Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's chief policy adviser has been identified in allegations that a senior government official lobbied against climate policy while working in the Prime Minister's Office, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest at the heart of New Zealand's government.
The Post reports the adviser allegedly worked to undermine climate initiatives while serving in a role that should involve developing and implementing government policy, not sabotaging it. The allegations emerged from documents obtained under the Official Information Act.
The unnamed adviser reportedly participated in meetings with fossil fuel industry representatives and conservative lobby groups while simultaneously involved in shaping the government's climate policy. Opposition MPs have called for an immediate investigation and the adviser's suspension pending a full inquiry.
"This is potentially one of the most serious conflicts of interest we've seen in recent years," said Green Party climate spokesperson James Shaw. "If someone in the PM's office is lobbying against climate action while helping write climate policy, that's not just unethical, it's dangerous."
Mate, imagine having a climate policy adviser who's actively working against climate policy. It's like hiring a fire safety officer who moonlights as an arsonist.
The allegations come as the Luxon government faces criticism for weakening New Zealand's climate commitments. The coalition has scrapped the Clean Car Discount, relaxed emissions standards, fast-tracked fossil fuel exploration permits, and cut funding for public transport and cycling infrastructure.
Environment groups say these actions represent a systematic rollback of climate action despite New Zealand's legal obligations under the Climate Change Response Act to reduce emissions and meet Paris Agreement targets. The country is already failing to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets, and current policies make that gap wider.
