Z Energy has apologised for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign, which claimed it was moving with the times and in the business of getting out of the petrol business.

In November 2023, Consumer NZ, Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand, and the Environmental Law Initiative (the plaintiffs) sought High Court declarations that Z Energy had misled New Zealanders with its public messaging in an advertising campaign.  

The parties have now mutually agreed to settle the case.

“We maintain Z Energy’s ‘Moving with the Times’ advertising campaign was misleading,” said Jon Duffy, chief executive of Consumer NZ.

“Our goal in taking this case was to hold Z Energy accountable. Today’s public apology by Z Energy, which is featured in newspapers across the country, shows that we have achieved that.”  

Although Z Energy's campaign said the company was in the business of getting out of the petrol business, it wasn’t actually intending to get out of the petrol business. Or at least not any time soon.  

“We are pleased to have reached the point where Z Energy has accepted it should apologise for any confusion caused by aspects of its advertising campaign,” said Duffy.

The agreement to settle did not include any payment to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs acknowledge that Z Energy does not consider its actions to be greenwashing, or to involve misleading and deceptive conduct, and has not admitted any liability.  

Even so, Duffy said, “We continue to believe this was one of the worst examples of greenwashing in New Zealand’s history. Our settlement allows for us to agree to disagree with Z Energy on that.”

Consumer defines greenwashing as a sneaky marketing tactic that makes a shopper think something is ‘green’ or more environmentally friendly than it really is.

“In this case, three small not-for-profits joined forces to call out a big corporate entity for greenwashing,” said Jessica Palairet, executive director at Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand.

“While the government and regulators are currently missing in action, we have shown that we are not afraid to step in to fill that gap. This case sends a clear message to other major businesses: if you cross or sail close to the line on green claims, you run the risk of being very publicly held to account, and spending significant sums of money to defend yourself in legal proceedings.”

In a statement issued today by all parties, Z Energy has agreed with the plaintiffs that greenwashing is a prevalent problem in New Zealand, and that it has been subject to limited enforcement action. Z Energy and the plaintiffs have acknowledged the importance for businesses to communicate accurately to consumers.

Z Energy has acknowledged that petrol and fossil fuels are a leading contributor to climate change, and that transport emissions, including from the fuel Z Energy sells, are a big part of New Zealand’s emissions.

Z Energy agrees with the plaintiffs that the government has a crucial role in facilitating the energy transition in New Zealand, particularly in relation to the transport sector.

“Having one of New Zealand’s largest emitters join our call for the government to step up and better support climate action is extraordinary. We need a robust plan to transition away from fossil fuels, and Z Energy agrees with our stance that the government needs to step up to make this happen,” said Palairet.

“Collectively we are calling for bipartisan policies and strategies to achieve our climate targets, so businesses and consumers can navigate the transition confidently,” said Dr Matt Hall, director of legal and research at Environmental Law Initiative.  

The plaintiffs are pleased by Z Energy’s acknowledgement that consumers currently find it hard to verify green claims, and that businesses must be truthful for markets to be successful.

“We will continue to monitor the claims of major polluters, including Z Energy, to ensure they are meeting this standard,” said Hall.

“The wave of accountability is spreading. Z Energy’s apology follows an apology from Energy Australia in the settlement of a greenwashing case brought by Australian Parents for Climate Action, and comes at the same time as a landmark ruling in France against TotalEnergies’ greenwashing advertising. Outcomes like this show that the pressure is working.

“Ultimately, the only way to prevent consumers from being misled by any aspect of fossil fuel advertising is to completely ban it,” said Hall.

About Consumer, LCANZI and ELI

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

Help fund more research, investigations, and campaign work like this. Join at consumer.org.nz.

Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) is a New Zealand registered charity. ELI uses litigation, advocacy and education to protect Aotearoa’s environment.

Read about existing cases at eli.org.nz.

Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc (LCANZI) is a non-profit collective of lawyers who use the law to ensure more effective action against climate change. LCANZI’s members are barristers, solicitors, legal academics and students from across Aotearoa New Zealand.

LCANZI brings strategic climate litigation, and advocates for legislation and policies to ensure Aotearoa meets or exceeds its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible and no later than 2050. Find out more about LCANZI.

We All Play a Part: Water Safety New Zealand Encourages Collaboration and Participation for Water Safety Month 2025 (November)

Ahead of New Zealand’s highest risk drowning season.

As New Zealand heads into summer – the season when 43% of drownings occur – Water Safety New Zealand and partners across the sector welcome Water Safety Month, held every November.  This year’s theme, “We All Play a Part,” is a reminder that everyone – from sector organisations to community groups, whānau and individuals – has a role to play in preventing drownings and building a stronger culture of water safety across Aotearoa.

“Summer is a time of celebration and connection – but also when we need to be most vigilant,” says Gavin Walker, Acting CE at Water Safety New Zealand. “An average of 37 New Zealanders drown each summer, and we’re three times more likely to drown around Christmas. These are confronting statistics and Water Safety Month is a reminder to reflect and commit to positive change”.

As of 31 October, 54 New Zealanders have drowned this year – six fewer than at the same point in 2024, but still 54 too many. Last year 74 people drowned in New Zealand.  “The need to make smart decisions around water is more critical than ever – the power is in prevention,” Gavin says, noting a rise in female drownings this year and increased drownings in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

“Drowning prevention is complex – no single group can solve it alone,” says Gavin. “By recognising the role each of us plays, we can create a safer, more connected water culture in every region.”

Throughout November, Water Safety Month will highlight stories of people and organisations making a difference – from iwi-led initiatives, to surf lifesaving clubs, water skills educators, to volunteers and individuals.

“This month is about celebrating the big and small actions that save lives,” says Gavin. “Whether you’re a parent teaching your child to float, a volunteer patrolling the beach, or a local business supporting water safety education – every action showing Kiwis doing the right things at the right time – every part matters.”

There are many ways to show how you’re playing your part in water safety this summer.

The campaign’s puzzle and jigsaw imagery symbolise how every action, no matter how small, connects to the bigger picture of water safety in New Zealand.

Post your stories, photos, or videos on social media using the hashtag #WeAllPlayAPartor tag @WaterSafetyNZ to join the national conversation.  Assets are free to download at watersafetynz.org.

You could share your story or someone else’s effort to promote water safety, highlight a local champion – an individual, club, or organisation making a difference, make a pledge to take small steps that keep your whānau safe around water this summer.  Water Safety New Zealand will support amplification of these stories.

In 2024, 74 New Zealanders drowned:

• 73% were adult males (54 of 74)

• 90% of craft-related drownings involved no lifejacket

• 88% of victims were adults

• Nearly 20% occurred at known high-risk locations.

Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand edged up by 0.2% in October, the second modest rise in a row, according to Cotality NZ’s latest hedonic Home Value Index (HVI). Values had previously ticked up by a minor 0.1% in September, after five consecutive falls over April to August, with the national median now sitting at $811,662.

Across the main centres, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland fell again (-0.2%), with Kirikiriroa Hamilton flat in October. Tauranga and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington both lifted by 0.2%, while Ōtautahi Christchurch (0.4%) and Ōtepoti Dunedin were stronger (0.7%).

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, said that the second consecutive lift in property values may signal the early stages of a market recovery. However, he emphasised the importance of maintaining a measured outlook.

“It’s a cliché, but upturns obviously have to start somewhere, and the recent emergence of small increases in property values would certainly be consistent with the falls in mortgage rates over the past year or so.”

“That being said, sentiment remains tilted to the cautious end of the spectrum, and of course, the economy and labour market are still subdued. Meanwhile, the gains in September and October were clearly reasonably small in the grand scheme of things.”

He pointed out that one notable shift in credit policy in recent weeks has been the announcement on 14 October that the loan to value ratio rules are set to ease from 1 December.

“That may possibly benefit investors a bit more than owner-occupiers, although the potential scope for more pre-approvals for low equity loans could bolster first home buyers.”

“We’ve seen in the past that banks tend to act early on these rule changes, so the effects may start to show through even as soon as the release of October’s mortgage lending stats in late November.”

“Meanwhile, it’s still very early days for Labour’s capital gains tax policy, given of course it won’t mean much if they don’t get into power. One lesson from other countries is that CGT doesn’t stop house price growth, although this policy proposal does add to the general sense that property returns in future could be a touch less than in the past.

Index results for October 2025	Change in dwelling values
	Month	Quarter	Annual	From peak	Median value
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland	-0.2%	-1.0%	-2.0%	-22.9%	$1,051,796
Kirikiriroa Hamilton	0.0%	0.0%	0.7%	-11.8%	$732,836
Tauranga	0.2%	0.7%	1.5%	-15.7%	$926,150
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*	0.2%	-0.1%	-1.4%	-24.8%	$789,505
Ōtautahi Christchurch	0.4%	0.7%	2.5%	-4.2%	$704,249
Ōtepoti Dunedin	0.7%	0.8%	-0.1%	-11.1%	$597,974
Aotearoa New Zealand	0.2%	-0.1%	-0.4%	-17.3%	$811,662

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Source: Exercise NZ

“Movement doesn't have to be extreme or exhausting to be effective,” 

“This research reinforces what we've been advocating for years: every minute of movement counts. Accessible, inclusive and consistent activity is the key to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

“Progress matters more than perfection. Just one or two 10-minute sessions can make a real difference to heart health and wellbeing,”

“Our goal at Exercise New Zealand is to help the exercise industry lead this shift, supporting exercise providers, and exercise professionals to show that even short, steady sessions can deliver real health outcomes. 

“When we make movement more accessible and achievable, we bring more New Zealanders into active living, because every step, stretch, and moment of movement counts.”

When it comes to exercise, it's not about perfection, it's about progress, consistency, and making every minute count. New research from the University of Sydney shows that one or two uninterrupted 10-15 minute bouts of movement a day can meaningfully reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In other words, short, steady blocks of activity, the kind you can do at the gym between meetings, meals, school pick-ups, or on your way home, really add up.

“Movement doesn't have to be extreme or exhausting to be effective,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie. “This research reinforces what we've been advocating for years: every minute of movement counts. Accessible, inclusive and consistent activity is the key to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

Tips for Exercise Providers & Professionals

These findings highlight a powerful, practical message for the exercise industry here in Aotearoa: small, sustained movement wins. Help people succeed by making high-impact micro-sessions easy, normal and celebrated.

• Keep it simple: 10-15 minutes of steady movement is a valid, effective workout
• Make it easy: Offer short drop-in sessions before work, at lunch, or after school runs.
• Focus on flow: Coach quality, continuous effort-not just numbers or totals.
• Remove barriers: Set up quick circuits or ready-to-go stations.
• Celebrate consistency: Reward progress, not perfection.
• Start small: For beginners, two short blocks a day is a great first step.

Why it matters

In this study, people who performed longer, continuous bouts (10-15 minutes) experienced substantial reductions in cardiovascular risk, even if their overall daily movement wasn't high. The takeaway for busy Kiwis: pattern and consistency trump perfection. 

“Progress matters more than perfection. Just one or two 10-minute sessions can make a real difference to heart health and wellbeing,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie.

He adds: “Our goal at Exercise New Zealand is to help the exercise industry lead this shift, supporting gyms, studios, and exercise professionals to show that even short, steady sessions can deliver real health outcomes. When we make movement more accessible and achievable, we bring more New Zealanders into active living, because every step, stretch, and moment of movement counts.”

ASB is warning Kiwi businesses to be alert for unsolicited cold calls from scammers impersonating ASB’s fraud team.

Scammers are currently targeting business customers, saying their account is at risk, there is fraud on the account, there are suspicious transactions or that their account is being hacked. They may also make other excuses and ask for username, passwords, or verification codes including codes from Fastnet Business tokens.

ASB General Manager Fraud and Scams, Richard Joseph, says the scammers may already have personal information like email addresses and dates of birth. “Unfortunately, impersonation scams are not new, but scammers continue to evolve the way they approach them, often creating a sense of urgency. The scammers will try to get you to disclose your business or personal account details so they can then access your accounts and transfer money away.

I encourage everyone to be vigilant, particularly if you’re asked to make a payment or provide sensitive information. Anyone can fall victim to a scam and staying alert to scammers is our first defence.”

How ASB customers can protect themselves

Customers can verify a caller who claims to be from ASB by asking them for a Caller Check notification. Caller Check is only available through the ASB Mobile Banking app so if the caller is unable to send a notification through this channel, it will be a scam.

“If you have any concerns or think you have given your information to a scammer, hang up and call our fraud team,” Richard says. “Our team of fraud experts is available 24/7, including over the public holidays, on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372).”

While our fraud team may call customers to verify unusual transactions, they will:

• Never ask you for your banking passwords, PINs, text verification codes or codes from your token 
• Never need to know your full credit card number – especially not the CVV 
• Never ask you to purchase gift cards, set up crypto currency accounts or transfer funds to keep your money safe. 
• Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device. 

For more information and to keep up to date with the latest scams, visit ASB’s Scam Hub: www.asb.co.nz/asbscamhub  

Today, on World Cities Day, we join the global community in reflecting on the importance of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban spaces. This year’s theme — “Financing a Sustainable Urban Future for All” — carries special meaning when viewed through the lens of Palestinian cities and their enduring struggle for life, justice, and freedom.

Across Gaza, Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah, Palestinians face immense challenges to urban development under ongoing occupation and blockade. Restrictions on movement, land confiscation, and repeated destruction of infrastructure have deeply affected the ability of Palestinian cities to grow freely and sustainably.

Yet despite these challenges, Palestinian cities remain symbols of resilience and hope. From community-driven rebuilding projects in Gaza to innovative renewable energy and urban farming initiatives in the West Bank, Palestinians continue to find creative ways to sustain life, preserve culture, and strengthen local communities — even in the face of adversity.

As we mark World Cities Day, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand – Aotearoa stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their right to build, live, and thrive in just and sustainable cities.

True urban sustainability cannot exist where basic human rights are denied. A world committed to sustainable urban futures must also be committed to freedom, equality, and justice for the people of Palestine.

Let this day remind us that the struggle for sustainable cities is inseparable from the struggle for human dignity — and that Palestine, too, must be part of that shared global future.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand