Smelter snub drives up carbon prices

Smelter snub drives up carbon prices
Carbon prices have risen following the govt cutting Tiwai smelter's carbon subsidy. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
Carbon prices have risen in the wake of news that the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter’s free allocation of units was being cut.Last week, the government released papers detailing how the smelter is losing a $60 million-plus carbon subsidy.The move was part of the government’s rethink and recalculation of how free units are allocated to protect "export-exposed energy-intensive" industries from costs their competitors do not face.In this case, climate change minister James Shaw successfully argued that the electricity componen...

More Policy

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'
Policy

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'

Adam Feeley on the reluctance to call out poor performers in NZ infrastructure sector.

Oliver Lewis 30 Jun 2025
Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations
Policy

Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations

Auckland Council will need to provide for building heights of at least 10-15 storeys.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025
Infrastructure Plan floats higher health, electricity spend
Policy

Infrastructure Plan floats higher health, electricity spend

Draft plan identifies priority projects and recommends transport system reform.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025
Infrastructure plan: 17 projects made it, 31 missed out
Policy

Infrastructure plan: 17 projects made it, 31 missed out

Rail, prison and ferry terminal projects excluded from infrastructure priority list.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025