New Zealand: All stories
Key seeks further talks on UK's passenger tax
28 Nov 2008
Prime Minister John Key has requested further discussions with British counterpart Gordon Brown over the UK Government’s increases in air-passenger duty.
Why you should know your carbon footprint
28 Nov 2008
Taxes aren’t a barrier to operating profitably in a carbon economy, but a lack of knowledge is, says Landcare Research’s carboNZero technical manager Ann Smith.
FORUM: May our representatives not make us a laughing stock in Poznan
28 Nov 2008
Greenpeace executive director Bunny McDiarmid explains why it matters what happens at the Poznan climate talks next week:
FORUM: How the world will look in 2025
28 Nov 2008
A report by the Atlantic Council, an American non-partisan think tank The international system - as constructed following the Second World War - will be almost unrecognizable by 2025 owing to the rise of emerging powers, a globalising economy, an historic transfer of relative wealth and economic power from West to East, and the growing influence of nonstate actors.
Forest owners to confront new minister with facts
25 Nov 2008
Forest owners expect to meet the new Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith later this week to tell him what National and Act’s agreement to review and potentially scrap the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is costing the industry.
Don't panic, emissions expert tells NZUs sellers
25 Nov 2008
There are still opportunities for foresters looking to sell NZUs, says Kensington Swan partner Bryan Gundersen.
Oil companies hail move to look at carbon tax
25 Nov 2008
Oil and gas companies are applauding National's moves to revisit carbon tax and to overhaul the Resource Management Act, and say they are confident of a better working relationship with the new government than with the old one.
Listener criticises government's ETS move
25 Nov 2008
The new government's decision to completely review the emissions trading scheme "beggars belief", says the Listener.
FORUM: more wind means more power
25 Nov 2008
Wind Energy Association chief executive Fraser Clark finds positive news in a report on the relationship between wind and water.
Energy-saving scheme targets old industrial motors
25 Nov 2008
An Electricity Commission scheme to replace old motors with energy-efficient ones in a bid to save 20GWh of electricity is about to be expanded to industrial users.
New interest shown in southern oil shale field
25 Nov 2008
A Ministry of Works probe for a cement–extender during the South Island hydro building boom triggered the first concerted drive to exploit the region’s oil shale resources.
Economic Development Minister to open Pike River coal mine
25 Nov 2008
Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee will formally open Pike River’s new underground mine on Thursday as coal stockpiles start to grow.
We're now a joke in Europe, says carbon trader
21 Nov 2008
Delaying the emissions trading scheme is costing New Zealand the chance to be the major Asian carbon market hub, says a leading New Zealand trader.
Hold on to your carbon credits, experts advise
21 Nov 2008
New Zealanders shouldn’t buy or sell carbon credits until the Government’s plans for the emissions trading scheme are clear, says a prominent law firm.
NZ businesses told: Get used to it, carbon rules
21 Nov 2008
New Zealand business will have to account for its carbon – regardless of whether it is through an emissions trading scheme or a carbon tax, says PricewaterhouseCooper partner and sustainability specialist Julia Hoare.
Youthful manager drives Meridian's electric cars project
21 Nov 2008
Youthful and somewhat wary of the limelight, Meridian’s corporate strategy manager K-J Dillon is perhaps an unlikely public face for the company’s electric vehicles programme.
Local company keeps our coal industry clean
21 Nov 2008
The local coal industry earns high marks for efficiency and dust control - and at the heart is a New Zealand-owned engineering firm which designs and manufactures grabs and hoppers.
Report deals blow to wind-and-water power backers
21 Nov 2008
A new report to members of the Major Electricity Users’ Group appears to have dashed the hopes of supporters of the idea of infinitely available sustainable energy through wind and water.
NZOG shows way in Canterbury Basin oil search
21 Nov 2008
NZOG’s lead in the Canterbury Basin permit makes it a pathfinder in the drive by New Zealand companies to hold their exploration and production destiny in their own hands.
FORUM: Run cars on green electricity
21 Nov 2008
By Jonathan G. Dorn, of the Earth Policy Institute, California. With the dramatic increase in oil prices earlier this year translating into higher prices at the gas pump in the United States, concerns over U.S. dependence on foreign oil are once again part of the national discussion on energy security.
EXCLUSIVE: Carbon market leader shelves NZ plans
18 Nov 2008
One of the biggest players in the world carbon market has put plans to set up in New Zealand on hold in the wake of the new government’s decision to review the emissions trading scheme.
NZUs 'dead' as carbon market struggles with confusion
18 Nov 2008
Sales of NZUs are effectively dead as carbon markets struggle to understand the implications of the new government's moves on the ETS.
ETS delay deal scuppers forestry project worth millions
18 Nov 2008
A $125 million forestry project has been scrapped and scores of forestry jobs lost as a result of a deal between the Act and the new National government to review the emissions trading scheme.
Worried investors back off renewables sector decisions
18 Nov 2008
Investment decisions in the renewable energy sector are hanging in the balance because of uncertainty over the future of the emissions trading scheme.
Nats' ETS position changes from promise to preference
18 Nov 2008
The National Party has changed its pre-election promise to have an emissions trading scheme up and running by January 1, 2010 to a “preference”.
Big Three power companies silent on changes
18 Nov 2008
Most power companies are remaining tight-lipped in the wake of news that the National-led government will scrap the ban on new non-essential fossil-fuelled power stations and will review the emissions trading scheme.
Electricity watchdog might be made independent
18 Nov 2008
The incoming National government is considering following the recommendation of the International Energy Agency and placing the Electricity Commission beyond the bounds of politics.
New Zealanders get first chance to buy Aquaflow shares
14 Nov 2008
New Zealand algal biofuel pioneer Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation is going to the market to raise $20m to fund commercialisation of its breakthrough technology, saying it wants New Zealanders to have the first chance to invest.
ETS uncertainty worries geothermal developers
14 Nov 2008
Uncertainty over the future of the emissions trading scheme and the thermal generation moratorium is casting doubt over the development of new geothermal projects in the Bay of Plenty.
Govt must unravel carbon standards rules, says consultant
14 Nov 2008
A global environmental and engineering consultancy is calling on the new government to help New Zealand companies to cope with the implications of Britain’s new carbon standards.
Time to be climate-positive, NZ businesses told
14 Nov 2008
New Zealand businesses should be embracing a climate-positive future instead of seeing climate change legislation as something from which they need protecting.
NZ obstacles scare off major overseas companies
14 Nov 2008
Chronic litigation by New Zealand-based oil exploration and production interests is making the overseas majors reluctant to commit to this country, Carbon News has learnt.
National on a roll over cement plant future
14 Nov 2008
The new National government will score a win-win if it keeps the Holcim cement plant at Westport instead of Oamaru.
FORUM: O'Reilly on leadership group
14 Nov 2008
Your November 11 article O’Reilly questions future of leadership forum could be interpreted as criticism of the individuals on the Leadership Forum on Climate Change.
Future scientists of New Zealand get funding boost
14 Nov 2008
Six top students from throughout New Zealand are the new beneficiaries of an environmental research scheme funded by Bayer New Zealand Ltd.
New Zealand leads the way in responsible tourism
14 Nov 2008
New Zealand has been named as a world-leader in responsible tourism, taking the overall and best destination categories in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.
Hide stands firm: ETS should be scrapped
11 Nov 2008
The future of the emissions trading scheme is back on the table today as National and Act continue negotiations to form a government.
Ditch ETS and we're in big trouble, say business bosses
11 Nov 2008
Business leaders are warning against scrapping the emissions trading scheme, saying New Zealand risks international trade sanctions and missing out on business opportunities.
Time for another look at carbon tax, say farmers
11 Nov 2008
Federated Farmers wants the carbon tax revisited.
People-pods developer woos NZ investors
11 Nov 2008
A company that has patented a lightweight above-the-streets system that could revolutionise public transport says it’s willing to set up in New Zealand – if investors here come to the party.
O'Reilly questions future of leadership forum
11 Nov 2008
Business New Zealand chief Phil O’Reilly is questioning the future role of the Leadership Forum on Climate Change in overhauling the emissions trading scheme, saying that it is highly politicised.
Hitch-a-ride pioneer adopts TradeMe approach
11 Nov 2008
A small New Zealand internet-based transport-sharing service might be only a month old, but already it has its eyes on the European market.
ANALYSIS: Clark could follow in Blair's footsteps
11 Nov 2008
The US presidential victory of Democrat Barack Obama boosts the chances of former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark winning a role with the United Nations.
Port Taranaki gas terminal high on Nats' action list
11 Nov 2008
An early energy-planning decision for the incoming National Government will be over Port Taranaki as the New Zealand liquefied natural gas landing terminal, mooted by Genesis Energy and Contact Energy two years ago.
Labour eyes nation-wide electric-car charging network
7 Nov 2008
The Labour Party has announced an election-eve plan for a nationwide infrastructure to recharge electric cars, saying New Zealand could be the first country in the world to get such a network in place.
Nat's bedfellows happy to cuddle up with energy policy
7 Nov 2008
National’s energy policy sits well with two of its three likely coalition partners.
Fisheries TAG in the wings as others wind down
7 Nov 2008
A fisheries ETS technical advisory group is due to be set up next year, but most other advisory groups are winding up.
UK wants carbon assessment standard to go world-wide
7 Nov 2008
The UK Government wants its recently released carbon footprint assessment standard to be adopted internationally.
Add coconut to biofuel mix, says PNG politician
7 Nov 2008
A Papua New Guinea MP and former deputy prime minister is promoting coconut - either virgin or as copra - as a potential fuel feedstock.
Concrete makers fear dose of the 'coal syndrome'
7 Nov 2008
The Cement and Concrete Association is sustaining its charm offensive for fear of catching the "coal syndrome" - in which a product becomes so politically negative that it's shipped out of the country to be used elsewhere.
Govt promises ‘earlier action’ in response to Commission’s warning climate targets at risk
Today 11:30am
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Government says it will “explore opportunities for earlier action” ahead of the third Emissions Reduction Plan, and has committed to looking at ways to stop the system of free carbon credits for industrial polluters from disincentivising industrial decarbonisation.
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.
All carrot, no stick for farmers on methane
Today 11:30am
By Pattrick Smellie | COMMENT: The abandonment of methane emissions pricing and the adoption of a weaker target is effectively the last nail in the coffin of the historic cross-parliamentary consensus embedded in the Zero Carbon Act 2019.
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.
