News Direct: Media releases
Ecostore’s green credentials turn platinum
30 Jan 2009
Ecostore has announced its production facility, Ecotech Solutions, is the first New Zealand producer of cleaning and personal care products to attain Enviro-Mark NZ – Platinum certification.
Tourism company darts in to help save endangered birds
30 Jan 2009
A Queenstown jet boat company has joined forces with the Department of Conservation to save endangered species nesting on the Dart River.
BMW makes 10 best engines list in US
30 Jan 2009
A brilliant US debut for the new BMW Advanced Diesel with BMW BluePerformance: specialist magazine "Ward's Auto World" has selected BMW's 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine with SCR system for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions as one of 10 Best Engines in 2009.
Submissions open on Turitea wind farm
27 Jan 2009
Mighty River’s plan to build a 122-turbine wind farm at Turitea, near Palmerston North, is open for public submission.
Greens issue 'new deal' challenge
27 Jan 2009
The Green Party has presented the Government with a series of ready-to-go policies that it says can help New Zealand’s economy, people and the environment at the same time.
New Zealand should join the new International Renewable Energy Agency
27 Jan 2009
About 100 states will be meeting in Bonn this week to establish an International Renewable Energy Agency (http://www.irena.org/), but New Zealand has not yet committed to being there.
Water meters 'not about conservation'
27 Jan 2009
A user-pays system for domestic water supply will increase inequality and is a dubious way to conserve water resources, says a local human rights group.
Zurich approach 'bearing fruit'
23 Jan 2009
In the first year since its launch, the global Climate Initiative of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) has led to the development of new products and services addressing the evolving risks associated with climate change, significant steps in measuring and managing Zurich’s own carbon footprint and the facilitation of climate change related research.
SKM Wins Global Business Achievement Award
23 Jan 2009
Leading engineering, sciences and project delivery firm, Sinclair Knight Merz has been recognised by the Environmental Business Journal with a gold medal for business achievement.
Commerce Commission warns over hybrid comparative advertising
23 Jan 2009
A car company has been warned by the Commerce Commission about comparative claims made in advertising for one of its hybrid vehicles.
Obama's green leadership challenges National, say Greens
23 Jan 2009
As the new US president promised again to champion the environment, Green Party co-Leader Dr. Russel Norman asked why New Zealand's government is headed in the opposite direction.
Jayride moves into Queenstown
20 Jan 2009
A company that says it is New Zealand’s biggest online ride-sharing service, Jayride, will carpool from Auckland to Queenstown from next week.
Defer the ETS to minimise job losses, says MEUG
20 Jan 2009
The pros and cons of deferring the Emissions Trading Scheme should be considered by the Prime Minister’s Summit on Employment next month,” says Ralph Matthes, executive director of the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG).
New investment in climate change research
16 Jan 2009
Agriculture and Forestry Minister David Carter has announced over $10 million in funding for research projects designed to help the agriculture and forestry sectors adapt and respond to climate change.
National will have to do better than announce old policy , says Anderton
16 Jan 2009
The National Party is to be congratulated for finally recognising the importance of climate change mitigation for farmers, but it’s a bit cheeky to act as if it has a new fund of money, Opposition agriculture spokesman Jim Anderton says.
‘Smart’ fridges stay cool by talking to each other
16 Jan 2009
Australia’s CSIRO says it has developed a fridge capable of maintaining its average temperature while regulating its power consumption from renewable-energy generators, such as solar panels or wind turbines.
Charlie’s launches an honest water
16 Jan 2009
Charlie’s says it is doing its bit for the environment through the use of a new bottle made from plants.
Used cooking oil slashes hot water power bill by 92%
16 Jan 2009
A Kaikoura backpackers has slashed a massive 92 per cent off the cost of its hot water bill by re-using cooking oil from local takeaways and restaurants to fire its boiler.
Nats to trash public recycling bins, says Greens
16 Jan 2009
The Green Party says that it is dismayed to learn from sources that the National-Act-Maori Government is planning to eliminate funding to the Love NZ public recycling bins in the 2009/10 Budget.
Canadians adopt New Zealand climate change software
23 Dec 2008
Climate change mitigation firm HYDRA Software has just signed a technology sharing deal with leading Canadian hydro optimization specialists Synexus Global.
Environmental footprinting expertise funded
22 Dec 2008
Proposals are being sought to establish New Zealand's first professorship for the study of the environmental footprint of our primary products, the Minister of Agriculture & Forestry Hon David Carter announced today.
Greens label Supreme Court decision as blow to climate
22 Dec 2008
Friday 19 December 2008 – A serious blow has been dealt to the climate with a Supreme Court decision just handed down in the Genesis Energy/ Greenpeace case.
Biofuels obligation removed
19 Dec 2008
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the passing of the biofuel law, describing it as a pragmatic environmental step.
First carboNZero-certified freight shipment
19 Dec 2008
Global logistics company Agility, which earlier this year became the first international freight forwarder in New Zealand to be awarded carboNZero certification, has achieved another first: moving the first-ever carboNZero certified freight shipment for long-time customer Trilogy.
Westpac wins CEMARs certification
19 Dec 2008
Westpac New Zealand Ltd has achieved a milestone in sustainability, becoming the first bank in the world to achieve Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) certification as part of its strategy to reduce its carbon footprint. Over 30,000 organisations worldwide are seeking CEMARS certification.
Concrete industry appoints new boss
19 Dec 2008
The Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ) has appointed Rob Gaimster to the position of Chief Executive.
Waitakere joins international climate change network
19 Dec 2008
Waitakere has become the first New Zealand city to join an international initiative aimed at combating the environmental effects of climate change.
Saving water key to reducing energy use, says report
16 Dec 2008
A new report by CSIRO and the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) gives a clearer picture of water and energy use in Australia and New Zealand and highlights areas offering potentially significant water and energy savings.
Carbon calculator useful for home builders
12 Dec 2008
A careful choice of materials when building a house can make the difference of nearly 50 tonnes in CO2 emissions, according to a new carbon calculator for houses.
Slipping oil price won't deter NZ exploration
12 Dec 2008
Sliding international oil prices won’t affect the New Zealand exploration industry’s summer surveying programmes, the industry says.
New date announced for Air New Zealand biofuel test flight
12 Dec 2008
The world’s first commercial aviation test flight powered by a sustainable second-generation biofuel will take place on December 30.
A 'black magic' CO2 fix
12 Dec 2008
Biochar, similar to charcoal used by pre-Columbian Amazonian cultures to boost crop yields, could help the fight against climate change by securely locking carbon away in soils for thousands of years, according to the December-January issue of ECOS magazine.
NZ could have 100% renewable energy
12 Dec 2008
New Zealand could easily generate all its electricity from renewable sources within 20 years with the right support from government, a leading overseas expert in green energy said yesterday.
Bogans provide inspiration to cut fuel consumption this summer
12 Dec 2008
Drivers setting off for summer holidays can take inspiration from the unconventional winners of this year's AA Energywise Rally, EECA chief executive Mike Underhill says.
Australian paper questions role of carbon trading
9 Dec 2008
A discussion paper released in Australia yesterday suggests that carbon trading alone will not be enough to stimulate a significant bioenergy industry in that country.
Research to reduce run-off effects
9 Dec 2008
Protecting marine environments from unnecessary waste runoff has been a top priority for Victoria University researcher Bruce Dudley.
Farmers won't appeal Taupo decision
5 Dec 2008
Federated Farmers has confirmed it will not be lodging an appeal in the High Court challenging the recent Environment Court decision on Environment Waikato's "Lake Taupo Variation", Variation 5 to the Waikato Regional Plan.
Genesis' first bonds offer over-subscribed
5 Dec 2008
Genesis Energy says that interest in its first issue of unsecured, unsubordinated bondsto the New Zealand public is so strong that its initial target of raising $150 million has been exceeded.
Meridian granted water-only consents for North Bank tunnel
5 Dec 2008
Meridian has received notification of an interim decision that it has been granted water-only consents for its North Bank Tunnel Concept.
Chauvel to take part in international climate change study programme
5 Dec 2008
The Labour Party's spokesperson on climate change, Charles Chauvel, will next week travel to Europe for an EU-sponsored study programme on climate change.
Phoenix Organics buys green electricity
5 Dec 2008
Charlie’s Trading Company has announced a new supply agreement to purchase environmentally friendly electricity for its Phoenix Organics plant in Henderson.
Air NZ launches new environment trust for kids
2 Dec 2008
The Air New Zealand Environment Trust yesterday announced a new programme to assist with restoring the environment for New Zealand school children.
Cement fundamental to modern economy, says Holcim
2 Dec 2008
The key role played by cement in a modern developed economy is featured in a Holcim newsletter being circulated to approximately 8000 Oamaru residents this week.
UK moves send a strong signal to NZ exporters to cut carbon
28 Nov 2008
The UK Government's move to reform air passenger duty from two to four distance bands, increasing the cost of flying to New Zealand, is just the start of actions New Zealanders will see from throughout the world in a bid to lower emissions.
Future Proof and Right House join forces
28 Nov 2008
Future Proof Building has announced that Right House Ltd has joined them to offer New Zealanders complete energy efficient solutions to residential homes and businesses.
Unleashing the bioenergy bonanza offers NZ Inc huge opportunities
28 Nov 2008
The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand has welcomed the new Minister of Energy and Resources, and strongly encourages him to support business to unleash the immense wealth creation and competitive advantage that bioenergy offers the NZ economy.
NZ Timber Federation welcomes Government’s suspension of the ETS
28 Nov 2008
The government’s review of the emissions trading scheme is a very positive move for the timber processing industry” saysto Howard Tonge, the president of the Timber Industry Federation.
Pike River coal mine officially opened
28 Nov 2008
The Minister of Energy and Resources, and Economic Development, Gerry Brownlee, yeesterday opened the new Pike River coal mine in the Paparoa Ranges, 50 kilometres north-east of Greymouth.
ETS on hold results in some “carbon traders” promoting VCS to New Zealand exotic forest owners.
28 Nov 2008
Parties are trying to promote the voluntary carbon standard (VCS) www.v-c-s.org now the ETS is under review, says the Environmental Intermediaries & Trading Group Limited.
Climate Commission called to Waitangi inquiry over alleged breaches
Tue 10 Mar 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Climate Change Commission is being called to front up to the Waitangi Tribunal and give evidence over alleged legal breaches of its obligations to Māori.
Renewables surge cuts power emissions, but oil dominates fossil fuel use
Today 11:30am
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand’s fossil fuel emissions fell in 2025 as strong renewable electricity generation reduced the need for gas-fired power, but oil consumption is rising and now accounts for a record share of fossil emissions.
Govt's solar on farms initiative to cut costs, boost resilience
17 Feb 2026
Farms across Aotearoa will begin installing solar panels and battery systems as part of a government-backed demonstration programme designed to test whether on-farm renewable energy can reduce electricity costs and improve energy security for the food and fibre sector.
Annual emissions fell to lowest in 15 years in Sept 2025
5 Feb 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest annual total in the year to September 2025 since records began 2010, according to Statistics New Zealand data published this morning.
Greenpeace slams Govt climate policies amid rising petrol prices
Thu 12 Mar 2026
As petrol prices climb to $3 a litre, Greenpeace is blaming Government decisions for leaving Kiwis harder hit by the oil price spike.
Tairāwhiti needs proper Govt support to heal the land – not empty announcements for political optics
24 Feb 2026
OPINION: The Government’s answer to Tairāwhiti’s severe erosion crisis – that the region apply for modest, contestable funding rounds – while rejecting the region's own land transition business case, leaves our long-term resilience hanging in the balance, writes Manu Caddie.
Rule changes could reshape corporate emissions strategies
6 Mar 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand organisations may need to rethink how they manage and report electricity-related emissions as proposed global accounting changes take shape, according to a new report.
