Reflecting on 2025 and the coming election
2025 was a big year in New Zealand’s climate space.
There have been good news stories, like the growing number of renewable energy projects in New Zealand. Solar farms, wind farms, and hydro projects are on track to grow our clean energy supply so we can electrify everything and switch off fossil fuels.
But, I won’t lie. Last year was pretty grim in New Zealand. Our climate targets were unilaterally weakened without any public input, pollution standards for cars were slashed, oil and gas exploration was restored.
We’ve seen the systematic dismantling of the entire theory of change that Jacinda Ardern and James Shaw put forward to solve climate change when they were in Government. Climate is and always will be political.
The real salt in the wound is that climate action is now an opportunity which we’d be stupid not to take up. Electricity is cheaper when it’s not dependent on the price of coal or imported fossil fuel gas. EVs are the best cars on the market, more fun to drive and more affordable. E-bikes do one better: costing nothing to run while being great exercise and a fantastic way to enjoy your commute. Installing solar and batteries saves you on bills and protects you in disasters.
The world is catching on to the revolution at our fingertips. China is betting hard on energy independence, electrifying everything in its economy at pace to wean off fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, here in the South Pacific, we’re leaving this opportunity on read. Our EV sales are in decline while the rest of the world is transitioning away from petrol cars. Our solar uptake is tiny compared to our nearest neighbour Australia. We’re continuing to invest irresponsible amounts of money ($56b) into highways that increase pollution, rather than railways which unlocks more housing without the traffic.
2026 is an election year. An opportunity this big, to rewire our economy and prepare it for the future, is surely tempting for politicians wanting to capitalise on the public’s anger at our stagnating economic settings.
Or not.
There’s about as much chance that we’re offered piecemeal action instead of real change. We need to stop polluting as fast as possible. Not when it’s convenient or when we’re in a better financial position. As fast as possible. If we do so, our economy will be transformed and deliver better lives for everyone who calls this place home.
- Slashing our farm pollution would protect rivers and give our products a competitive edge rather than fighting to be bottom of the barrel commodity producers.
- Electrifying our cars would create a safer fleet of vehicles without exhaust fumes choking our streets.
- Building our cities up rather than out would create closer knit communities connected by exercise, not congestion.
- Adding solar and batteries into every home slashes power costs and prepares us for inevitable disasters like Cyclone Gabrielle.
- Building more homes in cities and cutting out the cost of petrol from family budgets leaves more money to support local businesses.
This year, I’ll continue writing about the biggest news around the climate in New Zealand. I’ll hold the Government and Opposition to account for their policies, good and bad.
Most importantly, I want to keep you informed about how our warming world is changing and the better lives we could live if we take action on that challenge.
Thank you to everyone who has joined this newsletter in 2025. Your time and attention means the world. This labour of love is my biggest hobby and I try hard to take your time seriously. Some of you have joined pretty recently, so I wanted to share my favourite articles of last year.
Kasey McDonnell
Kasey McDonnell
Kasey McDonnell
Ngā mihi o te tau hou.
PS… I have a new job
I got a job at Forest & Bird!
My role is “Communications Advisor, Digital & Social Media”. Basically, I’m the web and social media girlie for a century old independent conservation organisation. HOORAY!
What does it mean for threesixtysix? I’ll still be publishing every fortnight, a little less than usual because my job is quite intense. I won’t report on anything that isn’t public knowledge. And, as always, my perspective is just that: my own. On rare occasions, I might have a different take to my workplace. Most of the time though, conservation and climate are singing from the same chorus.
I’m so excited to work with such awesome people. And I can’t wait to write more things for you during this very interesting election season.
My next article is all about the trams. Yes, that’s right. I finally wrote about Wellington’s trams!
