Articles tagged with Ai

Showing 15 of 774 articles

New Government Framework to Regulate Residential Property Managers for Better Rental Outcomes

24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 923 views

The 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 stability

Govt.nz App Update: New Digital Wallet and Secure Messaging Features Coming Soon

19 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 963 views

The Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.

Tags: Govt. nz app Judith Collins digital identity digital wallet Government Credential Issuance Platform Hospitality New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Kiwi Access Card New Zealand government services

Waihoehoe Road Upgrade Begins to Boost Auckland’s Transport Network by 2028

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1191 views

Construction has begun on the Waihoehoe Road Upgrade, a key project aimed at enhancing transport connections and supporting long-term growth in Auckland’s rapidly expanding South Auckland area. The upgrade will widen a 400-metre section of Waihoehoe Road, add new lanes and signalised intersections, and improve access to the new Drury train station and nearby housing developments, forming part of a major east-west arterial route. Scheduled for completion by mid-2028 at a cost of $136 to $148 million, the project integrates roads and rail to support future public transport, safety, and community connectivity.

Tags: Chris Bishop Waihoehoe Road Auckland Drury Ngākōroa Paerātā SH1 Papakura SH22 Drury KiwiRail Transport Minister

New Zealand Maintains Ban on Retaining North Island Reef Fish Bycatch

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 945 views

The proposal to allow commercial fishers in northern North Island to retain and sell certain reef fish caught as bycatch will not proceed, according to Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. After considering over 22,000 public submissions and sustainability concerns, the historic ban protecting these species since 1993 will remain. The decision is part of a broader consultation on commercial fishing regulations, with further announcements forthcoming.

Tags: Shane Jones Oceans and Fisheries Minister North Island reef fish bycatch commercial fishers fishing regulations sustainability public consultation Quota Management species

Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome Upgraded with $10M Grant to Boost Safety and Economy

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 988 views

Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome has undergone significant upgrades, including runway improvements, new hangar sites, and enhanced infrastructure, funded by a $10 million government grant and additional local co-funding. These enhancements improve safety, meet Civil Aviation Authority certification, and support a range of aviation activities, boosting the region’s economic development and tourism potential. Additionally, $954,000 from the Regional Infrastructure Fund was used to strengthen flood protection and erosion control around the aerodrome, contributing to broader regional resilience efforts.

Tags: Mark Patterson Hood Aerodrome Masterton Wairarapa Associate Regional Development Minister Masterton District Council Civil Aviation Authority Regional Infrastructure Fund government grant aviation sector

New Zealand Releases Oil Tickets to Support Global Supply Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1086 views

New Zealand will release 1.577 million barrels of crude oil purchase options, known as oil tickets, to support the International Energy Agency’s collective response to oil supply disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. This contribution, part of a larger IEA release of 400 million barrels, aims to ease global refinery pressure and stabilize markets without affecting New Zealand’s domestic fuel security. The released tickets pertain to crude oil and fuels incompatible with New Zealand’s system, meaning no physical oil supply will be directly released.

Tags: New Zealand International Energy Agency Shane Jones Strait of Hormuz oil tickets crude oil fuel security Middle East Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment

NZ Trade Minister Todd McClay to Vice Chair WTO Conference in Cameroon

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 834 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will attend the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon as Vice Chair, playing a key role in facilitating negotiations. New Zealand emphasizes the importance of a rules-based global trade system and aims to uphold the WTO’s integrity amid rising protectionism and global economic challenges. The conference, attended by 166 member economies, will address issues including e-commerce, agricultural reform, and fisheries subsidies.

Tags: Todd McClay Damien O'Connor World Trade Organization WTO New Zealand Trade Minister Ministerial Conference Labour Party global trade supply chain resilience

New Zealand's Trade Minister Todd McClay to Vice Chair WTO Ministerial in Cameroon

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 919 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is attending the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon as Vice Chair, playing a key role in facilitating negotiations. New Zealand emphasizes the importance of a rules-based global trade system and aims to uphold the WTO’s integrity amid rising protectionism and global economic disruptions. The conference, attended by 166 member economies, will address issues including e-commerce, agriculture reform, and fisheries subsidies.

Tags: Todd McClay Damien O'Connor World Trade Organization WTO New Zealand Trade Minister Ministerial Conference Labour Party global trade supply chain resilience

Ara Jobs and Skills Hub Celebrates 10 Years Connecting Auckland Airport to Jobs

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 907 views

The Ara Jobs and Skills Hub, supported by the Ministry of Social Development for 10 years, has helped over 1,440 people into jobs and provided training to thousands within the Auckland Airport precinct. This partnership coordinates workforce planning, recruitment, and training for 800 businesses across various sectors, addressing significant workforce demands. Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in supporting job seekers and achieving the government’s goal of reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030.

Tags: Louise Upston Ara Jobs and Skills Hub Ministry of Social Development Auckland Airport job training workforce planning recruitment New Zealand government Jobseeker Support employment

Fast-Track Approval Granted for New Zealand’s Green Steel Manufacturing Plant

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1436 views

National Green Steel Limited’s structural steel manufacturing plant in Hampton Downs, Waikato, has been approved through the Fast-track process, aiming to produce 200,000 tonnes of recycled steel annually using low-carbon electric arc furnace technology. The project will reduce steel imports, enable local recycling of scrap metal, create about 200 skilled jobs, and support New Zealand’s infrastructure development by strengthening supply chains. This is the 13th project approved under Fast-track and the first infrastructure project involving steel manufacturing, reflecting industry readiness to invest in sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Tags: Mr Bishop Mr Jones Mr Watts National Green Steel Limited New Zealand Green Steel Hampton Downs Waikato Auckland

New Zealand Maintains Strong Fuel Stocks with 49 Days Supply Amid Global Uncertainty

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1054 views

New Zealand currently maintains healthy fuel stocks, with about 49 days of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel supply available, including fuel in storage and shipments en route. The government is enhancing fuel data reporting and working closely with industry to monitor supply risks, ensuring readiness amid global uncertainties like the Strait of Hormuz closure. Authorities emphasize there is no need for fuel restrictions at this time, assuring the public that any changes will be communicated promptly with mitigation plans in place.

Tags: Nicola Willis Shane Jones New Zealand fuel stocks petrol diesel jet fuel Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment fuel security Strait of Hormuz

$468K Grant Boosts SPCA Dog Desexing to Curb Roaming and Attacks in NZ

17 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 896 views

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has granted $468,000 from the Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund to the SPCA for a targeted dog desexing program aimed at reducing irresponsible breeding and roaming dogs in Auckland and Northland. This initiative, totaling nearly $1.2 million with the SPCA’s contribution, seeks to improve public safety by preventing dog attacks and controlling the dog population, potentially stopping 7,500 puppies from being born in the first year. The program is part of a broader government effort to address dog-related harm, with progress monitored through quarterly reports and further measures to be announced.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Arnja Dale SPCA Lottery Minister Internal Affairs Minister New Zealand Northland Auckland dog desexing animal welfare

New Zealand Introduces Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill

17 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 986 views

The Government is introducing the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill to strengthen New Zealand’s immigration system by improving tools to manage risks, including extending deportation liability for serious criminals from ten to twenty years. The Bill and accompanying Parliamentary paper propose changes to better handle asylum claims, such as considering serious crimes committed after arrival in refugee status determinations and addressing bad faith claims to maintain system integrity. These measures aim to balance attracting skilled migrants and protecting genuine refugees while ensuring consequences for those who abuse the system, with the Bill expected to begin parliamentary readings soon.

Tags: Erica Stanford Immigration New Zealand Immigration Protection Tribunal New Zealand Immigration Bill Refugee Convention asylum claimants migrant exploitation deportation refugee status

NZ Leads FIT Partnership to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Resilience Amid Middle East Conflict

17 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1020 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlighted the impact of the Middle East conflict on global supply chains during the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership meeting, emphasizing the risks of disruptions such as fuel supply challenges. He stressed the importance of keeping trade lines open and urged FIT members to collaborate on maintaining resilient supply chains through real-time information sharing and coordinated responses. The FIT Partnership, comprising 16 small and medium trade-dependent countries, aims to strengthen global trade cooperation and will hold its next ministerial meeting in Auckland in July 2026.

Tags: Todd McClay Future of Investment and Trade FIT Partnership New Zealand Middle East conflict supply chains trade disruption export restrictions global trade

SH35 East Coast Reopens 24/7 After Severe Weather Repairs

16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 964 views

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced the end of night closures on State Highway 35, restoring 24-hour access after severe weather caused extensive damage earlier this year. Crews have removed around 25,000 cubic metres of material, installed drainage, and laid new road surfaces, though ongoing work and caution while driving remain necessary. Additionally, work has begun on a retaining wall at the Waikura slip to improve road resilience, with continued efforts expected to ensure safety and access.

Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister State Highway 35 SH35 East Coast route NZTA Waikura Punaruku Hicks Bay Te Araroa