Z Energy settles misleading advertising case over climate claims
Both parties said they had “agreed to disagree” in the New Zealand case.
Z Energy has settled a case brought by Consumer NZ, The Environmental Law Initiative, and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ over claims that the company’s 2022 Moving with the Times campaign misled consumers about its environmental commitments.
The settlement, reached without any admission of liability or payments by either side, ends legal proceedings that began in 2023. Both parties said they had “agreed to disagree” on whether the advertising was misleading. Z apologised for any confusion caused by parts of the campaign, while maintaining its position that its communications were accurate.
Z’s chief executive, Lindis Jones, said the case was an opportunity for reflection during a time of energy transition. “We are committed to ensuring our communications are accurate and aligned with our values so Kiwis can understand our aspirations and the challenges of the transition,” he said.
The company continues to operate its nationwide fuel network while expanding into electric vehicle infrastructure, investing about NZ$42 million in EV charging between 2022 and 2024. Z now operates 192 charging bays across 58 sites, making it New Zealand’s second-largest high-speed charging network
The plaintiffs, who have now withdrawn their claim, had accused Z of overstating its progress towards sustainability, including its role in biofuels and emission reductions. Z maintains that its statements reflected genuine efforts to support a lower-emissions economy.
