01 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1353 views
Overseas-based investors with a New Zealand investor residence visa can now buy a house in New Zealand to stimulate economic growth, despite the ban on foreigners purchasing residential housing. The Active Investor Plus residency visa, requiring a minimum investment of $5 million, aims to attract high net worth individuals to deepen their connection to New Zealand and contribute to the economy by allowing them to own a home. This policy change balances the desire to limit foreign ownership while attracting significant investors to invest in the country, potentially bringing in a total minimum investment of $1.8 billion.
01 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1461 views
Watercare plans to invest $500 million in upgrading Auckland's aging water infrastructure over the next 18 months to improve water services and create job opportunities. The Government collaborated with Auckland Council to develop the Watercare Charter, aiming to make water services more affordable for Aucklanders, saving households nearly $900 million over four years. The increased investment in infrastructure will be beneficial for Auckland's economy, with a focus on upgrading treatment plants and renewing pipes and assets to ensure improved service quality and affordability.
31 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1363 views
The Government is exceeding its violent crime reduction target as Police deploy more officers on the beat, with Henderson in West Auckland being the next focus area. Since receiving funding in Budget 2024, 63 beat officers have been deployed across major cities and districts, set to increase to 70 with the launch of Henderson's team. The increased police presence through beat teams and Retail Crime Units is contributing significantly to deterring crime and ensuring community safety, with a decrease in serious violent crime victims reported in the latest data.
29 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1325 views
The Government has allocated up to $2 million to Tasman District Council for flood recovery efforts, including waste cleanup and infrastructure repairs. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds highlights the challenges faced by the region, particularly in areas like Riwaka and along the Motueka River. The emergency waste funding aims to support councils in managing waste after emergencies and help communities like Tasman towards recovery.
28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1382 views
Kiwis are encouraged to provide input on proposed regulatory changes in the telecommunications sector, as their feedback is crucial to the review process, according to Ministers David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith. The review focuses on key regulatory issues such as the Telecommunications Development Levy (TDL), shareholder caps, and service quality regulations. Proposed draft changes include implementing a consumer code, updating infrastructure obligations, eliminating outdated rules, and enhancing investor appeal for telecom companies to boost growth in the sector.
28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1304 views
New legislation introduced by Defence Minister Judith Collins allows the Chief of Defence Force to redeploy uniformed personnel to fill roles of striking civilian staff, ensuring national security during industrial action. The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill expands the Minister's authority to include instances where national security and core defence functions are at risk, such as security at military bases and aircraft maintenance. The bill aims to address challenges faced during previous industrial actions and will be open for public submissions when referred to a select committee in September 2025.
28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1222 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced proposed changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, aiming to restore fairness and practicality without compromising public safety. The reforms focus on fairer licensing processes, modernized rules for national events, and stronger safeguards to prevent alcohol-related harm. The changes also include requirements for licensed premises to offer a wider range of non-alcoholic alternatives and updates to regulations to support rapid delivery services and age verification for alcohol purchases.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1411 views
The speaker expresses skepticism towards the theme of the conference, "Regulation 2025 to 2050: Disruption, Change, and Continuity," highlighting the negative impact of regulatory growth on resources, project viability, and culture. They discuss the need for regulatory reform in New Zealand, emphasizing the importance of addressing housing affordability and productivity challenges. The speaker advocates for greater public scrutiny of regulatory initiatives to ensure cost-effective benefits and urges a shift towards more efficient and transparent regulatory practices.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1625 views
The Government plans urgent legislative and policy changes to remove barriers for competitor supermarkets in New Zealand, aiming to boost competition and offer better deals for consumers. These changes include fast-track approvals for new supermarkets, streamlining building consent processes, and amending regulations to combat predatory pricing. The initiative aims to encourage new domestic competitors and potential international retailers like Costco to expand in New Zealand, with further considerations on potentially restructuring major supermarket players Foodstuffs and Woolworths to enhance market competition.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1549 views
The Regional Infrastructure Fund is providing $24.62 million to boost horticulture expansion in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti through water storage, flood resilience, and Māori land projects, aiming to enhance regional economies, employment, and export growth while improving resilience to economic shocks and extreme weather events. Specific projects include establishing high-value horticulture on Māori land in Tairāwhiti, expanding water storage capacity in Hawke’s Bay, replenishing the Makauri aquifer in Tairāwhiti, and developing water storage infrastructure for pipfruit orchards. These investments aim to strengthen regional resilience and productivity, with a focus on supporting the regions' economic growth and success.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1434 views
Major works are underway in Mangahauini Gorge on State Highway 35 (SH35) north of Gisborne to address the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlights the efforts to keep one lane open during the recovery process and the long-term solutions being implemented to protect the highway. The project includes innovative measures such as constructing a 'roughened channel' in the Mangahauini River to prevent erosion and ensure the highway's stability, with completion expected by mid-2026 at a cost of around $50 million.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1376 views
The Government's Local Water Done Well legislation aims to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services to local communities across the country. The legislation focuses on ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and accountability in water service delivery, with the Commerce Commission overseeing economic regulation to ensure fair pricing and quality infrastructure. Councils are encouraged to submit water services delivery plans that meet the requirements and provide flexibility to make arrangements best-suited for their communities, ultimately benefiting Kiwis with improved water services.
26 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1673 views
Revenue Minister Simon Watts has introduced a new tax bill in New Zealand to boost the economy, attract skilled individuals, and encourage investment. The bill aims to make the tax system fairer for migrants, digital nomads, and businesses by addressing issues like overseas income taxation and employee share schemes. These changes are designed to simplify the tax system, reduce compliance costs, and create a more conducive environment for economic growth and job creation in New Zealand.
26 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1528 views
The Government is implementing new regulations to ban prolonged tethering of dogs, citing concerns about the negative impact on dog health and behavior. The rules target owners who do not provide sufficient exercise for their dogs, with exceptions for certain situations like working dogs. The changes, effective from 25 September 2025, aim to improve animal welfare and have received strong public support.
26 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1567 views
The latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission reveals that the value of infrastructure initiatives in the National Infrastructure Pipeline has increased to $237.1 billion, with a $30.2 billion growth from the previous quarter, as stated by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. The Pipeline, managed by the Commission, encompasses over 9,200 projects, aiding in planning for future infrastructure projects across various sectors and contributing to about 4% of the country's GDP. Efforts are being made to enhance transparency and data quality within the Pipeline, with ongoing collaboration from 121 organizations, and the final National Infrastructure Plan is expected to be released in December.