New Zealand: All stories
Climate advocates take complaint to UN over Govt’s plan to block climate lawsuits
Thu 18 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | Climate activist and iwi leader Mike Smith has joined forces with other advocates in a complaint to the United Nations over the Government’s proposed legislation change to block climate lawsuits.
New refrigerant scheme targets potent greenhouse gases
Thu 18 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand is set to introduce its second regulated product stewardship scheme under the Waste Minimisation Act, targeting synthetic refrigerants that account for around 2% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking behind the headline costs of offshore mitigation
Thu 18 Jun 2026
COMMENT: A closer look at Treasury’s analysis reveals assumptions that undervalue the case for using offshore mitigation as part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s global climate contribution, writes Catherine Leining.
Decision on controversial Waipara solar farm delayed
Thu 18 Jun 2026
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | The fire risk assessment for a proposed 181 hectare solar farm in North Canterbury will need to be redone over conflict of interest concerns.
Fonterra backs Canterbury solar in long-term power deals
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has signed two long-term power purchase agreements with solar developers in as many days, backing more than 170MW of new renewable generation in Canterbury.
Govt climate claims don't match reality, lawyers say
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Lawyers for Climate Action has accused the Government of presenting an overly positive picture of New Zealand's climate progress at the United Nations climate summit in Bonn, arguing key claims on emissions reductions and support for the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal are not reflected in domestic policy.
Clean air goal will take decades
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Emily Ireland, Local Democracy Reporter | It could take 20 years for Masterton to meet international air quality guidelines, exposing vulnerable people to “unacceptably high levels of air pollution” for much of winter, a new report says.
LNG import terminal could cost NZ economy $6.2 billion: Concept Consulting
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | The benefits of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal to provide insurance against dry year energy prices would be outweighed by the wider costs to the New Zealand economy, a new report says.
Carbon capture and the need for ‘net zero oil’
Tue 16 Jun 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | The answer to making carbon capture and storage work is to make fossil fuel producers responsible for making it happen rather than consumers, says Oxford University climate change policy expert, Professor Myles Allen.
Climate change minister tight-lipped on ACT climate policy
Tue 16 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is keeping his cards close to his chest about the ACT Party’s election campaign pledge last week that it would resubmit New Zealand’s Paris Agreement target.
Ballance secures gas for 2026 as it progresses energy transition plan
Tue 16 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | One of the largest industrial gas users in New Zealand is working on an energy transition plan to futureproof domestic fertiliser manufacturing, while continuing to secure ongoing gas supply contracts.
ACT climate policy ‘disingenuous,’ says former top climate diplomat
Mon 15 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | ACT’s election campaign pledge to submit a new international climate target to the United Nations is “totally disingenuous", according to New Zealand’s former climate ambassador Kay Harrison.
New Zealand faces $26b energy infrastructure challenge, report warns
Mon 15 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand will need an additional $26 billion of investment in energy infrastructure over the next 30 years to meet its decarbonisation goals, with a new report warning that policy certainty is critical to unlocking the renewable generation needed to power a low-carbon economy.
Bid to review Kāpiti Coast climate emergency declaration fails
Mon 15 Jun 2026
By Justin Wong, Local Democracy Reporter | Kāpiti Coast councillors have rejected a motion to review the local district council’s climate emergency declaration.
EU climate policy ‘won’t survive’ its clash with EU farmer politics
12 Jun 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | European Union climate change policy is on a collision course with European farmer politics, exacerbated by the rise of populist right-wing parties in the UK and the Continent, says Oxford University professor of geosystem science, Myles Allen.
Lack of finance stalling sustainable innovation – report
12 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A lack of access to suitable finance is threatening growth in New Zealand's sustainable innovation sector, despite strong confidence and ambitious expansion plans among purpose-driven businesses, according to a new report.
Lower Hutt among five cities in global climate risk initiative
12 Jun 2026
By Justin Wong, Local Democracy Reporter | Lower Hutt is one of five cities around the world picked for a global climate project to help vulnerable people respond to extreme climate risks.
Coastal inundation enquiries increase on the West Coast
12 Jun 2026
By Vihan Dalal, Local Democracy Reporter | The West Coast Regional Council is seeing more inquiries about coastal inundation. A report tabled at the Environmental Management Committee meeting last week showed coastal inundation was the second-most common inquiry received by the council after flooding.
Media round-up
12 Jun 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: A legal expert labels the government's climate law change "constitutionally abhorrent", the first critical minerals project has applied for fast-track, and warming winters are changing New Zealand’s landscapes.
Treasury says 2030 climate target could cost $5 billion
11 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | Treasury is predicting it could cost between $4.4 and $5 billion to buy the offshore mitigation needed to meet New Zealand’s 84-96 million tonne emissions reduction shortfall for its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement.
LNG imports might not be needed for 'dry year' security: redacted report
11 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | The need for imported liquefied natural gas to provide security of supply in a dry year is low, according to newly released modelling, with some scenarios featuring higher levels of renewable generation requiring no gas imports at all.
Govt backs faster uptake of on-farm emissions tools with $51m fund
11 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government is investing up to $51 million over three years to help accelerate the uptake of on-farm emissions reduction technologies, with a new AgriZeroNZ initiative aimed at getting proven tools into the hands of farmers sooner.
Once-in-a-century floods routine as sea levels rise due to climate change
11 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A coastal flood expected to occur just once every 100 years is now hitting Wellington about twice a year, according to new international research that scientists say offers clear evidence of how climate change is already reshaping New Zealand's coastline.
Liebreich: Electrify first, insure second
11 Jun 2026
New Zealand is having an argument about gas while the rest of the world is building an electric future. That, in essence, is the challenge Michael Liebreich left behind after a visit to Wellington last week.
'Ad hoc, piecemeal, incomplete': NZ's approach to hazards not fit for purpose, says insurer
10 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's ability to manage natural hazard risks is failing to keep pace with the growing threat posed by floods, storms, earthquakes and climate change, according to a new report from IAG.
Labour pledges unlimited public transport for $20 a week
10 Jun 2026
The Labour Party is promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, if elected in November.
Lodestone launches virtual rooftop solar scheme
10 Jun 2026
A new virtual solar scheme launching in Hawke's Bay aims to make locally generated renewable electricity accessible to households and businesses that cannot install rooftop panels on their own properties.
Labour on overturning LNG: ‘we’d need to see the contract’
9 Jun 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | An incoming Labour government later this year would need “to look at the contract” before deciding whether it would be bound by the current government’s commitment to a user-pays funded liquefied natural gas terminal.
Importing LNG would raise costs and emissions: it’s a terrible decision for New Zealand
9 Jun 2026
COMMENT: Today’s announcement from the Government is political smoke and mirrors, with electricity users’ wallets still set to bear the brunt of the proposed LNG facility, writes Christina Hood.
Call for wider investigation into private back-channel emails in PM’s office
9 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Green Party is calling for a full investigation into the use of private email in the Prime Minister's Office, as the scandal following a missing Fonterra and Z Energy climate policy briefing document drags on.
Cabinet green-lights $55M super-critical geothermal drilling programme
9 Jun 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | Cabinet has agreed to release the $55 million unspent of the $60m secured by Resources Minister Shane Jones to drill up to 5 kilometres deep into super-critical geothermal heat under the Taupō volcanic zone.
Fed Farmers' election wish-list includes stopping whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry
9 Jun 2026
Federated Farmers has launched a five-point plan for the next government, setting out what it says should be a major focus for political parties heading into the November election.
Farmers welcome Nats’ pledge to double QEII funding
9 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | Federated Farmers has welcomed the National Party’s promise to double funding to the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust to $8.5 million if re-elected.
Meridian nears Pūkaki approval despite energy security warning
9 Jun 2026
Meridian Energy is close to winning fast-track approval to draw Lake Pūkaki deeper than normally allowed, despite the Energy Minister warning the move could weaken New Zealand’s dry-year electricity security and saying he does not support the application in its current form.
UK urged not to further weaken EV rules as CO2 impact revealed
9 Jun 2026
British vehicles will emit an extra 17 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 due to a loophole allowing the sale of more PHEVs, data suggests.
Full steam ahead on LNG: but timing slips
9 Jun 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | The government is pressing ahead with plans to import liquefied natural gas, paid for by the ‘big four’ electricity generators, but its timetable is slipping closer to election day.
Oxfam calls on Govt to renew climate finance commitments
8 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government's failure to renew international climate finance commitments has left Pacific nations short at least $100 million a year, with Oxfam Aotearoa linking the funding gap to New Zealand's weakened Emissions Trading Scheme.
Diesel vs LNG – both high cost options for dry year cover
8 Jun 2026
By Pattrick Smellie | ANALYSIS: While last week’s Sapere report – looking at the Government’s proposed LNG terminal for electricity ‘dry year’ cover – says diesel would be better in the short-term, opting for diesel would lead to higher more volatile electricity spot prices in the next few years.
Waikato launches vision for energy transition bringing $4.5 billion investment to the region
8 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Waikato Regional Council has released a strategy aiming to position the region at the centre of New Zealand's energy transition, with plans to boost energy security, cut emissions and unlock billions of dollars in economic opportunities by 2050.
Sustainable finance taxonomy for energy sector – consultation
8 Jun 2026
The Centre for Sustainable Finance is consulting on the sustainable finance taxonomy’s draft energy sector criteria.
'Terrible result': Emissions barely budged in 2024
5 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions were virtually unchanged in 2024, falling by 0.03%, despite the economy shrinking by ten times that amount during the same period, according to new data.
Climate Commission consulting on update to emissions budget advice
5 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Climate Change Commission is consulting on updating its 2024 emissions budgets advice, with the update needed after the Government changed the biogenic methane target last year.
Govt injects $10 million into Auckland predator-free projects
5 Jun 2026
Conservation projects across Auckland will share in a $10 million Government funding package designed to accelerate predator eradication efforts and restore native biodiversity.
NZ’s sustainable finance credibility gap
5 Jun 2026
By Manbo He | COMMENT: New Zealand has built serious sustainable finance infrastructure - but risks failing to attract the global capital that infrastructure was designed for, because it lacks the practitioner capability to operate it credibly.
Nature-based solutions – such as forestry – crucial for carbon removal
5 Jun 2026
COMMENT: Transitioning from erodible pasture to well-managed forest can yield substantial environmental benefits, writes James Treadwell.
Media round-up
5 Jun 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The government must stop delaying decisions on funding climate adaptation, says Gisborne mayor; insurance conference exposes poor preparation for climate change; and Labour questions whether a disappearing climate briefing note was part of a deliberate cover-up.
LNG isn’t the best 'dry year' solution – new report
4 Jun 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government’s proposed LNG import terminal isn’t the best solution for ‘dry year’ electricity security, according to a new report.
Seven ‘new approaches’ to avoid our Paris commitments: Carr
4 Jun 2026
Praying for “new approaches” to materialise to meet our international climate obligations isn’t a strategy, writes Rod Carr.
Renewables alone won’t fix ‘broken’ electricity prices
4 Jun 2026
COMMENT: While many people agree the electricity market is broken, simply adding more renewables to a broken system isn’t the fix we need, writes Geoff Bertram.
Changes to emissions factors prompt caution over climate claims
4 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Organisations may need to revisit how they calculate and communicate their greenhouse gas emissions after the Ministry for the Environment released an updated version of its Measuring Emissions Guide, incorporating new emissions factors based on New Zealand's latest greenhouse gas inventory.
Govt climate claims don't match reality, lawyers say
Wed 17 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Lawyers for Climate Action has accused the Government of presenting an overly positive picture of New Zealand's climate progress at the United Nations climate summit in Bonn, arguing key claims on emissions reductions and support for the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal are not reflected in domestic policy.
Decision on controversial Waipara solar farm delayed
Thu 18 Jun 2026
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter | The fire risk assessment for a proposed 181 hectare solar farm in North Canterbury will need to be redone over conflict of interest concerns.
Fed Farmers' election wish-list includes stopping whole-farm conversions to carbon forestry
9 Jun 2026
Federated Farmers has launched a five-point plan for the next government, setting out what it says should be a major focus for political parties heading into the November election.
'Terrible result': Emissions barely budged in 2024
5 Jun 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions were virtually unchanged in 2024, falling by 0.03%, despite the economy shrinking by ten times that amount during the same period, according to new data.
Labour pledges unlimited public transport for $20 a week
10 Jun 2026
The Labour Party is promising to cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, if elected in November.
Nature-based solutions – such as forestry – crucial for carbon removal
5 Jun 2026
COMMENT: Transitioning from erodible pasture to well-managed forest can yield substantial environmental benefits, writes James Treadwell.
Ballance secures gas for 2026 as it progresses energy transition plan
Tue 16 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | One of the largest industrial gas users in New Zealand is working on an energy transition plan to futureproof domestic fertiliser manufacturing, while continuing to secure ongoing gas supply contracts.
