10 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1378 views
Minister Brooke van Velden announces an 18-day reduction in passport processing wait times under the current government, with standard applications now taking 7 days instead of 25. The Department of Internal Affairs has achieved this efficiency through digital processes, staff training, and identity verification automation. Van Velden emphasizes the government's commitment to improving services for New Zealanders and ensuring timely passport delivery as application volumes are expected to rise.
10 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1193 views
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey celebrates the inclusion of peer support workers in North Shore Hospital's Emergency Department, marking the completion of the service's implementation in all major Auckland hospitals. The initiative aims to provide timely and tailored support for individuals in mental distress, enhancing their experience in busy emergency settings. The positive impact of peer support specialists is recognized nationwide, leading to plans for expanding the service across the country to improve mental health outcomes and crisis responses.
08 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1235 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey visited Dunedin Hospital to celebrate the addition of peer support workers in the Emergency Department, emphasizing the benefits of having individuals with lived experience to support those in mental health crisis. The service, already implemented in five other major hospitals, aims to provide individuals with a sense of connection, support, and improved access to ongoing care. The expansion of peer support services across New Zealand is part of the government's commitment to strengthening the mental health workforce and improving crisis response for individuals seeking help.
30 Sep 2025
1 year ago
2124 views
A $6 million investment in the Raukūmara Pae Maunga restoration project aims to strengthen local employment and iwi-led conservation efforts against destructive pests, supported by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The project, a collaboration between Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, and the Department of Conservation, focuses on large-scale pest control, forest regeneration, community engagement, and species protection in the Raukūmara Range. Through innovative approaches like DNA surveying and aerial hunting, the project is enhancing conservation efforts and developing a new generation of indigenous conservation leaders, with funding secured until 2028 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
21 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1237 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced a $20 million boost for emergency departments nationwide to increase frontline staffing over the next nine months, aiming to reduce wait times and improve patient care. The investment will allow hospitals to recruit more doctors, nurses, and support staff, with a focus on hospitals facing the greatest challenges. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen healthcare services, improve workforce capacity, and enhance patient access to timely and quality care.
21 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1419 views
Minister Brooke van Velden highlights significant improvements in citizenship application processing, with wait times reduced from 180 to 69 days, the shortest in five years. The Department of Internal Affairs prioritized clearing the backlog, resulting in a 70% decrease in the number of people waiting for a decision. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of those applying for citizenship, acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by new Kiwis.
20 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1291 views
Enabling works for the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment are underway, with preparations being made for major construction, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. The project, part of a $1 billion investment in hospital infrastructure, aims to provide modern facilities to meet the needs of a growing population. The redevelopment will include increasing points of care by 44, adding a new inpatient building with 128 beds, and expanding the Emergency Department to support urgent care services.
10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1376 views
A public reserve named Watts Peninsula, also known as Mātai Moana, will be established on the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, with significant historical and cultural value. The reserve, promised by the government in 2011, will encompass 72 hectares of land transferred from Land Information New Zealand to the Department of Conservation. Managed by a charitable trust appointed by Wellington City Council, Taranaki Whānui, and DOC, the reserve aims to preserve ecological, historical, and cultural significance, funded by the council and Taranaki Whānui.
09 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1513 views
The Government's new 24/7 digital health service, launched in July, has provided over 21,000 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand. It is most commonly used when timely GP appointments are unavailable and has successfully treated 83.5% of patients without requiring an in-person GP follow-up. The service has made healthcare more accessible, especially for working-age adults and parents, reaching people in all communities and making a significant impact on daily lives by providing timely and quality care.
21 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1471 views
The Government is progressing towards significantly increasing marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana to restore biodiversity and benefit future generations. This move aims to preserve unique wildlife habitats, support local economies, and address ecological decline in the Gulf. The Department of Conservation will lead the implementation of the new rules, focusing on education, compliance, and monitoring to protect critical habitats and balance community, environmental, and economic needs.
19 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1419 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.
14 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1393 views
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden notes a significant decrease in the number of people awaiting citizenship decisions, with the current backlog reduced to just over 13,700 from a high of 37,690 in April 2022. Efforts to streamline processes and reduce wait times have led to improved efficiency and quicker processing times, with the oldest applications now being picked up within two months compared to an 11-month delay in the past. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of celebrating the milestone of becoming a New Zealand citizen and acknowledges the contributions of individuals waiting for citizenship to the economy and communities.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1902 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown opened Tauranga Hospital's new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), completing a $21 million upgrade of critical care services for the Bay of Plenty. The upgrade increases ICU and HDU capacity from 10 to 16 beds on a dedicated floor, while the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) now has its own floor with potential to expand to 20 beds. The upgraded facilities aim to improve patient flow, reduce surgery delays, enhance coordination of cardiology services, and provide additional protection with negative pressure rooms.
12 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1649 views
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden supports the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the Department of Internal Affairs by streamlining relevant legislation. The Bill, which has passed its first reading and will now undergo public submissions, proposes changes such as age restrictions on Lotto sales, empowering the Department to combat objectionable online content, and improving the Classification Office's operations. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of these amendments in advancing the Department's capabilities and safeguarding against harmful online materials.
12 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2196 views
The Minister for Digitising Government addresses the Digital Identity New Zealand Hui Taumata 2025, highlighting the importance of digital identity in transforming how New Zealanders access services. The government has made significant progress in developing a modern digital identity system, including the launch of NZ Verify and the Government App. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is encouraged to ensure the successful implementation and use of digital identity services for all New Zealanders.