20 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1270 views
Legal verification of the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been completed, with signing scheduled for 27 April in New Delhi, providing New Zealand unprecedented access to India's large and growing economy. The agreement eliminates or reduces tariffs on 95% of New Zealand exports, including immediate duty-free access to key products like sheep meat, wool, seafood, and forestry, while also offering significant tariff cuts on items such as kiwifruit, wine, and mānuka honey. Following signing, the FTA will undergo parliamentary examination and public scrutiny, ensuring transparency and enabling New Zealand to benefit from Most Favoured Nation status and expanded export opportunities across various sectors.
02 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1542 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the successful renewal of the Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement, ratified by NZEI members, which includes cumulative pay increases of around 4.6-4.7% by January 2027 for primary teachers. The agreement also resolves a longstanding inequity by raising the value of primary teaching units from $4,500 to $5,500 by October 2028, achieving parity with secondary teachers. Stanford emphasized the importance of primary teachers’ dedication to education and committed to providing ongoing support and resources to enhance student achievement.
17 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1138 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 4,400 Health New Zealand staff represented by the Public Service Association, recognizing their vital role in supporting frontline health services. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump-sum payment, and enhanced on-call and after-hours allowances. This ratification brings the total number of Health New Zealand employees covered by collective agreements to around 20,000, ensuring staff certainty and continued quality care for New Zealanders.
12 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1279 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford supports Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche's decision allowing school boards to offer new pay agreements to around 10,000 primary teachers not bound by the NZEI Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement, enabling pay increases of up to 4.7% within 12 months. The new Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) include cumulative pay rises, step increases, and a 16.7% increase in management unit values, resulting in salaries reaching $107,886 annually for top-scale teachers by 2027. Meanwhile, negotiations with the NZEI continue, and Budget 2025 covers teaching council certification costs until 2028, reducing expenses for teachers.
04 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1267 views
New Zealand's international trade statistics reveal strong export growth, reaching $29.2 billion in the December quarter, driven by key sectors like dairy, tourism, and meat. Trade and Investment Minister Hon Todd McClay highlights the importance of open markets, strong trading relationships, and government support in sustaining this success amid global economic uncertainty. The government remains committed to enhancing trade by reducing barriers, expanding free trade agreements, and empowering exporters to drive economic growth and job creation.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1363 views
Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for Health New Zealand dietitians, resulting from a successful APEX vote. The 24-month agreement includes salary increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second, along with enhanced professional membership contributions and improved terms. This agreement follows recent approvals for other health sector workforce agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in settling employment conditions.
25 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1213 views
The Government, led by Energy Minister Simon Watts, is using public sector energy demand to drive new energy projects through long-term Power Purchase Agreements with major public agencies. They aim to increase affordable, reliable energy supply from diverse technologies, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen, to reduce power bills and support faster project development. MBIE is conducting a feasibility study on streamlined solar procurement for government properties, with plans to issue a Request for Proposals by mid-2026 to accelerate implementation and increase energy generation.
25 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1386 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced the successful renewal of the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement, ratified by NZEI members, covering around 1,300 primary principals. The settlement includes immediate and future pay increases, a $15,000 Curriculum Change Allowance, and an increased Leadership in Literacy and Numeracy payment, recognizing principals' leadership during educational reforms. Stanford emphasized the importance of principals' roles in schools and communities and thanked the Public Service Commissioner for facilitating the negotiations.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1243 views
The Employment Relations Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, introducing reforms to enhance business confidence and create more job opportunities by clarifying contractor vs employee status and setting a $200,000 income threshold for unjustified dismissal claims. The Bill removes the 30-day rule to allow workers and employers to negotiate agreements from day one and ensures accountability for serious misconduct without rewarding employees financially. These changes aim to rebalance employment relations, providing more choice for businesses and workers, with most provisions taking effect immediately after Royal assent.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1237 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for about 300 pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement recognizes pharmacists' valuable work, offers workforce stability, and includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements. This initiative aims to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce to ensure timely, quality care for New Zealanders.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1150 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, benefiting approximately 300 pharmacists nationwide. The agreement recognizes their valuable work, provides greater workforce stability, and supports their essential role in health service delivery. It also includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements, aiming to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce.
11 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1341 views
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay hosted a barbecue to celebrate National Lamb Day and the milestone of lamb exports exceeding $4 billion, highlighting the red meat sector's vital economic contribution to New Zealand. The government aims to boost the agriculture sector by cutting red tape, enhancing trade, and supporting farmers to help double export values within ten years. Key trade achievements include agreements with the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council, and India, with ongoing efforts to remove trade barriers and expand market access.
05 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1298 views
Health Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey have welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 670 psychologists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement includes pay increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second year, along with expanded professional development opportunities and a new salary step for senior expertise. This agreement aims to provide greater workforce certainty and support psychologists in delivering quality mental health care to patients nationwide.
21 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1621 views
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the 2026 General Election will be held on Saturday, 7 November, providing certainty to New Zealanders and emphasizing the government's ongoing commitment to economic management and improving public services. He highlighted achievements such as reduced inflation, increased business confidence, improved law and order, and better educational outcomes under the National-led Government. The election timeline includes Parliament rising on 24 September, dissolution on 1 October, nominations closing on 8 October, advance voting starting 26 October, and writ return by 3 December.
01 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1931 views
China has announced beef import quotas effective from January 2026 for three years, including an annual duty-free quota for New Zealand starting at 206,000 tonnes, which exceeds New Zealand’s recent export volumes. New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay emphasized that the quota reflects strong bilateral engagement and ensures minimal disruption to exports under the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Despite the new restrictions, China remains a key market for New Zealand beef, with ongoing efforts to maintain smooth trade relations and explore growth opportunities.