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New Certification scheme unlocks $200M market for Kiwi cosmetics in China

18 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2114 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have welcomed a new certification scheme, announced by the Prime Minister in Shanghai today, that unlocks access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market — a move that will drive stronger returns for New Zealand exporters and boost the economy. “This is a smart, practical step that removes a long-standing trade barrier and opens up valuable new channels for our exporters,” McClay says. “It means more high-quality, innovative New Zealand products on shelves in China - not just online, but in stores across one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.

Tags: Chinese Commerce and consumer affairs Good manufacturing practice Government International aitation new zealand Ministry of business innovation and employment New zealand Scott simpson Shanghai Simpson Todd mcclay Zealand

New board members appointed to the Health Quality & Safety Commission

18 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 3737 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced three new board appointments to the Health Quality & Safety Commission. The Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) is a Crown entity responsible for improving quality and safety across the health and disability systems within New Zealand. “I am very pleased to welcome Dr Peter Watson, Taima Campbell, and Clare Perry to the HQSC board,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: Andrew connolly Aotearoa clinical trials trust Brownsc Campbell Cancer research trust new zealand Clare perry Clinical governance committee for Forte health ltd Hauraki health consulting ltd Health new zealand Health practitioners disciplinary tribunal Health quality & safety commission Jennifer parr Ministry of health New zealand Peter watson Simeon brown Taima campbell

New Zealand's Horticulture Sector Set for Record-Breaking $8.5 Billion in Exports by 2025

18 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 3089 views

New Zealand’s horticulturalists are breaking new ground with exports tipped to surpass $8 billion for the first time, Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg says. “New Zealand’s horticulture sector is poised for impressive growth, with export revenue forecast to hit a record $8. 5 billion by 30 June 2025,” Ms Grigg says.

Tags: New zealand Nicola grig Resource management act

Expanding biodiversity markets in NZ - Speech to the NZ Farm Environment Trust alumni

18 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1964 views

It’s my pleasure to be here today amongst some of the strongest guardians of our native biodiversity in the country. Wouldn’t we rather have more carrot than stick if we work for nature on our land? That’s what my announcement about expanding a voluntary nature credits market in New Zealand was about last week at Fieldays.

Tags: Fieldays New zealand Zealand

Government expands access to Melatonin and Psilocybin

18 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1904 views

Associate Health Minister David Seymour says the Government is delivering on its promise to cut red tape and give Kiwis greater access to more treatments, starting with melatonin and medicinal psilocybin. “Many New Zealanders have asked me why people can buy melatonin overseas but they can’t buy it from their local pharmacy. Medsafe has assessed this and decided there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be available on pharmacy shelves right here at home,” says Mr Seymour.

Tags: Australia David seymour Medsafe Melaton New zealand Seymour

Delivering better orthopaedic care for Northland

18 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2084 views

The Government is delivering on its commitment to improve healthcare access across the country, with expanded orthopaedic services now reaching more patients in Northland, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealanders deserve timely, high-quality healthcare no matter where they live – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering for both urban and rural Northlanders,” Mr Brown says. In a major boost to orthopaedic services, Health New Zealand has welcomed three new orthopaedic surgeons to the Northland region.

Tags: Far north Health new zealand Kaitaia Kaitaia hospital New zealand Northland Northlander Simeon brown Whangāre

Sharpened focus on quality economic, population stats

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2171 views

Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti has today announced a major new direction for Stats NZ, replacing the traditional paper-based census and increasing the frequency and quality of economic data to underpin the Government’s growth agenda. From 2030, New Zealand will move away from a traditional nationwide census and adopt a new approach using administrative data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection. “This approach will save time and money while delivering more timely insights into New Zealand’s population,” says Dr Reti.

Tags: Consumers Government New zealand Reserve bank Shane reti Stats nz Zealand

Data shows mental health access improving

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1688 views

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government’s mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders. "I'm pleased to see that at a national level, 84. 3 per cent of people are accessing primary mental health and addiction services within one week, well above the 80 per cent target and well above the quarter one result of 80.

Tags: Health nz Matt doocey Mental health New zealand Zealand

Going for growth with more overseas investment

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1943 views

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the introduction of legislation to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages. The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has been introduced to the House. “New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long.

Tags: Amendment bill David seymour National interest test New zealand Other matters Overseas investment ( Seymour Zealand

Speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce: Saying yes to more housing

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2453 views

Good morning and thanks to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce for hosting us. I have spent most of my life in either the Hutt or Wellington and I love this city and I love our region. Some people like to paint this city as only a public service town.

Tags: New zealand Treasury Wellington Wellington chamber of commerce Zealand

Saying yes to housing growth

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2042 views

New Zealanders have an opportunity to help shape the new planning system replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) through public consultation on removing unnecessary barriers to housing growth, says Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “New Zealand’s house prices are among the most expensive in the developed world – a direct result of our current planning system making it too hard for our cities to grow up and out. “Fixing our housing crisis involves fixing the fundamentals of our housing market - freeing up land for development and removing unnecessary planning barriers, improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth, and providing incentives for communities and councils to support growth.

Tags: Auckland Chris bishop Christchurch Housing National New zealand Policy statement on urban development Resource management act Standards

Targets continue to get health back on track

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1694 views

The Government’s focus on restoring performance and accountability in the health system is delivering real outcomes for patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “The latest quarterly results show clear progress in putting patients first and delivering access to timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says. In the latest quarter, from January to March, key improvements include: Shorter emergency department stays: 74.

Tags: Health new zealand New zealand Simeon brown

Modernising Early Childhood Education funding

17 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2426 views

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Funding Review to ensure the funding system is simple, fair, and gets value for money. Mr Seymour has established an ECE Funding Review Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), chaired by Linda Meade to carry out this review. It will report on it’s findings this time next year.

Tags: David seymour Early childhood education Education Linda mead New zealand Review ministerial advisory group Seymour

New Pharmac Chief Executive welcomed

16 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1964 views

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed Natalie McMurtry as Pharmac’s Chief Executive. Natalie McMurtry will start as Pharmac’s Chief Executive on Monday 15 September, taking over from the Acting Chief Executive, Brendan Boyle. “For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister.

Tags: Alberta Brendan boyle David seymour Natalie Natalie mcmurtry National coalition agreement New zealand Pharmac Seymour Zealand

Tougher sentences ahead as Three Strikes returns

16 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 1895 views

Repeat violent and sexual offenders are officially on notice Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Tougher penalties are now in place as the Three Strikes law comes into force today and the message is clear. If you commit serious violent or sexual offences, expect to face increasingly severe consequences.

Tags: Amendment act 202 Coalition Ministry of justice New zealand Nicole mck Three strikes