New Zealand’s parliament on Thursday passed legislation ending a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, reversing a flagship policy of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government.
The move will allow companies to apply for petroleum exploration permits outside the onshore Taranaki region from September, opening the door to renewed investment in the country’s fossil fuel sector.
Environmental groups criticised the decision, calling it a blow to New Zealand’s renewable energy ambitions.
“This government keeps choosing to undermine our resilience rather than transition to clean, green energy,” said Green Party Climate spokesperson Chloe Swarbrick.
In 2018, Ardern’s centre-left Labour government halted the granting of new offshore oil and gas permits as part of efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Since taking office in late 2023, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s conservative administration has moved to unwind a series of Labour-era climate policies, including scrapping rebates for electric vehicles and fast-tracking mining approvals.
Resources Minister Shane Jones said the previous government’s ban had deterred investment and worsened domestic energy shortages.
“This government is pragmatic about the vital role natural gas will play in our energy mix in the decades ahead, and we have set a course for greater energy security backed by our own indigenous reserves,” Jones said.
Bangladesh is boosting power imports from India and output from fuel oil-fired power plants in a scramble to meet rising electricity demand as it grap...
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at Poland's request to discuss this week's violation of Polish airspace, the Polish...
Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, engaged in extensive discussions at the U.S. Congress on strategic partnership, regional iss...
The Mexican Navy seized 1,600 kilograms of cocaine in a maritime operation off the coast of Guerrero, according to a press release from the Mexican go...
Poland has introduced restrictions to air traffic along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine, the Armed Forces' Operational Command said on Th...
Bangladesh is boosting power imports from India and output from fuel oil-fired power plants in a scramble to meet rising electricity demand as it grapples with constraints on gas supply and coal plant maintenance, industry officials and analysts say.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at Poland's request to discuss this week's violation of Polish airspace, the Polish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, engaged in extensive discussions at the U.S. Congress on strategic partnership, regional issues, and global peace initiatives.
The Mexican Navy seized 1,600 kilograms of cocaine in a maritime operation off the coast of Guerrero, according to a press release from the Mexican government on Wednesday (September 10).
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Bangladesh is boosting power imports from India and output from fuel oil-fired power plants in a scramble to meet rising electricity demand as it grapples with constraints on gas supply and coal plant maintenance, industry officials and analysts say.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at Poland's request to discuss this week's violation of Polish airspace, the Polish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The Mexican Navy seized 1,600 kilograms of cocaine in a maritime operation off the coast of Guerrero, according to a press release from the Mexican government on Wednesday (September 10).
Poland has introduced restrictions to air traffic along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine, the Armed Forces' Operational Command said on Thursday, amidst increased tensions a day after multiple drone incursions into the NATO member's airspace on Wednesday.
Police and federal agents mounted an intense manhunt on Thursday for the sniper believed to have fired the single gunshot that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk as he was fielding questions about gun violence during a university appearance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment