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Free Government Food Safety Courses Help Thousands of Food Business Staff
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 68 viewsThe Government’s free online Food Safety Basics training modules have benefited thousands of food business staff, with the third module on maintaining a food safe workplace now available. Developed with industry input, the course covers key topics like cleaning, pest control, and waste management, and aims to simplify food safety while saving businesses money on costly training. Additionally, recent government changes have reduced regulatory burdens and costs for various food businesses, supporting a more efficient and consistent food safety system nationwide.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Government Food Safety Basics Restaurant Association Hospitality NZ Food Business Online Training Hygiene Food Safety MinisterAuckland to Host 2028 PSA Squash World Championships with $1M Boost
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 80 viewsThe 2028 PSA Squash World Championships will be held in Auckland, supported by a $1 million investment from New Zealand's Major Events Fund, showcasing top international players at the New Zealand International Convention Centre. This prestigious event, occurring just before squash's Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, aims to boost the sport's profile, inspire local athletes, and enhance New Zealand's reputation as a host for major international sporting events. The championships are expected to attract visitors, stimulate economic activity, and create a lasting legacy for squash in New Zealand.
Tags: Louise Upston PSA Squash World Championships Auckland New Zealand Major Events Fund New Zealand International Convention Centre squash Los Angeles 2028 Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Auckland Council Events$740M NZ State Highway Renewal Boosts Safer, Smoother Roads This Summer
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 87 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced a $740 million state highway renewal programme for the upcoming summer, funded by the National Land Transport Fund, aiming to improve road safety, reliability, and longevity across New Zealand. This investment is part of a record $2.15 billion allocation for state highway maintenance and renewals from 2024 to 2027, emphasizing the government's priority on maintaining existing infrastructure to deliver better value and reduce costly reconstructions. The programme includes extensive resurfacing, pavement rehabilitation, and safety upgrades, with recognition of the essential work by roadworkers despite potential short-term disruptions.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister New Zealand National Land Transport Fund state highway renewal road maintenance infrastructure National Infrastructure Plan roadworkers pavement rehabilitation$640K Loan Boosts Stewart Island Air Connectivity and Regional Services
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 47 viewsA $640,000 loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been granted to South East Air to refurbish an aircraft, increasing Stewart Island Flights' fleet from four to five planes. This funding aims to enhance regional air connectivity, support essential services like healthcare and education, and boost tourism and business on Stewart Island. The loan is part of a broader $30 million initiative to sustain vulnerable regional air services and help airlines manage costs amid rising fuel prices.
Tags: Stewart Island Mark Patterson South East Air Stewart Island Flights Regional Infrastructure Fund regional air services aviation sector regional airlines Regional Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund loanTaranaki Alliance Boosted by $3M Grant to Secure $100M+ Contracts
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 67 viewsThe Taranaki Alliance, supported by a $3 million Regional Infrastructure Fund grant, aims to help local firms secure over $100 million in contracts within three years, aiding economic diversification away from the declining oil and gas sector. The initiative, led by Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki and local partners, will coordinate collaboration among engineering, manufacturing, and technical firms to pursue large-scale national and international projects. With strong regional support and over 85 firms interested, the Alliance seeks to build a commercially sustainable model that enhances bid coordination, compliance, and regional economic representation.
Tags: Shane Jones Taranaki Alliance Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki Methanex New Plymouth District Council Venture Taranaki Regional Development Minister Coalition Government Regional Infrastructure Fund oil and gas sectorGovernment Invests $5M to Boost Regional Tourism and Attract Global Visitors to NZ
07 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 104 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $5 million to support six regional tourism initiatives aimed at attracting international visitors during the quieter months of spring 2026 and early summer 2027. These campaigns target tourists from Australia, North America, and China, promoting regional food, wine, hospitality, and outdoor experiences to encourage longer stays and travel beyond main gateways. The funding is allocated to specific projects led by regional organizations to boost local economies and spread tourism benefits across the country.
Tags: Louise Upston RotoruaNZ Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Visit Hurunui WellingtonNZ ChristchurchNZ Destination Great Lake Taupo MBIE New Zealand TourismNew Zealand Announces Five Key Diplomatic Appointments Including Ambassadors
07 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 110 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters announced five new diplomatic appointments. Tāne Waetford will serve as Ambassador to Colombia, Melanie Roberts as High Commissioner to Niue, and Dr. Jon Johansson as Ambassador to Sweden. Additionally, Stephen Wong is appointed Ambassador to Timor-Leste, and Brad Burgess as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
Tags: Winston Peters Tāne Waetford Melanie Roberts Jon Johansson Stephen Wong Brad Burgess Colombia Niue SwedenNew $27M Ngā Moana e Rua Mental Health Facility Opens in Greymouth
07 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 80 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey officially opened Ngā Moana e Rua, a new $27 million acute mental health facility at Te Nīkau Hospital in Greymouth, designed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment with modern amenities for inpatient care. This facility is part of the Mental Health Infrastructure Programme and reflects a shift towards faster access, improved frontline support, and better crisis response, with input from clinical teams, people with lived experience, and the community. West Coast mental health services are among the best-performing in the country, and the new unit aims to further enhance care while supporting earlier intervention to prevent inpatient admissions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Ngā Moana e Rua Te Nīkau Hospital Greymouth Mental Health Infrastructure Programme West Coast mental health services inpatient support frontline teams Government mental health planNew Nationwide Rural Recycling Scheme to Boost Farm Plastics Recovery from 2027
07 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 79 viewsThe Government is launching a nationwide Rural Recycling Scheme from March 2027 to improve the recovery and recycling of farm plastics through a regulated, industry-designed take-back system managed by the Agrecovery Foundation. This new scheme will replace current voluntary programs, expand the network of collection sites, and require producers to contribute fees to support free recycling services for farmers and other sectors using agrichemicals and farm plastics. The initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and provide a simple, accessible recycling solution, with existing voluntary schemes continuing until the new system begins.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Government Rural Recycling Scheme Agrecovery Foundation farm plastics agrichemical containers Plasback recycling farmersFranz Josef Completes Key Flood Protection Works to Boost Community Resilience
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 94 viewsFranz Josef township has achieved a significant flood resilience milestone with the completion of key Waiho River stop bank upgrades, enhancing protection for homes, farms, and infrastructure. These works, part of the second stage of the Franz Josef Flood Protection Scheme, are co-funded by a $6 million Regional Infrastructure Fund grant and follow an initial $9.2 million investment from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The upgrades aim to safeguard the community against destructive flooding from the glacier-fed Waiho River while preparing for the final Havill Wall upgrade to protect additional critical assets.
Tags: Franz Josef Waiho River Mark Patterson Franz Josef Glacier Havill Wall Regional Infrastructure Fund State Highway 6 Tartare Stream Associate Regional Development MinisterNew Zealand Advances Digital and OTC Medicine Labelling to Boost Exports
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 104 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour announced the completion of the Ministry for Regulation’s Product Labelling Review, aiming to ease export and import challenges by updating digital labelling standards and aligning over-the-counter (OTC) medicine labels with Australia. The government will develop a national digital labelling standard to reduce costs and support export growth, while changes to OTC medicine labelling will increase product availability and attract international companies. These reforms are expected to generate significant economic benefits by cutting red tape, lowering compliance costs, and unlocking New Zealand’s economic potential.
Tags: David Seymour Ministry for Regulation Product Labelling Review Kiwi exporters digital labelling OTC medicines New Zealand international markets red tape economic growthFast-Track Approval Boosts Port of Tauranga Expansion with Stella Passage Development
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 84 viewsThe Stella Passage Development at the Port of Tauranga has received fast-track approval, enabling significant expansion including wharf extensions, new container cranes, and dredging to accommodate larger vessels and nearly double handling capacity. This approval, granted in about five months through the Fast-track process, addresses longstanding constraints caused by limited capacity and aging infrastructure, enhancing New Zealand’s largest port’s efficiency and supporting regional economic growth. The project is the 34th approved under Fast-track, a system designed to expedite infrastructure developments that deliver economic value and keep New Zealand competitive globally.
Tags: Stella Passage Development Port of Tauranga Chris Bishop Shane Jones Sulphur Point Wharf Mount Maunganui Wharf New Zealand infrastructure Regional Development Environment CourtNew Zealand Aviation Action Plan Achieves Major Milestones in First Year
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 81 viewsSignificant progress has been made on New Zealand's Aviation Action Plan, with over half of its 25 priorities completed within a year, including funding for RNZAF Base Ohakea as an alternative airport and support for regional airlines. Key achievements also involve updating pilot training, addressing workforce challenges, modernizing civil aviation rules, and assessing future infrastructure needs. The government favors a voluntary passenger rights charter over regulation to allow flexible improvements, emphasizing ongoing collaboration between the Aviation Council, industry, and government to strengthen the aviation sector.
Tags: James Meager Aviation Action Plan RNZAF Base Ohakea Aviation Council New Zealand aviation Associate Transport Minister civil aviation rules regional airports pilot training aviation passenger rightsNew Zealand Invests $23.5M in Todd Energy Projects to Secure Gas Supply
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 85 viewsNew Zealand is advancing its energy security by investing up to $23.5 million from the Gas Security Fund in two Todd Energy projects aimed at unlocking nearly 20 petajoules of additional gas reserves over five to nine years. These projects, expected to deliver gas by 2027, will provide around 6% of the country's projected gas production, supporting energy reliability during peak demand and complementing the transition to renewable energy. The fund, designed to accelerate gas supply and ensure electricity generation reliability, has attracted strong interest and involves significant co-investment from Todd Energy to share risks and promote economic growth.
Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop Todd Energy New Zealand Gas Security Fund McKee Gas Cap Kānoa Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Gas Advisory PanelNew Pasifika Youth Programme Empowers Skills, Careers, and Culture in NZ
04 Sep 2026 | 4 days ago | 126 viewsThe New Zealand Government, in partnership with Creative New Zealand, is investing $250,000 to support the Pasifika Youth Producers Programme, which offers 32 Pasifika youth practical skills, career exploration, and employment pathways through paid placements and leadership workshops. The 16-week programme targets two age groups, providing hands-on experience in event production, digital media, and other fields while fostering cultural connection and community engagement. This initiative aims to empower Pasifika youth, a fast-growing population, to develop skills, engage in education, and contribute to New Zealand’s workforce and economy.
Tags: James Meager Paul Goldsmith Pasifika youth Pasifika Festivals Aotearoa Pasifika Youth Producers Programme Creative New Zealand New Zealand government youth employment Pacific communities youth leadership