New Zealand: All stories
Risks and rewards of LNG imports
4 Sep 2024
The move to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), mainly to power electricity generation, has had a mixed reaction among the major players.
How NZ deer farms could reduce emissions
4 Sep 2024
New Zealand's deer farms could reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but it is relatively difficult to make reductions and researchers say there are trade-offs.
‘Blue carbon’ markets needed - new research
3 Sep 2024
Researchers are calling for a national blue carbon strategy, with government regulation needed for voluntary markets to enable large-scale blue carbon projects.
Transport plan will accelerate emissions: Green Party
3 Sep 2024
The Green Party has slammed the coalition government’s new National Land Transport Programme, saying it marks “another missed opportunity” to take action to fight the climate crisis.
Former mayor powering up NZ's first climate action campus
2 Sep 2024
By Jon Rawlinson | While she once ran the city, former Christchurch mayor Vicki Buck has been focused on establishing New Zealand's first climate action campus in her home town for the past four years.
Solar farm build underway for Christchurch Airport
2 Sep 2024
Construction has begun on New Zealand’s largest solar farm at Christchurch Airport.
Kiwi electric motorbike maker signs major deal with Australia Post
2 Sep 2024
Tauranga-based electric utility bike maker UBCO has signed a deal with Australia Post to provide a new fleet of custom electric motorbikes.
Price shocks still possible for carbon market: experts
30 Aug 2024
While the government’s move to slash carbon auction volumes has stabilised New Zealand’s compliance carbon market somewhat, experts say there is still potential for market volatility due to wider uncertainty around climate policy.
Lawyers' climate disclosure concerns
30 Aug 2024
Climate-related financial disclosures could be under-reporting companies’ transition risk to investors, exposing them to both commercial and litigation risk.
Media round-up
30 Aug 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: What would happen to jobs and emissions if Methanex left New Zealand? Can supply meet the jump in electricity demand as NZ decarbonises? and Tairāwhiti's massive clean-up operation.
Climate plan risks high future costs
29 Aug 2024
The government’s ‘least cost approach’ to emissions reductions risks passing on significant costs to future generations, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Could we use hydro resources to ‘plug the gaps’ in NZ's electricity system?
29 Aug 2024
By Ian Mason | The recent spike in wholesale electricity prices due to a combination of fossil (natural) gas shortages and low hydro lake levels has prompted considerable discussion about ways to avoid this happening in the future.
Govt’s next moves for RMA reform
29 Aug 2024
The Government has given more details on the Resource Management Act changes it intends to introduce by the end of the year.
Deputy prime minister’s climate denial ‘insult to Pacific leaders’ - Labour
28 Aug 2024
Winston Peters’ attempt to downplay climate change at the Pacific Islands Forum is an “embarrassing new low,” according to Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
Electrification could save households $10 billion a year and slash climate pollution
28 Aug 2024
Electrification could save New Zealand households $10.7 billion per year by 2040 and drastically reduce emissions.
Greenpeace slams plans for LNG import terminal
27 Aug 2024
Greenpeace has slammed the government’s plans for an LNG fossil gas import terminal.
NZ ‘reneging’ on climate policy makes international headlines
27 Aug 2024
International media has singled out New Zealand for walking back climate policies.
Gentailers report mixed results amid pricing concerns
27 Aug 2024
Three of the four gentailers reported mixed results last week amid serious concerns about current wholesale electricity prices and long-term pricing.
Calls growing for national food strategy
26 Aug 2024
A growing chorus is calling for a national food strategy to address a “food system in disarray” in the face of climate change.
NZ and UK set to partner on offshore wind
26 Aug 2024
Favourable winds may see New Zealand collaborating with the UK on renewable offshore power generation.
Govt still working on land use restrictions for ETS: Watts
23 Aug 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts says the government is still working on policy to restrict land entering the Emissions Trading Scheme but hopes to deliver it “this side of Christmas.”
Media round-up
23 Aug 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: NZ’s largest climate polluters revealed; the government walks away from climate-change regulations in the building sector; and Fonterra is accused of 'greenwashing'.
Nestlé questions NZ dairy farmers’ carbon claims
22 Aug 2024
By Liz Kivi | Nestlé’s chief dairy buyer has challenged claims that New Zealand’s dairy farms have the lowest global carbon footprint.
Pine forests will increasingly replace farmland unless policies change - new research
22 Aug 2024
More New Zealand farms could give way to pine forests under current policy settings, according to new research.
NZ’s electricity market is a mess. Rolling out rooftop solar would change the game
21 Aug 2024
By Stephen Poletti, Bruce Mountain & Geoff Bertram | Wholesale prices in the New Zealand electricity market have soared over recent weeks, climbing as high as NZ$1,000 per megawatt hour.
‘Bombshell’: Devastation as Ruapehu mills announce permanent closure
21 Aug 2024
By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporter | Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says he is deeply concerned for local communities devastated by news that two timber mills in the central North Island will close permanently.
Gas deal done
20 Aug 2024
Methanex took one for the team and a hefty pay check when it closed down operations to sell a large amount of gas for Contact and Genesis.
UN-backed organisation approves Fonterra’s climate targets
19 Aug 2024
By Jon Rawlinson | The world’s top corporate climate-target verifier, the London-based Science Based Targets initiative, has approved Fonterra’s emissions reductions targets.
Relief coming for South Auckland train commuters
19 Aug 2024
By Mary Afemata, Local Democracy Reporter | After two years of disruptions, trains will once again be running along a major stretch of south Auckland's rail line by January 2025.
NZ urgently needs to move further, faster to adapt to climate risks: commission
16 Aug 2024
New Zealand is moving too slowly to adapt to climate change impacts, according to the Climate Change Commission.
The online exchange with a difference
16 Aug 2024
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | An innovative online trading platform is tapping into the East Coast community to help tackle recovery and regenerative mahi across the region.
Media round-up
16 Aug 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: NZ Steel gets free carbon credits worth upwards of $66 million; Can the free market solve our emissions problems? and why energy storage is crucial to our climate future.
Govt keeping options open on international climate targets: Watts
15 Aug 2024
By Liz Kivi | The government is looking at multiple ways to meet New Zealand’s 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), according to climate change minister Simon Watts.
Electricity Authority looks for answers at ‘tricky stage’ in energy transition
15 Aug 2024
The Electricity Authority says this week it will consider more possible regulatory interventions and release more data on wholesale electricity price volatility.
Air New Zealand: A climate leader no more
15 Aug 2024
Sir Jonathon Porritt takes aim at Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over the airline's decision to axe its climate target.
$20 million supercomputer for NIWA
15 Aug 2024
Methane emissions will be subject to more effective monitoring thanks to a new supercomputer.
Will gene tech rule changes lead to lower emissions?
14 Aug 2024
The government is moving to overhaul restrictions on the use of gene editing and other genetic technologies, and touting possible climate benefits.
What can govt do about electricity sector's 'perfect storm'?
13 Aug 2024
As shortages of gas and water drive wholesale electricity prices to never seen before levels, the question is what, if any, interventions politicians might make.
New map shows coastal erosion hotspots - but scientists warn lack of funding threatens further research
13 Aug 2024
A new map of Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastal erosion hotspots shows which areas are most at risk of coastal changes and sea-level rise.
By land, sea and sky, Māori are using Indigenous knowledge to combat climate change
13 Aug 2024
Justin Parkin-Rae takes a break from pulling chunks of weeds from around one of the many rivers that snake through Kaikōura.
Could geothermal power stations go carbon-negative?
12 Aug 2024
Retrofitting a geothermal power station could allow carbon capture from other sources like forestry residue, according to a new study.
Call for tougher standards for compostable products
12 Aug 2024
Not all compostable products are as eco-friendly as they claim, and researchers are calling for urgent changes to prevent harmful substances from so-called compostables entering the environment.
Mining permit application backlog sprint
12 Aug 2024
The priority given to 150 outstanding historical permit applications received before 1 July 2023 ended with the resolution of 120 of the 150 outstanding mineral permit applications and 10 of the 12 petroleum applications by the end of June.
Carbon market plays waiting game with ETS announcement to come
9 Aug 2024
The carbon price stayed relatively flat last week, but with a high volume of NZUs changing hands, as the market awaits the government’s upcoming announcement on Emissions Trading Scheme settings.
Media round-up
9 Aug 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in the local media: Tiwai smelter sought assurances about a $46m carbon subsidy before signing power deals; does the government's forestry plan draw a line in the wrong place? and climate chief rubbishes claims farmers must wait for new technology.
Govt shifts goalposts for key climate target
8 Aug 2024
The government has told the Climate Change Commission to remove consideration of the 1.5 degrees target from a forthcoming report, a move expected to lead to significantly weaker climate ambition.
Water to ashes? Greener approach to funerals
7 Aug 2024
By Jon Rawlinson | When Kiwis face the final curtain, their last wishes can leave a lasting impact on our environment. However a Christchurch funeral director is hoping a new solution will reduce the climate impact of our earthly remains.
Progress on work to classify 'sustainable' economic activity
7 Aug 2024
It may include some taxing terminology, but a ‘sustainable finance taxonomy’ could be just what the doctor (or the accountant) ordered for investors keen to ‘go green’.
Carbon capture – climate plan not clear cut
6 Aug 2024
Capturing carbon is capturing imaginations, but can it live up to the government’s expectations?
New Zealand scraps clean, green policies to boost economy
6 Aug 2024
New Zealand's green credentials are at risk as the government rolls back environmental reforms in a bid to boost a flailing economy and fulfil promises made to its voters.
How much is climate misinformation shaping NZ Govt policy?
Thu 16 Apr 2026
COMMENT: While an inquiry into climate misinformation is sounding alarm bells about fossil fuel propaganda and its threat to the very foundations of society across the Tasman, we’re even more vulnerable to misinformation and unseen influence here in Aotearoa, writes Matt Halliday.
Marlborough’s Rānui Solar Farm enters final testing
Thu 16 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Marlborough's biggest solar farm has entered its final testing phase and is now generating up to 9.9MW of electricity, marking a key milestone for a project expected to boost regional energy security.
Fonterra admits ‘100% grass-fed’ claim breached law in greenwashing row
2 Apr 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Fonterra has admitted its “100% New Zealand grass-fed” claims on Anchor butter were misleading and breached the law, settling a case brought by Greenpeace Aotearoa over packaging used between December 2023 and April 2025.
Climate pollution static but NZ still on track for first emissions budget, says MfE
Today 12:00pm
By Liz Kivi | New Zealand is still on track to meet its first emissions budget, according to the Ministry for the Environment, despite the pace of emissions reductions slowing to standstill.
NZ’s latest push to roll out more EV chargers is a good thing – but can it go the distance?
Tue 14 Apr 2026
A $50 million plan to expand New Zealand’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network marks another step toward a lower-emissions transport system.
Wilding conifers continue to plague Southland
Today 12:00pm
By Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter | Fast-spreading conifer trees are causing headaches in Southland as inconsistent funding continues to hinder control efforts.
Businesses look for ways to cut costs in response to oil shock
1 Apr 2026
New Zealand’s small and medium-sized businesses are looking for ways to ease the pressure as global tensions see rising fossil fuel prices and diminishing supply, with decision-makers mulling measures including work-from-home polices and transport or logistics changes.
