Smith vs the Government and potential legal consequences w/ Associate Professor of Law Vernon Rive: 6th July, 2026

Iwi leader and climate activist Mike Smith had put forward a landmark climate litigation case against major polluters in New Zealand, set to be heard in April next year. The government changed the law to prevent this case from going forward, claiming that it reduced business confidence in the legal system. 

Smith, in response, has launched a case against the government directly, claiming that in putting forward this change, the government only consulted with the defendants. 

To discuss the full situation, the likelihood of success for Smith, and the ramifications of this case going forward, News Director Castor spoke to Associate Professor of Law Vernon Rive.