Australia-Pacific

NZ First's $1b oil and gas pledge draws Greenpeace criticism

New Zealand's NZ First party said it would explore deep-sea basins around the country for oil and gas if elected, arguing the move would shore up fuel security. Greenpeace says the billion-dollar pledge would be better spent on renewable energy.

An offshore platform on a grey, overcast sea
An offshore platform on a grey, overcast seaPhoto: Jan-Rune Smenes Reite / Pexels
RNZ Business19 h ago

NZ First said it would commit NZ$1 billion to exploring deep-sea basins around New Zealand for oil and gas if elected, arguing the move would strengthen the country's domestic fuel security.

Greenpeace pushed back sharply, arguing the funds would be far better directed toward renewable energy sources. The organization said pursuing new fossil-fuel exploration runs counter to New Zealand's climate commitments.

The dispute highlights the deep divide between parties over energy policy heading into the country's next election. Voters will have to weigh these competing visions for how New Zealand secures its future energy supply.

EnergyRegulationAustralia-PacificRNZ Business
This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by RNZ Business. The illustration is a stock photo by Jan-Rune Smenes Reite from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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