Media round-up
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?
When pushed, climate minister says ‘we’re staying in Paris’
By David Williams, Newsroom
On the day the election date is announced, the National Party says it’s committed to climate action, with caveats.
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk
By Kate Newton, RNZ
A major insurance company has temporarily stopped offering new home insurance policies in Westport because of the town's flood risk.
A brief history of vegetation on Mauao and the need for a climate risk reduction election
By Manu Caddie, Substack
The tragic loss of life should cause us to reflect on our relationship with vulnerable landscapes in a changing climate.
Climate change making storms 'more intense'
By Bill Hackman, RNZ
A climate scientist says it's not too late for people to reduce emissions and slow the effects of climate change.
Which regions lead NZ in rooftop solar – and which ones lag behind
By Marc Daalder, Newsroom
Forestry group urges Government to remove legal accountability for slash
By Marty Sharpe, Stuff
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti is shoring up its reputation as ground zero in the battle between communities and forestry operators as to what is legally acceptable when it comes to slash.
900,000-tonne miscalculation makes carbon target even tougher
By Kate Newton, RNZ
A miscalculation has left New Zealand with less wiggle-room to meet all of its planned greenhouse gas savings.
Government pushes ‘unavoidable’ new mines as conservationists raise alarm
Amber Allott, The Press
Conservationists say they have been embroiled in a battle to stop plans to blast Denniston Plateau apart from being fast-tracked with little public input.
Extreme rainfall events a 'peek into the future', climate experts say
By Kate Newton, RNZ
La Niña conditions and background climate change trends combined to create the intense rainfall that devastated North Island communities, climate experts say.
Hīkoi calling for ‘urgent action’ on slash to mark 3rd anniversary of devastation
By Marty Sharpe, Stuff
A hīkoi through the streets of Gisborne will take place on Thursday to mark the third anniversary of the devastation that struck the region from ex-Tropical Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Do trees prevent landslides? What science says about roots, rainfall and stability
By Martin Brook, The Conversation
In the days since last week’s fatal landslides at Mount Maunganui, there has been widespread discussion about what may have caused the slopes above the campground to fail, including the possible role of recent tree removal on Mauao.
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New legislation to bar climate torts proves polarising for submitters
Fri 17 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | Opponents of legislation to block climate lawsuits say it could seriously damage investor confidence, while supporters of the same legislation argue that not passing it could be “devastating” for the New Zealand economy.
Climate adaptation plans welcomed, but funding remains the missing piece
Fri 17 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | Experts are welcoming a proposal to make climate adaptation planning mandatory, but warn the plans may be ineffective without clarity around who will pay to implement them.
Conservation bill could put development ahead of protection, commissioner warns
Fri 17 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton says the proposed law changes could give economic development greater weight than conservation, undermining the purpose of the Conservation Act.
Sustainable Business Council listed on submission supporting climate torts bar
Fri 17 Jul 2026
By Liz Kivi | Business New Zealand’s submission supporting legislation to block climate lawsuits raised eyebrows this week for listing the Sustainable Business Council as seemingly in support of the controversial law change.
The arms race to climate calamity
Fri 17 Jul 2026
COMMENT: Both Australia and New Zealand are justifying spending millions of dollars on high-end killing machines by hyping the so-called China threat, while downplaying the very real threat of climate change to the Pacific region, writes Jeremy Rose.
Media round-up
Fri 17 Jul 2026
In our round-up of climate coverage in local media: The Prime Minister’s Office asked Z Energy to hand-deliver climate law briefing, the official watchdog warns of ‘catastrophic consequences’ if the electricity sector can’t adapt to a rush of rooftop solar, and angry customers are complaining about SolarZero contracts.
Government running out of time to lock in LNG import terminal deal before election
Thu 16 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | Procurement for a floating LNG import terminal in Taranaki is well advanced, the Government says, but the clock is ticking to sign contracts before the election.
Pacific coral reefs face mounting climate threat – experts
Thu 16 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Coral reef scientists are warning that climate change is accelerating the decline of reef ecosystems across the Pacific, with rising ocean temperatures, marine heatwaves and sea-level rise threatening both biodiversity and the communities that depend on them.
Rich nations inflate climate finance as NZ urged to act
Thu 16 Jul 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | Rich countries have overstated the value of climate finance delivered to developing nations by around US$100 billion in 2024, Oxfam says. The non-profit is urging New Zealand to increase its climate finance while applauding the country's strategy of allocating finance as grants rather than loans.
Climate law introduced requiring adaptation plans and reducing Commission's role
Wed 15 Jul 2026
By Oli Lewis | The Government has introduced legislation to amend the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA), which includes stripping the Climate Change Commission of one of its core roles, adds a new requirement for councils to produce adaptation plans for higher-risk areas, and updates ETS settings.
