committee of Parliament to review the current emissions trading scheme legislation and any amendments or alternatives to it, including carbon taxes, in the light of current economic circumstances and steps now being undertaken by similar nations.
TrustPower receives Arnold hydro resource consent
14 Nov 2008
TrustPower has been granted resource consents for its proposed 46MW Arnold hydro generation scheme by the Grey District and West Coast Regional Councils.
Business leaders look forward to working with National on major economic and environmental issues
14 Nov 2008
The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development has congratulated National on its election win – and says it looks forward to working with it on major economic and environmental issues.
Farmers upset over permit-to-farm decision
14 Nov 2008
Farmers say they are "completely gutted" by an Environment Court decision that will require Taupo farmers to seek a permit to farm.
New coastal ship to slash carbon emissions
14 Nov 2008
Pacifica Shipping's new 130-metre long coastal vessel now in service is capable of slashing carbon emissions in the country's transport sector by 60,000 tonnes a year on long-haul freight, the company says.
Ministerial-model BMW to foot it with hybrids
14 Nov 2008
The BMW 730Ld - the luxury limousine used by the Government for chauffeur-driven VIP Transport Services - will compete alongside hybrid hatchbacks and micro-diesels in this year's AA EnergyWise Rally.
Building up gas for good
11 Nov 2008
Five engineers have joined forces to harness the energy from biogas to use in remote island situations in the South Pacific.
Climate change: Nowhere to Hide, says Greenpeace
11 Nov 2008
Greenpeace is urging the newly elected National Party not to be held hostage to Act’s Rodney Hide over climate change policy.
Parker jobs claim wrong, says coalition
7 Nov 2008
Climate Change Minister David Parker’s claims that the current emissions trading scheme will not only be good for the environment, but will increase jobs during the predicted slump, are completely at odds with the views of our leading economists, says the Greenhouse Policy Coalition.
Federated Farmers too weak to stand up to National on ETS
7 Nov 2008
"When I attended Federated Farmers’ election manifesto launch in Wellington a few days ago, I was disappointed to find that Federated Farmers was wishy-washy on the ETS", said ACT for agriculture spokesman John Ormond.
Green Party in climate-change denial, say Federated Farmers
7 Nov 2008
“The Green Party just does not get the reality of global climate change,” Federated Farmers climate change spokesperson, Frank Brenmuhl said today.
Mr Key, don't forget water storage is infrastructure, too
7 Nov 2008
Federated Farmers' president Don Nicolson is urging National Party leader John Key not to forget that water storage is a critical part of New Zealand's infrastructure and should be "on the infrastructure list" of any new minister.
Science, agriculture and New Zealand's future - Anderton
4 Nov 2008
Federated Farmers is to be congratulated for its contribution to the debate about the economy's future direction, Agriculture Minister and Progressive Leader Jim Anderton said today.
Global recession reaches carbon market
4 Nov 2008
The global economic recession will have a significant effect on the European carbon market, nearly halving the shortfall in EU Allowances (EUAs), according to a new projection in the latest weekly report from IDEAcarbon, a leading carbon market analysis and research firm.
Labour and National fail environmental test, say green groups
4 Nov 2008
New Zealand’s two biggest political parties have failed the environment test, put to them by two major New Zealand environmental groups.
Anderton challenges Act on its centre-piece policy
4 Nov 2008
The policy at the centre of the Act Party's election campaign is completely implausible, and Act need to be pressed on the implications, Progressive leader Jim Anderton says.
Green forum on the global financial crisis
4 Nov 2008
Green solutions to the current global financial crisis will be discussed by Green Party leaders from Australia and New Zealand, and an economic panel, in central Auckland tomorrow.
New areas for international environmental co-operation
4 Nov 2008
These new goals were agreed in October at the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Environment Cooperation Agreement of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4 Agreement) in Santiago.
Genesis considers bond issue
4 Nov 2008
Genesis Energy says that it is considering an offer of bonds to the New Zealand public.
TrustPower opens Australian wind farm
4 Nov 2008
New Zealand-based TrustPower officially openied of Stage 1 of its first Australian wind farm, located at Snowtown 170km north of Adelaide, at the weekend.
Economies continue to grow with emissions trading, says Parker
31 Oct 2008
A report released yesterday by the Australian government has confirmed that a country's economy will continue to grow with an emissions trading scheme, and it's cheaper to act sooner rather than later, Climate Change Minister David Parker said.
PaintPlus first small enterprise in NZ to be carbon neutral
28 Oct 2008
Paint manufacturer PaintPlus has become the first small enterprise in New Zealand to be carbon neutral, achieving government body LandCare Research’s CarboNZero certification.
New electricity information website launched
28 Oct 2008
Transpower subsidiary Energy Market Services has launched a new electricity site (www.em6live.co.nz (http://www.em6live.co.nz/)) that allows greater accessibility to NZ electricity market data.
Hermitage Hotel takes gold for environmental work
28 Oct 2008
One of the first to achieve Qualmark’s prestigious new Enviro-Gold rating, The Hermitage General Manager Denis Callesen says it’s a natural fit with the hotel’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Anne Blackburn appointed to NZVIF Board
28 Oct 2008
Auckland businessperson Anne Blackburn has been appointed to the board of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund.
The United Group branches out into carbon
24 Oct 2008
The Fortis Intertrust’s carbon team has moved to the Amsterdam-based United Group, and has launched a carbon financial services business.
Carbon rating agency appoints CEO in Singapore
24 Oct 2008
IDEAcarbon, the strategic advice and information-provider for the carbon market, hasannounced the appointment of Dinesh Babu as CEO of The Carbon Rating Agency (CRA), IDEAcarbon's wholly-owned subsidiary.
New homes targeted in light-bulb push
24 Oct 2008
National Party energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says not only is Labour spending $3.5 million promoting the looming light-bulb ban, but also plans to tell us how many lights we should have.
Tsakounis Global to investigate JI coal methane projects in Australia.
22 Oct 2008
Following the recent passing of the New Zealand Emissions Trading legislation, Environmental Intermediaries & Trading Group Limited has appointed Tsakounis Global to investigate Joint Implementation Projects for Coal Mine Methane in Australia.
Labour commits to R&D tax credits and Fast Forward
22 Oct 2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Research Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson today confirmed Labour’s commitment to significant investment in innovation saying it would produce a step change in New Zealand’s economy.
National’s approach to energy efficiency 'costed and workable'
17 Oct 2008
"National is not committed to the Labour/Greens household insulation policy because it is unfunded and impractical, and we have a better approach", says National’s Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Parker's view at odds with NZIER report - Beard
17 Oct 2008
Climate Change Minister David Parker’s claims that making the productive sectors pay for emissions via the emissions trading scheme is cheaper than if the taxpayer (government) paid for the Kyoto shortfall is completely at odds with analysis undertaken by leading economists, NZIER, says the Greenhouse Policy Coalition
Survey shows energy market opportunities
17 Oct 2008
The latest annual survey of how New Zealanders will cut personal greenhouse gas emissions reveals there is a major market opportunity for those promoting energy efficient appliances.
Green Globe offers carbon 'health check'
17 Oct 2008
Green Globe Lite, a global on-line programme released on Wednesday, will provide tourism operators with a user-friendly, affordable tool to measure their business’s carbon footprint and environment performance, the company says.
Top economist supports chamber's views on carbon taxes
14 Oct 2008
The latest pronouncement from one of the world's top economists that a carbon tax is better than an emissions trading scheme to fight global warming is welcome news, according to the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.
ETS will hinder economic growth, says Kiwi Party
14 Oct 2008
Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock rhas enewed his party's call for the repeal of the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Paraoa Bakehouse judged New Zealand’s sustainable business of the year
14 Oct 2008
Paraoa Bakehouse has been recognised as New Zealand’s sustainable business of the year at the 2008 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards.
Reducing greenhouse gases one fridge at a time.
10 Oct 2008
Natural refrigeration specialist company Arneg New Zealand is to tell this year’s New Zealand Cold Storage Association conference that the industry needs to do more to reduce the effect of refrigeration systems on the environment.
NZ students to work on climate change study in Europe
10 Oct 2008
New Zealand engineering students will have the opportunity to study climate change in Europe through a new student exchange programme, Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson announced yesterday.
Time for green thinking on the economy, say Greens
7 Oct 2008
It is time for Government to set its sights on a green economy to ensure there will be jobs for New Zealanders, that food will be affordable, and it won’t be out of people’s reach to get around, the Green Party says.
Water, water - not everywhere
7 Oct 2008
New Zealanders must move away from the attitude of thinking water should be freely available as of “right” and start treating it as the valuable and limited natural resource if they want to remain sustainable and prosperous says IPENZ, the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand.
Farmers working hard for the environment
7 Oct 2008
Otago dairy farmer Philip Wilson and his family had a point to prove when they entered this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Brewery project wins cement industry sustainability award
7 Oct 2008
A building project using considerable quantities of recycled waste-glass has won the inaugural Concrete3 Sustainability Award.
Tax cuts eaten into by emissions trading
3 Oct 2008
The executive director of the Greenhouse Policy Coalition, Catherine Beard, says the much needed tax cuts will unfortunately be eaten into significantly by the increased costs households will face from the emissions trading scheme.
Nat's climate change stance 'window dressing'
3 Oct 2008
Act's Rodney Hide has provided further evidence that National MPs don't really mean what they say about taking action on climate change, Climate Change Minister David Parker says in a statement.
Further 32 turbines ordered for TRH wind farm
3 Oct 2008
Windflow Technology has received a further order from the Te Rere Hau (TRH) Joint Venture for the 32 turbines required to complete the initial TRH wind farm near Palmerston North.
Tourism businesses sign up for energy-efficiency programme
30 Sep 2008
A pilot energy-efficiency programme for tourism businesses is well under way, with nine businesses from around the country undergoing detailed assessments of their energy use.
'Atrocious' and 'bizarre': experts slam Act Party's climate policy
Wed 3 Sep 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Act Party is promising to challenge New Zealand’s Paris Agreement climate target, while the coalition Government’s other minor partner, NZ First, also says it wants to reevaluate the country’s commitment to the international treaty.
NZ homes could be fully solar-powered by 2032
Today 11:00am
Media release - Harrisons Solar | A surge in solar capacity has put New Zealand on track to generate enough solar energy to power every home in the country within the next seven years, according to new research.
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
Marginal drop in last year's regional emissions
27 Aug 2025
Regional greenhouse gas emissions were down slightly last year, with a fall in gas supply leading to a big drop in Taranaki, but more coal burnt leading to higher emissions in Waikato, according to new figures from Stats NZ
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
Today 11:00am
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
Today 11:00am
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.
