05 May 2026
5 months ago
1027 views
The Government is advancing improvements to the children’s system, implementing recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review to enhance child safety. Key initiatives include establishing an inter-agency hub for information sharing on at-risk children, rolling out foundational child protection training for workers, and strengthening early childhood education centres’ child protection policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to promote timely abuse reporting and clarify privacy laws to support information sharing for child safety.
05 May 2026
5 months ago
1049 views
Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg has appointed Lisa Tumahai and Professor Nicola Shadbolt to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board for three-year terms, bringing extensive governance, climate, and regulatory expertise. Lisa Tumahai, Deputy Chair of the Climate Change Commission, and Professor Shadbolt, a former Climate Change Commissioner with over 30 years of governance experience, will strengthen the board's capabilities. Additionally, Mary Anne Macleod has been reappointed for one year and will serve as Deputy Chair from July 2026, succeeding outgoing Deputy Chair Paul Connell.
22 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1013 views
The New Zealand Government is reforming its Investment Management System to improve infrastructure project selection by consolidating assurance processes, shifting project assurance responsibility from Treasury to the independent NZ Infrastructure Commission, and enhancing ministerial oversight. These changes aim to provide Ministers with clearer, expert, and actionable advice to make informed "go/no go" decisions, ensuring projects meet public needs, represent value for money, and are deliverable. The reforms also introduce standardized assessments, strengthen asset management assurance, and seek to reduce project delays and inefficiencies, ultimately delivering better infrastructure outcomes for New Zealanders.
22 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1074 views
The speech emphasizes New Zealand’s urgent need to fix its underperforming infrastructure system by implementing evidence-based, long-term reforms aligned with the independent National Infrastructure Plan, focusing on improving asset management, investment assurance, and bipartisan cooperation. The Government has already initiated foundational changes including a new planning system, enhanced maintenance programs, and strengthened transparency, while announcing Cabinet decisions to transfer infrastructure investment assurance to the Infrastructure Commission to ensure better oversight and value for taxpayer money. Despite challenges like aging assets, demographic shifts, and external shocks, the Government is committed to prioritizing projects effectively, improving infrastructure quality, and fostering economic prosperity for all New Zealanders.
15 Apr 2026
6 months ago
966 views
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden announced Tony Balfour as the new Chair of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission Board, effective May 1, succeeding Mark Todd. Balfour brings extensive experience in governance, business strategy, and community engagement, ensuring strong leadership for the Commission. His appointment aims to enhance the Commission's integrity, transparency, and support for community initiatives through lottery funding.
14 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1037 views
David Boyle has been appointed as New Zealand's Retirement Commissioner for a three-year term starting May 18, announced by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer. Boyle brings extensive experience in retirement savings, having played a key role in establishing KiwiSaver and previously worked on financial wellbeing initiatives and education programs at the Retirement Commission. Brewer also thanked outgoing commissioner Jane Wrightson for her six years of leadership in improving financial capability and retirement outcomes.
26 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1415 views
New Zealand is reforming its Commerce Commission to improve competition regulation by separating governance and regulatory functions, following an independent review that found the current structure ineffective. The new governance model, effective from July 2027, introduces an oversight board with external directors and a panel of expert commissioners to enhance decision-making and market competitiveness. Current leadership will provide continuity during the transition, with the Commerce (Commerce Commission Reform) Amendment Bill now under consideration by the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
26 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1194 views
New Zealand is reforming its Commerce Commission to enhance competition, innovation, and market fairness by separating governance and regulatory functions, following an independent review that found the current structure inadequate. The new model, effective from July 2027, introduces an oversight board with external directors, a panel of expert commissioners, and delegated regulatory decision-making to improve strategic focus and operational effectiveness. Leadership continuity will be maintained with Dr. John Small as chief commissioner and board chair until 2030, ensuring stability during the transition.
25 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1131 views
The New Zealand Government has exceeded its mental health workforce target, increasing frontline mental health and addiction professionals by over 11%, which has improved access and reduced wait times for support. Key achievements include training 514 new specialists, surpassing targets for clinical psychology interns and psychiatry trainees, and allocating 25% of funding to prevention and early intervention for the first time. As a result, 83% of people receive primary mental health support within one week, and 82% receive specialist support within three weeks, contributing to improved mental health outcomes nationwide.
18 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1121 views
The Government is extending the state redress scheme to cover survivors of abuse in State-run mental health inpatient facilities from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022, addressing gaps identified after Health New Zealand assumed responsibility in 2022. This change, prompted by survivors' difficulties in accessing recognition and redress, aims to provide consistent support and accountability regardless of when the abuse occurred. The amendment to the Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill is progressing through Parliament, reflecting the Government’s commitment to meaningful change and preventing future harm.
13 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1287 views
Customs and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello will attend the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna to address the growing issue of fraud, which is a prevalent crime in New Zealand linked to international organized crime and money laundering. The summit, hosted by INTERPOL and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, emphasizes the need for international cooperation to combat transnational fraud. After the summit, Minister Costello will visit Geneva and London for meetings related to her Customs, Police, and Health responsibilities.
12 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1118 views
Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds has appointed Scott Haines JP, Principal of Burnside High School, to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Board for a three-year term starting July 1, 2026. Haines brings extensive school leadership experience and national contributions, including roles with SPANZ and NCEA advisory groups, which will support TEC’s role in connecting schools, employers, and tertiary organizations. His expertise will help implement the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy focused on access, participation, and workforce development.
10 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1170 views
The Royal Commission's final report on New Zealand's COVID-19 response highlights that initial restrictions were appropriate but later extended beyond public health advice, with economic warnings ignored, leading to excessive spending and increased public debt. Auckland endured the longest lockdown, exceeding official recommendations, and vaccine mandates for under-18s did not align with expert advice, reflecting missed opportunities to balance health and economic impacts. The Government acknowledges the sacrifices made by New Zealanders and plans to respond to the report’s recommendations by July, aiming to better balance future health and economic decisions.
09 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1330 views
Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello announced Ms Erin James as the new Aged Care Commissioner, a role within the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner focused on advocating for quality health services for older people. Ms James, currently Director of the OPCAT team at the Office of the Ombudsman, will serve a five-year term starting 7 April 2026. Her appointment aligns with ongoing efforts to improve the aged care system by ensuring timely, appropriate, and sustainable care.
05 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1202 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the reappointment of Ms Morag McDowell as Health and Disability Commissioner for a two-year term starting 7 March 2026. Ms McDowell brings extensive legal expertise and health sector experience, which will help the organization deliver fair and effective services. The Government aims to keep patients central to the health system and improve healthcare quality for all New Zealanders.