Articles tagged with Ct

Showing 15 of 996 articles

AgriZeroNZ Launches $51M Early Adoption Accelerator to Boost NZ Farm Tech

09 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 703 views

The Government and industry have jointly launched the AgriZeroNZ Early Adoption Accelerator, contributing up to $51 million each to support the rollout of innovative farm technologies that enhance New Zealand farmers' competitiveness and emissions efficiency. This co-funded program focuses on practical, scalable solutions, building on prior investments in emissions-reducing research, with tools like EcoPond already available and more technologies expected soon. AgriZeroNZ invites companies and industry groups to participate in projects over the next three years, aiming to provide farmers with diverse technology choices tailored to their operations.

Tags: AgriZeroNZ Nicola Willis Todd McClay Early Adoption Accelerator New Zealand farmers farm technologies emissions reduction EcoPond agriculture innovation Crown funding

New Rural Scholarship Empowers Future Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry

09 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 627 views

The Government has introduced the Minister of Agriculture Future Leaders Scholarship to support emerging leaders in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry by providing three $10,000 grants annually for study and capability building. The program aims to develop governance skills and practical experience in rural primary sector leadership, addressing capability gaps through collaboration with sector leaders. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasizes the scholarship's role in nurturing leadership and sustaining the sector's long-term success.

Tags: Todd McClay Government rural scholarship primary sector Agriculture Forestry young farmers leadership development Ministry for Primary Industries

Government Invests $750,000 in Pilot Projects to Manage Wild Deer Impact on Farms

09 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 615 views

The Government is investing $750,000 in three pilot projects led by catchment groups in Rangitīkei, Wairarapa, and North Canterbury to measure and reduce wild deer impacts on privately-owned production land. These projects, running until August 2027, aim to assess deer populations, evaluate control techniques, and inform future management plans while involving farmers, hunters, and regional councils. Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager emphasized that toxins like brodifacoum will not be used, and hunter-led conservation will play a key role in the programme.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard James Meager Ministry for Primary Industries Rangitīkei Wairarapa North Canterbury Hurunui District Landcare Group Wairarapa Catchment Collective Rangitīkei River Catchment Collective Government

New Zealand Advances GeoShot NZ Project to Drill First Superhot Geothermal Well

08 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 766 views

The GeoShot NZ project aims to drill New Zealand’s first superhot geothermal well at the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, with government funding of $55 million approved for pre-drilling and exploratory activities. The initiative involves expert partners and advanced technology to harness superhot fluids at depths of 4–5 km, offering significantly more energy than conventional wells and enhancing national energy resilience. This pioneering effort, supported by international collaboration, seeks to establish New Zealand as a leader in clean, high-capacity geothermal energy for long-term regional and national benefits.

Tags: Shane Jones Mercury NZ Todd Energy Tauhara North No. 2 Trust Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment GeoShot NZ Regional Infrastructure Fund Rotokawa Geothermal Field Iceland New Zealand

New Zealand Advances LNG Import Facility to Cut Power Bills and Boost Energy Security

08 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 575 views

New Zealand’s Government is advancing plans for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to enhance energy security, reduce power bills by up to $800 million annually, and provide reliable backup during dry years when renewable sources underperform. This facility, expected to be operational by 2028, will not be funded by levies on power bills but through a fair model involving industry stakeholders, ensuring stable and affordable energy for households and businesses. The initiative addresses risks highlighted by recent energy shortages and price spikes, aiming to protect jobs, support economic growth, and secure the nation’s energy supply amid declining indigenous gas production.

Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Government LNG import facility Energy Minister Labour Government MBIE NIFFCO Electrify NZ New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Winter Energy Reliability Obligation

New Zealand Introduces Winter Energy Reliability Obligation to Prevent Power Shortages

08 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 734 views

The New Zealand Government is introducing the Winter Energy Reliability Obligation, requiring major power companies and large electricity users to secure sufficient back-up energy ahead of dry winters to prevent power shortages and price spikes. This includes stricter penalties for non-compliance and enhanced oversight by the Electricity Authority to ensure dry-year risks are managed effectively, boosting system resilience and price stability. The obligation is part of the broader Securing Affordable Energy plan, which also considers additional back-up supply options like LNG imports and aims to rebuild the energy system for reliable, affordable power.

Tags: Simeon Brown Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Electricity Authority Winter Energy Reliability Obligation New Zealand Government LNG Electricity Industry Act Securing Affordable Energy plan gentailers power companies

Government Invests $30M to Upgrade Drinking Water in Rural Schools

08 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 702 views

The Government is investing $30 million through the Drinking Water in Schools Programme to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in around 20% of small, rural schools that manage their own water supply. Nearly 230 schools are involved, with 64 undergoing immediate remediation and 20 having completed full upgrades, improving water safety and reliability. In addition to funding, the Ministry of Education offers resources, technical guidance, and free training to support schools in maintaining safe drinking water.

Tags: Erica Stanford Government Drinking Water Schools Programme rural schools infrastructure Ministry of Education water supply health and safety training programme

Government Completes Recommissioning of 93M Litres Diesel Storage at Marsden Point

07 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 614 views

The Government has completed the recommissioning of 93 million litres of diesel storage capacity at Marsden Point to store newly purchased diesel reserves. Two shipments, arriving soon and in July, will provide about nine days’ average diesel consumption to safeguard New Zealand’s fuel supply amid global uncertainties. Funded by $21.6 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, this measure aims to maintain economic stability despite ongoing Middle East conflicts affecting fuel supply and prices.

Tags: Marsden Point Northland Channel Infrastructure NZ Nicola Willis Shane Jones diesel storage New Zealand Regional Infrastructure Fund fuel supply Middle East conflict

Paramedics to Gain Prescribing Authority to Boost Community Healthcare Access

05 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 1494 views

Paramedics in New Zealand will be authorized to prescribe certain medicines, enabling more community-based care and reducing pressure on emergency departments, especially benefiting rural and remote areas. This change reflects the evolving role of paramedics beyond emergency response, supported by new training programs and regulatory adjustments under the Medicines Act 1981. The Ministry of Health is consulting on the specific medicines paramedics may prescribe and developing the necessary regulations and scope of practice to implement this policy.

Tags: Simeon Brown paramedics Medicines Act 1981 Ministry of Health Paramedic Council emergency departments prescribing authority healthcare access New Zealand government Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977

Waihi Recycling Station Upgrade to Cut Landfill Waste and Boost Recycling by 2028

05 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 651 views

The Waihi Recycling Transfer Station will be upgraded with nearly $1.08 million in funding to reduce landfill waste and boost recycling capacity, including a new construction and demolition waste sorting area. Once completed in 2028, the upgrade will divert about 3,400 tonnes of materials annually from landfill, increase recyclables and glass processing by 20-40%, and enable green waste mulching for local reuse. This project exemplifies government efforts to reduce emissions, improve waste management, and support climate goals in the Hauraki and Western Bay of Plenty regions.

Tags: Nicola Grigg Simon Watts Waihi Recycling Transfer Station Hauraki District Council Waste Minimisation Fund landfill reduction recycling capacity climate change green waste emissions reduction plan

Ashburton Hospital Begins $3.2M Upgrade to Community Birthing Unit

04 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 674 views

Construction has begun on a $3.2 million upgrade of the community birthing unit at Ashburton Hospital, funded through the Government’s $100 million hospital infrastructure programme. The project will reconfigure postnatal rooms, create a dedicated antenatal clinic, and improve staff support areas to enhance care quality, safety, and efficiency. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment ensures modern, fit-for-purpose facilities to support better maternity services and meet growing community demand.

Tags: Ashburton Hospital Simeon Brown community birthing unit maternity services health infrastructure New Zealand hospital upgrade postnatal rooms antenatal clinic Budget 2025

$20M Boost for Parenting Programs to Support Families and Child Development

04 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 785 views

A $20 million investment from Budget 2025 will expand evidence-based parenting initiatives, including the Triple P Positive Parenting and Mellow Parenting/Hoki ki te Rito programmes, to support families in meeting children's developmental needs. The funding targets the Government's Child and Youth Strategy priorities, focusing on early childhood support and harm prevention, with half allocated to broad parental support and half to high-need families through the Social Investment Fund. Additionally, the package will reinstate the Tākai national parenting platform, enhancing access to trusted resources and a continuum of support from universal to intensive services.

Tags: Louise Upston Triple P Mellow Parenting Hoki ki te Rito Tākai Child Poverty Reduction Minister Social Investment Fund Budget 2025 Child and Youth Strategy Parenting initiatives

Budget 2026 Invests $90M in Mandatory Training to Protect Children at Risk

04 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 708 views

Budget 2026 allocates $90 million to enhance child protection by funding mandatory training for 20,000 core children’s workers and boosting the capacity of Oranga Tamariki and Health NZ to respond to increased reports of harm. This investment supports the implementation of recommendations from Dame Karen Poutasi’s report, aiming to improve early risk identification, multi-agency collaboration, and system responsiveness. A phased rollout of training and capacity building will ensure manageable implementation and inform future resource decisions as the child protection system evolves.

Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Oranga Tamariki Health NZ NZ Police Child Poverty Reduction Minister Royal Commission of Inquiry Whanaketia Budget 2026 Child Protection Protocol

Aoraki/Mount Cook Landfill Cleanup Completed to Protect Park Ecosystems

04 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 803 views

A $3.32 million remediation project to clean up two former landfill sites near Aoraki/Mount Cook Village has been completed, removing about 2500 cubic metres of waste to prevent contamination of the Hooker River and Lake Pūkaki. The Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment jointly funded the project, which addressed erosion and flooding risks that threatened water quality and ecosystems. The work, supported by the Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund and Environment Canterbury, began in April 2026 and finished in June 2026.

Tags: Nicola Grigg Tama Potaka Department of Conservation Ministry for the Environment Environment Canterbury Hooker River Lake Pūkaki Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund remediation project

New National Environmental Standards Simplify Papakāinga Housing on Māori Land

03 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 728 views

The New Zealand Government has introduced National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga (NES-P) to simplify and standardize rules across councils, enabling up to 10 homes to be built on ancestral Māori land while protecting the environment and residents' health. These standards address previous planning barriers, support collective use of Māori land for intergenerational living, and form part of broader reforms under the Resource Management Act to facilitate housing growth and infrastructure development. The NES-P will take effect on 2 July, incorporating feedback from consultations and clarifying provisions related to land use, ancillary activities, setbacks, and protections for cultural and environmental values.

Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Māori land Papakāinga National Environmental Standards Resource Management Act RMA Reform New Zealand Government Māori Development Treaty of Waitangi