New Zealand: All stories
It’s now cheaper for Kiwis to go fully electric
18 Mar 2024
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world where electric appliances and vehicles are now more affordable than their fossil fuel equivalents, according to a new report.
Kiwis bankrolling fossil fuels through Aussie-owned banks
15 Mar 2024
All four of New Zealand’s big Australian-owned banks are continuing to ‘bankroll’ fossil fuel companies, according to climate activists 350 Aotearoa.
Climate crisis a factor in rising council rates
15 Mar 2024
Homeowners are facing average rates rises of 15%, with climate change partly to blame.
Best by the rest...
15 Mar 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Economists says banks will need looser inflation targets in a world of climate-related costs; Insurance Council conference mulls climate challenges; and Treasury’s fight to keep $23b climate cost off the books.
Tepid market response to Commission’s advice - auction less than a week away
14 Mar 2024
By Liz Kivi | The Climate Change Commission’s call to drastically reduce Emissions Trading Scheme auction volumes has barely caused a blip on the secondary market - suggesting participants don’t think the government will follow the advice.
Govt should have considered climate impacts of EV road user charges
13 Mar 2024
The government should have done a climate impacts assessment on its proposed road user charges for electric vehicles, with the new charges likely to lead to a significant increase in carbon emissions, according to an expert.
Reduce the ETS ‘stockpile’ - Climate Commission sends strong message to govt
12 Mar 2024
The Climate Change Commission is recommending that the government significantly reduces the amount of ‘pollution permits’ it auctions under the Emissions Trading Scheme, and is warning that policy settings are undermining the ETS.
Paving over paradise?
11 Mar 2024
By Troy Baisden | OPINION: How big a throwback is the RMA Fast-Track Legislation? What's to be done?
Swarbrick elected new Green Party co-leader
11 Mar 2024
The Green Party has elected Auckland Central MP Chloe Swarbrick as co-leader alongside Marama Davidson, as James Shaw resigns.
Controversial new fast-track bill projects still not public
8 Mar 2024
By Vernon Small | The government says its new Fast Track Approvals Bill will clear the way for faster development of sustainable energy projects, such as windfarms.
Soil protection needed to cool urban heatwaves as climate change worsens
8 Mar 2024
The government needs to provide national guidelines to protect soils, which are currently being stripped and compacted for urban development, putting our ability to adapt to the climate crisis at risk.
Best by the rest...
8 Mar 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: The Māori climate activist breaking legal barriers; we're spending billions of dollars to make traffic worse; and should NZ ban fossil fuel advertising?
Govt still committed to 'no significant changes' to ETS
7 Mar 2024
Despite warnings from the Climate Change Commission, Climate Change minister Simon Watts says the government remains committed to no significant changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme.
RBNZ signals banks must account for climate risk
7 Mar 2024
The Reserve Bank says financial institutions need to understand and manage climate-related risks - and it highlights agriculture as a risky sector.
Methane-detecting satellite launched with NZ govt backing
6 Mar 2024
A long-awaited satellite designed to accurately detect methane emissions from space finally launched yesterday, with New Zealand backing.
One onshore petroleum exploration permit granted through tender process
6 Mar 2024
The government has granted an onshore petroleum exploration permit to Greymouth Gas Turangi.
Fonterra launches new carbon tool
6 Mar 2024
In a move it says is an industry first, Fonterra has launched a tool to help customers access the emissions profile of individual products.
Canned govt fund delivered emissions reductions at half current carbon price
5 Mar 2024
By Vernon Small | The effective price the government paid for carbon emissions through the GIDI fund was about half – or less – than the current NZ unit spot price of $66.05.
New transport policy will increase emissions: Green Party
5 Mar 2024
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced the government will spend $7 billion a year for the next three years to build 15 new Roads of National Significance, while also cutting spending for mode shift to cycling, walking, and bus infrastructure.
Commerce Commission approves Transpower grid investment
5 Mar 2024
The Commerce Commission has approved Transpower’s proposed $392.9 million investment in the national grid, and is satisfied that the identified need to strengthen the electricity transmission system over the next decade is in the long term interests of Kiwi consumers.
Govt at risk of litigation if emissions reduction plan doesn’t cut it
4 Mar 2024
By Liz Kivi | The government might find itself in court if it doesn’t come up with a credible plan this year to meet its emissions budget, according to legal experts.
Tiwai Point’s future still in question
4 Mar 2024
For those waiting for news about an agreement on Tiwai Point aluminium smelter's electricity supply, there were very few smoke signals from the major companies' half-year earning results.
Foresters welcome ETS costs review
1 Mar 2024
The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says the review of Emissions Trading Scheme fees is a relief for foresters facing excessive costs, but experts say forestry still faces an uncertain future under the scheme.
Lodestone opens first North Island solar farm
1 Mar 2024
Lodestone Energy has flicked the switch on at its first solar farm in Kaitaia, and announced a further $55m capital raise to continue its solar farm expansion.
Best by the rest...
1 Mar 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: audit finds compelling evidence of problems in East Coast forestry's environmental stewardship; the projects environmental groups say shouldn’t be fast-tracked; and comedian Alice Snedden takes on climate change.
Government announces review of forestry ETS costs
29 Feb 2024
Forestry minister Todd McClay has announced an independent review into the forestry component of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) register.
Plan for new Tarras airport on hold
29 Feb 2024
Christchurch Airport has put controversial plans for a new airport in Central Otago on hold, with opponents of the plan welcoming the pause.
In its current state the ETS will fail to deliver significant emission reductions: Rod Carr
28 Feb 2024
By Jeremy Rose | Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr has told the Environment Select Committee that, in its current state, the ETS will fail to deliver significant emissions reductions.
Genesis reflects on bad spell and the future
28 Feb 2024
Genesis Energy says it will decide by the end of the year about whether it is possible to use biomass at the Huntly power station.
Scrapping Māori Health Authority will worsen climate impacts on community - OraTaiao
28 Feb 2024
OraTaiao, the NZ Climate and Health Council, says the government’s decision to scrap Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, will undermine the Māori community’s ability to adapt to climate change.
The protesters planning to disrupt business as usual
27 Feb 2024
By Jeremy Rose | Restore Passenger Rail – the protesters who took to gluing their hands to the tarmac and disrupting commuter traffic – have rebranded.
Environmental Defence Society says "radical anti-environment government" could harm NZ's reputation
27 Feb 2024
The Environmental Defence Society says the government’s environmental policies could cause environmental harm as well as threaten New Zealand’s international reputation.
Wave of civil disobedience could upset corporate balance sheets
26 Feb 2024
By Jeremy Rose | Companies ignoring the potential cost of protests, which could reduce the economic value of carbon intensive investments, are risking the future viability of their businesses, a former McKinsey & Company consultant is warning.
Contact on electricity and carbon prices
26 Feb 2024
Contact Energy said it is inevitable that retail electricity prices will have to rise in line with long term wholesale prices and is also predicting that carbon prices will rise as well.
NZ and Aus will work to align climate regulations: Finance minister
23 Feb 2024
Finance minister and associate Climate Change minister Nicola Willis says Australia and New Zealand will work together to align regulations to reduce climate emissions.
Best by the rest...
23 Feb 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Scrapping science reform plan threatens climate research; Shane Jones criticised over attack on Supreme Court ruling; and Southland councillors question the use of carbon credits.
BP among recipients of EECA low emission grants
22 Feb 2024
Fossil fuel giant BP is among the latest batch of recipients of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's Low Emissions Transport Fund.
Climate change litigation developing risk for emitters
22 Feb 2024
Companies need to be increasingly wary of litigation, with greenwashing claims and climate change litigation at the top of a long list of risks facing businesses.
Researchers looking to develop ‘resilience credit’
20 Feb 2024
Researchers are hoping to develop the world’s first 'resilience credit' as the ultimate goal of a project looking at how salt marshes and mangroves could protect the Bay of Plenty’s coastline from climate change.
Future of transmission and distribution networks - how to get to net zero?
20 Feb 2024
The Electricity Authority is asking whether there should be greater coordination of distribution and transmission networks.
Forestry company loses sustainability certification
19 Feb 2024
Forestry company Ernslaw One’s Forest Stewardship Council certification has been suspended over damage from its forestry operations in Tolaga Bay in 2018.
DOC under financial stress
19 Feb 2024
The Department of Conservation’s briefing to the incoming government describes a department struggling to do its mandated work and looking to cut its workload in the face of sinking budgets.
Govt finances should recognise climate liability: experts
16 Feb 2024
The government’s books need to recognise a liability for buying carbon units offshore to meet international obligations, according to accounting experts, with billions of dollars of spending needed to meet the 2030 commitment.
NZ lagging in forging agreements to meet climate obligations
16 Feb 2024
New Zealand is lagging behind other countries in sealing bilateral deals to meet climate targets - a delay which could lead to higher costs, according to a climate policy consultant.
Best by the rest...
16 Feb 2024
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Christchurch Airport stops saying it is 'climate positive'; the real carbon footprint of starting a family; and why the Waitangi Tribunal is prioritising a hearing on climate change.
Port Hills fire: worsening conditions due to climate change
15 Feb 2024
A large wildfire in Christchurch’s Port Hills was made more likely, and likely more severe, because of climate change.
Businesses underrating risks from climate change - report
14 Feb 2024
While cyber breaches, slow economic recovery, and business interruptions are among the biggest risks keeping CEOs up at night, climate change didn’t make the top ten in a survey of current and future risks for business owners in the Asia-Pacific.
One of NZ’s most contentious climate cases is moving forward. And the world is watching
14 Feb 2024
By Vernon Rive, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau | In recent weeks, the Supreme Court of New Zealand has delivered a landmark decision on a case brought by Māori elder Mike Smith against a group of New Zealand’s largest corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters.
MfE lays out issues for new minister
13 Feb 2024
Environment officials’ briefings to incoming ministers are a guarded affair with the papers outlining issues and choices, including what the new government wants to do with resource management laws, water issues, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation.
Kiwi researchers rewriting climate history
13 Feb 2024
New Zealand researchers say they have rewritten the deep time history of Earth’s temperature record with findings that disprove ideas that early oceans were hot.
Pacific climate response in question as NZ finance remains unclear
19 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | With New Zealand's $1.3 billion international climate finance commitment set to end with no clarity on what follows, the Auditor-General says oversight of that funding remains patchy and long-term outcomes are unclear.
NZ hydrogen regulation to catch up with the world
18 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | The government has announced a regulatory reset for New Zealand’s emerging clean tech hydrogen sector.
State-owned farmer drives profit growth with emissions reductions
19 Dec 2025
By Pattrick Smellie | Government-owned Landcorp, trading as Pāmu, is one-third of the way to meeting its 2031 emissions reduction targets, with five years left to run to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30.3% against 2021 emissions.
Transport dominates NZ’s rising consumer emissions
10 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Transport pollution was the biggest contributor to an increase in New Zealand’s consumption-based emissions in 2023, with emissions from household travel up 12%, and consumption-based emissions totalling 58.3 million tonnes – up 1.6% from the previous year.
NZ could become ‘dumping ground’ for dirty vehicles: Commissioner
16 Dec 2025
By Liz Kivi | Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has warned the Government that its changes to the clean car standard could turn the country into a dumping ground for high emitting cars, making future emissions budgets harder to achieve.
Uncertainty eroding confidence in forestry sector
5 Dec 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Warnings are mounting that tree planting is set to plunge to “very close to zero”, as new Ministry for Primary Industries data shows ETS registration applications falling sharply as confidence in forestry declines.
Investors must support positive climate-tech
28 Nov 2025
OPINION: We need better leadership than the current ‘climate opportunism’ that is rife in the Beehive, and we need to back a marketplace that will make it happen, writes Rob Campbell.
