News Direct: Media releases
REACTION: Emissions trading will hurt, says coalition
26 Aug 2008
Catherine Beard, executive director of the Greenhouse Policy Coalition says the emissions trading legislation before Parliament, due to its comprehensive coverage and lack of price safety valves, will be the highest cost scheme in the world.
The ETS can be improved, say forest owners
26 Aug 2008
The NZ Forest Owners Association is calling on the Greens and NZ First to continue to support an emissions trading scheme (ETS) that includes earlier commitments by some sectors and that restores confidence to the forest sector.
Kyoto Forest owners say they need ETS passed
26 Aug 2008
The thousands of New Zealanders who invested their own savings to plant trees in the 1990s need the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) legislation to be passed in order to secure the estimated $1.6 billion of carbon credits promised to them by all parties in Parliament, the Kyoto Forestry Association (KFA) has told the Green Party.
Biodiversity critical in emissions trading scheme
26 Aug 2008
Forest & Bird urges Labour, New Zealand First and the Green Party to agree to a biodiversity standard in the Government's emissions trading scheme.
EMA: Greens right to ask for public guidance on emissions trading law
22 Aug 2008
The Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says the other political parties should join the Greens and ask the public which way they should vote on the Emissions Trading Bill.
Labour's political agenda no reason to ram flawed ETS through
22 Aug 2008
National Party Finance spokesman Bill English says the Emissions Trading Scheme is a major piece of economic and environmental legislation that will impact on the lives of every Kiwi for years, so is too important to be rushed through Parliament just prior to an election.
Fonterra trialling new eco-friendly tanker
22 Aug 2008
Fonterra is trialling a new eco-friendly tanker in its milk collection operations that could significantly cut emissions in the company’s 427 strong fleet which covers about 75 million km every year.
Landslide response to Greens' call for ETS input
22 Aug 2008
The Green Party is facing a busy weekend at the computer as views from the public on their ETS decision flood in.
ETS must pass despite weaknesses, says Greenpeace
22 Aug 2008
Despite shortcomings, it is imperative that New Zealand's emissions trading scheme (ETS) is passed into law this parliamentary term, says Greenpeace
Orcon’s purple fleet adds a touch of green
22 Aug 2008
Orcon has a new fleet of three Mini Clubmans for its technicians – and estimates the move to the new cars will prove to be a smart choice.
Matariki Forests to explore strategic opportunities
22 Aug 2008
The shareholders of Matariki Forests have today announced their intention to explore the future ownership of their New Zealand assets.
World first to demonstrate potential to reduce carbon emissions by millions of tonnes
19 Aug 2008
Air New Zealand and key aviation partners will demonstrate the potential for the commercial aviation industry to reduce carbon emissions by millions of tonnes annually, with a test flight between Auckland and San Francisco.
National’s energy policy ‘return to think big’
19 Aug 2008
The National Party’s energy policy is a worrying return to Think Big, says the Domestic Energy Users’ Network.
ETS needs more work, says Business NZ
19 Aug 2008
Reports that an emissions trading scheme could spark a new round of Treaty of Waitangi compensations show there is a need for more work on the Emissions Trading Bill, says Business NZ.
Eco-friendly solution for costly wood infection
19 Aug 2008
A Rotorua scientist has developed an environmentally friendly treatment for an infection that causes significant revenue losses for the forestry industry, winning recognition in the MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards.
Greenpeace: NZ must step up commitment
19 Aug 2008
New Zealand must step-up its commitment to tackling climate change ahead of three important climate meetings this week, says Greenpeace.
Energy Mad founders win prestigious innovation award
19 Aug 2008
Christchurch entrepreneurs Chris Mardon and Tom Mackenzie were picked from a strong field of 10 finalists to win a Bayer Innovators Award for their energy-efficient light bulbs.
Get real, Greenpeace tells Nats
15 Aug 2008
Greenpeace is accusing the National Party of living in an alternate reality in which there's no such thing as climate change.
Business backs policy not to ban new base-load thermal generation
15 Aug 2008
The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development welcomes National's policy to drop a proposed 10-year ban on building new non base-load thermal power generation.
Escape Rentals offsets emissions
15 Aug 2008
Escape Rentals, a major niche player in the campervan rental market – well-known for its distinctively painted vehicles - has contracted Carbon South to offset in-house emissions. Escape will also offer offset packages to its clients.
Ukrainian joint-implementation projects gain traction
15 Aug 2008
Carbon Capital Markets has received Host Country Approval (HCA) for a Joint Implementation (JI) project in Ukraine.
You be the judge – new ecolabels tell the story
15 Aug 2008
What exactly does it mean when a company claims its product is "eco-friendly", "biodegradable" or "clean and green"?
Polluters gain control of water
12 Aug 2008
Reports in the 82,000-circulation Rural News newspaper that agricultural polluters gained control of the Government’s Water Programme of Action should be a cause of concern for all other New Zealanders, says Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman.
Dunedin Airport wins gold award
12 Aug 2008
MWH’s innovative heating and ventilation system for Dunedin International Airport has won a Gold Award in this year’s Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand Awards of Excellence.
Ecotourism growth industry for Maori
12 Aug 2008
When it comes to promoting our country to the world, a lot of emphasis goes on our scenery and clean green image. But what about our history and culture - the stuff that makes us unique?
TrustPower saves power at home
12 Aug 2008
An energy saving exercise carried out by TrustPower shows that even a well-informed electricity company, in a 15-year old energy-efficient building, can reduce its energy consumption and lock in that reduction to deliver long term cost savings.
UK Carbon Reduction Commitment – a lesson for New Zealand firms
8 Aug 2008
New Zealand organisations wishing to participate in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme – if the relevant legislation is passed into law – are being urged to act quickly if they want to operate in a carbon restrained market-place.
Log truck initiative credited with safer roads
8 Aug 2008
Log truck operators and forest owners have signed an updated Log Transport Safety Accord designed to further improve the safety of all road users.
A good news story ... they’re using our trees over there
8 Aug 2008
The effort in attracting one of Japan’s leading paper producers to invest in forestry in Southland is paying off.
Fuelstar endorses AA’s warning
8 Aug 2008
New Zealand fuel combustion catalyst manufacturer Fuelstar Fuel Combustion Technology endorses the warning given this week by the New Zealand Automobile Association that motorists should beware of devices and additives which claim to provide fuel savings.
Triangle Television puts trees before a party
8 Aug 2008
Thousands of pohutukawas are to be planted on Motutapu Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf as part of Triangle Television’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Bayfield takes the next step
8 Aug 2008
Retail isn’t famous for its eco-friendliness, but one regional shopping centre is changing all that by showing that turning a profit and caring for the environment don’t have to be mutually exclusive – that in fact, a green retail ethos is better for the bottom line.
Eco-efficiency cuts waste by 20 per cent, says Fonterra
5 Aug 2008
Fonterra's New Zealand manufacturing sites and offices have recycled more than 5000 tonnes of plastic, cardboard and paper and cut total waste by 20 per cent over the past year, the dairy co-operative says.
Lonely dinosaur seeks white elephant
5 Aug 2008
News that the National Party plans to borrow billions and gut the RMA so it can fast track new motorway projects is evidence that National is living in the past, Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman says.
Transpower welcomes approval for HVDC Pole 1 replacement
5 Aug 2008
Transpower has welcomed the Electricity Commission’s (EC) notice of intention to approve its proposal to replace Pole 1 of the HVDC inter-island link.
Organics sector awards
5 Aug 2008
Nominations for the 2008 Organic Sector Awards have opened today, offering recognition for New Zealand's leading certified organic producers, exporters and enterprises, along with acknowledging the contribution made by individuals involved in the organic sector.
ING NZ launches sustainable growth fund to meet growing market demand
1 Aug 2008
ING (NZ) Limited has announced that it has introduced a sustainable growth fund into New Zealand as an option within the SIL KiwiSaver scheme.
Proven personal wind turbines
1 Aug 2008
Forget wind farms – a new Wellington company is bringing wind turbines down to an individual level.
New energy publication released
1 Aug 2008
The Ministry of Economic Development has released a new publication in its energy information series.
Fantastic plastic Fly-Buys cards
1 Aug 2008
Fly Buys card are now being made out of recycled plastic - a move expected to save 1.2 tonnes of new plastic a year.
New members for GIAB announced
29 Jul 2008
Twelve new members representing some of New Zealand's leading businesses and research organisations have been appointed to the government's Growth and Innovation Advisory Board
Oil dependency takes its toll, say Greens
29 Jul 2008
Yesterday's new trade deficit figures showing a massive increase in the cost of importing petrol and other oil products dramatically illustrate why the Government must reduce New Zealand’s dependence on oil, the Green Party says.
NZ joins new clean energy partnership
29 Jul 2008
New Zealand is to work with the United States to promote the use of cleaner and more efficient sources of energy in island nations and territories, Energy Minister David Parker announced on Friday.
Coal or Kiwi: Solid Energy at it again
29 Jul 2008
More native forest, snails and kiwi habitat are destined for destruction by Government-owned coal company Solid Energy, the Green Party says.
Major breakthrough in tropical timber campaign
29 Jul 2008
Pledges by most New Zealand major furniture retail chains to stop importing outdoor kwila furniture is a major victory for those campaigning to save Melanesian rainforests, Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman says.
Auckland residents get a helping hand to pull the plug on old, inefficient fridges
29 Jul 2008
Aucklanders are getting a helping hand to rid their homes of inefficient fridges under a new scheme which sees old refrigeration appliances taken away and recycled for free - and the householder rewarded with $25.
Citroen collects more green awards
25 Jul 2008
Citroen is the only car brand to collect more than one award for its models in the annual ‘What Car?’ Green Awards presented by the UK’s largest consumer magazine, with the Citroen C4 Picasso and the new Citroen C5 taking the top green prized for the people mover and family car titles respectively, the carmaker says in a statement.
Diesel hybrids on the horizon
25 Jul 2008
Land Rover’s engineers are now conducting real-world tests with some ground-breaking Diesel ERAD Hybrid vehicles, aimed at dramatically cutting CO2 and other emissions while still delivering characteristic Land Rover all-terrain performance, says Motorcorp Distributors.
Holcim plant manager appointed
25 Jul 2008
Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd has this week announced the appointment of Chester Goodson as plant manager at its Westport Cement Works.
'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.
