Could Queenstown become the world’s most electric city?
Wed 11 Jun 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams
Queenstown is set to become the focus of an ambitious initiative aiming to transform it into the world’s most electrified destination.
Forestry consents and relaxed rules in erosion zones sow seeds of future disaster
Today 11:30am
OPINION: The government’s move to restrict exotic forestry on our best food-growing soils will push even more forestry investment onto high erosion risk land on the East Coast, with the worst land becoming the only land left for the most intensive and destructive land use, writes Manu Caddie
Electric firebricks: decarbonising high-temperature industrial heat
Today 11:30am
By Ian Mason | A new technology could offer a more cost-effective solution than hydrogen to decarbonise one ‘hard-to-abate’ sector of New Zealand’s economy, as well as having ample potential for demand response as the electricity grid becomes more renewable.
Govt announces pilot projects for voluntary nature credits
Thu 12 Jun 2025
The government today announced it is supporting the voluntary credits nature market to expand by running pilot projects across New Zealand.
Outcry over six-tonne protected coral bycatch haul
Thu 12 Jun 2025
A New Zealand bottom trawling vessel has pulled up six tonnes of protected stony coral in a single trawl – making it the worst reported case of coral destruction in New Zealand waters in over a decade.
Flurry of govt announcements at Fieldays
Thu 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.
Rapid action vital following UN Ocean Conference – experts
Thu 12 Jun 2025
New Zealand-based experts are calling for rapid and transformative action to restore nature - and our relationship with it - at the third UN Ocean Conference in France this week.
Legal experts sue Climate minister over ‘glaring holes’ in climate plan
Wed 11 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Legal experts are taking the government to court over its Emissions Reduction Plan, alleging it fails to fulfil basic requirements of the law – with one of the arguments focussing on an over-reliance on tree-planting.
Foresters baulk at restrictions, land ballots
Wed 11 Jun 2025
By Liz Kivi | Forestry groups say that new legislation will introduce further uncertainty for planting plans and poses a threat to climate targets.
ASB launches interest-free loans for solar installations
Wed 11 Jun 2025
ASB Bank is providing farmers with interest-free loans of up to $150,000 over five years to support the installation of solar panels and battery systems on their farms.
