Photo: AFP / Manaui Faulalo
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is defending the coalition government's record on climate change.
Luxon was in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last week.
The leaders declared the Pacific faces severe challenges from climate change.
Parliament's environment watchdog has questioned the government's claims that it is on track to meet climate targets.
But Luxon told Morning Report he rejected that.
"We are doing everything we can."
He said the second five-year budget under the carbon-neutral 2050 target would be released by the end of the year and then the government would begin on the third.
Achieving those budgets meant the government was on target, he said.
"Those budgets are the pathway."
He pointed to fast-track approval for renewable energy projects and said New Zealand was in a good position with 85 percent renewable electricity already.
Luxon also defended his decision not to visit the site of the navy ship sinking while he was in Samoa.
He told Morning Report he didn't get to to where the HMNZS Manawanui ran aground on the Tafitoala Reef.
He said he didn't have time to speak with affected locals. But Luxon said he did visit the New Zealand operation centre in Samoa and spoke with officials and members of the local government.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
