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Empowering Northland Job Seekers: Ministry for Social Development Partners with Local Businesses for Employment Success
01 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 997 viewsThe Ministry for Social Development in Northland is partnering with local businesses to help job seekers find employment, with successful examples like Fulton Hogan training and employing 44 MSD clients. Minister Louise Upston highlights the success of businesses like Fulton Hogan in placing job seekers in Northland. MSD is focusing on understanding businesses to connect local job seekers with suitable opportunities, aiming to address workforce challenges through collaborative efforts with employers.
Tags: Ministry for Social Development Northland Louise Upston Into Work event Fulton Hogan MSD job seekers employers Whangarei cadetsNew Zealand Government Implements Groundbreaking Animal Welfare Reforms for Pigs by 2035
01 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1239 viewsThe Government of New Zealand is proposing changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to improve welfare outcomes for pigs, including new requirements for farrowing crates and mating stalls, with the regulations set to take effect on December 19, 2035. These changes aim to elevate animal welfare standards in New Zealand, balancing the needs of the farming industry with public expectations, following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The proposed amendments will increase minimum spacing for grower pigs, limit sow confinement in farrowing crates to seven days, and restrict mating stall use to three hours at a time, emphasizing the importance of providing manipulable materials and meeting space requirements for pigs.
Tags: Animal Welfare Act 1999 pigs New Zealand Andrew Hoggard farrowing crates mating stalls space requirements farmers regulations welfare outcomesGovernment Backs Community Housing Providers with New Loan Guarantee Scheme to Boost Social Homes
01 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1138 viewsThe Government has introduced a new loan guarantee scheme to support community housing providers in delivering more social homes at a lower cost, with banks providing debt financing at reduced rates. This initiative aims to remove obstacles and inefficiencies in social housing delivery, with the Crown guaranteeing 80% of loans to eligible providers. The scheme, available until 2027, supports up to $900 million in new lending and refinancing, empowering community housing providers to expand and improve housing accessibility for those in need.
Tags: Government community housing providers loan guarantee scheme Nicola Willis Chris Bishop ANZ ASB BNZ Kiwibank WestpacJan Dawson Appointed as Chair of ACC Board by Minister Scott Simpson
01 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1106 viewsJan Dawson has been appointed as the new Chair of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Board by Minister Scott Simpson due to her strong leadership and governance experience. Minister Simpson emphasizes the need for improved outcomes at ACC, highlighting the importance of prioritizing clients and delivering efficient rehabilitation services. Dawson's extensive background in governance and track record of driving results make her well-suited to lead the turnaround efforts at ACC, focusing on enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for injured New Zealanders.
Tags: Scott Simpson Jan Dawson ACC Board New Zealanders ACC scheme Port of Auckland Serko Mitre 10 KPMG New Zealand David HuntNew FamilyBoost Scheme Expands Eligibility and Refunds for Kiwi Families
01 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 999 viewsThe Government has expanded the FamilyBoost scheme to provide more help with early childhood education (ECE) costs for Kiwi families, allowing households with incomes up to just under $230,000 to claim back 40% of their ECE costs, up to $300 a week. Finance Minister Nicola Willis encourages eligible families to check their eligibility on the Inland Revenue website and apply for the increased refunds. The Income Tax (FamilyBoost) Amendment Act increased the proportion of ECE fees families can claim, with an increase in the maximum amount families can claim per week and an expanded household income limit for eligibility.
Tags: Nicola Willis FamilyBoost ECE early childhood education Government Finance Minister households eligibility refunds Inland RevenueNew Investment Boosts Physiotherapy Workforce for Faster Orthopaedic Care Access
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1001 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announces new investment in physiotherapy workforce to improve access and reduce wait times for orthopaedic care. The Musculoskeletal (MSK) orthopaedic pathway, launched in August 2024, has already completed over 7200 first specialist assessments and 9500 follow-up appointments. By expanding the Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist workforce and supporting postgraduate training, the initiative aims to increase assessment capacity, reduce unnecessary surgeries, and ensure 95% of patients receive timely care within four months.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister physiotherapy orthopaedic care New Zealanders Musculoskeletal (MSK) pathway Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist Health New Zealand Auckland University of Technology University of OtagoNew Appointments to Key Māori Entities for Development Leadership
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1058 viewsMāori Development Minister Tama Potaka has announced seven new appointments to key Māori entities to enhance Māori development, focusing on te reo Māori revitalization, strengthening the Waitangi Tribunal, and maximizing Māori social and economic potential. The appointments include individuals with expertise in Māori education, media, governance, and language revitalization to support the goal of having one million New Zealanders confidently using te reo Māori by 2040. Notable appointments include Dr. Te Rina Warren, Mahanga Pihama, Dr. Jeremy MacLeod, Reikura Kahi, Kingi Kiriona, Mark Gray, and Juliet Tainui-Hernandez, each bringing unique skills and experience to their respective roles.
Tags: Tama Potaka Te Rina Warren Mahanga Pihama Jeremy MacLeod Reikura Kahi Kingi Kiriona Mark Gray Waitangi Tribunal Māori.Ministers Call for Pragmatic Consent Approach from Councils for Rural Growth
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1058 viewsThe Ministers for RMA Reform, Agriculture, and the Environment have urged Regional and Unitary Councils to be pragmatic in issuing consents before the new planning system transition. They emphasize the importance of supporting rural producers and unlocking economic growth by being flexible in the consent process. The Government expects councils to exercise discretion, smooth the transition into the new system, and align their behavior to support the future planning system.
Tags: Minister for RMA Reform Minister of Agriculture Minister for the Environment Mr Bishop Mr McClay Ms Simmonds councils consents farmers planning systemGovernment Ensures Capital Support for Vital Electricity Infrastructure Investments in New Zealand
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1052 viewsThe Government assures power companies it will provide capital for critical electricity infrastructure investments to ensure energy security and competitiveness. Measures include supporting equity injections for strategic projects and addressing gaps in the energy system to lower consumer prices. The Energy Package focuses on security of supply through LNG import facilities and building better markets by incentivizing new energy projects and strengthening regulatory bodies.
Tags: Government power companies investment electricity infrastructure Nicola Willis Crown MOM companies energy security Simon Watts New ZealandNational Mental Health and Addiction Services Performance in Review: Positive Progress and Targets Exceeded
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 967 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey mental health addiction services Kiwis Whanganui district Central region South Island Southern district HNZ regional leaders Health NZMinisters Doocey and Patterson engage with Thames community to enhance rural healthcare access
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1112 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson are visiting Thames to engage with the local community and gather feedback on the implementation of the Rural Health Strategy. The main focus of the roadshows is to address concerns about healthcare access in rural and remote areas, with Budget 2025 allocating $164 million to enhance urgent and after-hours care nationwide, particularly in rural communities. The government is committed to strengthening rural healthcare, expanding the rural health workforce, and improving access to quality care for all New Zealanders, including those in rural communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mark Patterson Rural Health Healthcare Rural Communities Budget 2025 New Zealanders Mental Health Roadshows Rural Health StrategyNew Chatham Islands Supply Vessel Secured for 2027
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1129 viewsThe Government has selected the McCallum Bros Ltd and Nova Marine Carriers SA joint venture to procure a new 78-meter supply vessel for the Chatham Islands, expected to be operational by 2027. Associate Transport Minister James Meager highlights the importance of providing a secure, reliable, and long-term service that meets the community's needs and can accommodate future growth. The replacement of the aging Southern Tiare vessel is crucial for sustaining the economic and community lifeline of the Chatham Islands, ensuring essential supplies reach the community and supporting key industries like fishing, farming, and tourism.
Tags: Government Chatham Islands Supply Vessel McCallum Bros Ltd Nova Marine Carriers SA James Meager Transport Minister Southern Tiare MBL JV CommunityAndrew Barclay Appointed as TVNZ Board Chair by Minister Paul Goldsmith
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1135 viewsAndrew Barclay has been appointed as the new TVNZ Board Chair by Minister for Media and Communications Paul Goldsmith, with a professional career in global investment banking. His skills will provide strong oversight of financial performance and strategic decision-making for TVNZ. Barclay will join the TVNZ Board on November 3, succeeding Alastair Carruthers, who has chaired the Board since 2023.
Tags: Andrew Barclay TVNZ Board Chair Minister for Media and Communications Paul Goldsmith global investment banking finance financial performance public broadcaster TVNZ Board Alastair CarruthersRaukūmara Pae Maunga: $6 Million Investment Boosts Indigenous Conservation Efforts
29 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1914 viewsA $6 million investment in the Raukūmara Pae Maunga restoration project aims to strengthen local employment and iwi-led conservation efforts against destructive pests, supported by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The project, a collaboration between Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, and the Department of Conservation, focuses on large-scale pest control, forest regeneration, community engagement, and species protection in the Raukūmara Range. Through innovative approaches like DNA surveying and aerial hunting, the project is enhancing conservation efforts and developing a new generation of indigenous conservation leaders, with funding secured until 2028 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ngāti Porou Department of Conservation Raukūmara Pae Maunga Conservation Minister Dana Kirkpatrick Caleb Wharepapa Te Papa Atawhai Raukūmara RangeSouth Island Health Improvements: Faster Access to Care and Timely Treatments
29 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1054 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights improved healthcare access in the South Island, with a focus on patient-centered care and meeting 2030 targets. Key improvements include faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunization rates, and reduced emergency department wait times. Despite progress, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, supported by increased health funding and a commitment to patient-focused care.
Tags: Canterbury Otago Southland Nelson Marlborough West Coast Simeon Brown healthcare patients South Island quarterly results