Politics News & Articles
Showing 15 of 2394 articles
Transforming New Zealand's Planning System for Economic Growth: A Ministerial Address
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2681 viewsThe speaker acknowledges the challenges faced by local government in New Zealand, particularly concerning restrictive planning rules, infrastructure funding, and coordination issues with central government. The focus is on the need for reform in the housing market and resource management, with a three-pillar approach to housing growth and significant changes planned for the replacement of the Resource Management Act. The government aims to simplify planning processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of saying 'yes' to enable economic growth and development while safeguarding the environment.
Tags: Christchurch Sam Susan Simon Watts Local Government Housing Transport Infrastructure RMA Reform New ZealandersGovernment Acts to Streamline Planning Process in Anticipation of New System
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1812 viewsThe Government, led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, is implementing reforms to simplify New Zealand's planning system and speed up project approvals. These changes include amendments to the RMA, fast-track approval processes, and upcoming legislation to replace the RMA with two new Acts focusing on land-use planning and the natural environment. To ease the transition, councils will be relieved of mandatory plan reviews and changes, with exemptions for certain critical areas like natural hazard management and Treaty settlement agreements. Additionally, councils can seek exemptions to continue work aligned with government priorities such as housing and urban development.
Tags: Government councils officers RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop planning system New Zealand primary sector renewable energy housing supplyGovernment Bill Enhances Focus on Core Council Services for Better Value
14 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1688 viewsThe Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill aims to refocus councils on core services like roading, infrastructure, water, and waste, addressing public frustration over rising rates and declining services. Minister Simon Watts emphasizes the need for discipline, transparency, and performance improvement to benefit ratepayers. The Bill includes reforms such as prioritizing core services in managing finances, introducing new financial performance measures, and enhancing transparency and accountability, with the goal of delivering better value for money and avoiding new taxes for local authorities.
Tags: Government councils core services infrastructure rates transparency accountability financial focus local government Simon WattsNew Zealand's Strengthened Ties in Southeast Asia: Security and Prosperity Updates
11 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2574 viewsNew Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasizes the importance of relationships with Southeast Asia for security and prosperity. They are working intensively with Southeast Asia, aiming to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN by 2025. During his visit to Malaysia, Mr. Peters engaged in discussions on various security issues and held bilateral talks with ministerial counterparts from several countries.
Tags: New Zealand Southeast Asia Winston Peters ASEAN Malaysia East Asia Summit security partnership dialogue scholarshipNew Zealand and Japan Forge Logistics Agreement to Enhance Defence Cooperation
10 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1943 viewsNew Zealand and Japan are developing a logistics agreement to support ongoing defence cooperation between our two countries, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced. “Japan is a crucial partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says following a meeting with Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi at the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. “We are both committed to the international rules-based system, and to maintaining security and prosperity in our region.
Tags: New Zealand Japan Defence Minister Judith Collins Foreign Minister Winston Peters Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement logistics agreement Iwaya Takeshi East Asia Summit Information Security AgreementRegulation Minister Applauds BusinessNZ's Support for Regulatory Standards Bill to Cut Red Tape and Boost Business Growth in New Zealand
08 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2889 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour is welcoming BusinessNZ’s strong support for the Regulatory Standards Bill as a means to deal with red tape and regulation. “After all the misinformed opposition we’ve heard, the people who get up in the morning to make an honest buck and deliver goods and services to New Zealanders want red tape and regulation dealt to and believe this Bill will help them do that. “Submitting on the Bill at select committee today, BusinessNZ said it was an important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses by putting more scrutiny on politicians when law is made.
Tags: Regulation Minister David Seymour BusinessNZ Regulatory Standards Bill red tape select committee politicians compliance burden academicsForeign Minister Winston Peters to Strengthen ASEAN Partnership During Malaysia Visit
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1866 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Malaysia this week for regional engagement with Southeast Asian partners. “The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays a central role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and has been a steadfast partner of New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. “In our 50th anniversary of Dialogue Relations with ASEAN, we will highlight the value of the deep partnership between New Zealand and South East Asia, and will engage on the strategic issues impacting the stability of our region.
Tags: Winston Peters Malaysia Southeast Asian partners ASEAN New Zealand South East Asia partnership cooperation East Asia Summit Kuala LumpurPolice Minister Mark Mitchell Celebrates Increased Presence of Beat Teams in New Zealand's Major Cities
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2720 viewsOne year on, more Police on the beat across New Zealand’s major cities is being celebrated by Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Today I am excited to be part of welcoming the new Beat Team in Rotorua and getting some time to be out on the beat with them,” Mark Mitchell says. “Our beat officers have an important role in ensuring our retailers and members of the public feel and are safe.
Tags: Police Minister Mark Mitchell Police Beat Team Rotorua Wellington Christchurch Auckland Retailers Communities CrimeBoosting Professionalisation in Residential Workforce for Safer Care Environments: Minister for Children Announces $41 Million Investment
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2006 viewsMinister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation. Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.
Tags: Minister for Children Karen Chhour residential workforce professionalisation children young peopleNew Zealand Government Launches City and Regional Deals to Drive Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2093 viewsThe Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals (CRDs) as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say. The Government has also signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to negotiate deals with Auckland, Otago/Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty. “City and Regional Deals will be strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government to progress joint priorities including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit,” Mr Bishop says.
Tags: Government City and Regional Deals Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Local Government Minister Simon Watts New ZealandersNew Jobseeker Support Policy: Reapply Every 26 Weeks for Improved Accountability and Employment Opportunities
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1840 viewsFrom today, people getting Jobseeker Support will need to reapply every 26 weeks (six months), instead of just once a year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “This previously signalled change increases accountability, while also improving opportunities for jobseekers,” Louise Upston says. “Reapplying for their benefit more often makes sure people receiving Jobseeker Support engage with MSD more regularly.
Tags: Development and employment Louise upstonNew Caledonian Delegation Explores New Zealand's Economic Development Strategies
27 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 3438 viewsA New Caledonian delegation will tour New Zealand next week to learn about aspects of our economic development, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “As New Caledonia seeks to recover economically from a challenging period in its history, New Zealand is pleased to be sharing our own lessons and experiences. “When visiting New Caledonia twice in the past year, we heard from businesses, including Kanak entrepreneurs, significant interest in New Zealand’s economic development – including the Māori economy.
Tags: Alcide ponga Auckland Emmanuel macron Hamilton Manuel valls New caledonia New caledonian New zealand Noël barrot Tauranga Wellington Winston petersPaul Henry Joins TVNZ Board, Brings Extensive Broadcasting Expertise | TVNZ Board Appointments Announced
26 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2554 viewsBroadcaster Paul Henry has been appointed to the TVNZ Board, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Henry has spent nearly his entire career involved in the broadcasting industry, producing news, current affairs, and entertainment programming both here in New Zealand and overseas. “He was integral in the establishment of the successful multi-platform Paul Henry breakfast show, established and sold a radio station in the Wairarapa, and was heavily involved in the launch of the former radio network Today FM.
Tags: John qui Media and communications New zealand Paul goldsmith Paul henry The chase new zealand Today fm Tvnz board WairarapaMinister Karen Chhour Announces Rebranding to Focus on Elimination of Family and Sexual Violence
26 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2138 viewsMinister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is today announcing it will no longer use the informal name of Te Puna Aonui and will adopt its legal name: the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence. “This decision reflects the reality that all people are potentially victims of Family Violence and Sexual Violence, as well as the wishes of disgruntled former advisory board members who have asked for the gifted Te Reo name to be returned,” says Mrs Chhour. “They have raised their concerns with me around my decision to not extend their tenure as the Ministerial Advisory Board, as well as concerns around my decision to include other communities in a new, multi-cultural advisory board which will replace the current Māori-only one.
Tags: Advisory board English Executive board for themination of family violence Family violence Karen chhou New zealand Prevention of family and sexual violence Sexual violence Te puna aon ViolenceNew Zealand Strengthens Emergency Management System for Major Emergencies: Investment Roadmap Unveiled
26 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2632 viewsThe Government has agreed in principle to an investment and implementation roadmap to strengthen New Zealand’s emergency management system so it can manage major to severe emergencies, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “This roadmap is part of our response to the Government Inquiry into the North Island Severe Weather Events and complements the work underway to develop a new Emergency Management Bill,” says Mr Mitchell. “New Zealand is facing more frequent and severe weather events, and we need to ensure our emergency management system is fit for purpose to manage significant, widespread emergencies like Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tags: Emergency management and recovery Emergency management bill Gabrielle Government Government inquiry Mark mitchell Mitchell National emergency management agency New zealand North island severe weather events Rence fund