Full Breakdown
Winston Peters Calls for New Zealand to Exit Paris Climate Agreement at Fieldays
6/12/2026, 9:16:08 PM
Fieldays Speech: Call to Leave Paris and Question Rates Caps
On 7 November at Fieldays, NZ First leader Winston Peters addressed delegates. He urged New Zealand to leave the Paris climate agreement, calling it a “fiction” that would force the country to “send billions offshore” to meet the 2030 target. Peters dismissed the government’s rates-cap policy as ineffective and urged voters to elect “people” to control local councils. Attendees responded with chants of “it’s Winston.”
Background: Paris Targets and Cost Projections
New Zealand first pledged a 30 % cut in greenhouse-gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030. In 2021 the target was raised to a 50 % reduction, announced by former Climate Minister James Shaw. Treasury has issued two cost projections for the 2030 goal: an earlier estimate of up to $23 billion and a revised $5 billion figure, reflecting lower offshore-mitigation prices. Government proposes a rates-cap range of 2 %–4 % increase, capped at 4 %.
Government Position and Official Responses
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to stay in the Paris agreement, saying New Zealand will “do everything we can” to meet the 2030 target. Treasury released revised $5 billion estimate, citing lower offshore-mitigation costs. Government Minister Simon Watts said the rates-cap model would limit council rate increases to a maximum of 4 % per year and help prioritise spending.
Opposition View: Peters and ACT on Climate Policy
Winston Peters called the Paris commitments “stupid targets” signed by former National leaders Sir John Key and Paula Bennett, labeling the treaty a “fiction” New Zealand cannot afford. He said staying in the agreement would force the country to “send billions offshore” and that the rates-cap policy would not work. ACT spokesman Simon Court agreed, describing Paris Agreement as “broken” and urging a “better deal” with an NDC that treats carbon dioxide and methane differently and excludes agriculture from Emissions Trading Scheme.
Conflicting Cost Estimates
Treasury’s two projections for the 2030 target differ: an earlier estimate of up to $23 billion and a revised $5 billion figure. Peters said Treasury “never gets anything right,” highlighting uncertainty over cost of climate pathway.
Quotes
- “There’s no point in us belonging to this any longer.” — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “It’s a fiction. We can’t afford it.” — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “Why would I trust Treasury?... They never get anything right.” — Winston Peters, NZ First leader
- “Last year, ACT made it clear that the Paris Agreement is broken and that New Zealand deserves a better climate deal. Today, we are putting forward exactly what that better deal looks like.” — Simon Court, ACT Party climate spokesman
What’s Next
2026 election will test NZ First’s proposal to exit the Paris treaty and its stance on rates caps. If the party gains seats, it may seek a parliamentary review of climate commitments and influence timing of the rates-cap legislation slated for 2029.
