New Zealand: All stories
Renewable energy generation drops
30 Aug 2013
The percentage of electricity generated in New Zealand from renewable sources fell last year.
Expert slams our motorway madness
30 Aug 2013
New Zealand is one of the last countries in the world still building motorways as the solution to urban congestion, a visiting expert says.
We're switching on to energy-saving bulbs
30 Aug 2013
New Zealanders are buying more energy-efficient light bulbs.
Geothermal projects win new funding
30 Aug 2013
GNS Science has won government funding for two geothermal energy projects that will help to make geothermal energy developments more efficient and more attractive to investors.
Kyoto rules govern new emissions stand
23 Aug 2013
New Zealand’s 2020 emissions reduction target will be implemented under Kyoto Protocol rules.
Experts slam 5% emissions target
23 Aug 2013
Leading climate policy and science experts say the Government’s emissions reduction target is “markedly inadequate and disappointing”.
Tourism leaders stick with 100% Pure
23 Aug 2013
Tourism New Zealand is pressing on with its 100% Pure brand, despite on-going international criticism.
Sanford charge new blow to image, says MP
23 Aug 2013
Charges of dumping oil at sea against one of New Zealand’s largest fishing companies, Sanford, is another potential body blow to our clean, green image, says Labour’s Environment spokesperson Maryan Street.
Contact decision disappoints wind energy body
23 Aug 2013
The New Zealand Wind Energy Association is disappointed that Contact Energy has decided to exit the Hauâuru mâ raki wind generation development on the Waikato coast.
Interest in eels pleases green watchdog
23 Aug 2013
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says she is pleased with the Government’s response to date on threats to the endangered longfin eel.
Commissioner wants new laws for land
23 Aug 2013
Crown-owned stewardship land needs greater protection, says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Rock becomes paper in new print process
23 Aug 2013
A New Zealand company is offering low-emissions printing – on stone
Official support gives boost to renewable energy
23 Aug 2013
Powered by policy support from their governments, India and Australia will increase their share of renewable energy projects in the near future, while China will remain the largest market in the Asia-Pacific region, says research and consultancy firm GlobalData.
Lucky winners Get Off the Grass
23 Aug 2013
Two senior executives have won copies of Get Off the Grass, courtesy of Carbon News.
Emissions target under fire from MPs
23 Aug 2013
The Government's 2020 emissions reduction target came under fire in Parliament this week.
Free market doesn't do it for us, say academics
16 Aug 2013
The free market will not deliver the innovation New Zealand needs to move to a high-tech, high-income, low-carbon economy, says the author of a book launched in Wellington last night.
Foresters in the know eye big profits
16 Aug 2013
Savvy forest owners are banking millions of NZUs in the expectation of big profits in the future.
Forest figures meaningless, say growers
16 Aug 2013
One hundred and seventy owners of post-1989 forests left the Emissions Trading Scheme last year.
NZ commits to 5% climate change target
16 Aug 2013
New Zealand has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to five per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.
Our Super funds back pollution, says WWF
16 Aug 2013
More than $1 billion invested for New Zealanders’ futures is supporting some of the world’s most polluting and environmentally destructive companies, a report released today by WWF-New Zealand reveals.
India laps up LanzaTech fuel process
16 Aug 2013
Gas fermentation technology developed in New Zealand will be used to produce low-carbon fuels from industrial carbon dioxide emissions in India.
Foresters opting out of ETS, says Labour
16 Aug 2013
A new report shows the gutted Emissions Trading Scheme is damaging the forestry sector, Labour’s Climate Change spokesperson Moana Mackey says.
I'm proud of our climate record, says Groser
16 Aug 2013
Withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol has not damaged New Zealand's clean and green image, says Climate Change Minister Tim Groser.
Get Off the Grass ... and win a copy of the book
16 Aug 2013
Win a copy of Get Off the Grass, the prescription for the economy by the late Sir Paul Callaghan and Professor Shaun Hendy, launched in Wellington last night.
We're a world climate leader, says minister
16 Aug 2013
New Zealand is near the top of the list for "sensible" climate change policy, the Government says.
Scientists find methane super seep
16 Aug 2013
Scientists have discovered a super-charged methane seep in the ocean off New Zealand that has created its own unique food web, resulting in much more methane escaping from the ocean floor into the water column.
Soot and methane not the whole emissions story
16 Aug 2013
Cutting the amount of short-lived, climate-warming emissions such as soot and methane in our skies won't limit global warming as much as previous studies have suggested, a new analysis shows.
Climate change threatens ancient sites
16 Aug 2013
Climate change is threatening New Zealand’s archaeological sites.
Dolphins spark threats to fish exports
9 Aug 2013
New Zealand’s 100% Pure brand - an exports - are under fire on a new front.
Palmer: Why we must protect environment
9 Aug 2013
New Zealand needs a constitution that includes environmental protection, says constitutional expert and former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer.
Carbon budget essential, says council
9 Aug 2013
The Sustainability Council is launching a new push to get New Zealand into carbon budgeting.
Bathurst can dig up Denniston, rules court
9 Aug 2013
The Environment Court has given Bathurst Resources approval to mine coal on the Denniston Plateau.
Fund managers minding climate risks
9 Aug 2013
Fund managers are incorporating climate risks into investment decisions, a new report shows.
Groser defends climate change attitudes
9 Aug 2013
This week in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Tim Groser found himself defending statements by two of his Cabinet colleagues that seem to suggest they are not entirely convinced that anthropogenic climate change is real:
Council centre gets high energy rating
9 Aug 2013
Auckland Council’s Graham Street Service Centre has been awarded 3.5 stars for energy use under NabersNZ, the new office building energy measurement and rating scheme.
NZ eyes move to natural capital cost
2 Aug 2013
Government officials are working on ways to bring in policies recognising the economic value of New Zealand natural capital.
EDITORIAL: Gluckman has arrived
2 Aug 2013
The Prime Minister’s chief science adviser has stepped into the leadership void on climate change.
Climate action long overdue, says Labour
2 Aug 2013
The Labour Party says that a report by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser, Sir Peter Gluckman, must surely trigger some Government action to try to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Biofuel brokers welcome Beehive backing
2 Aug 2013
The bioenergy industry is welcoming Government support of a wood-waste-to-biofuel pilot.
Green-building body gets new members
2 Aug 2013
Six market leaders in the sustainable water heating industry have became members of the New Zealand Green Building Council.
Apiarists beg Government to bee serious
2 Aug 2013
Apiarists want the Government to take the $5 billion role of bees seriously.
Watch reform bill, EDS warns councils
2 Aug 2013
The Environmental Defence Society is urging regional and district councils to urgently consider the implications of the Resource Management Reform Bill on their indigenous biodiversity functions.
Travellers prefer green hotels
2 Aug 2013
Business travellers are increasingly prioritising green-certified hotels, according to a new survey by market research firm Timetric.
Foresters cool on wood fuel project support
26 Jul 2013
The Government’s decision to back the initial stages of a wood-to-biofuel plant is welcome - but it’s not the game-changer that the industry needs.
Beehive backs Stump to Pump project
26 Jul 2013
A private project to investigate the commercial viability of turning wood waste into biofuel has won Government backing.
Treasury cashes in on energy rating
26 Jul 2013
Treasury is embracing efficiency of a different kind – energy.
Human waste helps to mend mine sites
26 Jul 2013
A project using human waste to restore mining sites has won the inaugural Ministerial West Coast Environmental Award.
EDITORIAL: Is the water accord greenwash ... or hogwash?
19 Jul 2013
Controversy this week over an independent milk co-op’s refusal to sign up to the Fonterra-led Sustainable Water Dairy Accord highlights the problems of self-regulation.
Gas emissions from oil on the rise
19 Jul 2013
New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions from oil are climbing
Milford Dart quiet on tunnel appeal
19 Jul 2013
There is no word yet on whether the backers of a $180 million tunnel through the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks will fight to keep the project alive.
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.
Canadian firm seeks Crown co-investment for Genesis-supported gas storage project
Fri 19 Jun 2026
By Oli Lewis | A proposed gas storage project supported by Genesis Energy has sought Crown co-investment through the $200 million Gas Security Fund.
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.
