New Zealand: All stories
Outcry over fishing amendment in govt's Hauraki Gulf bill
15 Oct 2024
The government's decision to allow commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf threatens to set back protection and restoration efforts by decades, critics say.
Lakes refill but concerns remain about next winter
15 Oct 2024
Lake Pūkaki returned to its long-term average storage level for the first time since May.
Far North’s cyclone damaged properties in line for buyout and relocation
15 Oct 2024
By Susan Botting, Local Democracy Reporter Northland | Twenty-five severe weather-hit Far North residential properties are in the spotlight for potential buyout and relocation.
Legal action filed against minister of transport over Clean Car Standard
14 Oct 2024
The Better New Zealand Trust, with the support of Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc, is taking the Government to court over what it says is an unlawful decision to weaken the Clean Car Standard.
NZ must work with other countries to reach climate goals: new research
14 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | Aotearoa’s international climate targets can only be met through funding significant emissions reductions in other countries. But a lack of public support to spend this money overseas is paralysing New Zealand’s progress towards its goal, according to researchers.
Auckland election for community trust controlling Vector
14 Oct 2024
There's a power struggle on in Auckland over control of community trust that owns more than 75% of Vector, with a new group saying it wants to accelerate renewables.
Kindergarten teachers bring numbers to climate change event
14 Oct 2024
Kaitiaki Kindergartens and Climate Club Aotearoa joined forces to deliver New Zealand’s biggest ever ‘Climate Fresk’ event last week, with about 70 kindergarten teachers taking part.
Minister to co-chair carbon market negotiations at COP29
11 Oct 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts will chair negotiations on carbon markets at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Azerbaijan next month.
Transpower backtracks on selling gas and carbon trading platform
11 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | Transpower has decided not to sell its gas and carbon trading platform, emsTradepoint, this year. However, the future of carbon trading on the platform is uncertain.
Media round-up
11 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: NZ First refuses to say whether it supports buying climate action from other countries; the rushed submissions process around a bill to restart oil and gas exploration; and exporters are relieved EU deforestation rules may be delayed.
Fast-track to extinction for native species?
10 Oct 2024
Resources minister Shane Jones’ promise to say ‘goodbye Freddy’ to endangered species that get in the way of resource extraction is closer to becoming a reality under fast-track legislation, according to the New Zealand Ecological Society.
NZ air quality improving, but 'no safe level' for most pollutants
10 Oct 2024
While air quality is improving around Aotearoa, pollutants are still at levels that are above WHO guidelines, with climate change likely to worsen levels of pollen, wildfire smoke, and windblown dust.
Genesis deal with ChargeNet gets mixed reaction
10 Oct 2024
Genesis Energy last week announced its intention to take a 65% shareholding in ChargeNet, New Zealand’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
New climate ambassador appointed
9 Oct 2024
New Zealand has a new top climate diplomat, with Stuart Horne stepping up as the country’s newly minted climate change ambassador, climate change minister Simon Watts announced this morning.
Emissions reductions low priority for dairy farmers: new report
9 Oct 2024
New Zealand dairy farmers continue to prioritise financial viability over emissions reductions, despite generally accepting the threat of human-induced climate change, according to a new study.
XRB proposes extra year for climate reporting
9 Oct 2024
The External Reporting Board is proposing an extra year for scope 3 reporting and assurance, anticipated financial impacts, and transition planning for Climate Related Disclosures.
Channel looks at multi-million dollar biorefinery at Marsden Point
8 Oct 2024
Channel Infrastructure is exploring a groundbreaking opportunity to transform its Marsden Point facility into a biorefinery, showcasing the potential of its real estate.
Repealing oil and gas ban an economic disaster: flood-struck Dunedin submitter
7 Oct 2024
Disastrous flooding in Dunedin is a direct result of extracting and burning fossil fuels, a submitter told a select committee as he waded through water in his flood-stricken neighbourhood.
Environment the loser in govt's fast-track announcement, say critics
7 Oct 2024
Environmental groups and opposition parties are irate over the government's list of fast-track projects, with activists saying they will be "disasters" for the planet.
Illegal mining cases on the rise
7 Oct 2024
Illegal mining under exploration permits has increased, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with three operators currently before the courts.
Gisborne cross-sector group established to guide landowners of highly erodible land
7 Oct 2024
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | As the Government looks to take control of national forestry regulations from councils, questions linger on what it will mean for Gisborne.
Reversing oil and gas ban is a risky political choice: Upton
4 Oct 2024
Reversing the ban on fossil fuel exploration risks promoting more environmental damage as well as burdening taxpayers with clean-up costs, according to the environment commissioner.
Reducing the dairy herd to lower emissions?
4 Oct 2024
If the dairy industry needs to milk fewer cows, it needs to milk better ones, according to the Livestock Improvement Corporation.
Farmers need to get creative to reduce environmental impacts: Young Farmer finalist
4 Oct 2024
By Jon Rawlinson | A three-time winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition is building a business around helping future farmers prepare for environmental challenges.
Centre seeks experts to classify sustainable claims
4 Oct 2024
The Centre for Sustainable Finance is looking for experts in sustainable finance, agriculture, and forestry, to develop the agriculture and forestry taxonomy for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Media round-up
4 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: could ‘hot air’ accounting could meet NZ’s Paris climate target? government advice says no new gas fields are likely to be discovered or developed in the next 10 years; and rising temperatures are putting our youngest at risk of life-long health problems.
NZ needs to optimise its natural advantage for carbon removal
3 Oct 2024
By Shannon Williams | Carbon capture should be monetised as a commodity, and New Zealand needs to seize on its natural advantages for carbon removal, according to a University of Canterbury researcher.
What’s in it for us? Pātea pledges to mess with miners
3 Oct 2024
Seabed miners will face direct action on the waves if they are given Government fast-track approval, says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
OIO approves sale of West Coast forestry harvesting rights
3 Oct 2024
The Overseas Investment Office has approved Ngāi Tahu Forestry’s plan to sell harvesting rights to its 26,700ha forestry estate on the West Coast.
Govt fossil fuel plan will increase costs and emissions and won’t help energy security: Hood
2 Oct 2024
The government’s plan to restart oil and gas exploration won’t improve New Zealand’s near-term energy security challenges, and signals a long-term direction for the energy system with higher costs, less security, and higher greenhouse gas emissions, according to an expert.
Greenwashing litigation growing risk for businesses: expert
2 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | A lawsuit alleging that Fonterra is spreading misleading claims about butter highlights greenwashing litigation as an increasing risk for businesses, according to a legal expert.
Climate adaptation report lacks detail, urgent action required
2 Oct 2024
The Environmental Defence Society says the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee's report on climate adaption lacks detail, while Forest & Bird calls for urgent action to help adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
Restarting oil and gas exploration risks free trade agreements: official advice
1 Oct 2024
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice to the government says that restarting offshore oil and gas exploration is likely to breach the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the European Union.
Work needed for cross-party consensus on critical climate issues
1 Oct 2024
Consensus on critical climate issues among New Zealand political parties is proving challenging, according to the Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into climate adaptation.
Greenpeace files lawsuit against Fonterra for greenwashing
30 Sep 2024
Greenpeace Aotearoa is taking legal action against Fonterra for allegedly misleading customers.
Energy rationing proposal shot down by MfE
30 Sep 2024
By Shannon Williams | Tradable energy quotas must be in place before New Zealand has a fuel shortage crisis, Degrowth Aotearoa told a select committee.
Minister to meet Pacific Islands climate leaders
30 Sep 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts is travelling to Fiji today to attend a Ministerial Meeting (Talanoa) with Pacific Island Countries, Australia, and New Zealand.
Govt allows only five days for submissions on repeal of oil and gas ban
27 Sep 2024
By Liz Kivi | The government is allowing only five days for the public to make submissions on legislation to restart oil and gas exploration.
Environment Canterbury commits to climate plan
27 Sep 2024
Environment Canterbury Regional Council has approved its first Climate Action Plan, outlining its current and future response to climate change.
Media round-up
27 Sep 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: ACT leader David Seymour condemns school climate protests; five anti-mining activists were arrested in central Wellington; and gas industry boasts about successful lobbying.
Environment Southland taken to court over wetlands dispute
26 Sep 2024
The Environmental Law Initiative is heading to the Christchurch High Court next week to challenge Environment Southland for what it says are failures to fulfil legal obligations to monitor wetlands.
Govt fired up for return of fossil fuel exploration
26 Sep 2024
The coalition government’s legislation to reinstate offshore oil and gas exploration has had its first reading in Parliament under urgency, but the Green Party is vowing to revoke permits if it returns to government.
Franz Josef ratepayers await stopbank loan details
26 Sep 2024
By Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporter | Franz Josef community leaders are urging the West Coast Regional Council to think twice before saddling them with a $4 million debt for flood protection.
XRB eyeing changes to climate reporting regime
25 Sep 2024
The External Reporting Board says it will make tweaks to the climate reporting regime by the end of the year, with consultation beginning in the next few weeks.
Lawyers warn govt against rolling back corporate climate governance
25 Sep 2024
Lawyers for Climate Action has warned the government against significant changes it is considering to the country’s corporate climate governance framework.
Ad agency activists ‘name and shame’ fossil fuel promoters
25 Sep 2024
Ad agency climate activist group Comms Declare has launched in New Zealand, calling out 14 local agencies as ignoring the scientific consensus to keep promoting fossil fuel clients.
$27 million subsidy for low emissions heavy vehicles
24 Sep 2024
Last week the government announced $27.75 million for the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund, to subsidise the purchase price of low and zero-emissions heavy vehicles.
Canterbury councils confirm $1.47m for climate plan
24 Sep 2024
The 11 councils in Canterbury have confirmed $1.47 million in funding over three years for the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan.
Oil and gas industry slows energy transition as focus shifts back to fossil fuels, says GlobalData
24 Sep 2024
The oil and gas industry has pursued energy transition avenues to decarbonise, however heightened energy security fears amid the Ukraine war have brought back the focus on fossil fuels.
RMA is out – govt to replace with two new laws
23 Sep 2024
Two new laws are set to replace the Resource Management Act, with the government placing private property rights at its core.
Local govt shake-up risks weakened environmental outcomes – Commissioner
Fri 27 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government’s push to simplify local government is "deeply flawed" and has been launched without a clear understanding of which functions must remain regional, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Govt plan to encourage new energy investment won’t cut costs for ordinary Kiwis
Thu 26 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | While gentailers and major energy users have welcomed the Government’s plan to leverage public sector demand to drive new energy projects, an expert says it is unlikely to reduce prices for ordinary people.
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.
NZ’s EV uptake decelerates
Mon 23 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand’s EV uptake is lagging behind other countries, with a huge drop in EV sales since 2023 bucking international trends, at the same time the Government contemplates abolishing its standard for clean cars entirely.
Tairāwhiti needs proper Govt support to heal the land – not empty announcements for political optics
Tue 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.
Kiwi startup takes on global plastic pollution
12 Feb 2026
A New Zealand startup is launching what it says is the world’s first plastic-free effervescent drink tablet, with the ambitious aim of eliminating bottled beverages to reduce global plastic pollution.
