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New Zealand Rejects Blanket Crypto ATM Ban, Opts for Targeted Regulation
09 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 548 viewsThe Government has decided against a blanket ban on crypto ATMs, opting instead for targeted regulations to reduce criminal misuse of virtual assets while allowing legitimate use. Cabinet will introduce regulation-making powers to restrict cash transactions for virtual assets, such as setting transaction limits or banning cash payments for high-risk assets if necessary. These measures are part of broader reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism system, balancing innovation with crime prevention.
Tags: Nicole McKee crypto ATMs virtual assets New Zealand government Cabinet decision Countering Financing of Terrorism cash transactionsNew Zealand Manufacturing Hits Strongest Growth in Nearly Five Years
09 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 506 viewsNew Zealand's manufacturing sector experienced its strongest growth in nearly five years, with the BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index rising sharply to 59.7 in June, indicating robust expansion across new orders, production, and employment. The sector, which employs over 220,000 people and contributes significantly to GDP and exports, is driving economic growth and outperforming major global economies. Government support, including the Investment Boost initiative, is helping manufacturers invest in productivity-enhancing machinery, sustaining the sector's momentum and future development.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Stephen Toplis New Zealand BNZ BusinessNZ Manufacturing Small Business Investment Boost United States ChinaNew Zealand Invests $9M in FASD Community Hubs for Early Diagnosis and Support
09 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 494 viewsNew Zealand is investing $9 million to establish its first community-based hubs for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessment, diagnosis, and support in Rotorua/Kawerau, Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne, addressing significant local needs. These hubs aim to provide earlier intervention, comprehensive services, and family support to improve lifelong health, learning, and development outcomes for affected children and young people. This initiative builds on a previous $4.6 million government funding boost to prevent FASD and enhance support, tackling longstanding barriers to timely diagnosis and care.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand FASD Rotorua Kawerau Hawke’s Bay Gisborne Associate Health Minister GovernmentGisborne Opens New Crisis Recovery Café for Mental Health Support
08 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 539 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey officially opened Gisborne’s new Crisis Recovery Café, a safe, non-clinical space where people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges can receive peer support and connect with community services without a referral. The café, run by Te Kupenga Net Trust, operates weekdays and aims to provide an alternative to emergency departments, emphasizing the importance of wraparound support and peer workers who understand lived experiences. This initiative is part of a broader rollout of eight Crisis Recovery Cafés nationwide to improve mental health support through trusted community organizations.
Tags: Matt Doocey Te Kupenga Net Trust Gisborne Crisis Recovery Café Te Kāuta café Mental Health Minister Tairāwhiti peer support emergency departments addiction challengesNZTA Unveils Phased Major Transport Projects Pipeline to Boost NZ Economy
08 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 489 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed NZTA's Major Transport Projects Pipeline, outlining the phased delivery of key Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects to support economic growth and job creation. The pipeline details three phases: current construction and procurement of major roads and regional projects, preparation and route protection for upcoming projects, and slower progress on longer-term initiatives, ensuring a balanced investment across new corridors and existing infrastructure maintenance. Despite challenges like rising construction costs and reduced fuel excise duty, the government maintains an ambitious, responsible transport program aimed at building a safe, reliable, and resilient transport system nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZTA Roads of National Significance Northland Expressway Takitimu North Link Waikato Expressway Northwestern Busway Eastern Busway Melling Interchange SH29 Tauriko WestEducation Minister Announces New Appointments to Teaching Council Governing Council
08 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 460 viewsEducation Minister Hon Erica Stanford announced new appointments to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Governing Council to address past challenges and enhance governance focused on child safety and regulatory oversight. The appointees include experienced frontline educators and professionals with expertise in governance, financial management, and organisational performance, ensuring a balanced and skilled council. Several members were reappointed for three-year terms, with a further appointment planned to strengthen early childhood education representation, all starting in July alongside the Education (System Reform) Amendment Bill.
Tags: Erica Stanford Sarah Brown Patrick Drumm Heath Chittenden Susan Hassall Patrick Walsh Andrée Atkinson Debbie Francis Tom Gott Dame Susan HassallEducation Minister Announces New Teaching Council Governing Council Appointments
08 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 506 viewsEducation Minister Hon Erica Stanford announced new appointments to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand's Governing Council to address past challenges and enhance governance focused on child safety and regulatory oversight. The appointees include experienced frontline educators and professionals with expertise in financial management, organisational performance, and risk management, ensuring a balanced and skilled council. Current members have been reappointed, with terms starting in July alongside the Education (System Reform) Amendment Bill, and an additional appointment will be made to strengthen early childhood education representation.
Tags: Erica Stanford Sarah Brown Patrick Drumm Heath Chittenden Susan Hassall Patrick Walsh Andrée Atkinson Debbie Francis Tom Gott MartinJenkinsNZTA Awards Contract for New Two-Lane Mangati Bridge on SH39, Waikato
07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 466 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that Oxcon has been awarded a $12.5 million contract by NZTA to build a two-lane replacement for the Mangati Bridge on SH39, damaged by flooding. Construction will begin before the end of the month, with the new, higher, and stronger bridge expected to open by early 2027, improving resilience and maintaining traffic flow via a temporary bridge. The project prioritizes restoring this vital western Waikato route and is funded through NZTA’s emergency works budget.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Oxcon Mangati Bridge State Highway 39 Ōtorohanga Pirongia Waikato Taranaki AucklandRenewed Petroleum Exploration in Taranaki Basin as NZ Lifts Ban
07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 494 viewsNew Zealand has received its fifth petroleum permit application since lifting the exploration ban, with Taranaki Energy Pty Ltd applying to prospect in deepwater offshore Taranaki, an underexplored but highly prospective area. The proposed two-year work program involves seismic data reprocessing, basin modeling, and target identification to guide future investments, reflecting renewed momentum and growing confidence in the sector. The government’s open market regime allows continuous competitive applications, which will be assessed based on technical, financial, and compliance criteria to support energy security and economic resilience.
Tags: Shane Jones Taranaki Basin New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals Taranaki Energy Pancontinental Energy petroleum exploration exploration ban Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025 Crown Minerals Act 1991 deepwater offshore TaranakiKiwi Businesses Boost Productivity with $800M Gains from eInvoicing Adoption
07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 461 viewsKiwi businesses are projected to gain up to $800 million annually in productivity through full eInvoicing adoption, which has more than doubled in uptake recently, enabling faster payments and reduced paperwork. The government leads by example with prompt payments, achieving over 95% of invoices paid within 10 working days, and will require large businesses to send eInvoices to government agencies from January 2027. This initiative aims to improve cashflow, cut administrative costs, reduce invoice fraud, and create a more efficient business environment in New Zealand.
Tags: eInvoicing productivity gains Kiwi businesses Cameron Brewer NZIER Small Business Manufacturing Minister government payments invoice fraud cloud accountingJane Searle Appointed New Children’s Commissioner to Advocate for Kids' Wellbeing
07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 493 viewsJane Searle has been appointed Children’s Commissioner, bringing over 15 years of experience in child protection, including roles as chief executive of Child Matters, a police detective, and legal professional. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston highlighted Ms Searle’s deep understanding of children’s issues and her capability to advocate for their wellbeing. Ms Searle will begin her five-year term on 1 August 2026, succeeding Dr Claire Achmad, who was thanked for her dedicated service.
Tags: Jane Searle Louise Upston Claire Achmad Child Matters Children’s Commissioner Social Development Employment Minister New Zealand Police barrister solicitorNew Zealand Launches Women's Health Hub for Trusted, Easy-to-Find Information
07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 418 viewsA new Women’s Health Hub has been launched in New Zealand to provide trusted, practical health information tailored to women’s needs at different life stages. Developed by the Ministry for Women and Health New Zealand, the online platform consolidates reliable resources, guidance for healthcare appointments, and educational videos to support informed decision-making. This initiative addresses women’s feedback about overwhelming health information and aims to help them take an active role in managing their health and wellbeing.
Tags: Women’s Health Hub Nicola Grigg Casey Costello Ministry for Women Health New Zealand women’s health health information life stages healthcare providers health wellbeingNew Zealand Tertiary Education Sees 8% Growth in Qualification Completions in 2025
07 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 503 viewsNew Zealand's tertiary education sector saw an 8% increase in qualification completions in 2025, with domestic completions rising 5.9% and international completions up 22%. Improved student retention and higher completion rates were noted among women, full-time students, Māori, Pacific, and Asian students, with private training establishments showing the largest domestic growth. The overall data reflects greater student engagement and progression to higher-level qualifications, supporting workforce skill development and economic growth.
Tags: Penny Simmonds New Zealand Ministry of Education Education Counts Māori Pacific students Asian students private training establishments tertiary education student retentionFull Construction Begins on Pepe Stream Bridge Replacement on SH25 Coromandel
06 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 480 viewsFull construction on the Pepe Stream Bridge replacement on State Highway 25 in Coromandel will begin next week, following enabling works that started in May 2026. The project aims to improve traffic flow and regional accessibility by replacing the 83-year-old single-lane bridge with a new two-lane structure, with completion expected next year. Additional bridge replacements and resilience investments are planned across the region to enhance safety and reliability for communities, freight, and emergency services.
Tags: Chris Bishop Scott Simpson Pepe Stream Bridge Coromandel State Highway 25 Ramarama Stream Bridge Kirikiri Stream Bridge SH27 SH3 Mangapepeke CulvertNew Collective Agreement Boosts Pay and Services for Medical Imaging Technologists
06 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 529 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 1,000 Medical Imaging Technologists (MITs) employed by Health New Zealand, which includes pay increases of 2.5% in 2026 and 2% in 2027. The agreement supports a transition to seven-day service provision, enhancing scanning capacity to enable quicker diagnosis and treatment for patients. This ratification follows similar approvals for various other healthcare professional groups, reflecting constructive engagement between APEX and Health New Zealand.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Medical Imaging Technologists APEX PSA STONZ ASMS NZNO collective agreement healthcare