New Zealand: All stories
Gold in dem thar hills. Why not leave it there?
29 Jan 2024
By Jeremy Rose | Australian mining company Santana Minerals estimates there’s 82 tonnes of gold in its Rise and Shine site in the central Otago hills.
Upton’s plea to new Environment minister
29 Jan 2024
Over the summer break, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released his plea to the incoming Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.
Sustainability and climate change concerns for Central Otago - new research
26 Jan 2024
Sustainability and climate are high on the list of concerns for people in Central Otago - and they don’t want a new airport, according to research released today.
Best by the rest...
26 Jan 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Climate lessons from Māori communities (that are guaranteed not to depress you); Environment Commissioner says resource management reforms must endure; and is it time for James Shaw to bail out?
ACT’s proposed climate bill ‘concerning’ - expert
25 Jan 2024
A private member's bill from the ACT Party could delay gross emissions reductions and ultimately threaten New Zealand’s climate targets, according to an expert.
Govt spends $8 million on flood resilience for the Wairarapa
25 Jan 2024
The government has committed $8 million to improve flood resilience in the Wairarapa across five different projects.
Govt needs to do more to guard against impacts of another Cyclone Gabrielle
24 Jan 2024
One year on from the Auckland Anniversary Floods, and coming up to the anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle which caused more than $2 billion in damage, experts say a lack of policy around managed retreat is still worsening the risk of devastating impacts from climate change-fuelled disasters.
Climate crisis to blame for more extreme weather - NIWA
24 Jan 2024
Scientists have been working on joining the dots between human-driven climate change and more extreme weather since the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Kiwis near top of global list for climate strikes
23 Jan 2024
New Zealand has got behind the climate strikes more than nearly any other country, with new research revealing Aotearoa has had the second-biggest turnout for its climate strikes compared to other countries.
Lodestone gets green light for South Island sites
23 Jan 2024
Lodestone Energy has added three sites in Canterbury and South Canterbury to its second phase of agrivoltaic solar farms.
Meri Kirihimete!
22 Dec 2023
This is our final issue for the year as the Carbon News team takes a break over the summer holidays. We’ll be back with more crucial climate coverage from New Zealand and around the world from January 23.
Govt releases submissions on canned ETS review
22 Dec 2023
The government has released submissions on the controversial review of the Emissions Trading Scheme, started by the previous government but canned by new Climate Change minister Simon Watts.
Micro-EVs safer than motorbikes but less safe than cars
22 Dec 2023
Allowing lightweight electric vehicles on our roads would make us a cleaner and greener country but could see an increase in fatalities, a Waka Kotahi report has found.
‘Climate positive’ summer reading
22 Dec 2023
By Liz Kivi | Psychologists tell us we’re more likely to take positive action if we feel hope - rather than doom - about the climate crisis. So Carbon News has found some ideas for local reads for summer to inspire “climate positivity” in all its meanings.
Climate emergency lacks urgency: Rod Carr
22 Dec 2023
Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr tells Carbon News New Zealand's climate emergency lacks urgency, and while he loves markets it should be acknowledged they're myopic, reckless, and selfish.
They thought they saw the future: it was a fantasy that turned ugly
22 Dec 2023
Jeremy Rose | In 1919 the American journalist Lincoln Steffens said of the Soviet Union: “I’ve seen the future, and it works.”
Aotearoa could make a real impact on cutting greenhouse gas emissions internationally: Thomas Pogge
22 Dec 2023
By Jeremy Rose | The director of Yale University’s Global Justice Program, Thomas Pogge, says for a relatively small investment of, say, US$100 million, New Zealand could make a significant impact on cutting the greenhouse gas emissions of the developing world.
Massive native reforestation project proposed
22 Dec 2023
By Jeremy Rose | New Zealand could go from being a buyer of offshore carbon credits to an exporter of offsets, according to the promoters of an ambitious plan to reforest and restore 2.1 million hectares of indigenous forests over the next 10 years.
Treasury increases estimated ETS auction revenue
22 Dec 2023
Treasury has increased its forecast ETS auction revenue from $2.7 billion to $3.5 billion.
How solutions journalism is sparking change
22 Dec 2023
Many people say they actively avoid the news. A new approach to journalism offers an antidote.
NZ a consistent carbon sink - new research
21 Dec 2023
Aotearoa is a consistent carbon sink, while Australia switches between being a carbon sink and a carbon source, according to new research.
Green building retrofit designed for extreme climate change
21 Dec 2023
An Auckland building has undergone a low-carbon retrofit to withstand extreme climate change, and more than 300 tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill during construction.
Best by the rest...
21 Dec 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: the challenge of reducing methane emissions from farming; good COP or bad COP? and transitioning from pine to native forest for permanent carbon capture.
'Groundbreaking' greenwashing court case could lead to more in NZ - expert
20 Dec 2023
A High Court case accusing Z Energy of misleading the government is the first ‘greenwashing’ case brought before the New Zealand courts - and it could lead the way for multiple others, according to an expert.
Agri-focused board game for NCEA students
20 Dec 2023
A new board game for NCEA students is aimed at attracting young farmers to the industry.
Relying on the invisible hand of the carbon market to reduce emissions
19 Dec 2023
By Jeremy Rose | The new government is in the process of incinerating every climate change mitigation policy other than the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Gas shortage predicted in the next few years
19 Dec 2023
A report commissioned by the gas sector regulator says New Zealand is at risk of an energy shortfall within a few years as the complex interaction between supply and demand for gas tips into under-supply.
Campaigners “alarmed” by lack of govt investment in rail infrastructure
18 Dec 2023
Rail campaigners say the government’s decision not to invest in critical rail infrastructure is potentially “disastrous,” and puts New Zealand’s social, economic and environmental future at risk.
Powerful climate deniers delay action in NZ: new report
18 Dec 2023
Most New Zealanders believe in climate change and its human cause - but climate change deniers are often over-represented in powerful positions and are delaying action, according to new research.
Wellington emissions now below COVID lockdown levels
18 Dec 2023
Wellington’s emission are down by 10% since 2020 and 1% below the levels achieved during the Covid lockdowns of 2019.
Bill passed to repeal Clean Car Discount
15 Dec 2023
The Government has passed legislation repealing the Clean Car Discount, which it nicknamed the “Ute tax,” for all vehicles registered after 31 December 2023.
Best by the rest...
15 Dec 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Harnessing the oceans to ‘bury’ carbon has huge potential – and risk; Climate Commission report makes for awkward reading; and could returning to fossil fuel exploration hurt NZ’s relationships in the Pacific?
Govt must address climate crisis: Lawyers
14 Dec 2023
Activist lawyers have put the new government on notice that they could be facing legal repercussions if they fail to take adequate action to meet the country’s climate targets.
“Pixie-like hapū” won’t stand in the way of seabed mining: Shane Jones
14 Dec 2023
Shane Jones, the new minister of oceans and fisheries, resources, and regional development told Parliament yesterday that “pixie-like hapū wouldn’t be allowed to mangle “tikanga Māori” to prevent seabed mining 37 kilometres off the coast of Taranaki.
'Significant' gap in climate adaptation law: Environmental Defence Society
14 Dec 2023
The lack of a legal framework for climate risk assessments at a regional or local level is a gap in law that should be fixed by a proposed Climate Adaptation Act, says the Environmental Defence Society.
Climate Change Commission doubles down on ETS criticism
13 Dec 2023
The Climate Change Commission has doubled-down on its long held view that the ETS is not fit for purpose when it comes to driving down emissions, in its latest advice to government.
The NZ aviation industry is making bold climate claims – and risking anti-greenwashing litigation
13 Dec 2023
By James Higham - The Conversation | On the same day last week that Air New Zealand announced the purchase of its first fully electric aircraft, Christchurch Airport announced it had reached “a new standard for decarbonisation”.
Environmental Defence Society calls on climate minister to revisit ETS review
12 Dec 2023
The Environmental Defence Society is calling on the government to revisit its decision to stop the Emissions Trading Scheme review.
Lack of interest in NZ oil and gas?
12 Dec 2023
The lack of interest in OMV’s oil and gas assets in New Zealand does not bode well for the new government’s hopes of attracting new investment with the reversal of the oil and gas exploration ban.
Climate minister confirms commitment to international climate targets
8 Dec 2023
Climate Change minister Simon Watts confirmed New Zealand’s commitment to the Paris Agreement ahead of flying to Dubai for the annual United Nations climate summit.
Sea level rise happening faster in post-quake Christchurch
8 Dec 2023
Sea level rise is happening faster than anticipated in Christchurch - and the council is still allowing new builds and subdivision in at-risk areas.
University sends delegation to UN climate talks
8 Dec 2023
The University of Canterbury has sent its first delegation to a UN Conference of the Parties (COP).
Best by the rest...
8 Dec 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: COP28’s first Health Day points to what needs to change in NZ; Protecting climate refugees is more urgent than ever; And Subsidising petro-states to stop drilling oil and gas.
New Zealand criticised for dependence on offsetting
7 Dec 2023
New Zealand has been singled out, along with Japan and South Korea, for relying on offshore offsetting to meet its nationally determined contribution in the latest update by non-profit Climate Action Tracker.
Climate disclosures increasing - but so are corporate emissions: new report
6 Dec 2023
Climate disclosures are increasing amongst New Zealand’s biggest companies, however few are reducing actual greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from Forsyth Barr.
NZ signs sustainable agriculture declaration
5 Dec 2023
New Zealand was one of 134 countries at Dubai’s COP28 UN climate summit to sign the COP28 “UAE declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and climate action”.
Genesis plans $1.1 billion spend on renewables - while still relying on fossil fuels
4 Dec 2023
Genesis Energy has unveiled its plans to find a way forward using profits from the Kupe field to refresh Huntly as a lynchpin in the electricity network as it pushes towards 100% renewables.
Best by the rest...
1 Dec 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Helter smelter - the Tiwai Point dance begins again; the new government's climate plans include some surprises; and will reviving oil and gas exploration make NZ a ‘pariah’ state?
Consumer NZ takes legal action against Z Energy over climate claims
30 Nov 2023
Consumer NZ is taking Z Energy to the High Court, claiming the company has misled New Zealanders with its claims over emissions reductions and mitigation.
COP28 climate conference kicks off today
30 Nov 2023
Climate change ministers old and new will represent New Zealand at the UN’s largest ever climate conference, which starts today.
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.
