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Greenpeace – Luxon opens the door to billions in taxpayer-funded oil field decommissioning costs

Source: Greenpeace

In an act of climate denial, the Luxon Government is today planning to pass legislation to try to restart offshore oil and gas exploration, but they are also slipping in a further amendment that opens the door to taxpayers picking up the billion dollar tab to decommission oil and gas infrastructure.
“Attempting to restart offshore oil and gas exploration is bad enough, given advice from the International Energy Agency that we can’t burn existing known fossil fuel reserves if we are to avoid dangerous global heating. When you’re in a hole the first step to escape is to stop digging,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr. Russel Norman.
“The environment movement will fight any new offshore oil and gas exploration just like we did when John Key was Prime Minister.
“But this legislation is even worse: Luxon is proposing to overturn existing law that makes oil companies automatically responsible for the costs of decommissioning oil and gas fields.”
Under existing law, even if an existing operator onsells an end-of-life oil and gas field to a shell company, which then goes bankrupt when faced with the costs of decommissioning, the original operator is still responsible for the cost.
“Luxon is changing the legislation so that the Minister of Resources and the Minister of Finance are given total ministerial discretion to approve the onselling of the depleted field, and if they approve and the final operator goes bankrupt, the original oil field operator is NOT responsible for the decommissioning costs. The government will end up with the cost.
“New Zealand taxpayers will be the ones that will be picking up the cost of cleaning up after oil companies abandon exhausted oil fields. Costs that could run into billions of dollars,” says Dr. Norman.
“New Zealand has already learnt an expensive lesson in how the oil industry operates. The Tui oil field passed through a number of hands before it was finally sold to an offshore oil company Tamarind that had little money, and Tamarind went bankrupt when faced with the cost of decommissioning the exhausted field. New Zealand taxpayers were stung for $300million to clean up the mess and plug the wells, which was only completed in June 2025.
“After the Tui field fiasco, the law was changed to make sure oil field operators were responsible for the clean up costs, regardless of how many shell companies to which it was onsold.
“The oil industry hated the changes to the law on liability for decommissioning costs as much as they hated the ending of offshore oil and gas exploration. And now they have their chance to pass on the costs to the taxpayers and you can be sure they will take it.
“As the New Zealand oil and gas industry enters its sunset phase, the costs of plugging the wells and cleaning up all the seafloor pipes etc will run into the billions.
“This fossil fuel-obsessed government has given in to pressure from the oil industry and opened the door to making taxpayers pick up the costs of cleaning up after them.
“This is part of a trend by this backward-looking Luxon government which has allocated $200m to help invest in new gas fields.
“Last month, it brought embarrassing shame to New Zealand by pulling out of the international Beyond Oil and Gas coalition, which has pledged to phase out fossil fuels.”
“New Zealand will have energy security, lower prices and low emissions by investing in solar, wind, geothermal, storage, efficiency and demand side management. That is our future, not the nonsense being promoted by Luxon and Shane Jones.”
Resources
The 2021 amendments to make oil companies responsible for decommissioning costs:
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Weather News – Return to winter’s chill – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 31st July – Monday 4th August – After a soggy start to the week for many across the motu, the end of the week brings sunnier skies and a return to chilly winter nights. 

While folks in southern and eastern parts will still see a few showers, for the rest of the country the weekend is a great time for outdoor plans, whether you’re heading out for a stroll, off to a Saturday sports game, working in the garden, or taking the opportunity to hang the washing out.
 
Today’s action is in the upper North Island: eastern parts of Auckland and Northland, as well as Taranaki, may hear a rumble of thunder or see a scattering of hail this afternoon as some beefier showers roll through. 
MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino advises, “With heavier showers expected right around school run time and into rush hour, make sure to keep an eye on the rain radar to see if any pop up near you.”
Luckily for those cleaning up after heavy rain and flooding in Bay of Plenty yesterday, just a few showers are forecast for the region today, although the odd shower might still be heavy.
 
There’s one more month of meteorological winter, and the next few days will certainly feel like it. Overnight temperatures dip into the negatives for much of the country, and many in the South Island will be back to single-digit daytime highs.

“Clear skies, cold air, and light winds are perfect conditions for frosty nights and mornings – watch out for icy roads, and bring any precious pot plants in out of the cold,” Martino suggests.

There is light on the horizon, though, with longer days bringing more daylight hours. Today the country sees an average of 45 minutes more daylight than we did a month ago on the shortest day of the year, and during August we’ll add another hour and a quarter to that.
 
All eyes (and ears) have been on the tsunami advisories issued by NEMA for coastal regions of Aotearoa New Zealand. MetService supports the distribution of this safety-critical messaging with a banner on our Marine forecast pages directing users to https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ for the most up-to-date information, as well as advising people through individual coastal and recreational marine forecasts to expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at shore.

Martino explains, “The wave models used by weather forecasting agencies capture waves produced by wind and weather, so the swell heights in our marine forecasts don’t include any contribution from tsunami waves. Tsunami modelling is carried out by specialists at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS Science), and messages issued by NEMA represent the official warning status for New Zealand.”
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Heritage NZ – Exhibition with a difference at Alberton

Source: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

An exhibition with a difference will be unveiled at Alberton, the historic Mt Albert mansion cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, on August 10.
Alberton – Impressions of an Art Group in Residence draws on the work of members of the Auckland Plein Art Group. The historic property – which earlier hosted the group of artists – is the focal point of the group’s creative expression, with interior and exterior scenes of the landmark heritage building serving as subject for the artists.
The Auckland Plein Air Group is the brainchild of Nicki Heenan and Amanda Gleason who started the group in the summer of 2023.
“En plein air is an ethos of painting that follows on in the traditions of the French Impressionists and such English artists from the 1800s as Constable and Turner, who took their inspiration from nature and looked for new ways to communicate their ideas,” says Nicki.
“This was happening in the 1860s – much the same time as the construction of Alberton. There has been a huge revival in plein air painting in the past 10 years with festivals being held around the world.”
The Auckland Plein Air Group provides a welcoming social environment where people share ideas and provide support and encouragement to each other with the possibility of presenting their artwork to a wider audience through exhibitions and tutorials.
The exhibition in Alberton’s ballroom is an opportunity for people to come and appreciate the group’s work. The artworks are also available for sale.
“What these artists have produced is remarkable,” says Alberton Property Lead Rendell McIntosh.
“They have managed to create a range of images that capture Alberton’s many different moods and angles. The paintings help us see Alberton through fresh eyes – even those of us who are very familiar with the building.”
– Alberton Impressions of an Art Group in Residence opens on August 10 and runs through to August 31. Entry to the exhibition in the Alberton Ballroom is free (donation appreciated). Standard entry fee applies to visit the rest of house.
– Join us for a Quick Draw event on (Sunday August 31, 11am-1pm) where you can bring your own art materials and paint alongside the Auckland Plein Air Group members. The Quick Draw is a fundraising event with a suggested $5 koha. All ages, especially school age, welcome and there are special awards for young painters. 
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Legislation – New low from Govt in Public Service Act changes aimed at ending long term planning, diversity and inclusion and pay equity – PSA

Source: PSA

The Government’s proposed changes to the Public Service Act, to be debated in Parliament today, aim to strip away key provisions that ensure fairness, equality and long-term planning in the public sector.
Under the proposed amendments, detailed in the Public Service Amendment Bill, diversity and inclusion, pay equity and long-term planning would be downgraded.
“This is a new low from the Government. It now wants to tell chief executives of Government departments that they are not to focus on the long-term public interest, this is reckless given that the complex problems New Zealand’s facing need long term policy solutions,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This approach will limit New Zealand’s ability to solve complicated problems like climate change adaptation, family violence and our infrastructure deficit.”
The Public Service Amendment Bill also scraps requirements on pay equity. It would remove responsibilities for chief executives and the Public Service Commissioner to work towards pay equity between women and men, and to work towards eliminating bias and discrimination in decisions about pay.
“Pay equity is about fairness and justice for workers and includes ensuring flexible and part time work is available. The Government has already ripped up pay equity claims, denying pay increases for more than 150,000 women in the public and community sectors. Taking away its priority in this legislation again shows how little the Government values supporting the career of women and closing the gender pay gap.”
The Bill would also remove requirements on chief executives and the Public Service Commissioner to foster a public service that’s inclusive and representative of the communities it serves.
“Diversity and inclusion in our workforce are not nice to haves – they are essential to delivering fair and effective public services that are sensitive to the needs of all New Zealanders. The public service does its job well and is legitimate because it represents our diverse country. Reducing the importance of these principles risks turning back decades of progress.”
The PSA is also alarmed by amendments to the purpose of the Public Service Act which would reduce emphasis on pursuing the long-term public interest, and remove the requirement of the public service to enable both the current Government and successive governments to develop and implement their policies.
“This is a worrying attack on the political neutrality of the public service and makes it less accountable to the people of New Zealand. Public services must look beyond the next political cycle. Downgrading the public service’s role in pursuing the long-term public interest means less focus on how our public service can meet future challenges – whether that’s dealing with an ageing population, infrastructure challenges, adapting to new technology, or responding to climate change.
“The Government has stripped the public service of thousands of jobs despite our population growing, and our challenges becoming more complex and urgent.
“The Bill was tabled on the same day the Government extended a tax break for big tobacco, showing how misplaced its priorities are.
“This is a time to invest in a fairer, more future-focused public service – not tear down the progress we’ve made. It’s 2025, not 1955.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Government subsidies for dirty dairy dams will lead to polluted drinking water – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is calling on the Government to scrap subsidies for irrigation dams following news that the Tukituki water storage scheme – formerly known as the Ruataniwha Dam – is seeking funding from the Regional Investment Fund managed by Shane Jones.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says “There is no excuse for this Government to be funding intensive dairy infrastructure, including dirty irrigation dams. The Ruataniwha Dam will flood precious native forest – home to endangered wildlife – and destroy unique freshwater ecosystems in the Central Hawkes Bay.
“This dam is heavily opposed by the local community, and was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court in 2017. Since then, this zombie dam has been resurrected under the Fast-Track Approvals Act.
“The Tukituki Water Storage Scheme will undoubtedly be used to expand the presence of intensive dairying in the Central Hawke's Bay – which we know will lead to increased contamination of freshwater and drinking water with nitrate and E. coli. Not only this, but it will reduce the flow of the river and damage freshwater ecosystems,” says Appelbe.
“This Government is supporting dirty dairy dams across the country – and this must stop. We’re calling on Shane Jones to refuse funding to the Ruataniwha Dam and to end subsidies for irrigation dams across the country.”
New Zealanders from across the country have campaigned against the construction of irrigation dams for decades, and in 2017, the Labour-led Government ended government subsidies for irrigation dams as a result of this pressure.
“Shane Jones and the Luxon Government are underestimating how much New Zealanders hate dirty dairy dams. If they refuse to withdraw their funding for these river-destroying projects, they should expect resistance.”
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Tech and Security – Gen Threat Report Reveals Rise in Crypto, Sextortion and Tech Support Scams in an AI-Powered World

Source: Gen

Gen in New Zealand tracks 77,721% rise in crypto scams, 170% spike in sextortion scams, and 278% increase in malicious push notifications

Auckland, 31 July 2025 – Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion and more, today released its Q2/2025 Gen Threat Report. This quarter was marked by the takedown of the first known ransomware developed using AI, and globally, a 21% growth in data breaches and a 340% increase in financial scams. The team of Gen researchers also found a 100% increase in sextortion scams and a surge in Tech Support Scams spreading through Facebook.

New Zealand’s top threats in Q2/2025 were:

·        Malvertising

·        Scams (phishing, generic scams, E-shop scams, dating scams)

“This quarter’s global tr

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Local News – Mayor Campbell Barry calls for a water services powerhouse in Lower Hutt – Hutt City

Source: Hutt City Council

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry has set out a bold vision for the city to become a powerhouse for water services, with professional services being anchored within Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (formerly RiverLink).
Speaking at a business event last night, Mayor Barry said the timing is right with major investment into both Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi and the newly confirmed water services entity.
“These are once-in-a-generation changes. With both projects locked in, there’s a real opportunity to bring them together in a way that transforms our city and supports the country's future water needs,” he said.
The Mayor is proposing that the new water entity establish its headquarters in Lower Hutt’s CBD, acting as a catalyst for a wider precinct of businesses and research focused on water infrastructure and services.
“By bringing together the right people, skills and technology, we can build a centre of excellence right here. One that's ready to meet the enormous demand coming over the next 30 years.”
Barry, who will not seek re-election in October, said he had hoped to pitch this idea three years ago, but had needed certainty on both projects which has only come in April and July respectively.
“I’m not going to be around to lead this, but the opportunity is real. We’ve got the projects, the investment and the momentum. What we need now are people willing to step up.”
Barry described both projects as a once in a generation opportunity to leverage off – and is encouraging anyone who wants to see what the art of the possible looks like, to get in contact with Hutt City Council.
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Health experts urge inquiry into tobacco industry influence after heated tobacco tax cut extended – Health Coalition

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is calling for a public inquiry and urging the Government to rethink its support for heated tobacco products (HTPs), following fresh revelations the Government extended a 50% tax cut on the products for two more years.
Following on the heels of last week's revelations about tobacco industry lobbying of politicians, Health Coalition Aotearoa is calling for a public inquiry into tobacco industry influence. HCA is also calling for the Prime Minister to reassign the tobacco and vaping portfolio away from NZ First.
The heated tobacco products tax break was introduced last year-against the advice of government officials. They pointed out tobacco giant Philip Morris (who have a monopoly on heated tobacco products in Aotearoa New Zealand) would be the main beneficiary.
“There’s no evidence heated tobacco products help people stop smoking, or that they’re significantly less harmful than cigarettes,” says Dr Jude Ball, Health Coalition Aotearoa spokesperson and University of Otago researcher.
“Yet the Government, despite committing to a one-year trial, have extended the tax cut by two more years. This decision is favourable to the tobacco industry but not beneficial to public health.
“This latest decision adds to a worrying trend of Government policy decisions that align with tobacco company interests.
The Government’s approach to evaluating if heated tobacco products help people quit smoking is unclear. It is highly unusual for a Government to run a trial like this which, by cutting a tax on HTPs, helps the sole seller of heated tobacco products (Philip Morris) to increase their product sales. Especially if there is no evidence that product helps people to quit cigarettes.
“Tobacco giant Phillip Morris are the sole beneficiaries of this tax cut. It’s a poor use of taxpayer dollars at a time when our health system is already stretched,” says Dr Ball.
Health Coalition Aotearoa calls on the Government to act with urgency and leadership and:
  • Launch a public inquiry into tobacco industry influence on Government policy.
  • Strip NZ First of the tobacco and vaping portfolio.
We also support the petition launched by Vape-Free Kids NZ calling on the Prime Minister to strip the tobacco and vaping portfolio from New Zealand First.
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Retirement Commission – New data reveals financial discomfort among women at an all-time high

Source: e Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission

New research from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission has revealed that record numbers of women are feeling more uncomfortable financially compared to their male counterparts.
 
Data from the Retirement Commission’s financial sentiment tracker has found that 62% of women are financially uncomfortable in comparison to 51% of men in the year to 30 June 2025. The proportion of women who were worried about their finances pay-to-pay and their levels of debt is now the highest since research began in July 2021.
 
The Retirement Commission surveys thousands of New Zealanders each year to track how people are feeling about their finances. The insights are used to help identify where particular challenges are and opportunities to provide better support.
 
Over the last few years, the financial sentiment tracker has shown the power that having an emergency savings fund can have on people’s financial wellbeing when they have some protections in place to cope with the unexpected. This latest report reveals that 44% of the population currently do not have an emergency fund in place, ultimately threatening their financial resilience.
 
Women were less likely than men to have an emergency fund (48% either don’t think they’ll have one or are just considering setting one up, compared to 41% of men).
 
Data found that 64% of people who had set up an emergency savings fund in the last three months felt confident about their future (almost identical to those with established funds at 65%) in comparison to only 22% of those without a fund.
 
This August, the Retirement Commission’s annual Sorted Money Month campaign is putting the spotlight on emergency savings.
 
Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann is encouraging New Zealanders to set up an emergency savings fund if they don’t already have one.
 
“Starting an emergency savings fund, even if it is only $5 a week, can help people avoid debt and cope better in a crisis,” he says.
 
“The research shows that putting money into emergency savings to deal with financial challenges when they arise, will also help you feel more optimistic about the future, and encourage a savings habit that ultimately builds financial resilience.”
 
The National Strategy for Financial Capability partners are also supporting Money Month with events and programmes across the country.  These events can be found the on the Sorted event calendar allowing people to find out what is happening locally and get involved. 

Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Trust’s General Manager, Vijay Farley-Naiker was keen to support the drive to build emergency savings with their community. Ngā Tāngata Microfinance offers affordable loans to help those on low incomes get ahead with money.
Farley-Naiker's advice is, “start your emergency savings today, it’s a small step that can make a big difference and break the cycle of financial stress.”
Ngā Tāngata Microfinance is running a free family event in Henderson, Auckland Build your buffer, on Saturday 30 August, with a free sausage sizzle, games as well as budgeting services, financial mentors and financial institutions ready to help people start building their emergency fund.
Sorted will host two free webinars during Money Month, providing independent financial information to help people start an emergency savings fund. Stressed to sorted – Emergency savings 101 will be held on 12 August followed by How and emergency fund can save your life on 26 August, featuring a panel of experts from community and financial organisations as they share their tips for building and keeping emergency savings.
 
By the numbers:

  • 44% of the general population do not currently have an emergency savings fund.
  • 64% of those who’ve set up an emergency fund in the last three months agree with the statement ‘I/we feel optimistic and confident about my/our future right now’ compared to only 22% of those who don’t believe they will set one up in the near future.
  • Only 35% of those with an emergency fund are concerned about finances from pay to pay, compared to 64% of those without a fund.
  • 56% of participants feel financially uncomfortable, while 44% feel financially comfortable.
  • The gap between women and men feeling financially comfortable has widened over the past four years, with only 38% of women feeling financially comfortable compared to 49% of men in 2025.
  • The proportion 18 to 34-year-olds feeling financially comfortable has declined from 53% in 2022 to 43% in 2025
  • The proportion of Māori participants feeling financially comfortable has dropped from 42% two years ago to 34% this year.
  • On a year-on-year basis, more people are concerned about finances from pay to pay this year (42%) compared to last year (40%), while optimism about the future has increased to 46% from 44%.

About Sorted
Sorted is a free service run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the government-funded, independent agency dedicated to helping New Zealanders get ahead financially.
As New Zealand’s trusted personal finance site, Sorted has the information needed to tackle debt, plan and budget, save and invest, dial up your KiwiSaver, plan for retirement, protect what's important, and manage a mortgage. Providing tools, guides and blogs, Sorted can help no matter where you are at when it comes to money.
About Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission aims to help New Zealanders to retire with confidence. Retiring with confidence means New Zealanders feel secure they’ll have resources to live and the know-how to make

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Economy – RBNZ launches new indicators to track financial inclusion

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

31 July 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) has created a series of financial inclusion indicators, designed to improve understanding of how well the financial system is serving the diverse needs of our communities and how it evolves over time.

Director of Financial System Assessment, Kerry Watt, says financial inclusion is an important feature of an effective modern financial system.

“When people are excluded from financial services, it can limit their ability to participate in the economy and ultimately their wellbeing. Our indicators are part of our efforts to understand and track how the financial system is serving New Zealanders,” Mr Watt says.

The indicators focus on the ability of individuals and businesses to obtain and access to financial services such as cash services, deposit accounts, and credit.

Key findings from the report include:

97% of adults in Aotearoa New Zealand reported having at least one deposit account. However, access varies by age, income, and ethnicity.
 
70% of adults have at least one regulated credit product, though this drops to 64% among Māori. Regional disparities are also evident, with Gisborne showing notably lower access relative to its population size than other parts of the country.
 
Rural residents, particularly those over 60, are less likely to find it easy to deposit cash than urban residents.
 
Māori-owned businesses received $3.5 billion in lending from the four largest banks, just 2% of total business lending (of $185 billion).

The indicators have been developed based on international approaches and reflect the growing recognition, both globally and domestically, of financial inclusion as a core component of financial system performance.

“Understanding and promoting financial participation is a priority for the Reserve Bank. These indicators build a fuller picture of access, use, and outcomes to support New Zealanders in having reasonable access to financial products and services that meet their needs,” Mr Watt says.

More information

Financial inclusion indicators – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=68a46cf85b&e=f3c68946f8