News Direct: Media releases
Farmers Relieved At Supply Beyond 2013
13 May 2008
The government has announced plans to extend the obligation on lines companies to supply electricity to 'uneconomic'areas beyond 2013.
Price rises will trigger reduction of fuel use
12 May 2008
If petrol and diesel prices break the $2 per litre barrier, it will trigger nearly a quarter of New Zealanders to significantly reduce their fuel use.
Fonterra: Global emissions to increase from ETS
9 May 2008
The world's greenhouse gas emissions could potentially increase along with the revenues of offshore dairy competitors, if New Zealand's proposed Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) is not changed.
Labour asleep on Blue Lake logging
9 May 2008
The Labour Government has been asleep at the wheel in regards to the logging of 90-year-old forests on Crown land surrounding the Blue Lake, Tikitapu, in Rotorua, says National’s Environment and Conservation spokesman, Nick Smith.
Contact: ETS will boost renewable generation, cut emissions
9 May 2008
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme has the potential to significantly increase investment in clean, renewable electricity generation projects and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the sector, Contact Energy said.
Business leaders urge action on world water crisis
9 May 2008
Governments of the Group of Eight (G8) countries need to take urgent action on the emerging global crisis in water and sanitation, say business leaders from some of the world's largest companies who have endorsed the United Nations Global Compact.
Greytown to become first "Greentown"
9 May 2008
The Wairarapa township of Greytown will become a "Greentown" for a month this year, starting on World Environment Day on June 5 and ending on July 3 - Greytown's traditional Arbor Day.
Tourism industry calls for emissions trading alignment with Australia
9 May 2008
The government should seriously consider aligning its proposed Emissions Trading Scheme with Australia, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) says.
Changes to Kyoto last straw for forest owners
8 May 2008
Recent changes to the government's emission trading scheme mean forestry will be the only sector in the NZ economy meeting its Kyoto obligations until 2011, says the Nz Forest Owners Association in a statement.
Climate contradiction: Will Govt please explain?
8 May 2008
In the wake of its backdown on the Emission Trading Scheme Bill, the Government has been asked by Terry Dunleavy, secretary of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition, to explain what he describes as “a glaring contradiction.”
Emissions trading bill still needs work
8 May 2008
The government’s announcement that liquid fuels are not to enter the emissions trading scheme until 2011 and that free allocation of NZU’s to trade exposed industry is not to be phased out until 2018 are a good start, but the scheme still needs work, according to the Greenhouse Policy Coalition.
Greenpeace: Don't subsidise polluting industries
8 May 2008
Don't subsidise polluting industries at the expense of ordinary New Zealanders and the planet.
Government confused over transport – Sustainable Energy Forum
8 May 2008
The Government doesn’t know which way to jump on transport, says Tim Jones, convenor of the Sustainable Energy Forum.
Households and taxpayers to subsidise big polluters more and longer
8 May 2008
Households and taxpayers will have to subsidise SUV drivers, dairy farmers, and industry polluters for much longer with the changes to the emissions trading system announced today by the Prime Minister, says Cath Wallace from the Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ (ECO).
ETS move would allow extended support for exporters
7 May 2008
A proposed change to the emissions trading scheme framework would offer extended support to businesses under the provisions of the emissions trading scheme, as we transition to a low-carbon economy, Climate Change Minister David Parker said in a statement.
Treasury's new Q and A on New Zealand's Kyoto liiability
7 May 2008
Questions and answers from Treasury on yesterday's changes to the ETS
Prime Minister: New Kyoto figures give more flexibility to phase in Emissions Trading Scheme
7 May 2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday released new projections of New Zealand’s Kyoto liability, showing the provisional net position is projected to be a deficit of 21.7 million units during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012).
Key: Carbon neutral policy added to scrap heap
7 May 2008
National Party Leader John Key says Helen Clark's promise of 'carbon neutrality' is heading the same way as closing the gaps, taking New Zealand to the top half of the OECD, the knowledge wave, and economic transformation.
Greens: Labour buckles under pressure from big polluters
7 May 2008
The Prime Minister's announcement on the Emissions Trading Scheme is a hastily constructed panic reaction to pressure in election year, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says
EPMU: Business must use ETS delay to invest in sustainability
7 May 2008
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says businesses must use the Government’s decision to delay the phase out of free carbon allocations as an opportunity to make their operations more sustainable.
Greenpeace: Taxpayers to foot bill for Govt backdown
7 May 2008
New Zealanders will pay through their taxes for the Government's capitulation to big business, warns Greenpeace.
NZBCSD: Policy shift a pity, taxpayers may now pay more
7 May 2008
The move to defer transport fuel's inclusion in the proposed emissions trading scheme by two years doesn't wipe out the emissions bill, says the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development.
O'Reilly: Opportunities from ETS delay
7 May 2008
Business NZ chief executive Phil O'Reilly says business has been concerned at the speed at which the government has been moving towards an "all sectors all gases" emissions trading scheme, and with several recent reports highlighting the economic risks, the government is to be congratulated for paying heed.
EMA: Emissions targets kicked for touch
7 May 2008
The about-face on the proposed Emissions Trading Scheme is welcome but its really a kick for touch beyond the election, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.
Government backdown on climate change unwelcome
7 May 2008
The announcement yesterday by the Prime Minister of further weakening of the emissions trading scheme is not welcome, says the chairman of the Environmental Defence Society, Gary Taylor.
Rail buy back marks new sustainable transport era
6 May 2008
Modernising the transport sector is central to transforming New Zealand's economy and making it truly sustainable, Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday.
Study to look at new role for rail
6 May 2008
New research commissioned by Land Transport NZ will look at how rail can play a key role in the move towards a sustainable transport industry in New Zealand.
Winegrowers win funds for organic viticulture
6 May 2008
The Central Otago Winegrowers' Association has been awarded a major grant from Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) to advance the region in developing organic viticulture.
Biofuels not the bogey in fuel price hike debate
6 May 2008
Biofuels should not become a political scapegoat for petrol and diesel price increases, says the New Zealand Biofuel Manufacturers' Association.
Digiweb going green with CarboNZero certification
6 May 2008
While the carbon costs of travel, production and energy generation have come under heavy scrutiny, few business people recognise that significant emissions are being generated - quite literally - at their feet.
Worst year since Wahine for natural-disaster damage
5 May 2008
Last year was one of the most costly on record for natural hazards, according to the annual review of natural hazards from the National Hazards Centre.
Brownlee: $230m paid to Electricity Commission – for what?
5 May 2008
New Zealand taxpayers have paid the Electricity Commission $230 million over the past four years but have next to nothing to show for it, says National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee in a press release.
New policy approach needed in power and emissions trading
5 May 2008
Looming brownouts and emissions trading pose similar dangers, says Business NZ in a press release.
Climate Change Leadership Forum policy statement process
2 May 2008
Business NZ is perfectly entitled to disassociate itself from the Climate Change Leadership Forum's 10 point policy advice to Ministers on the Emissions trading scheme, released on April 28, the forum said in a statement yesterday.
Brownlee says power crisis on the way
2 May 2008
National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says Labour’s total failure to future proof our energy infrastructure is about to be laid out in front of New Zealand households.
Seabed prospecting threatens Maui’s dolphin
2 May 2008
The issuing of a new permit allowing prospecting for minerals under the seabed off the North Island coast poses threats to critically endangered Maui’s dolphins, Forest & Bird says in a statement.
Industry continues to contingency-plan for winter power supply
2 May 2008
Transpower, as the independent system operator, said today that despite the recent rain, hydro storage levels remain a significant concern to the industry. The industry is continuing with its contingency planning efforts to ensure a secure supply of electricity this winter.
Don't delay the ETS - get it right
2 May 2008
The Green Party says delaying the Emissions Trading Scheme will just cause more problems and higher costs.
ACT: Dump The ETS
2 May 2008
ACT Leader Rodney Hide today congratulated the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research for quantifying the costs of the Labour-led Government's Emissions Trading Scheme.
Parker: Emissions trading 'effective and affordable'
1 May 2008
A summary of economic modelling shows emissions trading is an effective approach to reducing New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in the long term, Climate Change Minister David Parker says.
Political realities mean emissions scheme phase in slower than desirable
1 May 2008
The political reality of having all sectors included in an emissions trading scheme means some major emitters will start paying for their greenhouse gas emissions later than is desirable in a perfect world.
Report: Two-thirds of New Zealanders believe life is getting harder
1 May 2008
The “State of the Nation” survey commissioned by CIGNA Life Insurance interviewed 1000 New Zealanders over 15 years of age to find out what we are feeling about life in general. By the looks of things, we’re feeling a bit gloomy, the company says in a press release.
Now a home which can feed the national grid
1 May 2008
A Wellington family is expected to enjoy a 75% fall on its annual power use because of energy efficient design and installation of a solar system which also has the potential to feed into the national grid.
Government's plan to reduce emissions will hurt economy - NZIER
1 May 2008
The Government’s proposed Emissions Trading Scheme, intended to ensure New Zealand plays its part in helping reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases, is likely to hurt the economy more than necessary, says a report issued today by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (Inc).
Club Tower development reaches for five-star rating
30 Apr 2008
Latitude Group’s Club Tower in Worcester Boulevard is aiming to be the first building in the South Island to be awarded the much-coveted five-star Green Star NZ building rating.
Fine-tuning of emissions trading policies recommended
30 Apr 2008
The Government is being advised to strengthen measures to enhance energy efficiency and provide clear national guidelines to protect natural resources from potential degradation as it moves to address the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Party wants commonsense emissions trading policies
30 Apr 2008
Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons welcomes the release of the Cawthron Institute's environmental assessement of the emissions trading policy.
Te Rere Hau Wind Farm going well
30 Apr 2008
Construction is progressing well on the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm project, the company reports. The project is being undertaken by a joint venture, in which NZ Windfarms Limited is a 50 percent partner.
Climate Change Leadership Forum backs emissions trading scheme
29 Apr 2008
The Climate Change Leadership Forum, including 34 business and other sector leaders, has issued 10 key points of policy advice made so far to the Government and Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS).
Tougher energy efficiency rules for hot water systems
29 Apr 2008
Home owners are set to save money through strengthened energy efficiency rules for new hot water systems, according to Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones.
'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.
Meridian reports worst earnings in a decade
Wed 3 Sep 2025
Meridian Energy has posted its weakest result in 10 years, with earnings hit by a combination of droughts, low wind and declining gas supply.
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.
Certainty crucial to emissions cuts – Watts
20 Aug 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that policy certainty is the Government’s primary lever for unlocking private capital and meeting climate targets, telling a carbon forestry conference that ETS settings are 'locked' through 2030.
Climate-friendly investment still lagging in NZ
Tue 2 Sep 2025
While local financial firms have made recent strides in climate governance and emissions reporting, New Zealand’s institutional investors are still missing in action when it comes to backing clean technologies and climate solutions, according to a new report.
