Kirsty Johnston
@kirstyjohnston.bsky.social
Investigative journalist | The Crewe Murders 📖 | Nellie’s Baby 🎧 | I tell stories about people | [email protected] ✉️
https://www.instagram.com/kirstyjohnston_nz?igsh=bWU4a2pqemthYm5q
https://www.instagram.com/kirstyjohnston_nz?igsh=bWU4a2pqemthYm5q
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
A captured Government.
Fossil fuel companies were given confidential drafts of legislation during their (successful) two-year campaign to weaken oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban - new reporting from me via the OIA
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the oil and gas industry's wishlist.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A captured Government.
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
"Internal documents show how the sector repeatedly lobbied Resources Minister Shane Jones to dilute New Zealand's clean-up rules for ageing oil fields - rules brought in to protect taxpayers after the 2019 Tui Oil Field collapse left the state burdened with a $300m bill."
#NewZealand #nzpol
#NewZealand #nzpol
Fossil fuel companies were given confidential drafts of legislation during their (successful) two-year campaign to weaken oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban - new reporting from me via the OIA
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the oil and gas industry's wishlist.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 10:43 PM
"Internal documents show how the sector repeatedly lobbied Resources Minister Shane Jones to dilute New Zealand's clean-up rules for ageing oil fields - rules brought in to protect taxpayers after the 2019 Tui Oil Field collapse left the state burdened with a $300m bill."
#NewZealand #nzpol
#NewZealand #nzpol
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
The Cook Islands allowed over a hundred shadow fleet tankers trafficking sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil. A Big Read from me looking at the curious case of Maritime Cook Islands with an investigation employing big data analysis and fieldwork in Raro. www.nzherald.co.nz/business/com...
The dark fleet hiding in our own backyard: How the Cook Islands sold its flag to Moscow and Tehran
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: How shadow fleets made the Cook Islands flag inconvienent.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Cook Islands allowed over a hundred shadow fleet tankers trafficking sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil. A Big Read from me looking at the curious case of Maritime Cook Islands with an investigation employing big data analysis and fieldwork in Raro. www.nzherald.co.nz/business/com...
Fossil fuel companies were given confidential drafts of legislation during their (successful) two-year campaign to weaken oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban - new reporting from me via the OIA
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the oil and gas industry's wishlist.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Fossil fuel companies were given confidential drafts of legislation during their (successful) two-year campaign to weaken oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban - new reporting from me via the OIA
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
#RailNews: KiwiRail has launched a carbon calculator to meet increasing demand from customers wanting to compare carbon emissions from rail, road and air.
Via Travel Weekly: travelweekly.com.au/kiwirail-lau...
Via Travel Weekly: travelweekly.com.au/kiwirail-lau...
KiwiRail launches carbon calculator to meet increasing customer demand
KiwiRail launches carbon calculator to meet increasing demand from customers wanting to compare carbon emissions from rail, road, and air.
travelweekly.com.au
November 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
#RailNews: KiwiRail has launched a carbon calculator to meet increasing demand from customers wanting to compare carbon emissions from rail, road and air.
Via Travel Weekly: travelweekly.com.au/kiwirail-lau...
Via Travel Weekly: travelweekly.com.au/kiwirail-lau...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
#NZpol
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
It's expensive, vulnerable to price shocks and terrible for the planet. So why are we importing gas?
www.rnz.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
#NZpol
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"We're at a crossroads here. We could have this low-cost renewables future but we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," says Fuge.
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
RNZ story by @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social: www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
Great work @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social on this article, which shines a light on how short-sighted scrapping of good initiatives around energy by this current government led to us being painted into a corner that makes it seem our “only” option is importing gas.
#nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
#nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
It's expensive, vulnerable to price shocks and terrible for the planet. So why are we importing gas?
www.rnz.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Great work @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social on this article, which shines a light on how short-sighted scrapping of good initiatives around energy by this current government led to us being painted into a corner that makes it seem our “only” option is importing gas.
#nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
#nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
I looked into importing gas (LNG) as a solution to our energy woes, and almost no one except the domestic gas industry thinks it’s a good idea.
So why why is a “last-resort” fuel suddenly the centrepiece of our energy plan?
🔗 www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
So why why is a “last-resort” fuel suddenly the centrepiece of our energy plan?
🔗 www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
The fuel of ‘last resort’: How imported gas became New Zealand’s first choice
It's expensive, vulnerable to price shocks and terrible for the planet. So why are we importing gas?
www.rnz.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I looked into importing gas (LNG) as a solution to our energy woes, and almost no one except the domestic gas industry thinks it’s a good idea.
So why why is a “last-resort” fuel suddenly the centrepiece of our energy plan?
🔗 www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
So why why is a “last-resort” fuel suddenly the centrepiece of our energy plan?
🔗 www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
"Do you really think (big tech) just accidentally kneecapped the fourth estate and gave themselves the power rich guys have been frothing at the mouth to attain ... the power to control public opinion? If so, then I'm afraid the dummy is you and I'm sorry you had to find out this way."
A rallying cry for my fellow journalists to put their boots on and grow a backbone.
drilled.media/news/media-b...
drilled.media/news/media-b...
Make Media Brave Again
The only way to protect what’s left of journalism is to do the job right.
drilled.media
November 8, 2025 at 10:28 PM
"Do you really think (big tech) just accidentally kneecapped the fourth estate and gave themselves the power rich guys have been frothing at the mouth to attain ... the power to control public opinion? If so, then I'm afraid the dummy is you and I'm sorry you had to find out this way."
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
Mark Mitchell says 36 emails about Jevon McSkimming were kept from him by police
Mark Mitchell says 36 emails about Jevon McSkimming were kept from him by police
Mark Mitchell says a protocol was put in place by the Commissioner's office so the Minister didn't see the emails.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Mark Mitchell says 36 emails about Jevon McSkimming were kept from him by police
Something I've been thinking about recently is how much time and effort it takes to pick your way through the different vested interests and ideologies and biases when reporting a new subject. I feel like it's getting more and more complicated or maybe I'm simply more aware of the minefield?
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Something I've been thinking about recently is how much time and effort it takes to pick your way through the different vested interests and ideologies and biases when reporting a new subject. I feel like it's getting more and more complicated or maybe I'm simply more aware of the minefield?
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
now that women have ruined the workplace we should just get rid of it
November 9, 2025 at 2:33 AM
now that women have ruined the workplace we should just get rid of it
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
Ahead of #COP30 a new article from me, unpacking whether New Zealand's 2035 Paris Agreement target (a 51-55% reduction) meets Paris Agreement criteria.
TLDR lol no.
(outside the paywall, thanks Carbon News!)
TLDR lol no.
(outside the paywall, thanks Carbon News!)
Carbon News
Carbon News NZ Climate Policy Carbon Markets
www.carbonnews.co.nz
November 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Ahead of #COP30 a new article from me, unpacking whether New Zealand's 2035 Paris Agreement target (a 51-55% reduction) meets Paris Agreement criteria.
TLDR lol no.
(outside the paywall, thanks Carbon News!)
TLDR lol no.
(outside the paywall, thanks Carbon News!)
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
At every turn, the Government has opted for whatever would actually lead to more pollution and a warmer world – even if it costs more, jeopardises NZ’s reputation, overturns a campaign promise or clashes with the Government’s other priorities.
The long retreat:
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
The long retreat:
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
Govt's climate strategy: Let it burn
Comment: The Government has relentlessly pursued policies that boost climate pollution – even if they cost more or jeopardise NZ's reputation, Marc Daalder writes
newsroom.co.nz
November 6, 2025 at 7:22 PM
At every turn, the Government has opted for whatever would actually lead to more pollution and a warmer world – even if it costs more, jeopardises NZ’s reputation, overturns a campaign promise or clashes with the Government’s other priorities.
The long retreat:
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
The long retreat:
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
@desmog.com reviewed US tax records which show Bill Gates’ charity has donated more than $3.5 million to a think tank run by Danish academic and climate crisis denier Bjørn Lomborg www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
Tax records reveal that the billionaire’s foundation has donated for years to Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center.
www.desmog.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 AM
@desmog.com reviewed US tax records which show Bill Gates’ charity has donated more than $3.5 million to a think tank run by Danish academic and climate crisis denier Bjørn Lomborg www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
I mean what’s a little plea deal on a Thursday afternoon
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 AM
I mean what’s a little plea deal on a Thursday afternoon
When I wrote this just two-ish months ago, the premise was that the architecture of the CCRA (zero carbon act) remained, but the policies that sustained it had been hollowed out.
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
How Jacinda Ardern’s ‘groundbreaking’ climate law has become ‘a shell’
The Zero Carbon Act promised to lock climate ambition into law. But with key policies repealed, delayed or watered down, the once 'world-leading' legislation has become a husk of its former self.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 5, 2025 at 12:08 AM
When I wrote this just two-ish months ago, the premise was that the architecture of the CCRA (zero carbon act) remained, but the policies that sustained it had been hollowed out.
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
With the CCRA changes today, I feel like that no longer holds
www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
The Govt quietly announced a loosening of climate rules at 8pm last night:
- Decoupling the ETS from Paris
- Shifting ETS resets to every 2 years
- Delaying the public sector target by 25 years
- Removing CCC advice from *before* emission reductions plans:
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
- Decoupling the ETS from Paris
- Shifting ETS resets to every 2 years
- Delaying the public sector target by 25 years
- Removing CCC advice from *before* emission reductions plans:
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Government quietly loosens climate rules
An announcement at 8pm on Tuesday saw the Government delinking the ETS from the Paris Agreement and extending another emissions deadline by 25 years.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 4, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The Govt quietly announced a loosening of climate rules at 8pm last night:
- Decoupling the ETS from Paris
- Shifting ETS resets to every 2 years
- Delaying the public sector target by 25 years
- Removing CCC advice from *before* emission reductions plans:
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
- Decoupling the ETS from Paris
- Shifting ETS resets to every 2 years
- Delaying the public sector target by 25 years
- Removing CCC advice from *before* emission reductions plans:
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
I just called someone for input on a story and said, "are you busy?" and they said "not too busy to say no comment" and hung up. A+
November 2, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I just called someone for input on a story and said, "are you busy?" and they said "not too busy to say no comment" and hung up. A+
Things that cost approx $16 billion
-Northland road
-Lake Onslow power scheme
-Northland road
-Lake Onslow power scheme
October 29, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Things that cost approx $16 billion
-Northland road
-Lake Onslow power scheme
-Northland road
-Lake Onslow power scheme
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
October 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This whole bus vs EV situation has reminded me that when we lived in Tauranga if we parked our electric car outside the local pub people would corner us and start yelling about lithium or veganism or the climate hoax or whatever to the point we started taking our petrol car
October 28, 2025 at 7:14 AM
This whole bus vs EV situation has reminded me that when we lived in Tauranga if we parked our electric car outside the local pub people would corner us and start yelling about lithium or veganism or the climate hoax or whatever to the point we started taking our petrol car
You know, there’s this pervasive view that people don’t care about climate change / are bored of it / find it overwhelming but I wrote this story this week and social media went crazy over it. People care!!!! They really care are they need a way to channel it www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
New Zealand guts climate policy it bragged about on the world stage
The law was once held up internationally as a model of transparency. The government just weakened it.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 23, 2025 at 7:01 AM
You know, there’s this pervasive view that people don’t care about climate change / are bored of it / find it overwhelming but I wrote this story this week and social media went crazy over it. People care!!!! They really care are they need a way to channel it www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Kirsty Johnston
October 22, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I wrote this up for RNZ www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
October 22, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I wrote this up for RNZ www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...