Versions :<12345Live>
Snapshot 4:Thu, Jul 31, 2025 3:50:41 PM GMT last edited by Nick

New Zealand Parliament Repeals Offshore Oil and Gas Ban

New Zealand Parliament Repeals Offshore Oil and Gas Ban

Above: Simon Watts during the COP28, UN Climate Change Conference, on Dec. 9, 2023. Image copyright: Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

The exploration ban severely impacted New Zealand's energy security and increased costs for ordinary families. Energy prices increased by over 10% while households used less power, and Transpower warned of blackout risks due to insufficient supply. Solar, wind and battery storage aren't emerging fast enough to replace dwindling gas reserves, leaving the country vulnerable to energy shortfalls.

This government prioritizes multinational oil companies over climate action and New Zealand's international reputation. The egregious and deranged legislation comes just one week after the world's top court ruled that states must tackle fossil fuels or face reparations, highlighting the government's disregard for urgent climate responsibilities and international legal momentum toward fossil fuel accountability.

ThereThe exploration ban severely impacted New Zealand's aenergy 50%security chanceand thatincreased peakcosts oilfor productionordinary willfamilies. beEnergy reachedprices worldwideincreased by Juneover 203110% while households used less power, accordingand Transpower warned of blackout risks due to insufficient supply. Solar, wind and battery storage aren't emerging fast enough to replace dwindling gas reserves, leaving the Metaculuscountry predictionvulnerable communityto energy shortfalls.

This government prioritizes multinational oil companies over climate action and New Zealand's international reputation. The egregious and deranged legislation comes just one week after the world's top court ruled that states must tackle fossil fuels or face reparations, highlighting the government's disregard for urgent climate responsibilities and international legal momentum toward fossil fuel accountability.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 50% chance that peak oil production will be reached worldwide by June 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


The Controversies



Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!