03 Jun 2026
4 months ago
977 views
The New Zealand government is enhancing copyright laws to extend protection by 20 years and strengthen creators' rights, ensuring iconic works continue to benefit their artists. Changes will allow not-for-profit cultural institutions greater flexibility to digitally preserve and provide access to works, including those with unknown copyright holders, while preventing commercial misuse and combating offshore piracy. Additionally, creators will have stronger ownership of commissioned works, improved protections for digital tools, and ongoing consideration of a copyright framework for generative AI by 2027.
03 Jun 2026
4 months ago
853 views
The new Tertiary Research Excellence Fund (TREF) will replace the Performance-Based Research Fund, investing $315 million annually to enhance research capability in New Zealand's tertiary education system with a focus on economic growth and reduced compliance costs. TREF emphasizes impact through metrics like external research income, citations, commercialisation, and policy outcomes, aiming to reward research excellence in a more efficient and responsive manner. Developed with expert advice and sector engagement, the fund’s operational design begins immediately, with phased implementation from 2027 and full alignment by 2029.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
976 views
Budget 2026 introduces a new prudential levy on banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers, and financial market participants to cover Reserve Bank regulatory costs, aligning with international practices and ensuring taxpayers do not bear these expenses. The levy, expected to raise around $209 million over four years, will be paid to the Reserve Bank and returned to the government via increased dividends, with implementation planned for mid-2027 after consultation. This measure aims to strengthen New Zealand’s financial system by funding supervision, licensing, monitoring, and crisis management of regulated entities, including 27 banks, 14 non-bank deposit takers, 81 insurers, and five financial market infrastructures.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
970 views
Budget 2026 introduces a new prudential levy on banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers, and financial market participants to fund the Reserve Bank’s regulatory and supervisory services, ensuring these costs are borne by the industry rather than taxpayers. The levy, estimated to raise around $209 million over four years, aligns with international practices and will be implemented by mid-2027 after sector consultation. It targets a broad range of financial entities, including 27 banks, 14 non-bank deposit takers, 81 insurers, and five financial market infrastructures, supporting the Reserve Bank’s role in maintaining financial stability.
27 May 2026
5 months ago
868 views
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath visited New Zealand for the first time since 2014, marking a milestone with the opening of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Wellington and strengthening bilateral ties. During the visit, both countries discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, education, sport, and announced plans to negotiate a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) to boost economic engagement. New Zealand officials emphasized that the TIFA will unlock new opportunities for exporters, support trade diversification, and contribute to New Zealand’s goal of doubling export value within ten years.
27 May 2026
5 months ago
993 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced Dallas Welch’s elevation to Chair of the Remuneration Authority, the reappointment of Vern Walsh for another three-year term, and the appointment of Wynand du Plessis as a new member. The Authority, an independent statutory body with three members, sets pay rates for key public office holders, and the new appointees bring extensive experience in public service leadership, remuneration, governance, and financial expertise. These appointments aim to strengthen the Authority’s role in remuneration setting, with Welch bringing nearly 40 years of public sector experience, Walsh offering deep local government and financial knowledge, and du Plessis contributing over a decade of corporate and consulting remuneration leadership.
21 May 2026
5 months ago
939 views
The Government is implementing a comprehensive reform programme to improve New Zealand’s infrastructure asset management, focusing on long-term economic prosperity through better planning, funding, and oversight, including strengthening assurance processes and establishing the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT). A key initiative addresses poor coordination and data quality in underground asset management, with plans to enhance regulations, compliance, and potentially develop a National Underground Asset Register to reduce costs and disruptions. These foundational changes aim to ensure safer, more reliable infrastructure, better value for taxpayers, and sustained growth, with ongoing efforts to refine policies and enforcement starting July 2026.
20 May 2026
5 months ago
994 views
The New Zealand Government is undertaking a groundbreaking project led by the Ministry for Regulation to map the country’s complex regulatory environment, which has grown increasingly fragmented and inefficient over the past two decades, hindering economic productivity and wage growth. This mapping reveals a vast network of 259 regulators and overlapping regulatory systems, exemplified by the complicated dog control system involving multiple ministries and laws, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated reform and simplification. Leveraging data and AI, the Ministry aims to identify redundancies and promote continuous regulatory review, encouraging public sector leaders to collaborate on consolidating regulations to improve efficiency, accountability, and New Zealand’s economic competitiveness.
20 May 2026
5 months ago
1028 views
The New Zealand Government is funding seven local authorities and 68 non-government organisations through the Survivor Support and Recognition Fund (SSRF) to memorialise at least 4,000 unmarked graves linked to psychiatric and psychopaedic sites and to support survivors of abuse in care. Since its establishment after the 2024 public apology, the SSRF has allocated over $4.9 million in two funding rounds to create memorials, provide survivor services such as peer support and therapy, and conduct research on burial sites. These initiatives aim to acknowledge the long-term impact of abuse and neglect in care, fulfilling key recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.
19 May 2026
5 months ago
946 views
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has appointed Mr. Raveen Jaduram as the new Chair of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board, succeeding Rebecca Keoghan MNZM. Mr. Jaduram brings extensive experience in infrastructure governance, financial oversight, and strategic leadership, which will support the Board's accountability and investment management in emergency services. Keoghan was thanked for her leadership during the organisation's post-amalgamation phase, where she strengthened structure and advanced workplace culture and integrity.
19 May 2026
5 months ago
1147 views
The Government Budget 2026 focuses on addressing New Zealand’s economic challenges through durable reforms aimed at affordability, fiscal responsibility, and improved public services rather than short-term spending. Key initiatives include streamlining government agencies, embracing digital and AI technologies, and reducing public service numbers to enhance efficiency and redirect savings toward health, education, infrastructure, and security. This strategic approach seeks to create a modern, productive public service, maintain balanced books, and build a resilient economy for a better and more affordable future.
18 May 2026
5 months ago
1021 views
Minister Matt Doocey will travel to Australia to attend the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne, leading a delegation of 26 New Zealand HealthTech companies, highlighting the sector's significant $3.9 billion contribution to the economy. This marks New Zealand's largest presence at the festival, reflecting strong industry growth and innovation in digital healthcare. Additionally, he will visit Mental Health Commissions in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia to gather insights for an upcoming review of New Zealand's Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
15 May 2026
5 months ago
1207 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Kerryn Beaton KC as a District Court Judge, with her swearing-in scheduled for 2 July 2026 in Christchurch. Ms Beaton has extensive legal experience, including roles as a Crown prosecutor, Public Defender, and barrister focusing on serious crime and public inquiries, as well as involvement in significant commissions such as the Pike River Royal Commission and the UN Khmer Rouge trials. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021 and will be based at the Dunedin District Court.
14 May 2026
5 months ago
1301 views
Attorney-General Chris Bishop honored the late Rt Hon Sir Kenneth Keith as one of New Zealand’s most distinguished jurists and legal scholars, whose six-decade career significantly impacted national and international law, legal education, and law reform. Sir Kenneth served at the highest judicial levels, including the Supreme Court and International Court of Justice, and contributed to major law reforms and New Zealand’s global legal presence. His legacy includes shaping key legal institutions with humility and dedication, earning him prestigious honors and lasting respect within the legal community.
05 May 2026
5 months ago
1034 views
Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds has appointed Michelle Findlater to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for a three-year term starting May 2026. Michelle, with extensive experience in the automotive industry and work-based training, has been recognized for her contributions and potential, including receiving the Janet Lane Scholarship from MITO. Her expertise is expected to support the TEC’s focus on enhancing access, participation, and achievement in tertiary education to build the workforce New Zealand needs.