NZCPR POLITICAL PARTY CLIMATE POLICY 2026

Executive Summary

The 2026 election presents New Zealanders with a stark choice over climate and environmental policy. The political blocs are divided not just on emissions targets and regulatory settings, but on the fundamental question of whether climate policy should prioritise economic growth and scientific realism, or aggressive emissions reduction, regulatory expansion, and ideological transformation.

The governing Coalition of National, ACT, and New Zealand First supports a market-led, ETS-based approach, opposes agricultural emissions pricing, rejects punitive climate taxes, and prioritises economic productivity, technological innovation, and land-use flexibility. Their policies aim to reduce regulatory burdens, protect rural New Zealand, and prevent climate bureaucracy from overriding democratic accountability.

Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party, and TOP support Paris-aligned emissions targets, expanded regulation, and large-scale public spending. Their policies include stronger ETS obligations including for agriculture, binding emissions caps, the reinstatement of the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, Treaty-led climate governance, and constitutional-style entrenchment of climate policy.

Some parties are pushing for the radical transformation of the economy, public institutions, and governance structures under climate-justice and Te Tiriti frameworks.

Most New Zealanders are unaware of how extreme these proposals have become. The left bloc’s climate agenda would dramatically expand state control over land use, energy, transport, agriculture, and private insurance — while embedding Treaty-based governance into climate law, regulation, and international negotiations.

This report summarises the party positions and outlines the profound policy divide facing voters at Election 2026.

To read the rest of the report - please visit the NZCPR website HERE.