News & Achievements

Today, we’re taking action in line with the advice of the Climate Change Commission to reduce our carbon footprint, so future generations have a fair go.

Our Clean Car package, announced this morning, delivers on our promise to cut transport emissions. It will make it easier to make the switch to low emissions vehicles, helping us hit our carbon neutral target of 2050 while securing our sustainable recovery from COVID.

In 2019, we established the Climate Change Commission to provide independent advice on climate change action and to hold this Government and future Governments to account. Today, the Commission's final advice was released. It sets out the total amount of global warming pollution Aotearoa must cut by 2035 to be on track to meet our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Aotearoa New Zealand is surrounded by Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific Ocean. The ocean is central to our identities and to our ecosystems. The Big Blue both isolates us from other countries and connects us to our Pacific neighbours. We have the seventh largest maritime area in the world, ranging from subtropical to subantarctic, with more than 50 habitat types. And we’re responsible for the protection of this area and the thousands of species – all the fish, mammals, seaweeds, microorganisms, crustaceans, seabirds – that call it home.

Here in New Zealand, we have a remarkable natural environment, with unique ecosystems and native species. It’s taken millions of years for Aotearoa to develop this precious environment – and it’s up to us to protect it! In collaboration with communities across the country, we’re doing just that.

Test your knowledge this World Environment Day!

Think you’re a nature super-fan? Can’t tell a kauri from a kāmahi? To celebrate World Environment Day this week, we’ve put together a quiz to test how much you know about Te Taiao.

Flex your nature muscles or learn something new about the world we live in… then challenge your friends to do better. Good luck!

You’ve probably already heard that last week the Government released this year’s Budget. It’s something we’re really excited about (and if you are too, you can read more here), because we know it’s a key part of our plan to secure a strong COVID recovery.

Yesterday, Grant Robertson unveiled this year’s Budget. With a focus on securing our recovery and tackling long-term challenges – like climate change, housing, and child wellbeing – Budget 2021 delivers targeted investments to reduce inequality while keeping a lid on debt.

This year’s Budget is focused on securing our recovery while tackling long term issues like child wellbeing, housing and climate change. It’s full of initiatives to help us meet the challenges of COVID-19 and come out stronger on the other side.

There’s a lot in Budget 2021 – here are 10 key things you need to know.

Since 2017, we’ve worked hard to tackle the long term challenges facing New Zealand and we’re proud of the progress that we’ve made on the big issues like housing, inequality and climate change.

Below you can see examples of this progress – like lifting incomes, making housing more affordable, helping more New Zealanders into work and training, reducing climate emissions, and so much more.

But there’s still more to do, and we’re committed to building on our progress.

Updated 16 May 2023.