New Zealand: All stories
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.
Massive native reforestation project proposed
29 Nov 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.
Climate friendly transport: Why Air New Zealand needs to get onboard with passenger rail
29 Nov 2023
By Paul Callister and Robert McLachlan | Air New Zealand has a problem. The national airline needs to be profitable and, traditionally, this has involved increasing passenger numbers.
Incoming govt might face $24 billion climate bill
28 Nov 2023
By Liz Kivi | The new government has a major task ahead to deliver on the country’s international obligations for emissions reductions, with implications for international trade if targets aren’t met.
Greens launch petition to keep oil and gas ban
28 Nov 2023
The Green Party has launched a petition to stop the incoming government repealing the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration.
New govt cans ETS review, climate and environment ministers outside cabinet
27 Nov 2023
By Liz Kivi | The new National-led coalition government has dumped the current review of the Emissions Trading Scheme, and appointed climate and environment ministers outside cabinet.
Energy and resources portfolio split
27 Nov 2023
The former energy and resources portfolio has been split into two by the new government.
Biodiversity finance? Definitely. Biodiversity credits? Maybe
24 Nov 2023
By Jeremy Rose | The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and some of the country’s major environmental groups have questioned the government’s one-eyed focus on biodiversity credits.
NZ aircraft to fight climate-fuelled wildfires worldwide
24 Nov 2023
It’s unusual for an aircraft manufacturer to be able to genuinely claim its product is making a net positive contribution to climate change but that’s the claim of one Hamilton-based company - and it may just be true.
Best by the rest...
24 Nov 2023
In our weekly round-up of the best climate coverage in local media: Big carbon farming decisions lie ahead; the good (and bad) news on climate change; and growing concerns around the Māori Carbon Collective.
Toitū to stop accepting NZUs
23 Nov 2023
Toitū Envirocare, the government’s carbon certification service, announced today that it will transition away from accepting New Zealand carbon credits in its carbon certification programmes.
Manawa says stand-alone generation successful
23 Nov 2023
Manawa Energy has declared its move to a generation-only model a success.
Climate Change Commission in the dock
22 Nov 2023
The Climate Change Commission is back in court defending its advice, with a case brought by Lawyers for Climate Action (LCANZI) starting in the Court of Appeal yesterday.
Climate change might be to blame for ozone hole - new research
22 Nov 2023
Ozone levels above Antarctica may not be recovering after all, and climate change might be to blame, according to NZ scientists.
NZ signs up to US-led clean energy framework
21 Nov 2023
New Zealand is one of 14 countries in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) that agreed to two more "pillars" of the initiative last week, covering cooperation on clean energy and anti-corruption measures.
Call for incoming government to allow micro-cars on our roads
20 Nov 2023
By Jeremy Rose | Long-time micro-car advocate Toa Greening is calling on the incoming government to change road regulations to allow microcars - increasingly popular in Asia and Europe - on New Zealand roads.
Govt brushes off 'damning' assessment of stalled emissions reductions
Thu 23 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government is downplaying the Climate Change Commission’s “damning” report on the country’s stalled emission reductions, while experts say policy changes since the Coalition Government came into power are squarely to blame.
Businesses told to plan ahead as energy risks mount
Thu 23 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Switching to electricity and improving energy efficiency are becoming increasingly attractive investments in the face of rising costs – and companies can no longer afford a "business as usual" attitude to energy, according to a new report.
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.”
