‘Electrify NZ’: A look into National’s new climate policy

11 April, 2023

Interview by Milly Smyth, adapted by Sofia Kent

Head of Campaigns for Greenpeace Aotearoa, Amanda Larson, argues that the National Party’s support of oil exploration makes their renewable energy policy “pretty hypocritical”. Photo: Canva. 

Listen to the full interviews with National's Dr Shane Reti and Greenpeace Head of Campaigns Amanda Larson.

Last week, the National Party announced its renewable energy policy ‘Electrify New Zealand’.

In an effort to meet growing climate crisis concerns, National plans to double the amount of electricity produced by solar, wind, and geothermal plants if elected. 

The party aims to reduce emissions by electrifying Aotearoa’s transport fleet, predicted to be the main consumer of increased renewable energy sources.

But National’s dip into climate policy has seen criticism from environmentalists who remain concerned about National’s role in offshore oil and gas exploration. 

National MP Dr Shane Reti defended National’s commitment to renewable energy on 95bFM’s The Wire, telling Milly Smyth they believe New Zealand’s future is one where buses and private transport are powered by clean electricity.

However, Reti argued that to achieve New Zealand’s climate goals, New Zealand must have enough renewable electricity to meet the rising demand. 

“If we are driving people towards renewable energy, we need to make sure we have enough of it.”

“We need whole sectors to change their thinking and take up even more clean electricity to power their current needs.”

Reti claimed that the completion of renewable projects can take up to 10 years, which puts off developers.

He said National’s policy significantly "cuts the red tape" to make completing renewable energy sources more efficient. 

“Electrify NZ requires resource consent decisions to be finalised within one year and for consents to last for 35 years.”

The government argues that removing consenting barriers is a part of their Resource Management Act reforms that National opposes.

But Reti defended their opposition, arguing that the government’s RMA reforms would involve almost as much paperwork as they want to remove.

“There is no clear pathway for renewable projects in the draft deliberations on the RMA, and we think it needs a specific focus.” 

Greenpeace Aotearoa has welcomed National’s interest in renewable energy sources but maintained that their policy is redundant while the party continues to support offshore oil and gas exploration.

Head of Campaigns for Greenpeace Aotearoa, Amanda Larson, told Beth Torrance-Hetherington on 95bFM's The Wire that while National's policy was a “step in the right direction”, their support of oil exploration in New Zealand waters makes it  “pretty hypocritical”. 

“There is absolutely no way we can allow more fossil fuels to be dug out of the ground given that we are in the middle of a climate crisis and are feeling the impacts of it right now.”

Larson said the main issue stopping the completion of renewable projects is the way our electricity market creates “perverse incentives” to keep renewable electricity supply low.

“To get more renewable projects off the ground, you need to deal with the monopoly the big generator retailers have over the electricity market.”

Larson also criticised National’s policy for dealing with transport emissions by simply replacing a petrol vehicle with an electric one, a policy she said lacks credibility. 

Larson said more sustainable forms of transport beyond cars need to be a viable option for the public.

Larson hoped for a solar policy from any major party that works to solarise homes and encourage community solar incentives.