News Direct: Media releases
Bio diversity research shown to winegrowers
10 Jun 2008
A unique Bio-Protection Research Centre project based on biodiversity and sustainability has captured the interest of North Island winegrowers.
Austral Pacific delists from AMEX
9 Jun 2008
New Zealand-based exploration and production company, Austral Pacific Energy Ltd. has begun the process to de-list from the American Stock Exchange (AMEX).
United Future - Green sniping breaks out as Dunne continues his dance on ETS
9 Jun 2008
The Greens and United Future are sniping at each other as Peter Dunne continues his equivocal behaviour over the proposed emissions trading scheme.
The Langham Auckland awarded top business environmental award
6 Jun 2008
The Langham Auckland was last night awarded the title for ‘businesses making a difference’ at the Government’s Green Ribbon Awards held in Wellington.
Air New Zealand Makes Significant Carbon Emission Reductions
6 Jun 2008
Air New Zealand’s fuel savings initiative programme is on track to see the airline reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100,000 tonnes.
Holcim: Sustainability initiatives on track
6 Jun 2008
A Corporate Sustainability Report released this week by Holcim Ltd, highlights that it is on track to achieving a range of sustainability targets it has set across more than 70 countries in which the leading cement and aggregates company operates.
Heavy users worry over power prices
5 Jun 2008
the Major Electricity Users’ Group (MEUG) says electricity spot prices over May were the highest ever recorded.
Farmers get free advice on shifting to certified organic production
5 Jun 2008
From today - World Environment Day - farmers and growers interested in making the shift to organic production will be able to connect with Organics Aotearoa New Zealand's Organic Advisory Programme by calling 0800 FUTURE.
Sixteen NZ firms join Climate Neutral Network
5 Jun 2008
New Zealand businesses are set to strengthen the kiwi presence and leadership on the United Nations' Climate Neutral Network - with 16 joining so far and others poised to sign up, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said at a Wellington meeting of the international network yesterday.
Minister: Green co-leader being "looney" on water issue
4 Jun 2008
Claims that an industry group on water issues will hold up official measures to clean up waterways are ridiculous, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton says.
Greens to Fonterra: Can we stop $1.3 billion emissions subsidy now?
4 Jun 2008
The Green Party is congratulating Fonterra for its announcement of a higher payout but is asking why the ordinary person is paying for Fonterra’s pollution of our air and water.
Make the power conservation call now, Minister
4 Jun 2008
National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says the only reason David Parker is holding off calling for electricity conservation is that he’s hoping he won’t have to deal with another energy crisis in election year.
EMA: Urgent power savings required to avert power cuts
30 May 2008
Blackouts in the North Island are very possible, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says, and probable in the South Island if huge power savings are not made immediately.
Small innovative Kiwi company recognised in Tokyo earth month event
30 May 2008
A small, innovative New Zealand company is being recognised for its contribution to the environment at a global conference in Japan as part of the Earth Month celebrations.
Greens want US-style ban on illegally logged timber imports
29 May 2008
The Green Party has welcomed a government pledge to try to do something about stopping importation of illegally logged tropical kwila timber, after a year-long campaign by the Greens against such imports.
31 projects get $950,000 in smart innovation cash
29 May 2008
Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Jeanette Fitzsimons, has announced that 31 projects with a combined value of $950,000 have been offered funding under the second round of a government fund to encourage smart innovations in solar water heating and heat pump water heating technologies.
Brownlee holds Parker to no power price rise promise
29 May 2008
"Householders can breathe a sigh of relief - Energy Minister David Parker is promising that domestic electricity prices will not rise because of the looming winter power crisis," says National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee.
A changing climate is not all bad for agriculture
28 May 2008
A new report released by MAF shows that not all of the effects of climate change are bad for the agricultural sectors. In some areas, production will potentially increase.
Latest NIWA projections: How climate change will affect your town
28 May 2008
The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has produced new climate change projections for New Zealand.
Fish and Game: Let's audit farms to reflect realty in eco labels
28 May 2008
Fish and Game wants farmers to submit to eco-audits to back up "grand claims" made about New Zealand in eco marketing.
Say goodbye to half a million plastic supermarket bags in one month?
28 May 2008
New World is intriducing new incentives for customers to forgo using plastic bags.
80,000 old containers leave life on the farm
28 May 2008
More than 80,000 old and unwanted agrichemical containers have been collected in the first year of a national rural recycling programme, thanks to the Agrecovery Foundation, according to Environment Minister Trevor Mallard.
More on-farm waste products to go into recovery scheme
28 May 2008
The Agrecovery rural recycling programme will be extended to other "on farm" waste products.
No early mad rush for Energy Mad's household emission credits
27 May 2008
The first ever online auction of voluntary carbon credits created by demand side energy efficiency projects in New Zealand is off to a slow start.
THL goes for 1500-campervan fleet emission standard six times better than Europe's
27 May 2008
Tourism Holdings Limited (THL) 1500 campervans are helping to set new national emissions benchmarks with all of the company’s Maui & Britz fleet certified as passing tough exhaust emissions tests introduced six months ago.
Carbon labelling: Exports at risk from dirty dairying
27 May 2008
The Greens are warning that our dairy products will struggle to gain a European Union eco-label due to the impacts of dirty dairying on our rivers and lakes.
Heavy emitter Holcim celebrates 50th with conservation project
27 May 2008
Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd has announced that it will create a wetland and bird sanctuary on eight hectares of land at Cape Foulwind to help recognise 50 years of operations at its Westport Cement Works.
Nitrogen loaded Rotorua lakes showing improvement
26 May 2008
The health of Lake Okaro is improving and blue green algae levels are down, according to the latest report on Rotorua lakes water quality.
Tanzos: Landcorp should help sheep farmers avoid emissions costs
26 May 2008
Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos has called on Landcorp to support New Zealand sheep farmers by trialling organic sheep farming methods rather than leading the shift to dairy conversion.
PM visits cutting edge Hyundai research and development centre.
23 May 2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark visited the Hyundai research and development centre in Namyang, South Korea, on Saturday, 16 May.
BUDGET: Energy efficiency and climate change measures
23 May 2008
Budget 2008 allocates $23.3 million operating and $22.4 million capital funding over four years towards energy efficiency investments to assist businesses, households, motorists and consumers, Energy Minister David Parker and Housing Minister Maryan Street said.
Luxury travel gathering said to be NZ's biggest carbon neutral event
22 May 2008
The countdown is on to New Zealand’s biggest tourism event, which is also New Zealand’s biggest carbon neutral event – TRENZ 2008 – kicking off in Rotorua on Monday 26 May.
Rural internet use jumps 97% in April as fuel prices rise
22 May 2008
Rural people are increasingly turning to the internet in response to rising fuel costs, according to rural broadband provider Farmside.
Tanczos to stay till election - new waste tax priority policy
22 May 2008
Green Party MP Nandor Tanczos will remain in Parliament till the 2008 election.
Ministry report blueprint for environmentally friendly printing
22 May 2008
The Ministry for the Environment’s milestone state of the environment publication has won a gold award for using best practice environmental printing processes.
Mallard cites sustainability in potential $200m fashion market.
21 May 2008
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard says Government initiatives and regulatory drivers, like the Emissions Trading Scheme and the New Zealand Energy Strategy, and changing consumer behaviour mean that New Zealand businesses do need to “get real” and become sustainable.
Google Earth powers up to show impacts of climate change
21 May 2008
Millions of Google Earth users around the world will be able to see how climate change could affect the planet and its people over the next century, along with viewing the loss of Antarctic ice shelves over the last 50 years, thanks to a new project launched yesterday.
Now its "go vege" and save the planet?
21 May 2008
A vegan group is now proclaiming a link between diet and climate change, and urging New Zealanders to "go vegie" and save the plant.
Watercare, Vodafone win trans Tasman sustainability reporting awards
21 May 2008
For the fifth year in a row Auckland company WaterCare Services has been honoured at the annual trans Tasman sustainable reporting awards announced in Sydney yesterday.
Anderton slams Key's inaccuracies on Fast Forward Fund
21 May 2008
Progressive leader and Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton has made public background papers on the New Zealand Fast Forward Fund and called on National to reverse its pledge to axe it.
Gutless National risk billions, says Agriculture Minister
20 May 2008
National’s gutless decision not to support emissions trading legislation is a cop-out by a weak leader who lacks vision for New Zealand or any understanding of the long term economic challenges we face, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton said yesterday.
Parker panics over slowing of ETS process, says Smith
20 May 2008
The cost of rushed, ill thought-out ETS legislation will be far more disastrous for this country than any minor delay while the details are worked out, says National’s Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
EMA applauds National call for pause in ETS
20 May 2008
The Employers and Manufacturers' Association Northern supports the need for New Zealand to have a robust policy to combat man-made contributions to greenhouse gases.
Greens 'away with the fairies', says NZCSC
20 May 2008
Green Party leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is "away with the fairies" in her views on climate change and emissions changing, according to Terry Dunleavy, secretary of the New Zealand Climate Science Coalition.
UN sustainable development forum ends with call for more investment in research
19 May 2008
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) has wrapped up its annual session by emphasizing the need for ramping up investment in research and development in innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies and infrastructure in poor countries.
Mallard forced to explain ministry bungles - again
19 May 2008
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard has been forced to admit his beleaguered ministry has bungled again by cancelling public workshops to enable a staff member to take a jaunt to Australia, says National’s associate environment spokeswoman Jacqui Dean.
Key outlines case against current ETS proposals
19 May 2008
John Key, National Party Leader, speech to the National Party Lower North Island Regional Conference, Wellington.
Minister is trying to downplay cost of emissions trading
19 May 2008
The introduction of the emissions trading Bill could have far reaching economic consequences and the public deserve some clarity around the predicted costs of the scheme, says Greenhouse Policy Coalition executive director Catherine Beard in a statement.
National - weak in the face of anti-climate business lobby
19 May 2008
National's attempt to delay the emissions trading scheme (ETS) and undermine a partial ban on thermal power stations is unacceptable, and a strong indication the party puts big business backers ahead of tackling climate change, says Greenpeace.
Kyoto forests group supports Key's ETS stand
19 May 2008
The Kyoto Forestry Association (KFA) says it supports Opposition Leader John Key's call for submissions to be re-opened on the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Trans-Tasman ministers push climate cooperation amid NZ retreat from climate commitments
Mon 8 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Last week's 2+2 Climate and Finance Ministers’ Dialogue in Auckland urged deeper trans-Tasman climate cooperation, despite New Zealand’s recent moves to weaken climate policies.
Market rewards firming over renewables in gentailer split
Wed 3 Dec 2025
A clearer valuation divide is emerging across the gentailer sector, with the market increasingly rewarding companies positioned for flexibility and firming rather than renewable build-out.
Govt green lights rural recycling scheme
Thu 4 Dec 2025
The Government has approved new regulations to bring rural waste schemes under one unified framework.
Mounting emissions due to Government decisions
20 Nov 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Coalition Government’s climate policies have added a whopping 26 million tonnes of emissions out to 2030, according to new analysis of Government projections.
Christchurch Airport boasts world-first liquid-hydrogen refuelling for test aircraft
30 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Local companies working on hydrogen-electric flight have made ‘a significant step forward’ in successfully filling aviation tanks with liquid hydrogen produced and stored on-site at an international airport for the first time.
Uncertainty eroding confidence in forestry sector
Fri 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.
