Media round-up
24 Oct 2025
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The Government planned to gut New Zealand's world-leading climate disclosure law - even as it bragged about it on the world stage; a new Indigenous climate adaptation network launches; and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts admits that the new methane target might breach the global 1.5C goal.
New Zealand guts climate policy it bragged about on the world stage
By Kirsty Johnston, RNZ
The government has gutted New Zealand's once world-leading climate disclosure law, just months after officials showcased it to the United Nations as evidence of "significant progress" on climate action.
Climate minister admits new target may breach global 1.5C goal
By Marc Daalder, Newsroom
Lawyers for Climate Action has accused the Government of breaching international law by knowingly setting a target inconsistent with the global warming goal.
Indigenous climate adaptation network launched in Ōtautahi
By, Te Aniwaniwa Paterson, Te Ao Māori News
Māori and Pasifika leaders are leading climate adaptation, guided by ancestral knowledge and Indigenous principles to build resilience and shape global solutions.
Antarctica's September weather driving current hot windy conditions
By Alexa Cook, RNZ
Antarctica's warm weather in September is driving the gale force winds and hot temperatures being felt across New Zealand this week.
Property fetish ducks climate responsibility
By Sasha Maher, Newsroom
We can’t continue to treat climate adaptation as a fiscal liability – it needs to be a transformative plan
Wairarapa vet helps bring pioneering climate care programme to NZ
By Deena Coster, The Post
A Wairarapa vet has been at the forefront of bringing a pioneering programme to New Zealand to help her colleagues get to grips with climate change.
Reality bites: Roads of National Significance will bankrupt the nation
Greater Auckland
The government’s mega-roads programme is now looking to cost an astonishing $40-50 billion, based on new documents released yesterday by the NZTA.
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Story copyright © Carbon News 2025
Kiwis want Govt investment to reduce climate risk
Mon 2 Feb 2026
New Zealanders strongly support proactive efforts to reduce the risks from climate related events like flooding, landslips and sea level rise and keep communities safe, according to a new survey.
Opposition attacks Govt over fossil fuel phaseout backdown
Mon 2 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | Revelations that Resources Minister Shane Jones ruled out New Zealand signing up to a 'road map' away from fossil fuels at last year’s global climate summit show the National Party’s minor coalition partners’ undue influence over the Government, according to Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
Gisborne council urged to stop 'appeasing' forestry industry
Mon 2 Feb 2026
By Zita Campbell, Local Democracy Reporter | A Gisborne environmental group is lobbying the Gisborne District Council to stop appeasing the forestry industry, and protesters say they want more action “faster”.
Commentators slam Govt inaction in aftermath of climate change-fuelled storms
Fri 30 Jan 2026
By Liz Kivi | Climate action - or inaction - is shaping up to be an election issue, with multiple commentators drawing a line between the Coalition Government’s backsliding on climate targets and the deadly extreme weather events of the past week.
Foresters warn emissions plan changes push risk into next decade
Fri 30 Jan 2026
The New Zealand Institute of Forestry says the Government’s amendment to the Second Emissions Reduction Plan provides welcome policy clarity in the short term, but leaves significant delivery risks unresolved beyond 2030, particularly as agriculture pricing is shelved and greater reliance is placed on forestry removals.
Greenpeace slams ‘bogus’ climate plan
Fri 30 Jan 2026
The Government’s re-jigged emissions plan has a giant “cow-shaped hole” in it, exposing a climate strategy that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny, according to Greenpeace.
Ōtara homeowner lays bare cost of flood-proofing as council confirms no private funding
Fri 30 Jan 2026
Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata | A lifelong Ōtara resident is using her family home as a real-world example of what flood resilience looks like in practice.
Media round-up
Fri 30 Jan 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: A climate scientist says it's not too late for people to reduce emissions and slow the effects of climate change, forestry urges Government to remove legal accountability for slash, and which regions lead NZ in rooftop solar – and which ones lag behind?
Out of Paris, but will the US formally quit the UN climate regime?
Fri 30 Jan 2026
The Trump administration has decided to withdraw the US from the broader UN climate convention, raising questions about the legality of the move and what it means in practice.
Govt updates emissions plan to blow past legislated target
Thu 29 Jan 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government has updated its emissions reduction plan, with agricultural emissions now set to blow past the legislated 2030 target.
