13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
615 views
The New Zealand Government is providing over $34 million in additional annual funding from July 2026 to support community mental health and addiction organisations, recognizing their vital role. To ensure greater stability, most providers are being moved from one-year to three-year contracts, allowing them to invest confidently in their workforce and services. This approach aims to improve access to mental health support, strengthen frontline services, and enhance crisis response for vulnerable New Zealanders.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
633 views
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced over $34 million in additional annual funding from July 2026 for community mental health and addiction providers, along with a 3.16% funding uplift for most eligible NGOs. The government is increasing contract certainty by shifting around 83% of providers onto three-year contracts, replacing the previous predominance of one-year agreements to enable better workforce investment and service delivery. These measures aim to support frontline organizations that serve over 82,000 people annually, ensuring faster access to mental health services and a stronger crisis response across New Zealand.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
585 views
The Government has invested $315,000 to support over 400 young Kiwis affected by severe weather events through six tailored youth development programmes across various regions. These initiatives focus on practical skills like forest restoration, safety training, employment readiness, and emotional wellbeing, helping young people re-engage with education and their communities. By providing safe spaces and targeted support, the programmes aim to build resilience, leadership, and positive pathways for youth recovery and future success.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
559 views
The Social Services and Community Select Committee’s report on the Disability Support Services Bill includes amendments reflecting feedback from over 3,000 submitters, clarifying the Bill’s intent, reinforcing support for families, and ensuring disabled people have a stronger voice in decisions. The revised Bill aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles, providing a clear legal framework for Disability Support Services without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The Government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding to improve consistency, fairness, and sustainability of services, with ongoing consultations planned for further improvements such as a carers’ package.
11 Aug 2026
2 months ago
542 views
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced a new $1 million, two-year community funding programme to support grassroots wilding pine control projects, supplementing a $109 million national investment over three years. Wilding pines threaten farmland, water supplies, native biodiversity, and increase wildfire risks, making both national coordination and local action essential. Expressions of interest for the funding will open later this year to empower volunteers, landowners, and community groups in controlling infestations.
11 Aug 2026
2 months ago
563 views
The New Zealand Government is investing over $1 million to support conservation projects in Taranaki, focusing on restoring rare coastal habitats and protecting kōkako in the region’s northeast. Te Kāhui o Taranaki will receive funding to restore endangered coastal turf ecosystems, while the East Taranaki Environment Trust will expand predator control to safeguard native species across a large landscape. These initiatives, supported by Iwi, community groups, and volunteers, exemplify collaborative efforts funded through the DOC Community Fund to achieve lasting environmental gains.
10 Aug 2026
2 months ago
587 views
A new child and youth mental health and addiction service, Hono ki te Ora, has been launched in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes to provide a single, coordinated point of access for young people aged 5 to 24 and their families. The service aims to simplify navigation of the mental health system, reduce fragmentation, and connect individuals to appropriate support without duplication, especially in this geographically isolated and fast-growing region. Since May, the service has received 80 referrals, actively supporting 35 young people and strengthening community relationships to ensure timely and effective care.
01 Aug 2026
2 months ago
652 views
New Zealand is investing $23 million to shift skin cancer detection and treatment from hospitals to local GP clinics, starting with suspicious skin spot removal, to ensure earlier and more accessible care nationwide. This initiative includes upskilling GPs in dermoscopy and skin excision, aiming to create a consistent national approach and reduce hospital wait times by allowing specialists to focus on complex cases. The investment builds on previous primary care enhancements and reflects a broader strategy to deliver more healthcare services in the community, closer to patients' homes.
29 Jul 2026
2 months ago
691 views
New Zealand’s new Arms Bill, passed today, introduces clearer, more effective firearms laws that enhance public safety while respecting licensed owners by separating regulation from police and creating an independent arms regulator. The legislation streamlines compliance, strengthens penalties against unlawful activities, and includes measures such as extended licences, multi-user agreements, and a statutory ‘red flag’ system to prevent firearms misuse. Most provisions take effect on 23 September, with full implementation by February 2028, reflecting extensive public consultation and aiming to rebuild trust in the firearms regulatory system.
29 Jul 2026
2 months ago
631 views
The Government has surpassed its 2023 election commitment by delivering over 3,000 additional social homes in Auckland ahead of schedule, with a focus on meeting the needs of those requiring one- and two-bedroom properties, particularly in South and West Auckland. Kāinga Ora and Community Housing Providers contributed significantly to this achievement, which forms part of more than 8,400 new social homes delivered nationwide since November 2023. Ongoing investments through Budgets 2024 to 2026 aim to sustain a long-term pipeline of quality, fit-for-purpose social housing across New Zealand.
23 Jul 2026
3 months ago
632 views
Health New Zealand plans to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles in the coming year to strengthen the nursing workforce with locally trained professionals. Last year, 1716 offers were made, resulting in 1845 graduate nurses employed across various health sectors, including hospitals, primary care, and community services. Recruitment will continue nationwide throughout the year, covering diverse specialties and supporting nurses into frontline, primary, and community care roles.
30 Jun 2026
3 months ago
764 views
Two new Bills introduced aim to enhance court efficiency by expanding Community Magistrates' roles to handle more straightforward cases, freeing up judges for complex matters, and modernizing remote participation in court proceedings. The Community Magistrates Legislation Amendment Bill allows magistrates greater authority in pleas, trials, bail decisions, and administrative matters, supported by additional funding and the appointment of a Chief Community Magistrate. Meanwhile, the Courts Remote Participation Bill updates outdated laws to provide clearer rules and consistency for remote hearings, improving timeliness and access to justice, as reflected in recent reductions in criminal case backlogs and faster case resolutions.
24 Jun 2026
4 months ago
818 views
The New Zealand Government has made the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme a permanent part of its refugee resettlement system, starting 1 July with an initial 50 places and scaling to 200 places annually by 2027. CORS complements the existing Refugee Quota Programme by combining government-funded core services with community-led settlement support, fostering strong employment, housing, education, and social outcomes for refugees. The overall refugee intake remains at 1,500 annually, with CORS places allocated from within existing baselines to ensure a sustainable, effective resettlement approach.
24 Jun 2026
4 months ago
980 views
The Government acknowledges the broken social housing system and housing crisis driven by unaffordable housing and planning barriers, committing to reforms focused on building the right homes for those most in need through initiatives like the Housing Investment System, Kāinga Ora Turnaround Plan, and Flexible Fund. Significant progress includes stabilizing house prices and rents, reducing Kāinga Ora's debt, increasing social housing stock, lowering financing barriers for Community Housing Providers, and establishing a data-driven Housing Investment Plan to target resources effectively. The ongoing Review of Social Housing aims to create a fairer, more efficient system by refocusing support on those most in need, improving incentives for tenant independence, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.
22 Jun 2026
4 months ago
812 views
The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha has awarded $1.7 million in funding to disability community organisations to enhance governance and leadership capabilities. This investment aims to empower disabled people to lead and participate more actively in decision-making, improve engagement with government agencies, and support historically underrepresented groups. By building long-term community capability, the funding helps shape policy and services while upholding the rights and dignity of disabled people.