New Zealand: All stories
Wealthy Kiwis driving up transport emissions
13 Jun 2024
Cashed-up Kiwis are pumping out more than their fair share of transport emissions, driving more frequently and over longer distances, according to new research.
Govt restoring legal requirement to promote mining
13 Jun 2024
The government’s proposed reform of the Crown Minerals Act goes further than just repealing the 2018 ban on new petroleum exploration outside onshore Taranaki.
Hottest June temperature ever
13 Jun 2024
The mercury hit a high on Monday, setting a new national temperature record of 25.7C for June.
Expert slams govt delay in pricing agricultural emissions
12 Jun 2024
The coalition government has reaffirmed greenhouse gases from agriculture won’t be covered in the Emissions Trading Scheme and Cabinet is disestablishing primary sector climate action partnership He Waka Eke Noa.
Climate minister’s speech hijacked by protestors
12 Jun 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts was shouted down by young protestors at a conference yesterday and left without delivering his prepared speech.
Govt 'not even pretending to try' to reduce transport emissions: former MOT chief science advisor
11 Jun 2024
By Liz Kivi | The former chief science advisor for the Ministry of Transport says the current government isn’t even pretending to try to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
Climate announcements coming to Fieldays?
11 Jun 2024
Farmers and the wider agricultural sector gathering at Fieldays this week make the event a likely venue for rolling out environment and climate change policy.
Govt to reverse oil and gas exploration ban
10 Jun 2024
Removing a ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki is part of a suite of proposed changes to deal with the energy security challenges caused by declining fossil gas reserves, according to resources minister Shane Jones.
Climate activists force conference to move online
10 Jun 2024
A planned blockade by climate activists has forced organisers to cancel in-person elements of the Energy Resources Taranaki Forum, scheduled to take place on June 12.
ComCom’s draft decision on lines and transmission networks
10 Jun 2024
The Commerce Commission’s draft decision approved large increases in regulated revenue for Transpower and lines companies due to cost increases and other pressures.
There is more carbon dioxide than ever in the atmosphere. That’s bad for the climate.
10 Jun 2024
The amount of planet-warming carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has hit a new record, as humanity struggles to rein in emissions of greenhouse gasses from burning fossil fuels.
‘No additional warming’ for methane target - but relative to when, asks expert?
7 Jun 2024
Advocates of the government’s methane review will probably be disappointed to learn that aligning the target with “no additional warming” might not give farmers the green light to relax about their methane emissions.
Media round-up
7 Jun 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Does Shane Jones’ pro-mining culture war risk destroying the industry he loves? agrivoltaics could offer the 'best of both worlds' for NZ farmers; and catastrophic climate impacts for Wellington by 2100.
Tiwai deal could lead to multi-billion dollar govt carbon pollution subsidy
5 Jun 2024
Rio Tinto could get close to a million free carbon credits each year under its new electricity supply deal for Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter - a government subsidy that could amount to a possible $2 billion during the 20 year life of the deal, according to campaigners.
Right to Repair Bill could cut hundreds of thousands of tonnes of emissions
4 Jun 2024
A Right to Repair member's bill currently before Parliament could slash more than 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over 15 years based on European research.
Flaws in NZ ETS make international news
4 Jun 2024
Problems with the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme are making headlines globally.
Giant aluminium smelter seals future with groundbreaking “reverse battery”
4 Jun 2024
Rio Tinto has sealed a groundbreaking electricity deal for the New Zealand Tiwai Point aluminium smelter – a combination of diversified renewables and demand response agreements that turns the smelter into a giant battery.
Budget prioritises adaptation over emissions reductions
31 May 2024
The government is prioritising stop banks and floodwalls over initiatives to reduce emissions, with the $1.2bn Regional Infrastructure Fund to focus on climate resilience efforts, while hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for conservation efforts has been cut.
Climate Commission consultation ends today
31 May 2024
Today is the last chance to submit on significant consultation from the Climate Change Commission, which closes tonight.
Media round-up
31 May 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: rethinking roads as public spaces; government's coal strategy might breach international commitments; and "green reasons" for destroying the seabed?
Climate change minister faces up to some difficult questions
30 May 2024
By Liz Kivi | The climate change minister faced some awkward questions at the Carbon and Energy Professionals conference this week, against a backdrop of falling carbon prices.
First fully electric passenger boat for Auckland
29 May 2024
The world’s first hydrofoiling tourism vessel is undergoing testing in Auckland Harbour now and is set to be the City of Sails' first fully electric passenger boat.
Planet Titanic
28 May 2024
By Jeremy Rose | It’s the genteel version of cage diving: cocooned in a steel cage, tourists are wowed by the majesty of nature all the while knowing they’re involved in something many experts argue is environmentally destructive.
Search for Rod Carr’s replacement underway
28 May 2024
The chair of the Climate Change Commission, Rod Carr, is set to step down from his position at the end of his tenure this year, amidst falling carbon prices.
NASA launches small climate satellite to study earth’s poles
28 May 2024
The PREFIRE mission will gather data on how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica radiate into space and how this influences global climate.
Management team working to save emsTradepoint as Transpower announces closure
27 May 2024
New Zealand’s government-owned carbon trading platform emsTradepoint is set to close, but the operations team want the platform to continue and say they are working with the state-owned entity on a management buyout.
Scion report on short rotation forestry met with scepticism
27 May 2024
A new report from Scion that says short rotation forestry holds the key to lowering fossil fuel use has been criticised by sustainable land use campaigners as well as an oil industry expert.
New govt mining strategy slammed by environmentalists and opposition
24 May 2024
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector which allows mining on conservation land and aims to double the sector’s export value to $2 billion.
Media round-up
24 May 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Christopher Luxon and Chloe Swarbrick - a tale of two speeches; private jet use is increasing in NZ; and investment giant BlackRock is yet to make investments from NZ climate fund announced ten months ago.
Environment commissioner calls for separate ETS for methane
23 May 2024
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has again called for forestry to be phased out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and is calling for a separate ETS for methane.
Climate change litigation before the courts
23 May 2024
Two climate change related legal cases saw some action last week.
ETS alone won’t decarbonise NZ: businesses representing 40% of country’s GDP
22 May 2024
The Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition say that depending on the ETS alone to reach net zero will cause significant harm to the economy.
Battle between offshore wind developers and seabed miners
21 May 2024
A battle is developing between offshore wind developers and seabed miners over access to the South Taranaki Bight.
Wind turbines pay back life cycle carbon emissions in less than two years, NZ study finds
21 May 2024
Wind turbines in New Zealand pay back their lifecycle carbon emissions after just 1.5 years of operation, researchers from Victoria University in Wellington have found.
Farms could be the backbone of Aotearoa’s renewable energy future
17 May 2024
If each of New Zealand’s 50,000 farms installed a midsize solar array they would generate about two-thirds of the country’s current electricity needs.
Concern over job losses at Scion
17 May 2024
Foresters are “deeply apprehensive” over potential redundancies of scientists at Scion, with a proposed 30 jobs losses - about 10% the forestry crown research institute’s workforce.
Media round-up
17 May 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: How denser housing can be greener too; carbon credits might need to be cut as NZ Steel's efficient furnace comes online; and the prime minister tips a 'robust response' to climate change in the upcoming budget.
Infrastructure Commission finds some progress on climate - but road-building won’t solve congestion
16 May 2024
By Liz Kivi | The coalition government has reaffirmed its focus on roads just days after a major report from the Infrastructure Commission said we can’t build our way out of congestion.
ETS consultation suggests lower prices for NZUs
15 May 2024
A new consultation document from the Ministry for the Environment suggests lowering the auction floor price for the Emissions Trading Scheme, as well as lowering the trigger price for the cost containment reserve.
Aotearoa gives $17 million for PNG renewable energy
15 May 2024
A $17 million contribution to a renewable energy project on the Island of Bougainville is part of a $44.9 million package announced by foreign minister Winston Peter in Port Moresby earlier this week.
Govt seizes possible energy shortfall as PR opportunity?
14 May 2024
Last week was a remarkable one for the energy sector. It started with the government seizing on the latest gas data to set up a committee to ensure gas supply was maintained for “critical users”.
NZ must avoid environmental mistakes of the past: new book
14 May 2024
A new book about the Environmental Defence Society is full of salient lessons for today, including why the government’s proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill shouldn’t override environmental protections, according to its author.
Study highlights agreement on climate adaptation
14 May 2024
Scientists have looked over all the submissions to the National Adaptation Plan, finding the common ground among differing interest groups like businesses, environmental organisations, and iwi.
Court of Appeal rejects student climate change case
13 May 2024
The Court of Appeal last week dismissed an appeal by Victoria University students that sought a judicial review of the minister of energy and resources' decision to grant petroleum exploration permits.
Retiring diesel buses early would cut total emissions
13 May 2024
In terms of total emissions, it’s far better to take diesel buses off the road and replace them with electric buses, a Waka Kotahi study has found.
Cross-party inquiry to develop climate adaptation framework
10 May 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts has announced a cross-party inquiry to develop an enduring framework to prepare and adapt for the effects of climate change.
Enough fiddling: The ETS needs to be allowed to do its job
10 May 2024
By Andrew Cushen | OPINION: While it isn’t perfect, the Emissions Trading Scheme is the only tool in our climate response that is working at the scale we need to meet the challenge in front of us. Turning this off or restricting it will impact us all environmentally, socially, and economically.
Media round-up
10 May 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: The ‘bolshie' teen activist who isn't backing down; an obscure climate accounting decision with billion dollar consequences; and is the government hyping the gas crisis?
Budget will support low-emissions economy: Willis
9 May 2024
Finance minister Nicola Willis says this year's Budget will include investing in infrastructure to support a low emissions economy.
Major conference for Pacific experts on Indigenous knowledge and climate crisis
9 May 2024
More than 60 Pacific experts are at a conference looking at the intersection between Indigenous knowledge and the climate crisis, hosted by the University of Canterbury.
Govt unveils National Adaptation Framework
Thu 16 Oct 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts has revealed the first actions under New Zealand’s National Adaptation Framework, which sets out the Government's approach to the rising risks from natural hazards such as floods and storms.
Transpower tracks more than 100 new grid projects
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Transpower’s latest connection data show more than 100 generation, storage and load projects in its pipeline, reflecting the rapid pace of electrification across the country.
SPECIAL BULLETIN: Govt weakens methane target
Sun 12 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The government has ignored the Climate Change Commission’s advice to strengthen methane targets and has instead weakened them significantly.
Govt releases updated emissions projections
Mon 13 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | The Ministry for the Environment has released updated emissions projections to 2050, which show significant differences to the Climate Change Commission's recent projections for the same period.
Air NZ inks deal for its first internationally verified carbon credits
9 Oct 2025
By Liz Kivi | Air New Zealand has committed to buying 8000 tonnes of carbon removals by 2030, in partnership with local native forest investment platform My Native Forest.
Emails show forestry lobby fought Gisborne crackdown as slash clean-up drags on
26 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Sustainable land use advocates are accusing Eastland Wood Council of stonewalling efforts to tighten forestry rules, after correspondence between the group and the local council was released under the Official Information Act.
Climate credibility gap widening for Aussie firms
1 Oct 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Australian public companies’ climate change commitments are in retreat, reflecting difficulty in achieving stated targets and increased fossil use, but not because of any pressure to make less effort, according to a study of major companies’ ESG reporting.
