New Zealand: All stories
Significant emissions from Waikato wetlands fire
25 Oct 2024
By Shannon Williams | Up to 180,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases may have been released into the atmosphere following a fire at Whangamarino wetlands in the Waikato.
Offshore wind energy company pulls out of NZ
25 Oct 2024
Spanish offshore wind energy company Bluefloat has announced it is pulling out of its New Zealand projects, citing the potential clash with seabed mining off Taranaki.
Media round-up
25 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: The government's long-awaited farm-to-forest conversion policy is sent back to the drawing board; how New Zealand is outsourcing the risks of AI; and Winston Peters says climate will be a top priority at this year’s CHOGM.
Environmental management failing to hold the line - Upton
24 Oct 2024
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is not confident New Zealand’s efforts are making a difference to environmental quality.
NZ gets top ranking on sustainable trade index
24 Oct 2024
By Nick Swallow | COMMENT: New Zealand has again ranked number one on the 2024 Hinrich Sustainable Trade Index.
Seaweed can reduce emissions from cattle by 95% - new study
24 Oct 2024
A new study has found that using whole Asparagopsis seaweed as a cattle feed additive is significantly more effective at reducing methane emissions than using the plant’s primary active compound on its own.
Government consulting on ETS charges for forestry
23 Oct 2024
The government is proposing setting an annual per hectare charge for forestry in the ETS at $14.90 - about half the price set by the previous government, but still a significant increase on what foresters formerly paid.
Total emissions up 1.1 percent in June quarter
23 Oct 2024
Increase in the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation was the main driver behind a rise in total GHG emissions for the June quarter, according to Stats NZ.
Auckland remains off track to meet climate target
22 Oct 2024
Auckland Council remains off track to reach its own climate targets, according to a new progress report, which shows emissions are rising rather tracking down to zero by 2050.
Slight increase in EV sales - but uptake lagging behind other countries
22 Oct 2024
Electric vehicle sales staged a modest revival along with a mild increase in overall vehicle sales, according to an analysis by Forsyth Barr.
Environment Committee reports back on fast-track bill
21 Oct 2024
The Environment Select Committee has reported back to Parliament on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with critics saying it has largely ignored submissions.
Govt policy statement urges Electricity Authority to keep up the pace
21 Oct 2024
The Government policy statement sent to the Electricity Authority puts an emphasis on implementing its past and current work programme as quickly as possible, while maintaining the market fundamentals.
Urgent calls for action at biodiversity summit undermined by poor govt decisions
18 Oct 2024
By Manu Caddie | COMMENT: As I arrive in Colombia for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, COP16, I am struck by the glaring contradictions between New Zealand's international commitments and its domestic policies.
Hawke’s Bay dam project sparks protest
18 Oct 2024
By Linda Hall, Local Democracy Reporting | It was standing room only at a Central Hawke’s Bay Council meeting on Thursday as the revival of a new version of the Ruataniwha dam made its way to a council chamber once again.
Reserve Bank releases first climate-related disclosure
18 Oct 2024
The Reserve Bank has released its first voluntary climate-related disclosure for the 2023/24 financial year.
Media round-up
18 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: The government will consider emissions from buildings in its climate plan; cruise ship passengers receive a cool reception from protesters; and a top climate scientist says damaging storms such as Cyclone Gabrielle might not become more frequent - but they will be more intense.
Govt finances still don’t recognise climate liability
17 Oct 2024
Treasury has failed to recognise a liability for New Zealand’s international climate commitments in its latest financial statement, with its position unchanged on the multibillion dollar price tag of purchasing offshore mitigation.
Foresters welcome reference group - but questions remain around ETS charges
17 Oct 2024
Foresters have welcomed the plan for a new Reference Group for the sector, but say the government shouldn’t risk undermining afforestation by overcharging foresters participating in the ETS.
Massive emissions from 2022 wetland fires
17 Oct 2024
More than 600,000 tonnes of carbon were lost to the atmosphere in recent fires at two of New Zealand’s most important wetlands, according to a new report.
Bringing tiny forests to urban marae
17 Oct 2024
Three community groups are creating a Ngahere Korowai – precious cloak forest – on the whenua of the Wainuiomata Marae in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai, Lower Hutt.
Emails reveal BP gave $550,000 to group fighting climate lawsuits
17 Oct 2024
The Manufacturer’s Accountability Project is ubiquitous fighting cities’ and states’ suits against oil companies. Now it’s clear it’s being funded directly by at least one of those companies.
Weather events 'wakeup call' – The Warehouse outlines climate targets
16 Oct 2024
The Warehouse Group says the last couple of years have been a wake-up call when it comes to climate change.
Insurers call for urgent action on climate adaptation
15 Oct 2024
New insurance data has highlighted the urgent need for climate adaptation and risk reduction in the face of increasingly unstable weather patterns.
Outcry over fishing amendment in govt's Hauraki Gulf bill
15 Oct 2024
The government's decision to allow commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf threatens to set back protection and restoration efforts by decades, critics say.
Lakes refill but concerns remain about next winter
15 Oct 2024
Lake Pūkaki returned to its long-term average storage level for the first time since May.
Far North’s cyclone damaged properties in line for buyout and relocation
15 Oct 2024
By Susan Botting, Local Democracy Reporter Northland | Twenty-five severe weather-hit Far North residential properties are in the spotlight for potential buyout and relocation.
Legal action filed against minister of transport over Clean Car Standard
14 Oct 2024
The Better New Zealand Trust, with the support of Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc, is taking the Government to court over what it says is an unlawful decision to weaken the Clean Car Standard.
NZ must work with other countries to reach climate goals: new research
14 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | Aotearoa’s international climate targets can only be met through funding significant emissions reductions in other countries. But a lack of public support to spend this money overseas is paralysing New Zealand’s progress towards its goal, according to researchers.
Auckland election for community trust controlling Vector
14 Oct 2024
There's a power struggle on in Auckland over control of community trust that owns more than 75% of Vector, with a new group saying it wants to accelerate renewables.
Kindergarten teachers bring numbers to climate change event
14 Oct 2024
Kaitiaki Kindergartens and Climate Club Aotearoa joined forces to deliver New Zealand’s biggest ever ‘Climate Fresk’ event last week, with about 70 kindergarten teachers taking part.
Minister to co-chair carbon market negotiations at COP29
11 Oct 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts will chair negotiations on carbon markets at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), in Azerbaijan next month.
Transpower backtracks on selling gas and carbon trading platform
11 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | Transpower has decided not to sell its gas and carbon trading platform, emsTradepoint, this year. However, the future of carbon trading on the platform is uncertain.
Media round-up
11 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: NZ First refuses to say whether it supports buying climate action from other countries; the rushed submissions process around a bill to restart oil and gas exploration; and exporters are relieved EU deforestation rules may be delayed.
Fast-track to extinction for native species?
10 Oct 2024
Resources minister Shane Jones’ promise to say ‘goodbye Freddy’ to endangered species that get in the way of resource extraction is closer to becoming a reality under fast-track legislation, according to the New Zealand Ecological Society.
NZ air quality improving, but 'no safe level' for most pollutants
10 Oct 2024
While air quality is improving around Aotearoa, pollutants are still at levels that are above WHO guidelines, with climate change likely to worsen levels of pollen, wildfire smoke, and windblown dust.
Genesis deal with ChargeNet gets mixed reaction
10 Oct 2024
Genesis Energy last week announced its intention to take a 65% shareholding in ChargeNet, New Zealand’s largest public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
New climate ambassador appointed
9 Oct 2024
New Zealand has a new top climate diplomat, with Stuart Horne stepping up as the country’s newly minted climate change ambassador, climate change minister Simon Watts announced this morning.
Emissions reductions low priority for dairy farmers: new report
9 Oct 2024
New Zealand dairy farmers continue to prioritise financial viability over emissions reductions, despite generally accepting the threat of human-induced climate change, according to a new study.
XRB proposes extra year for climate reporting
9 Oct 2024
The External Reporting Board is proposing an extra year for scope 3 reporting and assurance, anticipated financial impacts, and transition planning for Climate Related Disclosures.
Channel looks at multi-million dollar biorefinery at Marsden Point
8 Oct 2024
Channel Infrastructure is exploring a groundbreaking opportunity to transform its Marsden Point facility into a biorefinery, showcasing the potential of its real estate.
Repealing oil and gas ban an economic disaster: flood-struck Dunedin submitter
7 Oct 2024
Disastrous flooding in Dunedin is a direct result of extracting and burning fossil fuels, a submitter told a select committee as he waded through water in his flood-stricken neighbourhood.
Environment the loser in govt's fast-track announcement, say critics
7 Oct 2024
Environmental groups and opposition parties are irate over the government's list of fast-track projects, with activists saying they will be "disasters" for the planet.
Illegal mining cases on the rise
7 Oct 2024
Illegal mining under exploration permits has increased, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with three operators currently before the courts.
Gisborne cross-sector group established to guide landowners of highly erodible land
7 Oct 2024
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | As the Government looks to take control of national forestry regulations from councils, questions linger on what it will mean for Gisborne.
Reversing oil and gas ban is a risky political choice: Upton
4 Oct 2024
Reversing the ban on fossil fuel exploration risks promoting more environmental damage as well as burdening taxpayers with clean-up costs, according to the environment commissioner.
Reducing the dairy herd to lower emissions?
4 Oct 2024
If the dairy industry needs to milk fewer cows, it needs to milk better ones, according to the Livestock Improvement Corporation.
Farmers need to get creative to reduce environmental impacts: Young Farmer finalist
4 Oct 2024
By Jon Rawlinson | A three-time winner of the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition is building a business around helping future farmers prepare for environmental challenges.
Centre seeks experts to classify sustainable claims
4 Oct 2024
The Centre for Sustainable Finance is looking for experts in sustainable finance, agriculture, and forestry, to develop the agriculture and forestry taxonomy for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Media round-up
4 Oct 2024
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: could ‘hot air’ accounting could meet NZ’s Paris climate target? government advice says no new gas fields are likely to be discovered or developed in the next 10 years; and rising temperatures are putting our youngest at risk of life-long health problems.
NZ needs to optimise its natural advantage for carbon removal
3 Oct 2024
By Shannon Williams | Carbon capture should be monetised as a commodity, and New Zealand needs to seize on its natural advantages for carbon removal, according to a University of Canterbury researcher.
Open letter warns against Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill
Today 10:30am
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A group of prominent New Zealanders are speaking out against the Regulatory Standards Bill, with top climate scientist Jim Salinger warning it will have a chilling effect on future climate change and adaptation policy.
Kiwi ‘smart panel’ startup aiming to reduce energy bills and emissions
Today 10:30am
NZ start-up Basis this week launched an ‘intelligent’ panel to replace traditional electrical switchboards in homes, which it says can save the average home $1,200 NZD annually on bills and lead to lower emissions.
Flurry of govt announcements at Fieldays
12 Jun 2025
The government has come up with a solar energy package for farms, a new grass-fed certification scheme for meat and dairy, and a supplier agreement for carpets in new state homes - all part of the annual flurry of politicians’ Fieldays announcements.
Mangroves' overlooked climate role
Mon 30 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand’s mangrove forests are pulling tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year, yet their climate benefits remain unrecognised in national emissions reporting.
How flying can be a climate solution
16 Jun 2025
By Paul Callister and Robert McLachlan - Planetary Ecology | How can aviation contribute to tackling climate change when no practicable technology-based solutions are on the horizon?
Bill to limit farm-to-forest conversions passes first reading
27 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The government's bill aiming to limit farm-to-forestry conversions in the Emissions Trading Scheme passed its first reading in Parliament this week, however concerns were raised over rushing it through under urgency, with less than two weeks allowed for public submissions.
IRD will stop using wetland destruction in ‘how-to’ for claiming expenses
27 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Environmental organisation Forest & Bird has welcomed the Inland Revenue’s decision to stop using wetland destruction as an example of a tax-deductible agricultural expense in future guidance.
