New Zealand: All stories
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.
What’s in it for us? Pātea pledges to mess with miners
3 Oct 2024
Seabed miners will face direct action on the waves if they are given Government fast-track approval, says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.
OIO approves sale of West Coast forestry harvesting rights
3 Oct 2024
The Overseas Investment Office has approved Ngāi Tahu Forestry’s plan to sell harvesting rights to its 26,700ha forestry estate on the West Coast.
Govt fossil fuel plan will increase costs and emissions and won’t help energy security: Hood
2 Oct 2024
The government’s plan to restart oil and gas exploration won’t improve New Zealand’s near-term energy security challenges, and signals a long-term direction for the energy system with higher costs, less security, and higher greenhouse gas emissions, according to an expert.
Greenwashing litigation growing risk for businesses: expert
2 Oct 2024
By Liz Kivi | A lawsuit alleging that Fonterra is spreading misleading claims about butter highlights greenwashing litigation as an increasing risk for businesses, according to a legal expert.
Climate adaptation report lacks detail, urgent action required
2 Oct 2024
The Environmental Defence Society says the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee's report on climate adaption lacks detail, while Forest & Bird calls for urgent action to help adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
Restarting oil and gas exploration risks free trade agreements: official advice
1 Oct 2024
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice to the government says that restarting offshore oil and gas exploration is likely to breach the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the European Union.
Work needed for cross-party consensus on critical climate issues
1 Oct 2024
Consensus on critical climate issues among New Zealand political parties is proving challenging, according to the Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into climate adaptation.
Greenpeace files lawsuit against Fonterra for greenwashing
30 Sep 2024
Greenpeace Aotearoa is taking legal action against Fonterra for allegedly misleading customers.
Energy rationing proposal shot down by MfE
30 Sep 2024
By Shannon Williams | Tradable energy quotas must be in place before New Zealand has a fuel shortage crisis, Degrowth Aotearoa told a select committee.
Minister to meet Pacific Islands climate leaders
30 Sep 2024
Climate change minister Simon Watts is travelling to Fiji today to attend a Ministerial Meeting (Talanoa) with Pacific Island Countries, Australia, and New Zealand.
Debanking debate heats up as deadline looms for submissions on NZ First bill
Tue 1 Jul 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The debate over so-called “woke banking” is back in the spotlight as the deadline approaches for public input on NZ First’s Debanking Bill.
SolarZero liquidation complex - but sale possible
Tue 1 Jul 2025
It will likely take a long time to sort out the complexities around the liquidation of SolarZero, with a series of claims against the company adding to the myriad complexities in arrangements set up to manage its contracts and obligations.
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
Fri 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
Fri 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.
