New climate ambassador appointed amid mounting scrutiny of Govt policy
Today 11:30am
By Shannon Morris-Williams
The Climate Change Minister has appointed senior diplomat Stuart Calman as New Zealand’s new Climate Change Ambassador, as the Government's climate agenda faces growing criticism from environmental groups, renewable energy advocates and policy experts.
Story copyright © Carbon News 2026
Infrastructure plan calls for ‘predictable approach’ to electrifying economy
Wed 18 Feb 2026
Aotearoa’s first National Infrastructure Plan, introduced to Parliament yesterday, calls for "a predictable approach to electrifying the economy" as one of ten priorities for the next decade.
Climate ambassador moves on
Fri 13 Feb 2026
By Liz Kivi | The Government is on the hunt for a new top climate diplomat, with previous climate ambassador Stu Horne moving on to a posting in Honolulu as New Zealand’s Consul General to Hawai’i.
Rushed resource management reform bills unworkable: Environmental Defence Society
11 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The Environmental Defence Society says significant amendments are needed to the government’s Natural Environment and Planning Bills, warning the proposed reforms risk weakening environmental limits, public participation, and regulatory certainty.
Ministers celebrate fast-track milestone amid criticism
10 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | The government is marking the first anniversary of its fast-track approvals regime, saying it is helping “build New Zealand’s future”, despite continued criticism from environmental groups, opposition parties, and industry voices following several controversial project decisions.
Critical minerals talks with US questioned in Waitangi Tribunal climate inquiry
9 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | New Zealand and the United States' negotiations over critical minerals have raised questions for the Waitangi Tribunal’s long-running inquiry into climate change.
Fast-track panel rejects Taranaki seabed mining bid
9 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A fast-track approvals panel has declined Trans-Tasman Resources’ proposal to mine the seabed in the South Taranaki Bight, finding credible risks to marine species and determining the project would breach obligations to Māori under the Fast-Track Approvals Act.
Green Member’s Bill aims to give whales legal ‘personhood’
9 Feb 2026
The Green Party wants to give whales legal rights, including the right to sue.
$7m boost for marae adaptation as climate impacts intensify
5 Feb 2026
By Shannon Morris-Williams | A further $7 million has been committed to marae climate resilience projects under the second stage of the Māori Climate Platform, with funding targeted at flood protection, water infrastructure, renewable energy and, in one case, relocating a marae to higher ground.
The politics of risk in 2026
3 Feb 2026
The opening speeches of Parliament’s first sitting days offered little new policy detail, but they repeated the themes likely to define energy and environment politics in 2026 - and the framing each party wants to carry into an election year.
