Articles tagged with Community

Showing 15 of 109 articles

New Chatham Islands Supply Vessel Secured for 2027

30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1129 views

The Government has selected the McCallum Bros Ltd and Nova Marine Carriers SA joint venture to procure a new 78-meter supply vessel for the Chatham Islands, expected to be operational by 2027. Associate Transport Minister James Meager highlights the importance of providing a secure, reliable, and long-term service that meets the community's needs and can accommodate future growth. The replacement of the aging Southern Tiare vessel is crucial for sustaining the economic and community lifeline of the Chatham Islands, ensuring essential supplies reach the community and supporting key industries like fishing, farming, and tourism.

Tags: Government Chatham Islands Supply Vessel McCallum Bros Ltd Nova Marine Carriers SA James Meager Transport Minister Southern Tiare MBL JV Community

CHFA Launches $200 Million Bonds to Boost Affordable Housing Supply

24 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1275 views

Housing Minister Chris Bishop commends the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) for launching $200 million in A+ rated bonds, making cheaper lending available for Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to deliver more social and affordable homes. The social bonds were well received by investors, demonstrating confidence in supporting social and affordable housing in New Zealand. The government is supporting CHPs by funding over 2,000 social homes and backing CHFA with a $150 million lending facility to help reduce borrowing costs and enable the delivery of more homes for less.

Tags: Chris Bishop Community Housing Funding Agency CHFA social bonds affordable housing social homes Community Housing Providers New Zealand Kāinga Ora financing

Up to $300,000 Available for Waitangi Day Events - Apply Now!

18 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1104 views

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith announces up to $300,000 in contestable funding available for community events celebrating Waitangi Day and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund aims to support events that reflect on New Zealand's shared history and cultural contributions, bringing communities together to recognize all aspects of national identity. The Fund encourages new applicants to propose innovative ways for communities to participate in Waitangi Day events, with applications closing on October 20, 2025.

Tags: Waitangi Day Treaty of Waitangi Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund Paul Goldsmith Arts Culture Heritage Minister New Zealand community events funding

Minister Karen Chhour Reports Success in Youth Offending Reduction Efforts

16 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1068 views

Minister Karen Chhour notes a significant decrease in serious and persistent youth offending since June 2024, attributing the improvement to a tough yet fair approach and increased unity within communities and government. The reduction in youth offenders has led to safer communities, with lower rates of ram raids and repeat offending, as well as improved collaboration between Oranga Tamariki and Police. Investments from Budget 2025 aim to further reduce re-offending and enhance support for young serious offenders, prioritizing community safety and victim well-being.

Tags: Karen Chhour Minister for Children young people offenders community leaders New Zealanders Oranga Tamariki Police youth offending initiatives

Government-Funded Social Home Deliveries by Community Housing Providers: Progress Update and Future Plans

11 Sep 2025 | 12 months ago | 1782 views

Community Housing Providers (CHPs) are actively delivering over 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, with a focus on allocating 1,500 social houses from Budget 2024 and 550 social homes for Auckland from Budget 2025. The government is committed to building the right homes in the right places for those in need, with a new housing investment system centered on strategic partnerships with CHPs and a Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 to drive further change in social housing. Progress is being made in improving housing for Kiwis, including reducing the social housing register, moving families out of motels into social housing, and partnering with Māori housing providers to deliver affordable rental homes across the country.

Tags: Community Housing Providers CHPs Coalition Government Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development HUD Budget 2024 Budget 2025

New Zealand Launches Refreshed Eating Disorder Strategy with $4M Boost

03 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1173 views

New Zealand's Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey, launched a refreshed strategic approach to eating disorders, with a significant funding increase of over $4 million annually, totaling over $23 million. The strategy emphasizes a full continuum of care, including prevention, primary health care, early intervention, community services, and specialist and inpatient services. The funding package includes initiatives such as peer support, community-based support for families, capacity increase for specialist services, and expansion of prevention and early intervention support to better support those battling eating disorders.

Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand eating disorders mental health funding strategy support services community prevention

Boosting Employment in Waikato: Minister Upston's Commitment to Jobseeker Reduction Target

03 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 952 views

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston highlights the importance of regional employment events in getting Kiwis into jobs and boosting the economy. The Government's focus on the Going for Growth strategy emphasizes developing talent and reducing the number of people on the Jobseeker Benefit by 50,000 by 2030 through partnerships with employers and training organizations. Initiatives such as early intervention services, work seminars, and the Relocate for Work Support payment aim to help beneficiaries find sustainable employment, providing them with purpose, independence, and a pathway out of welfare dependence.

Tags: Louise Upston Minister Employment MSD Jobseeker Benefit Kiwis Economy Growth Waikato Community

Government Expands Community Magistrates' Role to Streamline District Court Process

21 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1382 views

The Government, led by Associate Justice and Courts Minister Nicole McKee, plans to expand the jurisdiction of Community Magistrates in the District Court to enhance efficiency and reduce delays. This expansion will enable Community Magistrates to handle guilty pleas for most offenses, manage a broader range of cases, and issue community-based sentences. The initiative aims to streamline court processes, alleviate pressure on judges, and provide faster justice outcomes for victims, with budget support for additional Community Magistrates and training oversight.

Tags: Government Community Magistrates Justice System District Court Nicole McKee Legislation Judges Court Proceedings Victims Budget 2025

New Zealand Disability Strategy: Public Consultation Open for Feedback on Draft 2026-2030 Vision

19 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1383 views

Public consultation has opened on the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy, aiming to improve lives and uphold rights of disabled people in key areas like education, employment, health, housing, and justice. The strategy, developed through targeted engagement with disabled individuals and organizations, seeks feedback from the wider disability community and the public to make a positive impact. Interested parties, including disabled individuals, carers, families, and employers, are encouraged to provide feedback through various formats until September 28, 2025, with the refreshed strategy set to run from 2026 to 2030.

Tags: New Zealand Disability Strategy public consultation Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston disabled people employment education housing community participation Whaikaha

2025 Conservation Board and NZCA Appointments: Strengthening Environmental Efforts in New Zealand

18 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1206 views

The latest appointments to New Zealand's 15 Conservation Boards aim to enhance environmental efforts in the country. Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka announced a total of 145 appointments, including 21 reappointments, 37 new appointments, and 87 continuing members, focusing on diversity and community representation. Additionally, two reappointments and four new appointments were confirmed for the New Zealand Conservation Authority to provide strategic policy advice for conservation efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tags: Conservation Board Conservation Authority Tama Potaka New Zealand Aotearoa Department of Conservation DOC appointments environmental efforts community interests

Successful Military-Style Academy Pilot Transforms Young Lives, Reducing Youth Offending

08 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1336 views

A 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga in Palmerston North has successfully supported youth offenders and their families, resulting in improved behavior and reduced re-offending rates. Minister for Children Karen Chhour received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the pilot's outcomes, with many participants showing promise and making positive life changes. The government's initiatives, including the pilot program, have contributed to a significant reduction in serious and persistent youth offending, leading to safer communities and increased opportunities for at-risk youth.

Tags: Karen Chhour Minister for Children Youth Justice Social Workers Te Au rere a te Tonga Palmerston North Youth Offenders Support Services Community Safety

Urgent Call for Ceasefire in Gaza: New Zealand's Stance on Israel-Palestine Conflict

22 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2544 views

On June 24, 2025, a Ministerial statement on the Middle East was delivered to address the Israel-Iran conflict, emphasizing de-escalation and ceasefire. Despite a ceasefire being brokered by the United States, ongoing suffering and conflict persist in Gaza, with calls for immediate action from the international community. New Zealand stands united with other countries in condemning actions that hinder a two-state solution and advocates for dialogue, diplomacy, and a permanent ceasefire to end the cycle of conflict for future generations.

Tags: Israel Iran New Zealand Hamas United States Gaza Palestinians ceasefire international community

Student Volunteer Army Receives $50,000 Grant for Youth-Led Response to Nelson Tasman Weather Crisis

20 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1819 views

Youth Minister James Meager has announced a one-time $50,000 grant to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) to mobilize young volunteers aged 12-24 to assist in response to severe weather events in Nelson Tasman. The SVA will coordinate region-wide activities for the next four-to-six weeks to provide valuable assistance to communities affected by recent flooding. The initiative aims to engage young people in disaster response, offering them a youth development opportunity while contributing to community recovery efforts.

Tags: Nelson Tasman Student Volunteer Army Youth Minister James Meager Foxhill Sam Johnson disaster response community leaders youth development extreme weather voluntary work

New Auckland Central Police Station Enhances Public Safety and Crime Reduction Efforts

17 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1848 views

The new Auckland central police station enhances police visibility and accessibility to the public, retail sector, and business community in the city center, addressing community demands for a central police presence. Minister Mark Mitchell emphasizes the importance of public safety and highlights the positive impact of the 51 inner city beat officers in reducing crime rates, with notable decreases in victimizations, robbery, and theft. The collaboration between police officers, stakeholders, and volunteers has contributed to these results, and the central police base is expected to further improve crime response and community safety in Auckland.

Tags: Auckland central police station police visibility accessibility public safety Mark Mitchell law and order agenda police officers inner city beat officers crime reduction community involvement

Boosting Sign Language in New Zealand: Funding for Families of Deaf Children

15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1723 views

The New Zealand government is funding 11 community projects, totaling nearly $250,000, to support and promote the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) among families of Deaf children and teenagers. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston highlights the importance of these initiatives, including NZSL classes, community events, a directory website in NZSL, a code of ethics review, and skills development programs for interpreters. The NZSL Board, which advocates for NZSL use, invests approximately $1 million annually to enhance NZSL initiatives and projects.

Tags: Deaf children teenagers community projects sign language New Zealand Louise Upston NZSL Board Deaf community interpreter workforce Deaf clubs