Supreme court lets climate case against seven corporates go ahead

(Image: Getty)

Wed, 07 Feb 2024

The supreme court has given activist Mike Smith the go-ahead to sue seven New Zealand companies for climate change-related damage.In a unanimous ruling on Wednesday, the court refused to strike out Smith’s claims, as had been sought by respondents Fonterra, Genesis Energy, Dairy Holdings, NZ Steel, Z Energy, Channel Infrastructure and BT Mining.Smith is an elder of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu and a climate change spokesperson for the Iwi Chairs Forum.In 2019, Smith made three claims under tort law, which seeks compensation for harm caused by a...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket finishes flat, down 0.1%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,480.43, down 19.42 points or 0.14%.

Graham Skellern 25 Nov 2025

Policy

Govt proposes major council overhaul

Regional councillors to be deposed, mayors empowered, and amalgamation put on the table.

Thomas Manch 25 Nov 2025

Infrastructure

Govt drops Cook Strait rescue vessel plan

A detailed business case raised costs from $80m to $259m in just four months.

Thomas Manch 25 Nov 2025

Govt drops Cook Strait rescue vessel plan

Sponsored

Spark Accelerate: Are you ready for exponential AI growth?

Spark

Sponsored

Cybersecurity skills gap leaving Kiwi businesses at risk - report

A cybersecurity skills shortage is creating additional cyber risks, according to a new global report.

Fortinet

More Law & Regulation

Law & Regulation

Commerce commission takes Mobil NZ to High Court

The Commerce Commission has initiated legal action against Mobil New Zealand, alleging that the company's pricing methods violate the Fuel Industry Act 2020.ComCom has filed proceedings in the High Court, claiming two ongoing breaches of the act, it said in a statement. The f...

BD AI 25 Nov 2025