Climate Minister denied leave to attend major climate summit

Tuesday 14 October 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Tue 14 Oct 2025, 4:44pm

In this story National Party, Simon Watts

Climate Minister Simon Watts was refused leave by National Party whips to attend the Adaptation Futures Conference in Christchurch. Watts was scheduled to deliver the closing address at the global event, but the decision was made to maintain party numbers in Parliament.

How they headlined it

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1. The Press via The PostTue 14 Oct 2025, 3:01pm

   Minister denied leave for country’s biggest climate event (opens in new tab)

2. StuffTue 14 Oct 2025, 4:44pm

   There’s a major climate summit in Christchurch but the minister’s party won’t let him go (opens in new tab)