09 Jun 2026
4 months ago
992 views
The New Zealand Government is introducing the Winter Energy Reliability Obligation, requiring major power companies and large electricity users to secure sufficient back-up energy ahead of dry winters to prevent power shortages and price spikes. This includes stricter penalties for non-compliance and enhanced oversight by the Electricity Authority to ensure dry-year risks are managed effectively, boosting system resilience and price stability. The obligation is part of the broader Securing Affordable Energy plan, which also considers additional back-up supply options like LNG imports and aims to rebuild the energy system for reliable, affordable power.
27 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1255 views
The New Zealand Government has launched the first round of applications for the Flexible Fund, aiming to create up to 770 new social homes and affordable rentals in high-need areas by supporting community and iwi Māori housing providers. This fund replaces previous fragmented programs with a targeted, data-driven approach to deliver the right homes in priority locations, emphasizing value for money, local demand, and timely delivery. It forms part of a broader Housing Investment Plan and reforms to boost social housing, reduce emergency housing reliance, and ensure stable, affordable housing options for vulnerable families.
04 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1426 views
One year after the Government’s $200 million investment, 463 affordable rental homes for whānau Māori have been approved across 11 Māori-led projects, with 392 homes contracted and over 260 progressing through early development stages. These homes are located in high-need regions and are intended to remain affordable rentals for at least 25 years, supporting long-term housing stability and community capacity. The initiative aligns with the Government’s broader efforts to fix the housing system by unlocking land, improving infrastructure, and reducing building barriers to increase housing supply and economic growth.
21 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1087 views
The Government has introduced a new Housing Investment Plan that uses detailed data and local insights to allocate funding based on housing needs, focusing on regions with the highest demand such as the Far North, South Auckland, and Eastern Bay of Plenty. From July 2027, a contestable Flexible Fund will replace existing programs, supporting community and Māori housing providers to deliver tailored social housing and affordable rentals that better match the needs of vulnerable groups. The Plan emphasizes transparent procurement, measurable outcomes, and partnerships with local providers to ensure efficient delivery of warm, dry homes with appropriate support, while aiming for equity between community providers and Kāinga Ora.
07 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1297 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced a new school lunch program starting in Term 1 of 2026, providing affordable, nutritious lunches to around 242,000 students daily in contributing primary schools. Ten suppliers have been contracted to deliver lunches to 188 schools, catering to standard and special diets with sustainable packaging and efficient ordering systems. The program aims to save taxpayers $145 million in 2026 by utilizing a regional approach, offering meals at an average cost of $3.46 per lunch without requiring additional funding.
02 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1956 views
The Government and Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc are partnering to build 80 affordable rental homes at Manawa Gardens in Rotorua by mid-2027, with a total investment of $45 million. These homes aim to provide housing security for kaumātua, working whānau, and others in need, with rents capped at 80% of market rates for 25 years. This initiative is part of the broader commitment to deliver 400 affordable rental homes for Māori across New Zealand by 2027, aiming to address housing pressures and transition away from emergency motels.
24 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1533 views
Housing Minister Chris Bishop commends the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) for launching $200 million in A+ rated bonds, making cheaper lending available for Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to deliver more social and affordable homes. The social bonds were well received by investors, demonstrating confidence in supporting social and affordable housing in New Zealand. The government is supporting CHPs by funding over 2,000 social homes and backing CHFA with a $150 million lending facility to help reduce borrowing costs and enable the delivery of more homes for less.
04 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2064 views
Energy Ministers Simon Watts and Shane Jones welcome the establishment of a strategic energy reserve by major power companies in New Zealand to enhance energy security and maintain affordable prices. The initiative aims to address vulnerabilities in the energy system highlighted by last year's dry winter, which led to high prices and pressure on industries and households. The government is taking steps to strengthen the energy system by ensuring fuel supply security, supporting investment, and enhancing market competition to reduce costs and promote economic growth.
23 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2162 views
The Government has approved a $17 million partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto to build 40 affordable rental homes in Te Kūiti, addressing high housing need in the area where over a third of residents rent. The development, named Te Kirikiri, will feature a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom homes to cater to various whānau needs, incorporating tikanga Māori and kaupapa-led design principles. This initiative is part of a larger $200 million commitment to accelerate Māori housing projects nationwide and provide 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by 2027, supporting Ngāti Maniapoto's goal of housing 200 whānau by 2030.
04 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2216 views
Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Minister Chris Bishop will travel to New York and Texas tomorrow for a range of meetings across housing, planning, urban development and transport, including a keynote speech at the Urban Design Forum’s Global Exchange Programme. “In New York I will be holding a series of meetings with city officials and other stakeholders about their introduction of congestion pricing. The early results for New York are very promising, and with legislation allowing time of use charging schemes in New Zealand soon to report back from select committee, I look forward to bringing home lessons learned to ensure our scheme is a success from the start,” Mr Bishop says.