Articles tagged with Ara
Showing 15 of 206 articles
Government Boosts Funding for New Plymouth Crisis Recovery Café
09 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 931 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced increased government funding for New Plymouth's local crisis recovery café, run by Taranaki Retreat, to provide a calm, peer-led alternative to emergency departments for those in mental distress. This investment is part of a broader mental health plan that includes expanding peer support roles and establishing new crisis recovery cafés nationwide by June 2026. The initiative aims to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response through community-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Taranaki Retreat New Plymouth New Zealand Minister for Mental Health peer support workers crisis recovery café emergency departments mental health GovernmentTasman's Port Tarakohe Upgrade Boosts Economy, Aquaculture & Regional Resilience
03 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 827 viewsThe $12.7 million upgrade of Port Tarakohe in Tasman District has transformed it into the region's only all-tide, all-weather, deep-water port, enhancing economic development and resilience. The improvements, including new wharves and facilities, support the growing aquaculture industry, marine tourism, and provide a crucial alternative route during highway closures. Funded jointly by the government and Tasman District Council, the project is expected to unlock nearly a billion dollars in value over 25 years and ensure vital access to Golden Bay during emergencies.
Tags: Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft Port Tarakohe Tasman District Golden Bay aquaculture infrastructure upgrade Provincial Growth Fund mussel farming Regional Development MinisterChristina Barton and Jamie Tuuta Appointed to Te Papa Board by Minister Goldsmith
02 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 883 viewsChristina Barton and Jamie Tuuta have been appointed to the Te Papa Board, bringing extensive expertise in art history, curation, and Māori leadership. Barton has held prominent roles in major New Zealand art institutions, while Tuuta has over 20 years of governance experience across various sectors related to Māori development. Additionally, David Wilks has been reappointed to the board, and outgoing members Jackie Lloyd and Tama Waipara were thanked for their service.
Tags: Christina Barton Jamie Tuuta Paul Goldsmith David Wilks Jackie Lloyd Tama Waipara Te Papa Board Adam Art Gallery Victoria University of Wellington Māori leaderFast-Track Approval Granted for Major Riverhead Housing and Retirement Project
26 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1061 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has approved a Fast-track residential and retirement development in Riverhead, Auckland, by Rangitoopuni Developments Limited, which includes 208 residential allotments, a 296-unit retirement village, public amenities, and wetland protection. The project is expected to inject $708 million into Auckland’s economy and create over 7,000 jobs during its nine-year development. This marks the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track system, which has now seen 24 projects referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to address housing and infrastructure needs.
Tags: Chris Bishop Rangitoopuni Developments Limited Rangitoopuni Auckland Infrastructure Minister Drury Metropolitan Centre Sunfield Masterplanned Community Taranaki VTM Project Waitākere District Court$50M Social Investment Fund Supports 1,600+ Children of Incarcerated Parents
23 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 885 viewsThe Social Investment Fund has allocated $50 million in its first round to seven projects supporting over 1,600 children affected by parental incarceration, care system experience, or early school suspension. These initiatives, selected for their measurable impact, aim to improve health, safety, housing stability, skills, income, and family support, with ongoing monitoring of outcomes. The government has committed $190 million for the fund in Budget 2025, with another funding round planned for early next year.
Tags: Nicola Willis Te Hou Ora Whānau Services Tākiri Mai te Ata Trust Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Barnardos New Zealand Horowhenua New Zealand Trust Kaikaranga Holding Social Investment Fund Social Investment MinisterCosta Rica Nears CPTPP Membership as Trade Ministers Advance Accession Talks
21 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 915 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay welcomed progress on Costa Rica’s accession to the CPTPP, with ministers planning to announce substantial conclusions before year-end, making Costa Rica the second economy to join after the UK. Accession processes will also begin with Uruguay this year and with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the UAE in 2026, while discussions continue with other aspirant countries to meet the Auckland Principles. Additionally, inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogues with the EU and ASEAN were held to strengthen cooperation on digital trade, supply chain resilience, and support for WTO reform, emphasizing the importance of upholding international trade rules.
Tags: Todd McClay Costa Rica CPTPP United Kingdom Uruguay Indonesia Philippines United Arab Emirates European Union ASEANNew Members Appointed to National Advisory Council on Employment of Women
20 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 766 viewsFive members have been appointed to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) for a three-year term, with three current members reappointed and two new members joining. NACEW advises the Minister for Women on employment issues, economic empowerment, and initiatives like the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit. Minister Nicola Grigg expressed gratitude to outgoing members for their service and emphasized the council’s role in enhancing employment opportunities for women in New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Traci Houpapa Lyn McMorran Michelle Huang Theresa Gattung Minnie Baragwanath Bernadette Pereira Theresa RongonuiNew Zealand Expands Gender Pay Gap Toolkit to Include Ethnicity and Disability Gaps
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 984 viewsNew Zealand’s expanded Gender Pay Gap Toolkit now includes tools for calculating gender-ethnicity and gender-disability pay gaps, along with resources tailored for small to medium-sized businesses and young women. Despite the overall gender pay gap falling to 5.2 percent, significant disparities persist for Asian, Māori, Pacific, and disabled women, highlighting ongoing challenges. Developed in partnership with businesses and community groups, the toolkit provides practical guidance to help organizations measure, analyze, and address overlapping pay gaps to create fairer workplaces.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Karanina Sumeo YWCA Auckland New Zealand Gender Pay Gap Ethnicity Pay Gap Disability Pay Gap SMEs Women Wāhine MāoriNew Zealand Makes Stalking a Criminal Offence with Up to 5 Years Prison
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 915 viewsNew Zealand has passed legislation making stalking a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison, addressing long-overdue protections against persistent and harmful intrusions. The new law defines stalking as a pattern of behavior likely to cause fear or distress, including acts such as following, unwanted communication, and damaging reputations, with the offence coming into force in May 2026. This legislation prioritizes victim needs, particularly protecting women and children, and includes a police notice system and relevant defenses to effectively combat stalking and harassment.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister New Zealand stalking harassment Crimes Legislation Parliament victims advocacy PoliceNew Zealand Introduces Stalking Offence with Up to 5 Years Imprisonment
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 975 viewsParliament has passed new legislation making stalking a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison, addressing persistent and harmful behaviours that cause emotional, psychological, and economic harm to victims. The law defines stalking as a pattern of behaviour likely to cause fear or distress, including acts like following, unwanted communication, and damaging reputations, with enforcement beginning in May 2026 after necessary training and public information are prepared. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims, particularly women and children, and acknowledged the advocacy efforts that helped bring the legislation to fruition.
Tags: stalking harassment Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister New Zealand Crimes Legislation Parliament victims advocacy PoliceHow New Zealand Saved $2.3B with a Smart, No-Nonsense Ferry Solution
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1051 viewsThe speech highlights the shift from the failed, wasteful iReX ferry project to a fiscally disciplined, pragmatic approach that saves taxpayers $2.3 billion by focusing on essential infrastructure upgrades and acquiring two new ferries within a $1.7 billion budget. The new plan maintains support for rail, keeps costs low to benefit consumers, and involves collaboration with experienced industry partners, including a reputable Chinese shipbuilder, ensuring timely and efficient delivery by 2029. Emphasizing commonsense and practical expertise over costly overreach, the project is already underway with strong leadership and community support, promising a sustainable future for New Zealand’s Interislander ferry services.
Tags: Lachie Nadine Taylor Andrew Little Daran Ponter Chris Mackenzie Heather Simpson Greg Lowe Katherine Rich Iain McLeod Guangzhou Shipyard InternationalRotorua Ends Contracted Emergency Housing Motels, Rehomes All Families
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 906 viewsThe Government has ended the use of Contracted Emergency Housing motels in Rotorua, reducing households in CEH from over 240 to zero through coordinated efforts with local partners. This marks a significant turnaround from a previously broken emergency housing system that caused social and economic harm, restoring safety and stability to the city. Ongoing initiatives, including new affordable rental homes, aim to strengthen Rotorua’s housing supply and support its economic growth.
Tags: Tama Potaka Rotorua HUD MSD Ngāti Whakaue Te Arawa Visions of a Helping Hand WERA Aotearoa Emerge Aotearoa Rotorua Lakes CouncilFIT Partnership Launches Initiative to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Resilience
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 876 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay joined the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership to launch an initiative aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience through a Ministerial Declaration. The FIT Partnership, established in September 2025, serves as a platform for small and medium-sized economies to promote open, fair, and rules-based trade while welcoming new members Malaysia and Paraguay. This effort aims to provide greater certainty and reduced costs for exporters, boosting economic confidence amid global disruptions.
Tags: Todd McClay Future of Investment and Trade FIT Partnership supply chain resilience New Zealand Malaysia Paraguay trade investment Ministerial MeetingNZ-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty Boosts Economic Cooperation and Trade
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 900 viewsThe NZ-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty has come into force, enhancing economic cooperation by providing clear investment rules and complementing the existing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Both countries view these agreements as key to increasing two-way investment and strengthening private sector engagement, supported by the newly established NZ-UAE Business Council. The UAE serves as a major market for New Zealand and a strategic gateway to a rapidly growing and diversifying regional economy.
Tags: Todd McClay Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi New Zealand United Arab Emirates Bilateral Investment Treaty Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Trade and Investment Business CouncilNZ-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty Boosts Economic Cooperation and Trade
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 917 viewsThe NZ-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty has come into force, enhancing economic cooperation by providing clear investment rules and complementing the existing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Both countries view these agreements as crucial for increasing two-way investment, strengthening private sector engagement, and supporting New Zealand's economic growth. Additionally, the establishment of the New Zealand-UAE Business Council aims to further boost trade, investment, and collaboration between the two nations.
Tags: Todd McClay Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi New Zealand United Arab Emirates Bilateral Investment Treaty Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Trade and Investment Minister