New Zealand: All stories
Biofuels + Food = farming winner
24 May 2013
Farmers should be thinking about growing feedstocks for biofuels, says Federated Farmers.
Battery pioneer excites hybrid car makers
24 May 2013
Forty years ago, Dr John Abrahamson made a discovery that is exciting modern hybrid car makers.
Look to NZ geothermal power, US hears
24 May 2013
America is falling behind New Zealand and Iceland in developing geothermal energy, researchers say.
Bring back natives, says tree scientist
24 May 2013
Plantation forests could prove a valuable site for native forest regeneration.
More motorways absurd idea, say Greens
24 May 2013
The revenue from increased petrol taxes should be spent on public transport, the Green Party says.
More motorways great idea, says National
24 May 2013
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says that building more roads is good for the environment.
Emissions windfall drops … by millions
17 May 2013
New Zealand’s emissions “windfall” has fallen to just $3 million because forests are being converted to dairy farms.
Free credit cash takes a cut
17 May 2013
The Government has almost halved the amount of money it sets aside to pay for free carbon credits it gives to industry.
Yes, NZ is in the carbon trading club
17 May 2013
New Zealand is contributing to the development of international carbon-trading markets, the Government says.
Govt dumps funding for RMA services
17 May 2013
The Government will cut funding of its Resource Management Act advice services, the Environmental Defence Society says.
Todd takes control of tidal power project
17 May 2013
Todd Energy has taken control of the company behind plans for a tidal energy plant on the Kaipara Harbour.
Farm couple finds Asia an eye-opener
17 May 2013
An industry-backed trip to Asia has given Norh Otago farmers Blair and Jane Smith a deeper understanding of the challenges facing marketers of New Zealand meat and dairy products.
Top scientist to look into the future
17 May 2013
Climate change commentator and the United Kingdom’s former Government chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, will give lectures at all three of Massey University’s campuses later this month.
Pot party pushes hemp for houses
17 May 2013
Cannabis should be legalised for the sake of the environment, says the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.
Fresh faces join Environment Court
17 May 2013
New appointments to the Environment Court were announced this week.
Move to force retailers foot disposal bill
10 May 2013
Electronics retailers could be forced to build the cost of disposal into sale prices if Wellington local authorities have their way.
Have we joined the carbon power brokers?
10 May 2013
New Zealand is apparently part of a “club” that will set international standards on carbon trading.
100% Pure faces test next week
10 May 2013
Challenges to New Zealand’s 100% Pure brand will be heard next week.
Power switch will cut emissions, says solar chief
3 May 2013
Exposing domestic electricity consumers to the spot market would lead to substantial cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, the Solar Energy Association says.
Businesses don’t get it, says green campaigner
3 May 2013
Most campaigns promoting the advantages of green business are failing to gain traction because they are preaching to the converted, says a commercial lawyer who has found a new vocation.
Worries deepen over future of ETS
26 Apr 2013
Deep uncertainty remains over the future of the Emissions Trading Scheme, according to a revealing survey of ETS participants.
Eco report points finger at fishing
26 Apr 2013
New Zealand’s fishing industry is the major contributor to this country’s ecological footprint, new research shows.
No word yet on tree-planting plans
26 Apr 2013
Details of new Government plans to encourage forestry planting are unlikely to be unveiled for several weeks.
Co-operate or crash, warns forests expert
26 Apr 2013
A forestry expert is calling for co-operation between farmers, conservation interests, scientists and officials to avoid a “biodiversity train-wreck” in New Zealand.
Don’t deafen our dolphins, marine scientists urge
26 Apr 2013
The world’s largest marine science professional body says New Zealand should stop seismic testing in the habitat of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin.
Aussies win $550,000 clean-up contract
26 Apr 2013
Australian company Transpacific Technical Services has won $550,000 of New Zealand Government money to get rid of hazardous waste from old electrical equipment.
Scheme gives new life to old carpets
26 Apr 2013
Environment Minister Amy Adams has announced a newly accredited product stewardship scheme for the reuse and recycling of carpet tiles.
IT’S OFFICIAL: Forests make way for dairying
19 Apr 2013
Government figures have confirmed what the carbon market has known for months – forests are being cleared and converted to dairy farms on the back of rock-bottom carbon prices.
World wind power on a roll
19 Apr 2013
Wind power surged to a new record in 2012, with the United States emerging as the dominant player.
Women want out of the barn and into the boardroom
19 Apr 2013
The dairy industry is looking to girl-power to combat problems like climate change and the global recession.
Hurunui wind farm gets green light
19 Apr 2013
Meridian Energy’s $200 million Hurunui wind farm is to go ahead.
New law protects EEZ, says minister
19 Apr 2013
A law which the Government says will enable the comprehensive environmental management of activities in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone will come into force in June.
Fracking waste danger to food, say Greens
12 Apr 2013
New Zealand risks damaging its international reputation as an exporter of quality food by disposing of oil industry wastes on to farmland, the Green Party says.
Carbon returns build to June cut-off
12 Apr 2013
Nearly a third of post-1989-forest owners have filed carbon returns for last year.
Ministry studies carry-over submissions
12 Apr 2013
The Government has received 20 submissions on the issue of carry-over provisions for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.
How do YOU see the carbon market?
12 Apr 2013
Today’s the last chance to have your say in Carbon Match’s survey on the outlook for the carbon market in New Zealand.
We're good at recycling glass ... but not good enough
12 Apr 2013
New Zealanders are recycling nearly 70 per cent of their glass products.
Retailer joins TV recycling camp
12 Apr 2013
Electronics retailer Noel Leeming has joined the Ministry for the Environment’s TV TakeBack Programme.
PNG student wins Daysh scholarship
12 Apr 2013
A PhD student’s plans to use traditional ecological knowledge to develop a sustainability education programme for Papua New Guinea have won her a scholarship.
Ratepayers foot the bill, say local authorities
5 Apr 2013
Ratepayers are being left to pick up the cost of environmental monitoring that should be paid for by the Government, says Local Government New Zealand.
EDS claims RMA information is flawed
5 Apr 2013
The Government’s discussion document on proposed changes to the Resource Management Act relies on out-of-date and incorrect information, the Environmental Defence Society says
Casualties could be trees, says board
5 Apr 2013
Changes to the Resource Management Act could cost Auckland its trees, says the Auckland Conservation Board.
Museum aims high to cut emissions
5 Apr 2013
Auckland Museum aims to cut carbon emissions by 31 per cent in two years - a move expected to save it hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
Authority to look at 100% Pure claim
5 Apr 2013
The Advertising Standards Authority is to consider whether New Zealand’s 100% Pure claims are misleading.
Prospecting deal shocks watchdog
5 Apr 2013
Coromandel Watchdog says it is shocked that the Ministry of Conservation has granted access for prospecting on Schedule 4 land to mining companies in the Coromandel and in the Paparoa National Park.
EXCLUSIVE: Upstream paddle for next SOE floats
28 Mar 2013
The Mighty River Power share float will attract at least 228,000 personal investors – but at this stage Genesis and Meridian might struggle to get more than half that.
Science world honours LanzaTech founder
28 Mar 2013
New Zealand scientist and bioenergy pioneer Dr Sean Simpson has been honoured twice this week.
Lobbyist wants help to fight RMA changes
28 Mar 2013
The Environmental Defence Society says that changes to the Resource Management Act give radical new powers to government ministers.
Pacific Islands call for fossil fuel phase-out, NZ hangs back
Thu 23 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Pacific Islands nations have launched a landmark declaration for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific, calling for a Fossil Fuel Treaty and urgent phase-out of fossil fuels, however New Zealand isn’t rushing to join the call.
Announcements expected soon on $200M gas fund
Today 11:45am
By Pattrick Smellie | Fossil fuel companies appear likely to take up a $200 million government fund to encourage additional oil and gas exploration, dashing lobbyist Business New Zealand’s hopes that it might be repurposed to underwrite industrial electrification.
Fonterra admits ‘100% grass-fed’ claim breached law in greenwashing row
2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has admitted its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” claims on Anchor butter were misleading and breached the law, settling a case brought by Greenpeace Aotearoa over packaging used between December 2023 and April 2025.
Climate pollution static but NZ still on track for first emissions budget, says MfE
17 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is still on track to meet its first emissions budget, according to the Ministry for the Environment, despite the pace of emissions reductions slowing to a standstill.
NZ’s latest push to roll out more EV chargers is a good thing – but can it go the distance?
14 Apr 2026
A $50 million plan to expand New Zealand’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network marks another step toward a lower-emissions transport system.
Wilding conifers continue to plague Southland
17 Apr 2026
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter | Fast-spreading conifer trees are causing headaches in Southland as inconsistent funding continues to hinder control efforts.
Victorian Hydrogen announces Southland urea fertiliser project using coal
Wed 22 Apr 2026
By Liz Kivi | Australian-based Victorian Hydrogen has announced it is developing a new 1.5 million-tonne-a-year urea fertiliser operation in Southland, which it will apply for under fast-track legislation.
