ACT
Policy influence; no climate portfolio
Coalition periods and governing roles across the 2014-present analysis window.
2023-present
Coalition partnerNational-led coalition (with ACT & NZ First)
27 November 2023 - present
Otherwise: In opposition October 2017 - November 2023.
10 actions · scored from major harm (−2) to major win (+2)
Announced changes to Climate Change Response Act: remove CCC advice requirement before Emissions Reduction Plans; reduce public consultation on emissions budgets; allow ERP amendments without consultation; remove ETS-NDC alignment requirement; biennial ETS settings. Amendment bill expected 2026.
Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Act 2024 removed all agricultural activities from the NZ ETS. The coalition also committed to farm-level pricing via an alternative mechanism no earlier than 2030 - a decade-long delay beyond the prior He Waka Eke Noa 2025 pathway.
Permanent fast-track consenting for nationally significant projects including petroleum/mineral mining under Crown Minerals Act. Schedule 2 lists 149 projects for direct panel consideration.
2024-25 amendments eased Clean Car Standard compliance: extended credit lifespans, slower target trajectory vs original design, and (from Jan 2026) ~80% reduction in importer CO2 charges ($67.50→$15/g new; $33.75→$7.50/g used) through 2027.
Government paused further tranches of the plastic packaging phase-out (including PVC and polystyrene serviceware timelines) pending review - reversing momentum of LL-023 regulations.
2030 NDC (50% below 2005) retained, but ministers ruled out offshore mitigation/carbon credits used by prior government without announcing a confirmed alternative domestic pathway.
Budget 2024 cut funding for agricultural emissions pricing policy work from ~$167m to ~$3m over four years (part of broader CERF/agriculture savings).
Introduced three bills to replace Resource Management Act 1991 with Natural and Built Environment Act and Spatial Planning Act framework (later revised to single RMA Amendment / repeal pathway in 2025-26).
Ended long-standing RUC exemption for light EVs and plug-in hybrids from 1 April 2024 (~$76/1000km BEV; reduced rate for PHEVs). Coalition commitment to bring all vehicles into RUC.
Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Discount Scheme Repeal) Amendment Act 2023 ended feebate scheme 31 Dec 2023. BEV share of new light sales fell from ~19.8% (2023) to ~7.7% (2024).