Articles tagged with Ct
Showing 15 of 996 articles
$27.6M Government Fund to Rebuild Hawke’s Bay Marae After Cyclone Gabrielle
15 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 1140 viewsThe New Zealand Government has allocated $27.6 million through the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway to relocate and rebuild two Hawke’s Bay marae, Petāne and Tangoio, in safer locations after severe damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Both marae were assessed as Category 3, indicating unacceptable future risk from flooding and landslides, prompting the need for relocation to new sites at 253 Onehunga Road and 139 Beach Road, respectively. This investment aims to ensure the marae continue to support their communities, especially during emergencies, by strengthening resilience and providing certainty for future generations.
Tags: Tama Potaka Cyclone Gabrielle Petāne Marae Tangoio Marae Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway Hawke’s Bay Māori Development Māori Crown Relations National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Māori communitiesNew South Island Crisis Recovery Café Opens in Dunedin for Mental Health Support
14 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 1151 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the opening of the second South Island Crisis Recovery Café in Dunedin, providing a calm, peer-led, non-clinical space for people experiencing mental distress as an alternative to busy emergency departments. The cafés, operated by the Otago Mental Health Support Trust, will run at two sites in South Dunedin and North East Valley, offering 16 hours of support weekly and connecting individuals to long-term community services. This initiative is part of a broader mental health plan to enhance crisis response through increased peer support workers and faster access to care.
Tags: Matt Doocey Otago Mental Health Support Trust South Island Crisis Recovery Café Dunedin North East Valley peer support mental health crisis recovery addiction challenges emergency departmentsFast-Track Approval Granted for Ayrburn Screen Hub Film Village in Queenstown
14 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 909 viewsFast-track approval has been granted for the Ayrburn Screen Hub, a 7,200m² film and television production village in Queenstown, expected to inject $280 million into the local economy and support around 370 local jobs annually. The expert panel assessed environmental, cultural, and infrastructural impacts, finding manageable landscape effects and significant regional environmental benefits, including improved water quality. This project is the second in Otago to gain fast-track approval, part of a broader initiative with numerous infrastructure and development projects progressing under the Fast-track Approvals Act.
Tags: Mr Bishop Waterfall Park Developments Limited Ayrburn Screen Hub Queenstown Otago Region New Zealand Mill Creek Lake Hayes Minister for InfrastructureSouth Island’s First Crisis Recovery Café Opens in Christchurch for Mental Health Support
13 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 1187 viewsSouth Island’s first Crisis Recovery Café has opened in Christchurch, providing a calm, peer-led space for people experiencing mental distress as an alternative to emergency departments. The café, run by local organizations with lived experience in mental health and addiction support, offers immediate access without referrals and connects clients to long-term community services. This initiative is part of a broader mental health plan aimed at faster crisis response, increased frontline workers, and expanded peer support across various settings in New Zealand.
Tags: Crisis Recovery Café Christchurch Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey Purapura Whetu Odyssey House Trust Stepping Stone Trust peer support mental health addiction supportNew Zealand Cruise Forum 2026: Strengthening the Cruise Industry and Visitor Experience
10 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 857 viewsThe second joint Government and industry Cruise Forum will be held to strengthen New Zealand’s position as a leading cruise destination by addressing challenges and fostering collaboration. The cruise sector significantly contributes $1.37 billion to the economy but faces volatility from global trends, prompting efforts in regulatory coordination, biofouling management, and port infrastructure investment. Additionally, Tourism Minister Louise Upston will promote New Zealand at the Seatrade Cruise Global event to enhance international engagement and showcase the country’s hospitality.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister Cruise Forum Seatrade Cruise Global Wellington Government cruise sector industry representatives MiamiJudge Ema Aitken to Remain as Acting District Court Judge After Panel Review
10 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 843 viewsThe Judicial Conduct Panel found that Judge Ema Aitken breached comity but did not commit misbehaviour warranting her removal, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. As a result, Judge Aitken will remain an Acting District Court Judge until her warrant expires in February 2027. The minister emphasized the importance of judicial conduct panels in maintaining public trust and declined to comment further.
Tags: Judge Ema Aitken Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Judicial Conduct Panel Acting District Court Judge Judiciary Government Executive Legislature Judicial conduct panels MisbehaviourNZ Alcohol Regulation Bill Passes First Reading: Streamlining Licenses & Cutting Red Tape
09 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 898 viewsThe Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill aims to reduce red tape, support economic growth in hospitality and events, and enhance fairness in licensing while maintaining public safety. Key changes include limiting objections to license applications to local residents, allowing clubs and certain restaurants more flexibility in alcohol sales, and streamlining special license requirements for events. The Justice Select Committee is inviting public submissions until 14 May 2026 to identify further low-risk regulatory improvements.
Tags: Nicole McKee Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Justice Select Committee alcohol regulation licensing regime red tape hospitality sector alcohol harm reduction New Zealand Parliament Rugby World CupNew Zealand Eases EV Charger Consenting with National Permitted Activity Standards
08 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 959 viewsThe New Zealand Government has amended the National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities (NES-ETA) to introduce nationally consistent permitted activity standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, removing confusing local consenting barriers and making it easier to build chargers. These changes, effective from 7 May 2026, cover all types of EV chargers and include conditions to manage environmental and community effects, while complementing a $52.7 million investment to expand the public charging network from 1,800 to an expected 4,550 points. This reform aims to accelerate EV adoption by simplifying infrastructure development, supporting the Government’s goal of 10,000 chargers by 2030, and aligning with broader resource management and planning system improvements.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand electric vehicle EV charging infrastructure Resource Management Act ChargeNet Meridian National Environmental Standards RMA Reform MinisterSunda Energy Acquires Matahio Assets Boosting New Zealand’s Petroleum Sector
08 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 1005 viewsResources Minister Shane Jones welcomes the sale of Matahio Energy’s New Zealand assets to Sunda Energy as a positive sign of growing international interest and investment in the country’s petroleum sector. The transaction includes established onshore oil and gas operations in Taranaki and supports economic resilience, energy security, and regional development. Sunda Energy will now seek regulatory approvals, with the deal reflecting confidence in New Zealand’s oil and gas future and the importance of revitalizing proven assets.
Tags: Matahio Energy Sunda Energy Shane Jones New Zealand Taranaki petroleum sector oil and gas Cheal Sidewinder Puka exploration permitSH36 Culvert Replacement Begins This Month Between Tauranga and Rotorua
08 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 907 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that replacement of the aging SH36 Hauraki Stream Culvert between Tauranga and Rotorua will begin this month, with completion expected by early 2027. The $10-12 million project, led by Isaac Construction Ltd, uses prefabricated components to deliver a wider, stronger bridge as part of the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), which prioritizes upgrading nine bridges and culverts, with five more recently added. This initiative reflects the government's focus on maintaining critical state highway infrastructure to support freight, tourism, and community connectivity across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency Isaac Construction Ltd State Highway 36 Tauranga Rotorua National Land Transport Programme Hauraki Stream Bridge Mangapepeke Culvert Pekatahi BridgeTukituki Water Security Project Begins Pre-Construction in Hawkes Bay with $18M Loan
07 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 1012 viewsThe Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawkes Bay will begin pre-construction work supported by an $18.13 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to enhance water storage and security. The project aims to enable irrigation of up to 22,000 hectares, create 300 construction jobs, and boost the region’s annual GDP by up to $693 million by supporting horticulture, seed production, and pastoral farming. By storing 104 million cubic meters of water, the facility will address water scarcity in one of New Zealand’s driest regions, promoting long-term economic growth and resilience.
Tags: Mark Patterson Tukituki Water Security Project Hawkes Bay Regional Infrastructure Fund water storage irrigation economic development food production water security Tukituki Water Limited PartnershipNew Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Visit Washington for Key Diplomatic Talks
05 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 793 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will visit Washington D.C. this week to engage in face-to-face meetings amid what he describes as New Zealand's most challenging global context in 80 years. During his visit, he will meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others to discuss cooperation in the Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions, as well as significant international issues like the Middle East conflict. These discussions aim to advance New Zealand’s diplomatic, security, and economic interests while fostering mutual understanding of priorities.
Tags: Winston Peters Marco Rubio New Zealand Washington D.C. Foreign Minister Pacific Middle East conflict diplomacy international relationsNew Zealand High Country Land Reforms Boost Farming, Jobs, and Regional Growth
02 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 940 viewsThe New Zealand Government will introduce a Bill to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act, allowing high country farmers more flexibility to diversify activities on Crown pastoral land, including horticulture, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. These changes aim to boost economic productivity, create jobs, and increase returns for taxpayers while maintaining strong environmental protections and pastoral farming as the primary land use. The Bill also reduces administrative burdens, clarifies permitted activities, and provides a pathway for exceptional land use changes, supporting modern, productive farming businesses in the South Island.
Tags: Chris Penk James Meager Crown Pastoral Land Act high country farmers South Island horticulture renewable energy pastoral farming Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill New ZealandNew Rules Boost High Country Farmers: Economic Growth & Land Use Flexibility
02 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 929 viewsThe New Zealand Government will introduce a Bill to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act, allowing high country farmers greater flexibility to diversify activities on Crown pastoral land, including horticulture, hospitality, and renewable energy projects. These changes aim to boost economic productivity, increase returns for taxpayers, support job creation, and strengthen regional economies while maintaining environmental protections and pastoral farming as the primary land use. The Bill also reduces administrative burdens, clarifies permitted activities, and establishes a process for exceptional land use changes, encouraging modern, productive farming businesses in the South Island.
Tags: Chris Penk James Meager Crown Pastoral Land Act South Island high country farmers horticulture renewable energy pastoral farming Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill New ZealandHeather Simpson Appointed Deputy Chair of Antarctica New Zealand Board
02 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 915 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters has appointed Heather Simpson as Deputy Chair of Antarctica New Zealand, recognizing her extensive governance experience and strategic understanding of Antarctica's importance to New Zealand. Ms. Simpson, a board member since 2024, has contributed to supporting research, environmental stewardship, and oversight of the Scott Base Redevelopment Project. Her new role will involve assisting the Chair and Board in navigating a strategically and operationally challenging period, effective from April 1, 2026.
Tags: Winston Peters Heather Simpson Antarctica New Zealand Deputy Chair Scott Base Redevelopment Foreign Minister Board Member Governance Environmental Stewardship New Zealand