News Direct: Media releases
REACTION: Greens: ETS a first step, time for some big strides now
12 Sep 2008
The passing of the Emissions Trading Scheme is the first small step towards getting New Zealand’s carbon emissions under control – there is still much work to be done, the Green Party says.
REACTION: National: We will amend flawed ETS
12 Sep 2008
The rushed passage of the Emissions Trading Bill will be a hospital pass for the incoming government, says National’s climate change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Rudd’s carbon scheme leaves early movers exposed
12 Sep 2008
The Australian Federal Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) has cast considerable uncertainty over the voluntary carbon market, leaving early movers on carbon reduction exposed, according to a submission on the government’s Green Paper by international professional services company GHD.
GOVERNMENT STATEMENT: Historic climate change legislation passes
11 Sep 2008
A cornerstone economic tool will now proceed to help New Zealand reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change, Climate Change Minister David Parker says.
REACTION: Thank god that's over, now back to the climate, says Greenpeace
11 Sep 2008
Greenpeace is calling on political parties to outline their future plans for tackling climate change, now the emissions trading scheme has been passed into law.
Ministry and foundation combine to work on climate change issues
9 Sep 2008
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology are teaming up on new research into climate change for the land-based sectors.
ValueAdd model promotes 'carbon farming'
9 Sep 2008
The ValueAdd Company has just completed an Emission Trading Scheme analytical model relating to so-called “carbon farming”, one of the “business opportunities” promoted extensively by the supporters of the bill, the company says in a statement.
Transpower consults on options for the Wairakei-Whakamaru lines
9 Sep 2008
Transpower has released a shortlist of possible options to upgrade the Wairakei – Whakamaru transmission lines.
More details needed in National’s Environment Policy
9 Sep 2008
The National Party needs to give more details on what it proposes to do on climate change, the emission trading regime, the Resource Management Act and the Department of Conservation, the Environment and Conservation Organisations says.
Students plot to reduce extravagant use of electricity
9 Sep 2008
The past winter’s low lake levels and encouragement to save power had direct relevance to two of the winners in Environment Canterbury’s section of the 2008 Lincoln University Schools’ Science and Technology Fair (Canterbury-Westland).
Energy expert welcomes investment guidelines
9 Sep 2008
The release of new draft guidelines around New Zealand investment in projects under the Kyoto Project has been welcomed by an energy sector expert.
Biofuels decision upsets Nats' environment spokesman
9 Sep 2008
More harm than good will come from making biofuels compulsory, says National’s Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Minister praises train drivers for saving fuel
9 Sep 2008
Energy Minister Hon David Parker has congratulated KiwRail train drivers for the savings they have achieved relating to the company’s KiwiRail’s Fuel Saver scheme.
Intel ships new eco-friendly server processors
9 Sep 2008
Intel Corporation continues to expand its 45-nanometer (nm) manufacturing chip portfolio with the launch of its first four halogen-free Intel Xeon processors, signaling another step in Intel’s march toward minimising the environmental footprint of its products.
Crown submission on Meridian wind farm proposal
5 Sep 2008
The Crown has made a submission on Meridian Energy's wind farm proposal in the Central North Island, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said.
Cynical politics around emissions trading scheme
5 Sep 2008
Politics has triumphed over sensible policy development around emissions trading, says Business NZ.
Solar energy can bring clean energy to over 4 billion people by 2030
5 Sep 2008
Solar electricity can contribute largely to the energy needs of two-thirds of the world's population - including those in remote areas - by 2030.
Tough challenges to livestock agriculture
5 Sep 2008
The world's livestock industries will face a tough future as they come to grips with climate change.
ETS bill a good compromise - CTU
2 Sep 2008
The CTU welcomes the progress being made in Parliament on the emissions trading scheme.
First publicly-displayed credits on TZ1 registry
2 Sep 2008
TZ1 and GreenAir Ltd have announced the first carbon credits to be publicly listed on TZ1's Registry.
Contact files consent application for Waitahora wind farm
2 Sep 2008
Contact Energy yesterday filed resource consent applications with the Tararua District Council for its 177 megawatt Waitahora wind farm south-east of Dannevirke.
Call for funding for trials of alternative fertilisers on farms around lakes
2 Sep 2008
The time bomb of chemical leaching threatening Rotorua lakes and waterways can be worked through with alternative farming practices that not only maintain production but look after the environment according to fertiliser company Agrissentials.
New minerals industry organisation launched
2 Sep 2008
The resource sector is pleased to announce the formation of a new sector representative organisation, Straterra.
Maclean first in world to take up new sustainable card
2 Sep 2008
Leading IT solutions provider Maclean Computing is the first in the world to have adopted a new technology - business card technology.
OctaFuel slams AA over comments that fuel saving devices don’t work
2 Sep 2008
OctaFuel New Zealand, suppliers and installers of retrofitted hybrid fuel cells, and pioneers of retrofitted regenerative braking and heat to energy recovery modules in motorcars, believes the AA has abused its position as a trusted source of credible information by suggesting to the general public that all fuel saving devices don’t work, when the truth is they do not undertake independent testing of fuel saving devices.
PGG Wrightson moves into fuel distribution
2 Sep 2008
Clients of nationwide rural business specialist PGG Wrightson now have the opportunity to buy fuel through the company.
Pike River reports A $1.14 million loss
2 Sep 2008
Pike River Coal has reported a $1.14 million loss in the financial year ended June 30, reflecting the development phase of its new mining operation and related one-off costs, it says.
Urban development discussion document published
2 Sep 2008
A discussion document Building sustainable urban communities –Designing a place-based approach to sustainable urban development in New Zealand, has been published today.
Councils’ role in waste minimisation hindered
2 Sep 2008
“Councils’ ability to successfully carry out their role in waste minimisation has been hindered following last minute changes to the Waste Minimisation Bill,” said Local Government New Zealand spokesperson Adrienne Staples.
Criterion Furniture receives top sustainability prize
2 Sep 2008
Criterion Furniture has been awarded the top honour in the Northern Sustainable Business Network awards.
Biofuels sustainability review puts forests ahead of food crops
29 Aug 2008
A scientific review of options for the production of bioenergy in New Zealand, their economic viability and sustainability, provides further weight to the argument that energy from forests is one of New Zealand's best option for producing its own biofuels.
Progressive Party supports ETS
29 Aug 2008
The Progressive Party will vote to support the Government’s Emissions Trading Scheme, leader Jim Anderton said today.
Statement from New Zealand First
27 Aug 2008
New Zealand First has decided to support the amended Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) after several months of consideration and negotiations with the Government.
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.
Pacific climate response in question as NZ finance remains unclear
19 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | With New Zealand's $1.3 billion international climate finance commitment set to end with no clarity on what follows, the Auditor-General says oversight of that funding remains patchy and long-term outcomes are unclear.
NZ hydrogen regulation to catch up with the world
18 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The government has announced a regulatory reset for New Zealand’s emerging clean tech hydrogen sector.
State-owned farmer drives profit growth with emissions reductions
19 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Government-owned Landcorp, trading as Pāmu, is one-third of the way to meeting its 2031 emissions reduction targets, with five years left to run to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30.3% against 2021 emissions.
Transport dominates NZ’s rising consumer emissions
10 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Transport pollution was the biggest contributor to an increase in New Zealand’s consumption-based emissions in 2023, with emissions from household travel up 12%, and consumption-based emissions totalling 58.3 million tonnes – up 1.6% from the previous year.
NZ could become ‘dumping ground’ for dirty vehicles: Commissioner
16 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has warned the Government that its changes to the clean car standard could turn the country into a dumping ground for high emitting cars, making future emissions budgets harder to achieve.
Uncertainty eroding confidence in forestry sector
5 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Warnings are mounting that tree planting is set to plunge to “very close to zero”, as new Ministry for Primary Industries data shows ETS registration applications falling sharply as confidence in forestry declines.
Investors must support positive climate-tech
28 Nov 2025
OPINION: We need better leadership than the current ‘climate opportunism’ that is rife in the Beehive, and we need to back a marketplace that will make it happen, writes Rob Campbell.
