Articles tagged with Ai
Showing 15 of 774 articles
Government Deploys Motorhomes for Temporary Housing After Severe Weather Crisis
28 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 980 viewsThe Government is deploying motorhomes through the Temporary Accommodation Service to provide immediate housing for people displaced by severe weather in regions including Northland, East Coast, and Bay of Plenty. Agencies are collaborating with local councils, Iwi, and community groups to ensure affected individuals can access accommodation and support, with registration encouraged for those needing temporary housing. Additionally, the Government has allocated funding to support relief efforts, including Mayoral Relief Funds and reimbursements to marae providing welfare services.
Tags: Tama Potaka Temporary Accommodation Service Northland Te Tai Tokerau East Coast Tairāwhiti Government motorhomes Iwi marae Mayoral Relief Funds CoromandelMinister Jones Considers New Rules to Protect Rockpools and Marine Life Sustainability
27 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1073 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is considering new restrictions and public education measures to address concerns about marine life depletion in rockpools around Whangaparāoa Peninsula and other areas. Fishery Officers are actively patrolling beaches to enforce current rules, with recent inspections revealing significant non-compliance, prompting a commitment to hold offenders accountable. Alongside potential rule changes, community engagement and education are emphasized to support the protection and sustainability of marine ecosystems for future generations.
Tags: Shane Jones Marcroft Fisheries New Zealand Fishery Officers Whangaparāoa Peninsula Clevedon Auckland marine life rockpools sustainabilityGovernment Launches $1M Marae Emergency Fund for Severe Weather Support
27 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1114 viewsThe Government has established a $1 million Marae Emergency Response Fund to reimburse marae for welfare support provided during severe weather events in the Upper North Island in January 2026. At least 20 marae across five regions offered essential aid such as food, shelter, and power to evacuees and isolated residents, often being the first responders. The fund, administered by Te Puni Kōkiri, allows marae to recover costs and build resilience, with eligible organisations able to apply for reimbursement through their regional offices.
Tags: Mr Potaka Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Development Fund Marae Manaakitanga Upper North Island Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiGovernment Activates Temporary Accommodation Service for North Island Weather Victims
26 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1046 viewsThe Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated to support people displaced by recent severe weather in parts of the North Island. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is coordinating with emergency agencies, local councils, and communities to provide safe accommodation and additional support services, including social, mental health, and financial assistance. Those affected are encouraged to register for temporary accommodation through the TAS website or phone line, though registration numbers are not yet confirmed.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Temporary Accommodation Service Civil Defence Emergency Management National Emergency Management Agency Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiNew DOC Cadetship Programme Launches to Build Future Conservation Workforce
26 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1095 viewsThe Department of Conservation has launched the Te Pū Hono cadetship programme in Renwick, a 30-month paid initiative aimed at developing a skilled conservation workforce for long-term careers. Selected cadets gain hands-on experience in various conservation tasks, including ecological monitoring, weed control, and historic site restoration, with opportunities to specialize in areas like chainsaw operations. The programme, supported by the government, seeks to ensure DOC’s capability to protect New Zealand’s natural and cultural assets while fostering strong interest in conservation careers.
Tags: Tama Potaka Department of Conservation Te Pū Hono Renwick Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau Te Tauihu kaihonoa taiao Ōmaka Marae New Zealand conservation DOC cadetshipWairoa Airport to Get $4.2M Upgrade Boosting Runway and Emergency Services
25 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1197 viewsWairoa Airport will receive a $4.2 million upgrade, including runway extension and improved infrastructure, to enhance its operational capacity and support the region’s growing needs. The airport plays a crucial role in commercial flights, emergency health transport, and logistics during extreme weather, as demonstrated during Cyclone Gabrielle. Funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund and North Island Weather Event fund, construction will begin in late 2026, with local employment prioritized.
Tags: Wairoa Airport Shane Jones New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Hawke’s Bay Airport Cyclone Gabrielle Wairoa District Council Regional Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund North Island Weather Event fund Wairoa communityWSL Championship Tour Comes to Raglan, New Zealand in May 2026
25 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 3576 viewsThe World Surf League (WSL) will host its 2026 Championship Tour event, the New Zealand Pro, in Raglan, marking the first combined men’s and women’s WSL event in the country. Scheduled for May 15-25, the competition will feature top surfers at Raglan’s renowned left-hand point break, boosting local tourism and showcasing New Zealand as a premier surf destination. Supported by the Government’s Events Attraction Package, the event aims to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and enhance New Zealand’s global reputation for major cultural and sporting events.
Tags: World Surf League WSL Raglan New Zealand Pro Louise Upston Waikato Championship Tour Tourism Surfing Events Attraction PackageGovernment Invests $10M to Upgrade National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty
23 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1175 viewsThe Government is investing over $10 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to upgrade the National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty, enhancing infrastructure resilience and creating 71 jobs, particularly for Māori youth. The new complex will serve as a cultural, educational, and civil defence hub, preserving the heritage of the Ringatū faith founded by Te Kooti and supporting the broader Māori community. This initiative follows similar investments in other significant marae and aims to strengthen rural marae as vital community assets.
Tags: Shane Jones Tama Potaka Te Kooti Ringatū Rātana Bay of Plenty Wainui Marae Māori Development Regional Infrastructure Fund Ringatū Church IncorporatedFour New Community Forensic Step-Down Beds to Open Early in Waikato
22 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1179 viewsFour new community-based forensic step-down beds will open early in March through a partnership between Ember Services Limited and Health NZ, accelerating the government's Mental Health Plan commitment. Funded by Budget 2025, these beds aim to improve access to specialist forensic services, supported by community teams and specialist staff to ensure patient and public safety while facilitating gradual reintegration and reducing relapse risks. This initiative complements existing facilities and forms part of a broader strategy to enhance mental health support, frontline staffing, and crisis response.
Tags: forensic beds community based beds Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey Ember Services Limited Health NZ Waikato Budget 2025 mental health plan specialist forensic servicesNew Community Forensic Step-Down Beds to Open Early in Waikato
22 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1141 viewsFour new community-based forensic step-down beds will open early in March through a partnership between Ember Services Limited and Health NZ, accelerating the government's Mental Health Plan commitment. Funded by Budget 2025, these beds aim to provide faster access to specialist forensic services, supported by community teams and specialist staff, to safely reintegrate patients transitioning from inpatient forensic care. This initiative enhances bed capacity alongside a new acute forensic inpatient facility in Waikato and forms part of a broader strategy to improve mental health support, frontline staffing, and crisis response.
Tags: Ember Services Limited Health NZ Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Waikato Budget 2025 forensic beds community based beds Mental Health Plan frontline workersNew Zealand Rolls Out Peer Support in 8 Emergency Departments Ahead of Schedule
21 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1128 viewsThe Government has successfully implemented peer support services in eight emergency departments, including Tauranga Hospital, five months ahead of schedule, fulfilling its two-year commitment. These services, provided by specialists with lived experience, help individuals in mental health crisis feel heard, supported, and connected to community care, improving long-term outcomes. Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey emphasizes the importance of strengthening the peer support workforce to enhance New Zealand's mental health system.
Tags: Matt Doocey Tauranga Hospital Ember Auckland Waikato Middlemore Hospital North Shore Wellington Christchurch DunedinNew Zealand and Palau Strengthen Partnership for Pacific Islands Forum and Ocean Protection
20 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1074 viewsNew Zealand and Palau have agreed to strengthen their partnership as the next hosts of the Pacific Islands Forum, focusing on regional challenges like ocean health, fisheries management, and economic resilience. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized the importance of unity among Pacific nations to address shared issues and announced New Zealand's continued support for Palau's Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner with NZ$1.1 million. The discussions also covered practical cooperation for Palau’s Forum hosting and highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to safeguarding the ocean, a vital resource for the region’s future.
Tags: Winston Peters Surangel Whipps Jr Gustav Aitaro Sakiasi Ditoka Baron Waqa New Zealand Palau Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Ocean Commissioner Pacific regionalismKiribati and New Zealand Strengthen Partnership for Sustainable Pacific Future 2026-2030
18 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1361 viewsOn 19 January 2026, Kiribati and New Zealand signed the Te Mauri Dialogue Statement of Partnership, outlining a five-year cooperative framework based on mutual respect, shared Pacific identity, and common goals such as sustainable development, climate change action, and regional security. The partnership focuses on four priority areas: strengthening democracy and values, improving health and wellbeing, enhancing peace and security, and promoting economic prosperity through collaboration and regional integration. Both countries commit to mutual accountability through regular high-level consultations, annual progress talks, and coordinated development assistance aligned with Kiribati’s national plans and regional strategies.
Tags: Winston Peters Teuea Toatu Kiribati New Zealand Te Mauri Dialogue Blue Pacific Continent United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Kiribati 20 Year Vision PACER Plus Biketawa DeclarationTodd McClay Reappointed Vice Chair for WTO MC14 to Boost NZ Trade Interests
16 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1142 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has been reappointed Vice Chair for the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) to be held in March 2026 in Cameroon, reflecting New Zealand’s commitment to the multilateral trading system. McClay will focus on advancing key issues such as agricultural exports, fisheries subsidies reforms, the WTO E-commerce moratorium, and strengthening dispute settlement processes. As one of three Vice Chairs, he will work closely with the host Chair and members to ensure a successful conference that benefits New Zealand’s exporters and economy.
Tags: Todd McClay World Trade Organisation MC14 New Zealand WTO Ministerial Conference Yaoundé Cameroon Jamaica Philippines Trade NegotiationGovernment Invests $250K to Upgrade Whakarewarewa Forest Loop in Rotorua
14 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1091 viewsThe Government is investing $250,000 to upgrade the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride in Rotorua, enhancing safety by rerouting the trail away from a busy highway and extending it by six kilometres. This upgrade aims to attract more visitors, support local businesses, and improve the overall tourism experience in the region. The investment is part of a broader $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package focused on boosting regional tourism infrastructure.
Tags: Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Rotorua Louise Upston Government investment cycle trail tourism hospitality safety upgrade Major Events and Tourism Package Redwoods