ACT's Climate Policy
ACT accepts that climate change is occurring but argues New Zealand's contribution to global emissions is too small to justify costly domestic action. They propose scaling back climate regulations, exiting the ETS or fundamentally reforming it, and opposing binding international climate commitments.
In simple terms
Accept the science of climate change but argue that New Zealand's actions have minimal global impact, so reduce the cost of climate regulations on businesses and households.
Impact to New Zealanders
Businesses save on compliance costs, but NZ exporters face pressure from overseas buyers demanding proof of low-carbon practices.
Lower climate spending means fewer green jobs created here, while early-mover countries build competitive renewable industries NZ later needs to import from.
Insurance and infrastructure costs spike as climate impacts worsen globally, hitting NZ households harder than upfront regulation costs would have.
Green Party's Climate Policy
The Green Party advocates for a faster transition, targeting net-zero by 2035. Policy includes a wealth tax to fund climate action, ending all new fossil fuel exploration, a Just Transition Fund for affected workers, rapid expansion of renewable energy, and free public transport.
In simple terms
Reach net-zero emissions by 2035 rather than 2050, stop all new fossil fuel projects, support workers whose jobs disappear due to the energy transition, and make public transport free.
Impact to New Zealanders
Free public transport reduces car sales, shrinking local dealerships and mechanic jobs faster than transport roles grow, hitting regional economies hardest.
Heavy manufacturing investment in renewable infrastructure attracts overseas skilled workers, while local tradespeople retrain slower, creating wage pressure and housing demand in construction hubs.
New Zealand's energy costs fall below fossil-fuel competitors, attracting energy-intensive industries, but rural communities dependent on coal/gas struggle unless diversification succeeds.
Labour's Climate Policy
Labour introduced the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Act, establishing net-zero carbon by 2050 and the independent Climate Change Commission. Policy includes clean car incentives, renewable energy investment, and the ETS with agriculture entering in 2025.
In simple terms
Stick to the legal target of net-zero carbon by 2050, use carbon pricing for all sectors including farming, and support electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Impact to New Zealanders
Farmers face carbon costs on livestock, pushing some to sell land to developers, reducing agricultural employment in rural towns.
EV uptake concentrates wealth in cities where charging exists; regional communities face stranded petrol cars and higher transport costs.
New Zealand's export-heavy dairy and meat sectors shrink as global competitors undercut prices, forcing structural economic rebalancing.
National's Climate Policy
National supports the Emissions Trading Scheme as the primary tool for reducing emissions. They propose to reverse the previous government's ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, emphasise agricultural technology over regulation, and review climate targets to ensure economic impacts are considered.
In simple terms
Use market-based carbon pricing to reduce emissions, allow offshore gas and oil exploration again, and avoid farming regulations that would hurt farmers.
Impact to New Zealanders
Carbon pricing makes polluters pay, but costs get passed to everyday shoppers through higher petrol, electricity, and food prices.
New offshore gas projects attract investment and jobs in drilling regions, but delay transition away from fossil fuels, locking in long-term emissions.
While farming avoids regulation, uncontrolled agricultural emissions make New Zealand's climate targets harder to reach, risking trade penalties and higher climate adaptation costs nationwide.
NZ First's Climate Policy
NZ First supports balanced climate action that does not harm New Zealand's economy, particularly the agricultural sector. They oppose policies they view as ideologically driven, support the ETS in principle but with agricultural exemptions, and emphasise technology-led solutions.
In simple terms
Take a cautious approach to climate policy that protects farming and jobs, exempt agriculture from carbon pricing, and focus on technological solutions rather than government mandates.
Impact to New Zealanders
Farm profitability rises as competitors overseas face higher climate costs, but NZ's export markets begin demanding climate-certified products anyway.
Tech companies delay investing in NZ climate solutions because no carbon price creates insufficient market demand, shifting R&D spending offshore.
Other nations impose climate tariffs on NZ agricultural imports; farmers face sudden export losses despite decades of policy protection from domestic regulation.
Te Pāti Māori's Climate Policy
Te Pāti Māori frames climate change as an issue of intergenerational and indigenous justice. They call for rapid decarbonisation, protecting Māori lands and coastlines from climate impacts, Treaty-based climate governance, and ensuring Māori communities lead their own climate adaptation.
In simple terms
Treat climate change as a justice issue requiring urgent action, protect Māori lands and coastal communities from climate damage, and ensure Māori have a voice in climate decisions under the Treaty.
Impact to New Zealanders
Government invests in Māori-led climate projects, increasing iwi employment but potentially diverting resources from other urgent services.
Coastal land protection rules tighten under Treaty consultation, making property insurance and development costlier for all homeowners in affected regions.
Māori land ownership expands through climate adaptation programs, shifting long-term wealth but potentially creating tension over land access for other communities.
TOP's Climate Policy
TOP supports fundamental reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme including agriculture, prioritising natural carbon sequestration through soil health and wetland restoration over pine plantation forestry, and giving the Climate Change Commission greater authority to set binding policy. They oppose LNG imports and support electrification of transport and industry.
In simple terms
Reform carbon pricing to include farming and stop counting pine tree offsets that don't deliver long-term storage. Restore wetlands and improve soils for real carbon capture, and give the independent Climate Commission real power.
Impact to New Zealanders
Farmers face higher production costs, triggering consolidation of smaller farms into larger operations, reducing rural employment and community viability.
Wetland restoration creates jobs in construction and maintenance, but displaces some agricultural land permanently, locking in lower food production capacity nationally.
New Zealand's food export competitiveness declines as higher-cost production makes us uncompetitive against countries without carbon pricing, shifting economy toward services and tourism.