Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey speaks to Q+A's Jack Tame.

Fuel price blowouts push NZ towards electrification – advocate

The cherry orchadist estimates 8.5 million machines – cars, trucks and industrial tools – could be electrified now, with today’s technology.

Sunday 5:15pm

12:07

Sunrise (file image).

Earth’s climate in 'state of emergency', UN warns as warming accelerates

The past 11 years were the hottest on record, with scientists warning rising seas, melting ice and extreme weather pose growing risks, including for New Zealand and the Pacific.

Mon, Mar 23

Residents of Amberley Beach, around 35km north of Christchurch, were furious over the possible move.

Council proposes to move beach community amid sea level rise

The work underway at Amberley Beach, around 35km north of Christchurch, is quickly becoming a national test case.

Mon, Mar 23

The demonstration outside court itemised policies that the National-led government has changed or scrapped during its first term.

Government's climate change plans go to the High Court

Climate advocates will argue that the Government broke the law when it dismantled dozens of climate policies soon after the 2023 election – before consulting the public.

Mon, Mar 16

Flooding in the Napier suburb of Awatoto after Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

A system under strain: Rising house insurance costs raise tough questions

Consumer NZ recently described the situation as “serious” and called for urgent government action, citing concerns about both affordability and the way the market is functioning.

Mon, Mar 9

Fire burns in a field of grass near Bumbalong, south of the Australian capital, Canberra, February 1, 2020.

Heat waves that spark damaging droughts happening more frequently - study

For about the first two decades since 1980 they examined, the spread of heat-first extremes increased, but the rate in the last 22 years is eight times higher than the earlier rate, the study found.

Sun, Mar 8

Flooding at Tairua, Coromandel.

'Extremely active' summer brought record rain, deadly storms

Lower air pressure, La Niña and warm oceans fuelled a season of floods, landslides and temperature extremes – a preview of New Zealand’s climate future in a warming world.

Thu, Mar 5

Dilrukshan Kumara looks at the ocean as he stands by the remains of his family's home in Iranawila, Sri Lanka, June 15, 2023.

Study finds seas higher than first thought, putting millions more at risk

Researchers studied hundreds of scientific studies and hazard assessments, calculating that about 90% of them underestimated baseline coastal water heights by an average of 30 centimetres.

Thu, Mar 5

February 2026
Harnessing a strong coastal wind resource, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is backing a large-scale renewable energy partnership with Hiringa Energy aimed at producing green hydrogen and methanol for low-emissions transport.

'If the stars align, boom!': Rangitikeī iwi bets on green energy

Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is staking its claim in New Zealand’s clean energy future, backing a 280-megawatt green hydrogen and methanol project that could deliver climate gains, generational returns and long-term iwi ownership.

Thu, Feb 19

More severe-weather states of emergency have been declared already this year than in all of 2025, as deadly storms, record rainfall and repeated flooding batter parts of the North Island.

Severe weather States of Emergency in 2026 already match last year

Eight severe weather-related states of emergency have already been declared this year, matching the total for all of 2025.

Mon, Feb 16

January 2026
Flooding in Whitianga

NZ’s sodden January explained: what’s driven this month’s big wet?

For many people, it has felt like midsummer never really arrived. Is it simply bad luck, or is there something more going on?

Wed, Jan 28

The northland town of Ōakura has been hit hard by heavy rain and flooding.

Record ocean heat behind NZ's summer soaking

Understanding ocean heat – and how it shapes rainfall, storms and marine heatwaves – is central to explaining what we experience on land.

Thu, Jan 22

Pacific Island nation offering the world the opportunity to sponsor the care of each square kilometre of its Marine Protected Area.   

Niue earning millions from ocean sponsorship scheme

Pacific Island nation offers the world an opportunity to be a 'careholder' to each square kilometre of its Marine Protected Area.

Fri, Jan 9

Northland and the Bay of Plenty were more than 1.2C hotter than average this year.

2025 fourth-warmest year on record - here's where it was hottest

Four of New Zealand's five warmest years since records began have occurred since 2021.

Thu, Jan 8

December 2025
Ulva Island.

Southland's waters warming faster than most

Sea surface temperatures were increasing about 34% faster in New Zealand than the global average, according to an Environment Southland report.

December 6, 2025

October 2025
Amnesty International’s Secretary General says the Government is neglecting its global responsibilities.

Amnesty chief says NZ 'failing Tuvalu' amid climate crisis

Amnesty International’s Secretary General is warning the Government is neglecting its global responsibilities as rising seas threaten to swallow Pacific nations.

October 30, 2025

Auckland as seen on the new flood map.

New flood map reveals hundreds of thousands of NZers at risk

More than 750,000 New Zealanders currently live in areas at risk of major flooding – a number that could rise to 900,000 with three degrees of global warming.

October 30, 2025

The Energy and Climate Change Minister speaks to Q+A's Jack Tame.

Minister won't say how much cheaper power will be under reforms

Multiple pulp and paper mills have closed since the coalition came to power, citing high energy costs, leading to loud calls for action on electricity prices.

October 19, 2025

September 2025
Donald Trump’s Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu

Pacific Islands will 'rise and fall' due to sea level rise - Trump official

Logan Church spoke with Trump’s energy secretary, who said we should stop being so worried about climate change. Then he met a Prime Minister whose nation is being swallowed by the sea.

September 26, 2025

The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Donald Trump’s climate denial at the UN, more popular food products recalled, and Emmanuel Macron’s unexpected walk.

News in 90 Seconds September 24

The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Donald Trump’s climate denial at the UN, more popular food products recalled, and Emmanuel Macron’s unexpected walk.

September 24, 2025

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts.

Govt considers sidelining Climate Change Commission from emissions advice

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts repeatedly denied the plan, but then confirmed it to 1News two days later.

September 19, 2025

The long-awaited plant experienced years of delays and frustration for locals.

Oyster farmer: 'Pity' Snells Beach wastewater plant didn't open sooner

The long-awaited $450 million wastewater treatment plant at Snells Beach has finally opened, but for oyster farmer Tom Walters, the milestone comes far too late.

September 16, 2025

Nauru reboots passport sale scheme to fund climate fight

Nauru reboots passport sale scheme to fund climate fight

Applicants pay up to NZ$237,500 for Nauruan passports, offering visa-free access to several countries, as the island nation seeks new revenue to restore land and build resilience.

September 7, 2025

July 2025
Flooding at Roy Ogle's Muir Place property in May 2023. Photo / Supplied

Te Puke neighbours' flooding fight: 'We stress every time it rains'

Every time it rains, residents of a Western Bay of Plenty neighbourhood watch and wait for the flood waters to rise.

July 30, 2025

New research has found the Wairau Bar is at risk from rising sea levels.

Threat to one of NZ's oldest burial sites the 'canary in the coal mine'

Wairau Bar, or Te Pokohiwi o Kupe, in Marlborough region is one of the country's most significant archaeological sites.

July 10, 2025