Act and NZ First are duking it out over who first came up with the idea of pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Act made the announcement on Tuesday morning. That afternoon Winston Peters claimed on social media that he’d come up with the idea first.
Winston is saying he was first to propose pulling out of Paris? Let’s look at what he has said over time on Paris:
2015
“COP21 is progress. Global collaboration has moved ahead with the international agreement reached in Paris.” – 16 December 2015
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/winston-peters-bringing-common-sense-to-climate-change-action/TIEYVMN25E7GZZXYHUIA6ALRJM
2017
“China and New Zealand are committed to working together on climate change, and meeting our obligations under the Paris Agreement. Our Government has stated its intention to place a high priority on climate change issues.” – 5 December 2017
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/anniversary-diplomatic-relations-china
“Make the PCCC legally responsible for reporting against both the Kyoto and Paris Agreements setting three-yearly ‘Carbon Budget’ designed to reach these commitments.”
https://www.interest.co.nz/news/87669/election-2017-party-policies-environment-climate-change
“COP21 is progress. Global collaboration has moved ahead with the international agreement reached in Paris.” – 16 December 2015
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/winston-peters-bringing-common-sense-to-climate-change-action/TIEYVMN25E7GZZXYHUIA6ALRJM
2017
“China and New Zealand are committed to working together on climate change, and meeting our obligations under the Paris Agreement. Our Government has stated its intention to place a high priority on climate change issues.” – 5 December 2017
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/anniversary-diplomatic-relations-china
“Make the PCCC legally responsible for reporting against both the Kyoto and Paris Agreements setting three-yearly ‘Carbon Budget’ designed to reach these commitments.”
https://www.interest.co.nz/news/87669/election-2017-party-policies-environment-climate-change
2018
“Implementing the Paris Agreement is the 21st Century’s existential challenge”. – 8 May 2018
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/first-steps
“agreed to work together bilaterally and through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to combat climate change, including through reaching agreement on fair, transparent and effective rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement at COP24 in December.” – 7 August 2018
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/eu-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-meets-new-zealand-foreign-minister
2024
“The Government is committed to meeting New Zealand’s international climate change responsibilities. New Zealand’s international standing with regards to addressing climate challenges will be shaped by delivering on the government’s steadfast commitment to the Paris Agreement and other accords. The government remains committed to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy production and therefore becoming a lower-emissions economy.” – 3 May 2024
https://questions.parliament.nz/written-questions/question/WQ_07054_2024
“The Ministers emphasised their shared commitments to adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change under the Paris Agreement.” – 30 July 2024
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-foreign-ministers-new-zealand-and-republic-indonesia-11th-joint-ministerial
“Ministers highlighted Australia and New Zealand’s shared commitment to the Paris Agreement.” – 6 December 2024
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-australia-new-zealand-foreign-and-defence-ministerial-consultations-anzmin
2025
“The Ministers emphasised their shared commitment to adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change under the Paris Agreement.” – 13 June 2025
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-foreign-ministers-republic-indonesia-and-new-zealand-12th-joint-ministerial
Zero Carbon Act
NZ First is partially responsible for the Zero Carbon Act and a net zero target. A commitment to pass the Zero Carbon Act was in NZ First’s coalition agreement with Labour. The Zero Carbon Act sets out how New Zealand must meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement.
NZ First’s press release claiming credit for it is here:
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1905/S00071/winston-peters-press-release-on-climate-change-announcement.htm
Here is an interesting video where Winston claims the credit for the Zero Carbon Act:
Click to view
“Implementing the Paris Agreement is the 21st Century’s existential challenge”. – 8 May 2018
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/first-steps
“agreed to work together bilaterally and through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to combat climate change, including through reaching agreement on fair, transparent and effective rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement at COP24 in December.” – 7 August 2018
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/eu-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-meets-new-zealand-foreign-minister
2024
“The Government is committed to meeting New Zealand’s international climate change responsibilities. New Zealand’s international standing with regards to addressing climate challenges will be shaped by delivering on the government’s steadfast commitment to the Paris Agreement and other accords. The government remains committed to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy production and therefore becoming a lower-emissions economy.” – 3 May 2024
https://questions.parliament.nz/written-questions/question/WQ_07054_2024
“The Ministers emphasised their shared commitments to adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change under the Paris Agreement.” – 30 July 2024
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-foreign-ministers-new-zealand-and-republic-indonesia-11th-joint-ministerial
“Ministers highlighted Australia and New Zealand’s shared commitment to the Paris Agreement.” – 6 December 2024
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-australia-new-zealand-foreign-and-defence-ministerial-consultations-anzmin
2025
“The Ministers emphasised their shared commitment to adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change under the Paris Agreement.” – 13 June 2025
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-foreign-ministers-republic-indonesia-and-new-zealand-12th-joint-ministerial
Zero Carbon Act
NZ First is partially responsible for the Zero Carbon Act and a net zero target. A commitment to pass the Zero Carbon Act was in NZ First’s coalition agreement with Labour. The Zero Carbon Act sets out how New Zealand must meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement.
NZ First’s press release claiming credit for it is here:
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1905/S00071/winston-peters-press-release-on-climate-change-announcement.htm
Here is an interesting video where Winston claims the credit for the Zero Carbon Act:
Click to view
Here’s NZ First’s coalition agreement with a commitment to “Introduce a Zero Carbon Act”:
Click to view
https://www.parliament.nz/media/4486/362429780labourandnewzealandfirstcoalitionagreement.pdf
So if NZ First is opposed to the Paris Agreement, it will be a reversal of years of advocacy for it and even claiming credit for the Zero Carbon Act!
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
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