New Zealand: environment

How much of New Zealand's electricity is renewable?

88.5% of New Zealand's electricity generated in 2025 came from renewable sources, the highest share since 1981, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Energy in New Zealand 2026. Record geothermal and solar generation contributed to the rise.

Hydro is the largest source and accounts for around half of generation capacity, most of it in the South Island. The renewable share depends heavily on rainfall and lake levels: in dry years more gas and coal are burned. 32% of total final energy consumption came from modern renewables in 2025, also a record.

Official sources: MBIE: Energy in New Zealand 2026 (PDF)

Is New Zealand getting warmer?

2025 was New Zealand's 4th-warmest year on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 13.51°C, 0.77°C above the 1991–2020 average, according to Earth Sciences New Zealand's Annual Climate Summary 2025, published on 8 January 2026. Four of New Zealand's five warmest years on record have occurred since 2021.

The national average comes from a seven-station temperature series that begins in 1909. Earth Sciences New Zealand was formed in 2025 from NIWA and GNS Science.

Official sources: Earth Sciences NZ: Annual Climate Summary 2025

What are New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions?

New Zealand's regional greenhouse gas emissions totalled 77,984 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024, down 1.0% from 2023, according to Stats NZ. From 2007 to 2024, total regional emissions fell 9.5%. Industry emissions fell 1.1% in 2024, while household emissions rose 0.2%.

Stats NZ's regional estimates use a different method from the official national Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which the Ministry for the Environment publishes each April for reporting under the United Nations climate convention. The two sets of figures are therefore not directly comparable.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Greenhouse gas emissions by region, industry and household, year ended 2024

Which New Zealand region has the highest emissions?

Southland had New Zealand's highest greenhouse gas emissions per person in 2024, at 61.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, followed by Taranaki at 39.0 tonnes, according to Stats NZ. Nelson had the lowest, at 5.6 tonnes per person.

Per-person emissions are highest in regions with large agricultural or industrial output relative to their population. In 2024 Waikato's emissions rose most (up 960 kilotonnes) and Taranaki's fell most (down 678 kilotonnes, or 12%), largely because of lower manufacturing.

Official sources: Stats NZ: Greenhouse gas emissions by region, industry and household, year ended 2024

Is New Zealand using less energy?

New Zealand's total energy consumption fell to its lowest level since 2011 in 2025, mainly because of lower industrial demand, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Energy in New Zealand 2026. Energy intensity, energy use relative to economic output, hit a record low. Natural gas supply fell to 103 petajoules, the lowest on record.

Geothermal energy production rose 5.0% and solar production 56%. Growing electric vehicle uptake raised electricity demand in the transport sector. Lower gas supply has affected industrial users and electricity generators that rely on gas.

Official sources: MBIE: Energy in New Zealand 2026 (PDF)

How much CO2 does New Zealand emit per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in New Zealand at 6.0 tonnes in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 10th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1 tonnes. Worldwide: 39th of 186.

What are New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 77.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 13th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 60th highest.

How much renewable energy does New Zealand use?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in New Zealand at 28.9% in 2021. The peak was 30.3% in 2011 and the low 26.1% in 2008. It is 9th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 14.9%. World rank, highest first: 82nd of 191.

What is New Zealand's forest cover?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in New Zealand at 38.9% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.6%; New Zealand is 20th highest of 29. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 74th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in New Zealand?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 6.9 micrograms per cubic metre. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 7.7 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2014, at 6.5 micrograms per cubic metre. It is 20th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 175th of 192.

How much of New Zealand's land is protected?

The latest figure from the UN Environment Programme, for 2025, is 33.4%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. East Asia & Pacific median: 15.8%; New Zealand is 3rd highest of 30. Worldwide: 26th of 192.

How much of New Zealand's fresh water is used?

In 2022, water stress in New Zealand was 8.0%, according to the FAO. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.1%; New Zealand is 11th highest of 20. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 98th highest.