Taranaki Leads in Greenhouse Gas Drop for 2025

Taranaki region had the largest decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the year ended December 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Overall, New Zealand's total regional greenhouse gas emissions decreased 1,921 kilotonnes to 76,202 kilotonnes in the year ended December 2025, the lowest level since the series began in 2007.

"For the second year in a row, Taranaki had the largest decrease in greenhouse gas emissions," environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

Taranaki's total emissions decreased 657 kilotonnes (12.4 percent) between 2024 and 2025. The region accounted for 34 percent of the overall reduction in regional emissions in that period.

"The 12.4 percent fall in emissions in the Taranaki region was largely driven by lower emissions in the electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry (down 279 kilotonnes) in 2025. This follows an 8.2 percent decrease in the region's emissions the previous year," Islam said.

Between 2024 and 2025, emissions from Taranaki's primary industries also decreased, with emissions from the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry down 200 kilotonnes (8.0 percent) and emissions from the mining industry down 134 kilotonnes (17.3 percent).

Waikato recorded the second-largest decrease, with emissions falling 571 kilotonnes (3.9 percent) in 2025, accounting for 30 percent of the overall regional reductions. Most of Waikato's reduction came from the electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry, where emissions fell by 560 kilotonnes (16.4 percent). This follows a 7.2 percent increase in Waikato's emissions the previous year, due to higher emissions from electricity, gas, water, and waste services.

In 2025, New Zealand increased electricity generation from renewable sources such as hydro, geothermal and solar, reducing the need for coal and gas-fired generation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reported in Electricity statistics. This contributed to lower emissions from the electricity generation and gas supply industry.

Other regions that contributed most to the overall decrease included Otago, Southland, Northland, and Auckland.

The regional declines were partly offset by increases in emissions in Canterbury and Manawatū-Whanganui, where higher agricultural activities were the main driver of emissions growth in both regions. Agricultural emissions in Canterbury increased 331 kilotonnes (3.9 percent), driving Canterbury's total emissions up by 2.5 percent.

Household emissions fall in every region in 2025

Household emissions fell across all regions in 2025. The largest changes were in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Canterbury. Total regional household emissions decreased by 212 kilotonnes (2.6 percent) from the previous year, largely driven by lower household transport emissions.

Auckland had the largest decrease in household emissions in 2025, down 44 kilotonnes (1.8 percent). Approximately three-quarters of the change in the region's household emissions was due to a decrease in emissions from household transport. Auckland's household emissions per person were 1.3 tonnes, reflecting its relatively low household emissions compared with other regions.

Household emissions per person averaged 1.5 tonnes of CO₂-e nationally in 2025, ranging from 1.2 tonnes in Nelson to 2.4 tonnes in West Coast.

In 2025, household emissions accounted for 10.5 percent of New Zealand's total emissions, with the remainder coming from industry.