Media round-up
23 May 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: What is behind delays to a taxpayer-funded methane satellite? Is carbon capture a fossil fuel industry scam? and David Hall argues that efficient forms of energy are not "lesser evils."
Taxpayer-funded climate satellite MethaneSAT finally reveals what's behind delays
By Eloise Gibson, RNZ
The group behind a taxpayer-funded methane satellite has finally revealed what is behind delays to a crucial milestone.
E-bikes for everyone: 3 NZ trials show people will make the switch – with the right support
By Caroline Shaw, Karen Witten and Simon Kingham, The Conversation
Anyone who uses city roads will know e-bikes have become increasingly popular in Aotearoa New Zealand. But we also know rising e-bike sales have been predominantly driven by financially well-off households.
No, it is not ‘evil’ to justify reducing energy consumption
By David Hall, Newsroom
The end goals of the global energy system are not so terrible that even more efficient forms of energy may be considered ‘lesser evils’
Greens must reject 'tokenism' to connect with marginalised communities – Chloe Swarbrick
By Richard Larsen, RNZ
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says her party must confront the uncomfortable reality that it continues to struggle with support from lower-income New Zealanders, despite advocating policies aimed squarely at economic and social justice.
Whanganui politician crosses boundaries to stop seabed mine
By Craig Ashworth, Stuff
A Whanganui councillor has brought her campaign against seabed mining to local politicians in New Plymouth, saying their silence isn’t good enough.
By Rex Weyler, Greenpeace
Carbon capture has always been a fossil fuel industry scam, designed to distract and delay critical measures to cut emissions by phasing out coal, oil, and gas.
They said it couldn’t be done: Gene editing breakthrough preempts new law
By Fox Meyer, Newsroom
Scion reveal it’s field-testing the world’s first GMO pines, despite Government claims that our restrictive gene tech laws are suppressing such profitable research
The time is now: Working together to build a hydrogen future for Aotearoa
By Sir Stephen Tindall, The Post
OPINION: This month’s H2 2 ZERO Summit in Wellington couldn’t come at a more important moment.
Herbicide review bad for business, Harraways says
By Andrew Bevin, Newsroom
New Zealand’s only oat mill has submitted against a proposed hundredfold increase to the maximum limit of glyphosate in grains.
Budget 2025 – what on earth happened to New Zealand aid?
By Terence Wood, NZADD
What’s going to happen to New Zealand government aid? There’s good news and bad news.
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Markets aren't going to save us – Carr
Wed 9 Jul 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Consumerism is reaching its ecological and economic limits, and only systemic change - not market tweaks - can steer us away from climate catastrophe, according to former Climate Change Commission chair Rod Carr.
Climate backtracking could impact trade relationships: Labour
Wed 9 Jul 2025
By Liz Kivi | Labour Party Energy spokesperson Megan Woods says the government needs to be upfront about how its energy policies will impact trade relationships, following revelations New Zealand was warned by other governments that backtracking on climate policies jeopardised its membership of an international alliance.
NZ Post drops science-based climate target
Tue 8 Jul 2025
By Liz Kivi | NZ Post has dropped its science-based emissions reduction target of 42% by 2030 with no plans to replace it.
Nelson adopts ambitious target to slash emissions
Tue 8 Jul 2025
By Max Frethey, Local Democracy Reporter | After some of the most passionate debate seen in the chamber this triennium, Nelson City Council has adopted the more ambitious of two community greenhouse gas targets.
Clear-sighted view to trade-offs crucial to reimagining our relationship with the land
Mon 7 Jul 2025
By Nick Swallow | COMMENT: New Zealand could see a 70% drop in the value of dairy land if we pursue our emissions targets for agriculture, according to a new report.
Open letter warns against Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill
Fri 4 Jul 2025
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
Fri 4 Jul 2025
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.
Media round-up
Fri 4 Jul 2025
In our weekly round-up of climate coverage in local media: Proposed changes to forestry rules won’t solve the ‘slash’ problem; New Plymouth District Council officially opposes seabed mining; and is local media coverage of climate change lacking when reporting extreme weather events?
International group urges PM to strengthen climate targets
3 Jul 2025
By Liz Kivi | An international group of New Zealanders working on climate change issues has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon warning him against weakening climate targets.
MethaneSAT loss ‘a tragedy’
3 Jul 2025
By Liz Kivi | The disappearance of a methane-tracking satellite, which was backed by $29 million of government funding, is a tragic loss according to one astrophysicist, who is calling for a review to understand how New Zealand blew past multiple red flags about its operation.
