News Direct: Media releases
Major coal deal for Toll Rail
16 May 2008
Toll Rail has signed a two-year contract to transport coal from Eastern Coal Holdings Takitimu mine to Clandeboye, one of Fonterra's two large South Island dairy factories.
Fonterra one of few companies capable of tapping global trend
16 May 2008
New Zealand’s largest company, Fonterra, is one of this country’s few hopes for tapping a “rich vein” of economic opportunities opening up globally, says chairman Henry van der Heyden.
Farm environment competition rewards more supreme winners
15 May 2008
Organisers of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards are praising the high standard of entrants this year, with another string of supreme winners honoured for their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Better use of science can cut fertiliser spending
15 May 2008
Given the price uncertainty in the fertiliser market – other than prices are clearly going up – users will have to become more canny about where and how they apply fertiliser.
Westpac plans to drive down C02 emissions
15 May 2008
Westpac New Zealand will remove over 500 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere as it renews its vehicle fleet over the next 12 months.
Climate legislation needs strengthening
15 May 2008
The Emissions Trading Scheme has to be strengthened to ensure all those that emit greenhouse gases have an equal incentive to reduce their emissions, the Environment and Conservation Organisations told the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.
ETS relief needed for ‘trade exposed' shipping companies
15 May 2008
Provide New Zealand shipping companies with access to emissions credits like other “trade exposed” industries or exempt them from the Emissions Trading Scheme until international ships are also subject to an emissions charge.
Simon Marsters appointed to Solid Energy board
15 May 2008
Simon Marsters, an Auckland-based chemical engineer and former General Manager of Imerys Tableware Division Asia, has been appointed to the board of Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd by the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises.
McCain emissions trading pledge important for NZ's heavy emitters
14 May 2008
A pledge by US Republican presidential candidate John McCain to present a cap and trade emissions trading law to Congress to “change the dynamic of the American economy” will be reassuring to heavy emitters in New Zealand.
Biofuel misinformation will cost meat farmers
14 May 2008
A new process for making biodiesel from tallow could allow meat companies to offset emissions taxes and avoid those costs being passed on to farmers.
ETS will cut environmental lifeline
14 May 2008
The Government's proposed Emissions Trading Scheme is in danger of cutting New Zealand's environmental lifeline - its forests and wood products - according to Dave Anderson, chairman of the industry body, the Wood Processors' Association, which presented to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.
Business decision makers back emissions trading
13 May 2008
Six out of 10 business people agree with the Government’s policy to introduce an emissions trading scheme.
Parker: Clean green energy important to Rio Tinto
13 May 2008
The Labour-led government has already moved to address concerns over the Emissions Trading Scheme legislation raised by Rio Tinto at select committee, Climate Change Minister David Parker said.
Carbon capture false hope, says Greenpeace
13 May 2008
Big business and policy-makers must not succumb to the elusive promise of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to solve the climate crisis, says Greenpeace in a major new report.
How Kiwis can take easy steps to reduce their footprint
13 May 2008
A new booklet available from the sustainability.govt.nz website gives some valuable tips for reducing your environmental footprint. Entitled 25 Easy Steps Towards Sustainability, the downloadable booklet has practical insights to help you take action.
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.
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.
