Greens call on Minister to “call in” new polluting power plant

The Green Party launched a campaign today to stop the proposed construction of a new gas-fired power plant in South Waikato that would increase greenhouse gas emissions, causing climate change.

Nova Energy has applied for resource consents to build a gas-burning power plant near Otorohanga. The Green Party is asking Environment Minister Nick Smith to “call in” the application on the grounds that burning more fossil fuels will affect New Zealand’s obligations under the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and then decline Nova’s application.

“The National Government needs to show it takes climate change seriously and stop new fossil fuel power plants from being built,” said Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

“At this time in history the choice should be easy: investing in clean, renewable energy, not building new power plants that burn dirty fracked gas and cause climate change.

“This gas plant will increase New Zealand’s carbon emissions, when we’re supposed to be reducing emissions.

“We’ll need to plant up to 17,000 hectares of trees to suck up the extra carbon pollution.

“We simply don’t need to burn more fossil fuels when there’s almost 4000 MW of renewable generation consented and ready to be built, and smarter ways to use and conserve power.

“All New Zealanders deserve a say on this dirty gas project, but they won’t get that because only directly affected neighbours will be able to submit on the ‘limited notification’ consent application,” said Mr Hughes.

The Green Party is asking people to sign an open letter to Nick Smith online at http://action.greens.org.nz/gas.

Action

RtR Guide

Make a submission on the Right to Repair Bill!

Action

DSS Funding Consultation 2025

Tell the Government how Disability Support Services (DSS) could meet our community's needs better, and to hold them to account on taking our voices...

Action

Build Arlington Housing

Sign Tamatha Paul's open letter to Chris Bishop

Action

Allow Pacific visitors visa-free access

Sign our petition for waiver-free visa access for 'aiga from the Pacific Islands

Action

Save school lunches

Sign our petition to restore proper funding for school lunches.

Action

Right to Repair

Email Minister Simpson encouraging him to support the Right to Repair Bill

Action

Ditch the bootcamps - Sign the petition

Sign the petition to ditch the bootcamps!

Action

Anti Stalking Law Submission Guide

Keep whānau safe - make a submission on the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill today.

Action

Submit on the Gene Technology Bill

Action

Conservation Access Sub Guide

Submit today to keep our conservation lands for all

Action

Gender-Affirming Care is a Human Right

Submit on the Ministry of Health's consultation on Gender-Affirming care.

Action

Hauraki open letter

Sign our open letter to protect the Hauraki Gulf Marine Reserves

Action

Ditch the Bootcamps - Make a submission

Make a submission on the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill. Help us call for an end to the Bootcamps.

Action

Treaty Principles Submission Guide

Make a unique submission on the Treaty Principles Bill.

Action

How to get involved - Treaty Principles

Information on how to make a submission, volunteer or run your own event.

Action

Submit for Climate Action

Submit today to ask the Government to commit to strong Climate Change targets.

Action

Build Dunedin Hospital

Take our poll on how the Government should spend its money, and email Christopher Luxon telling him your thoughts.

Action

Oil & Gas Quick Submissions 2024

Sign the quick submission to save the oil & gas ban!

Action

Stop Fast-track Destruction

Join our call to stop the Fast-track Approvals Bill.

Action

Protect te reo Māori

Sign our petition asking Minister Erica Stanford to keep prioritising the teaching of te reo Māori.

Action

Cut the Coal Petition | Join the movement

Fight back: Tell the government that coal mining is not our future.

Action

Protect Our Freshwater

Join our Green MPs in calling for the government to protect freshwater. Proposed changes to the Resource Management Act threaten New Zealand's...

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects

The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Tra...

Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope

The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today.

Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation

The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin.

Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill

Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequenc...

Govt’s shameful backtrack on marine conservation

The Green Party has condemned the Government’s late change to allow commercial fishing in protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf.

Trojan Horse approach to fast-track projects threatens environment

The Government’s fast-track list is another example of its reckless approach to the environment and disregard for due process.

Story

Another failed ETS auction, another indictment on the Govt’s climate credibility

The ETS auction’s failure today is yet another clear sign that the Government is failing us all on climate action.

Where’s the “culture of yes” on climate ambition?

The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Ag...

Aotearoa must step up as Trump plays with climate fire

The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pu...

Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction

New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, fa...

He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan

Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future.

Government smokescreen to downgrade climate ambition

Today the ACT-National Coalition Agreement pet project’s findings on “no additional warming” were released.

Story

Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex

The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report high...

Fossil fuel lobbyist appointment to EECA board called out

The Green Party condemns the Government’s appointment of a fossil fuel lobbyist to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority Board.

Greens echo OECD call for electricity market reform

The Green Party has welcomed the OECD urging the Government to re-examine separating ‘gentailers’ to make a fairer electricity market for New Zeala...

Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction

Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfal...

Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis

The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that t...

Greens launch petition to save oil and gas ban

The Green Party has launched a petition to save the ban on oil and gas exploration.