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Pharmac's Deal with Medtronic to Save $1.2M Annually on Drug-Eluting Stents
26 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 956 viewsPharmac has proposed a provisional agreement with Medtronic New Zealand to supply 65% of drug-eluting stents to public hospitals, potentially saving $1.2 million annually while ensuring access to high-quality stents. The proposal, developed with input from the Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group, aims to improve procurement efficiency and collaboration between Pharmac and Health New Zealand. Public consultation is open until April 28 to gather feedback from healthcare professionals and stakeholders before finalizing the deal for implementation starting June 2026.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Medtronic New Zealand Health New Zealand Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group Associate Health Minister public hospitals Principal Supply Status Pharmaceutical ScheduleNew Zealand and Tuvalu Renew Partnership to Boost Climate Resilience and Regional Security
26 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 844 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo in Auckland to reaffirm the close friendship and partnership between New Zealand and Tuvalu, focusing on regional security, resilience, and prosperity. They renewed their Statement of Partnership, which includes additional support for Tuvalu’s coastal resilience efforts through the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project. Discussions also addressed climate change, economic and social priorities, and New Zealand pledged support for Tuvalu’s upcoming pre-COP31 Leaders’ event.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Feleti Teo Tuvalu New Zealand Prime Minister Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project COP31 regional security climate change Pacific regionalismNew Zealand Government's Strategic Response to National Infrastructure Plan and Economic Challenges
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 963 viewsThe Government acknowledges New Zealand’s economic challenges, including systemic issues, exposure to shocks like the Middle East conflict, and rising debt, and is committed to targeted support for working families while maintaining fiscal discipline. It plans to respond to the National Infrastructure Plan with significant reforms focused on better planning, asset management, project prioritization, and transparency to improve infrastructure efficiency and resilience. Efforts include enhancing investment reporting, fostering bipartisan consensus on infrastructure practices, and preparing a robust fuel plan to mitigate supply risks, all aimed at building a stronger, more sustainable future for New Zealand.
Tags: Katie Bradford Nick Leggett Kieran McAnulty Nicola Willis Paul Krugman Raveen Geoff Labour Infrastructure Infrastructure New Zealand National Infrastructure PlanSpiny Rock Lobster Catch Limits Updated for Gisborne and Otago from April 2026
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1032 viewsCatch limits for spiny rock lobster have been reduced in Gisborne (CRA 3) due to ongoing pressure and cyclone impacts, with a 49-tonne reduction in commercial catch and efforts to spread fishing activity for stock recovery. Conversely, the Otago fishery (CRA 7) shows positive signs, prompting a 21.9-tonne increase in commercial catch limits to support the local economy. The review also confirmed current catch settings for Southern blue whiting remain appropriate, with changes effective from April 1, 2026, following consultation with stakeholders.
Tags: spiny rock lobster Gisborne Otago Shane Jones CRA 3 CRA 7 catch limits sustainability commercial fishers Southern blue whitingStats NZ Moves Over 60 Business Surveys Online to Ease Burden by 2026
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 918 viewsStats NZ is transitioning over 60 business surveys to an online platform starting August 2026 to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and modernize data collection. This shift, praised by Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti and Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk, particularly benefits small businesses by making survey completion faster, more convenient, and less disruptive. The move aims to improve response rates and ensure timely, accurate insights for policymaking while allowing businesses to focus on growth.
Tags: Stats NZ Dr Shane Reti Chris Penk business surveys online surveys small business manufacturing New Zealand Labour Cost Index Business Price IndexNew Taupō Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre Boosts Road Safety on NZ Freight Routes
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1132 viewsA new commercial vehicle safety centre has opened in Taupō to enhance road safety by monitoring heavy vehicles on busy freight routes using advanced technology like in-road scales and number plate recognition. This centre is part of a $200 million national network of 12 upgraded and new safety centres aimed at targeting high-risk operators, reducing serious crashes, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Once completed, these centres will cover 46% of the heavy vehicle network, allowing NZ Police and NZTA to efficiently address unsafe driving practices and improve overall road safety.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency NZ Police Taupō Commercial Vehicle Safety Centres SH1 SH5 Bombay CVSC heavy vehicles road safetyNew Zealand to Replace NCEA with New Senior Secondary Qualification System
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1487 viewsThe New Zealand Government has agreed to replace NCEA with a new senior secondary qualification system featuring two levels over Years 12 and 13, subject-based assessments, and a foundational Year 11 award focusing on literacy and numeracy. This reform aims to create a clearer, more consistent, and internationally comparable qualification aligned with a new knowledge-rich curriculum, addressing longstanding issues of fragmentation and reliability in NCEA. The phased implementation will begin in 2026, with ongoing sector engagement and support, including a national curriculum and assessment roadshow to prepare schools for the changes.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand NCEA Education Minister senior secondary qualifications curriculum reform Foundational Award Year 11 curriculum Cabinet secondary school qualificationsNew Zealand Lowers Bowel Screening Age to 58, Expands Lifesaving Tests
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 943 viewsNew Zealand has lowered the starting age for bowel screening from 60 to 58 across most regions, enabling around 40,000 more people to access early detection and potentially preventing hundreds of cancers and deaths over 25 years. The rollout is staged to ensure sufficient workforce and endoscopy capacity, with the FIT for Symptomatic pathway expanding nationwide to help detect bowel cancer earlier in symptomatic individuals and reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by at least 30%. These initiatives aim to improve cancer diagnostics and care, supporting earlier detection and better prioritization of patients to save more lives.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand MidCentral Australia Auckland Counties Manukau Waitematā Waikato Hawke's BayRe-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 969 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentNew Zealand Launches National Diabetes Roadmap to Improve Care and Prevention
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 751 viewsThe National Diabetes Roadmap has been launched in New Zealand to improve prevention, care, and health outcomes for the 348,000 people affected by diabetes, with a focus on earlier intervention, stronger leadership, and better use of technology. The plan includes updating diagnostic criteria to identify more people earlier, expanding community support, enhancing screening, and addressing diabetes drivers, especially in vulnerable communities such as Māori, Pacific, and South Asian populations. An oversight group will guide implementation, aiming for coordinated system-level change to reduce diabetes-related harm and ensure timely, effective treatment nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown Jim MannHamilton Airport Runway Extension Boosted by $6.5M Loan for Growth and Resilience
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1226 viewsHamilton Airport will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to extend its runway by 255 meters, enhancing its capacity and resilience as a key hub for domestic and international freight and passenger transport. The upgrade, including apron expansion and lighting improvements, supports Waikato’s major manufacturers and exporters and provides an alternative airport option during disruptions at other North Island airports. The project, led by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd with a $3.3 million contribution, is expected to create up to 39 local jobs and strengthen New Zealand’s national aviation network.
Tags: Hamilton Airport runway extension Regional Infrastructure Fund Shane Jones Waikato national aviation network Regional Development Minister Waikato Regional Airport Ltd Coalition Government airport construction jobsNew Zealand Exceeds Mental Health Workforce Targets, Reduces Wait Times
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 891 viewsThe New Zealand Government has exceeded its mental health workforce target, increasing frontline mental health and addiction professionals by over 11%, which has improved access and reduced wait times for support. Key achievements include training 514 new specialists, surpassing targets for clinical psychology interns and psychiatry trainees, and allocating 25% of funding to prevention and early intervention for the first time. As a result, 83% of people receive primary mental health support within one week, and 82% receive specialist support within three weeks, contributing to improved mental health outcomes nationwide.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health NZ clinical psychology interns psychiatry trainees occupational therapists social workers registered nurses Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission New Zealand GovernmentGovernment Approves Infrastructure Levy to Build 1,500 New Homes at Te Awa Lakes
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 893 viewsThe Government has approved the use of an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act Levy to support the construction of around 1,500 new homes in the Te Awa Lakes development near Hamilton by funding up to $50 million in water and roading infrastructure. The IFF Act enables infrastructure costs to be financed through a Special Purpose Vehicle that charges levies to benefiting homeowners, bypassing local government borrowing constraints and allowing growth to pay for growth. Additionally, the Government is enhancing the IFF Act and supporting developments like Te Awa Lakes with the Greenfield Model to reduce financing costs and promote affordable housing growth.
Tags: Chris Bishop Te Awa Lakes Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act Hamilton City Council New Zealand Government Housing Minister IFF Act Levy Greenfield Model National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited Coalition GovernmentNew Government Framework to Regulate Residential Property Managers for Better Rental Outcomes
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 929 viewsThe Government is introducing a new regulatory framework for residential property managers to improve accountability, consistency, and trust in the rental sector. This regime will establish a public register, set clear standards for financial management and conduct, and create a formal complaints and disciplinary process supported by dedicated authorities. The changes aim to protect client funds, ensure proper training and eligibility, and foster a stable housing market benefiting both landlords and tenants.
Tags: Tama Potaka residential property managers landlords tenants registration system complaints process financial management rental market housing stabilityRenewed Oil and Gas Prospecting in Canterbury Basin Boosts NZ Energy Outlook
23 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1115 viewsA new prospecting permit application by CBX Energy Limited in the offshore Canterbury Basin reflects renewed confidence in New Zealand’s oil and gas sector, aiming to conduct technical and economic studies for basin development. The Canterbury Basin is a promising but underexplored area with potential hydrocarbons, offering opportunities to enhance domestic energy resources and economic growth. New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals is accepting competing applications until June 24, prioritizing them under the Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025, with decisions expected later this year.
Tags: Canterbury Basin New Zealand Shane Jones CBX Energy Limited NZP&M petroleum prospecting permit offshore exploration oil and gas Crown Minerals Act 1991 Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025