New Zealand: All stories
EXCLUSIVE: Cook Strait tidal test turbine gains resource consent
11 Apr 2008
A New Zealand marine energy industry has come a step closer with the granting yesterday of resource consent for a tidal flow turbine in Cook Strait.
New price control and investment law for utilities
11 Apr 2008
Infrastructure businesses like electricity lines companies and airports will gain improved incentives to innovate and invest while giving consumers protection from excessive prices and poor quality, under a Bill amending the Commerce Act introduced to Parliament yesterday.
Carbon neutrality? What about 400% electricity use cut instead?
11 Apr 2008
Wayne Norrie, chief executive of data centre outsourcing company Revera, says he’s totally frustrated by a less-than-holistic picture about carbon neutrality.
Auckland University aims for floating turbine breakthrough
11 Apr 2008
A University of Auckland engineering doctoral student has received a $75,000 thee-year government scholarship to study the feasibility of floating wind turbines.
No European-like second phase windfall profits for NZ generators
10 Apr 2008
European electricity generators are in line for massive windfall profits of around $140 billion over the next four years, but their vastly more environment-friendly New Zealand counterparts can expect no such largesse.
Local authorities to get message on renewables
10 Apr 2008
The Government is to crack the whip over territorial authorities to ensure they get behind Labour’s goal of having 90% of the country’s power generation capacity from renewable sources by 2025.
Kiwi-based Windflow Technology does $12m plus turbine deal with Te Rere Hau
10 Apr 2008
Windflow Technology has received confirmation of an order for a further 16 Windflow 500 turbines.
So just how does a country go 'carbon neutral'?
10 Apr 2008
The New Zealand Government says it aspires to be carbon neutral but has yet to say exactly how and by when.
US expert: No technical barrier to 20% wind power goal in NZ
10 Apr 2008
There are no fundamental technical barriers to the integration of 20% wind energy into the electrical system in New Zealand, according to a visiting US wind energy expert.
Major puzzle for Kiwi ETS pioneers: who pays who what (twice)
10 Apr 2008
Some New Zealand businesses are facing a potential tangle over how to avoid double counting their emissions as a result of the country’s world-first move to include all greenhouse gases in all sectors.
US concerned over EU airline emissions charge plan, starts probe into airline pollution
10 Apr 2008
The United States is expressing “serious concern” over EU proposals to impose emissions charges on airlines.
Contact No1 in electricity hedge market services
10 Apr 2008
New research has confirmed that Contact is rated number one in the delivery of electricity hedge market services.
BP warned of political troubles in West Papua LNG project
10 Apr 2008
Human rights groups have warned UK-based supermajor BP that the $6 billion Tangguh liquefied natural gas project in West Papua, risks becoming embroiled in the province's volatile politics.
Dunajtschik: The shy man behind the nation's newest, biggest green building
10 Apr 2008
Publicity-shy Mark Dunajtschik, an Austrian by birth, is now often considered the only individual in New Zealand who can cause a major new building to happen on the strength of a handshake
PWC expert: Exporters to feel bite of any EU shipping emissions move
9 Apr 2008
The likely inclusion of shipping in the European Union (EU) emissions trading scheme (ETS) looks set to hit New Zealand exporters in the pocket – and international airline passengers could be next to shell out for their carbon footprint.
No government plans for carbon import tariff – yet
9 Apr 2008
The Government has given an equivocal “No” to the possibility of imposing tariffs on imports from countries that don’t put a price on their greenhouse gas emissions.
New indicators predict productivity of forestry sites
9 Apr 2008
Forestry scientists at Scion have for the first time developed the key soil and environmental indicators that show the productive capacity of sites in every part of New Zealand where someone may want to plant a forest.
FEATURE: NZ's biggest coprorate dairy venture putting water quality first
9 Apr 2008
A corporate farmer and regional planning authorities take a practical approach to large-scale forestry replacement.
Dell announces 100% green power for 10,000-staff HQ
9 Apr 2008
One of The °Climate Group’s newest members, Dell, has announced that its headquarters campus in Round Rock, Texas - home to more than 10,000 Dell employees - will be powered with 100 per cent green power.
The scrap is still on over who gets new $10m a year waste tax revenue
8 Apr 2008
The Waste Minimisation Bill, in the name of Green MP Nandor Tanczos, has been reported back from select committee with unanimous support. It will usher in a new tax raising $30 million a year, if passed
GreenAir Fund pitches for major new forestry emision unit business
8 Apr 2008
With new forestry in New Zealand eligible for NZUs (New Zealand carbon offset units) from January 1 this year, the Sydney-based GreenAir Fund is bidding for new business here by offering up-front funding to complete the qualification design and certification of a potential carbon credit project.
Psst .. we have a lower-emission engine block breakthrough here
8 Apr 2008
An engine block economy similar to Japan’s, or Germany’s has long been the holy grail of New Zealand industry. Well, here’s the news. We have one.
OPINION: The beginning of the end for coal
8 Apr 2008
Lester R. Brown and Jonathan G. Dorn. - With concerns about climate change mounting, the era of coal-fired electricity generation in the United States may be coming to a close.
CARBON NEWS OPINION: How Goff and our food miles fretters are losing the consumer
8 Apr 2008
Lord Jones the UK Minister of State for Trade was unreservedly pro New Zealand over food miles when he toured New Zealand last week.
All but ACT voters back 10 year ban on new thermal generation
7 Apr 2008
New polling due out this morning shows 58% of New Zealanders back the Government’s proposed ban on building new baseload thermal power plants during the next 10 years.
Minister: There's a place for nuclear
7 Apr 2008
The UK’s Trade Minister says he knows New Zealand is a nuclear free society – “and I don’t want to interfere in your affairs” – but Britain sees a balanced approach to future energy sources, including nuclear, as the right solution.
UK Trade Minister: tariffs threat could gain momentum if market doesn’t work
7 Apr 2008
Britain’s Trade and Investment Minister, Lord Digby Jones, has told business executives in Auckland that if the market has not got carbon priced right by 2012, the calls to impose border taxes on goods from countries not paying for emissions could gain momentum.
Emissions specialist: manadatry rules needed on emissions calculations
7 Apr 2008
New Zealand’s emissions compliance processes need to be re-examined to see whether they are globally compatible, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ emissions specialist consultant Julia Hoare.
Cement lobby launches major campaign to replace bitumen on roads
7 Apr 2008
Cement interests are launching a concerted campaign to have the nations roads laid in concrete instead of bitumen.
Study confirms 50% CO2 reduction from use of home-grown biodiesel
7 Apr 2008
High-quality biodiesel from oilseed rape, grown and produced in the South Island by Biodiesel New Zealand, is sustainable, emitting around 50% less carbon dioxide over its life cycle than mineral diesel.
Swiss company says it has clean air solution
7 Apr 2008
Swiss company Clear Air says it has a solution available now to cut carbon dioxide emissions produced from the combusting fossil fuels. .
100 governments agree on lower emission standards for ships
7 Apr 2008
In a move which could have longer term implications for New Zealand traders, the protection committee of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has appoved proposed amendments to regulations which will reduce ship emissions.
Carbon News discovers "book-and-claim" scheme answer to bio-fuels impasse
4 Apr 2008
A Dutch-style book-and-claim scheme might be the best way through the bio-fuels impasse in the emissions trading scheme (ETS) debate, according to both Bio-fuels Manufacturers Association chairman Dickon Posnett and the New Zealand chief executive of British Petroleum (BP), Peter Griffiths.
Simple standard will deliver net bio-fuel gains - Fitzsimons
4 Apr 2008
A single sustainability standard written into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) legislation would ensure bio-fuels sourced from overseas represented a net benefit to the environment, Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said.
Mallard foreshadows easier planning path for renewables, attacks polluters
4 Apr 2008
The Government is developing a National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation.
Expert group to promote electric vehicles and biofuels
4 Apr 2008
A group of experts on transport fuels, renewable electricity and vehicle technologies will help New Zealand take a step closer towards becoming a sustainable nation, says Energy Minister David Parker.
Parliamentary Commissioner: Biofuel Bill should not proceed
4 Apr 2008
The Biofuel Bill currently before Parliament should not proceed in its current form, says Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright.
ETS bill submissions online
4 Apr 2008
The Parliamentary Servicee now has copies of all publicly available submissions on the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill available online here
Roundtable: Proceed With Great Care: Emissions Trading
4 Apr 2008
Proceed With Great Care: Emissions Trading Proposal Has Costly, Risky, Far-reaching Consequences
Carbon tariff’s ‘counter to NZ’s interests’- Smith
3 Apr 2008
Using tariffs to protect New Zealand businesses from unfair competition by countries that don’t put a price on carbon “runs counter to New Zealand’s broader interests in freeing up trade,” National Party climate change spokesperson Nick Smith told Carbon News last night.
Speculation on MPs’ climate scepticism ‘disgraceful’
3 Apr 2008
It was “disgraceful” that Television New Zealand (TVNZ) should lead a news bulletin on “speculation” that senior National Party MPs Lockwood Smith and Maurice Williamson were climate change sceptics, the party’s climate change spokesperson, Nick Smith, told Carbon News last night.
BILL HEARINGS - NZ ETS "toughest and potentially most expensive" in the world:
3 Apr 2008
New Zealand’s proposed emissions trading scheme is the toughest and potentially most expensive in the world, according to the Greenhouse Policy Coalition.
Greens will vote to ban nuclear credits trading - admit 'laundering' likely
3 Apr 2008
A continued ban on the trading of nuclear emissions credits will have the full support of the co-leader of the Green Party, Jeanette Fitzsimons, even though she admits they will be "eventually laundered" through successive trades.
A slippery sort of "come out of the closet day" of climate change politics
3 Apr 2008
While the select committee opened up its hearings on the climate change bill at Parliament yesterday, senior Ministers launched a fusillade of statements questioning National’s position on climate change, including trying to get some “slippery” mud to stick to John Key.
Major CO2 storage project launches, brightens future for coal use
3 Apr 2008
The first carbon dioxide storage project in the Southern Hemisphere, in which Solid Energy is a major investor and founding member, was launched yesterday in south west Victoria, Australia.
Report: Carbon tariffs on China could drive industry back to US
3 Apr 2008
Imposing carbon tariffs on China could drive some manufacturers back to North America, according to a new CIBC Coming Home.
Oil stocks agreement signed with the Netherlands
3 Apr 2008
New Zealand and the Netherlands signed a treaty today which allows New Zealand to hold some of its emergency oil reserves in the Netherlands.
GHGPC: Emissions Trading - at what cost?
3 Apr 2008
In a presentation to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee hearing submissions on the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill, the Greenhouse Policy coalition, representing the energy intensive sector, had the following to say.
Professor reviewing forestry offset scheme proposal
3 Apr 2008
The Flexible Land Use Alliance has appointed Professor Lewis Evans to review a draft report by the University of Waikato and Covec on proposed changes to the forestry components of the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill, including the introduction of a Forestry Offset Scheme.
Politicians need to ‘get over themselves’ to reduce emissions
Fri 24 Jul 2026
New Zealand needs to face up to two big areas of climate emissions: transport and agriculture, says climate policy expert Bronwyn Hayward.
Contact: New biodiversity goal may be 'highly problematic' for renewable projects
Fri 24 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | The goal of no net loss of indigenous biodiversity in the new resource management system may be highly problematic for renewable energy developments, Contact Energy says.
Study outlines methane-cutting options for NZ livestock
Tue 21 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Breeding, feed and forage strategies could play a key role in reducing methane emissions from New Zealand's grazing livestock, with researchers concluding that a combination of approaches will be needed to achieve meaningful cuts.
'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.
Weakening Clean Car Standard would hurt EV uptake, industry warns
7 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Electric vehicle advocates say weakening the Clean Car Standard would reduce access to new EV models, undermining New Zealand's place in global supply chains and slowing the country's transition to lower-emissions transport.
Seymour ‘imploring’ council to go easy on foresters is abuse of authority: EDS
7 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Environmental Defence Society says that Regulation Minister David Seymour’s attempt to influence Gisborne District Council to ‘go easy’ on forestry companies in enforcing environmental laws is a clear abuse of ministerial authority.
Business leaders say climate report ‘wake-up call’ for NZ
Thu 23 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | CEO-led organisations representing 42% of GDP are calling the Climate Change Commission’s latest report “a significant wake-up call for New Zealand.”
