Z Energy (Z) has settled a case brought against it from various NGOs over its Moving with the Times advertising campaign.
The case, filed in 2023 by Consumer NZ, The Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc, has been resolved with no admission of liability and no payment made by either party. The plaintiffs have now withdrawn their claim.
In a statement, Z said it does not consider its advertising to have been misleading, while the plaintiffs hold a different view. “The parties have agreed to disagree,” the company said.
Z apologised for “any confusion caused” by parts of the Moving with the Times campaign, launched in 2022. The company also addressed several of the claims raised in the case.
Z said it invested $50 million between 2010 and 2018 in a biofuel manufacturing plant, which was later closed after the government cancelled a proposed biofuel mandate. It has since focused its efforts on EV charging.
As of October 2025, Z operates 192 EV charging bays across 58 sites, with about $42 million invested in EV infrastructure since 2022. Its high-speed public charging network is now New Zealand’s second largest by capacity and number of bays.
The company said it has reported voluntarily on greenhouse gas emissions since 2012, setting operational emissions targets since 2017.
Lindis Jones, CEO of Z, said the company was pleased to have the matter settled.
“This case gives us all the opportunity to reflect on how we operate and maintain ambition, while in the energy transition.
“We are committed to our communications being accurate and aligned with our values so that Kiwi can understand our aspirations and the challenges of the energy transition.”
Jones said Z continues to supply fuel to customers while investing in its electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
“Z continues to deliver the fuel our customers need and is focussed on where it considers it is best placed to contribute to the energy transition, being the roll out of a public EV charging network and EV charging infrastructure solutions for businesses.”
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