Articles tagged with Development
Showing 15 of 192 articles
New Zealand Government Advances Infrastructure Funding Reforms to Boost Housing Growth
25 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 938 viewsThe New Zealand Government is advancing reforms to improve infrastructure funding and financing to support housing and urban growth, focusing on land supply, infrastructure, and growth incentives through its Going for Housing Growth programme. Key initiatives include introducing the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Amendment Bill, replacing development contributions with a new development levies system, and proposing the Commerce Commission as the regulator for development levies to ensure fairness and transparency. Public consultation on these reforms runs until February 2026, aiming to create a flexible, consistent system that enables faster housing development and better infrastructure delivery.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Scott Simpson Housing Minister Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Infrastructure Funding and Financing Development Levies Commerce Commission New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Launches Te Haeata Certificate to Boost Business Events Workforce
25 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 881 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing in the New Zealand Certificate in Business Events (Level 4) “Te Haeata,” an industry-led qualification designed to build a skilled workforce for the business events sector. This practical, online training program aims to address workforce shortages, support career pathways, and enhance the global competitiveness of New Zealand’s tourism and hospitality industries. Launching in early 2026, Te Haeata will also be introduced in high schools to attract and retain talent, promoting sustainable growth in the sector.
Tags: New Zealand Certificate in Business Events Te Haeata Louise Upston business events sector tourism hospitality workforce development career pathways sustainable growthŌpōtiki Harbour Complete: Boosting Bay of Plenty Aquaculture and Jobs Growth
23 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 900 viewsThe completion of the new Ōpōtiki Harbour, featuring two 350m harbour walls and dredged channels, has created safe access for marine activities and unlocked opportunities for aquaculture and regional economic growth. The project, funded by government and regional councils with significant local collaboration, generated around 200 construction jobs and supports the expanding mussel industry, which employs over 200 full-time staff. This major infrastructure investment aims to boost local incomes and contribute to the government's goal of increasing aquaculture sector sales from $750 million to $3 billion by 2035.
Tags: Shane Jones Ōpōtiki Harbour Bay of Plenty Whakatōhea Mussels Regional Development Minister New Zealand aquaculture Provincial Growth Fund Bay of Plenty Regional Council Ōpōtiki District CouncilNew Zealand Government Announces Targeted Housing Investment Plan to Address Social Housing Needs
20 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 847 viewsThe Government has introduced a new Housing Investment Plan focused on delivering the right type of homes in the right locations for those in high housing need, based on detailed data analysis and community engagement. Key reforms include fixing Kāinga Ora’s financial and operational inefficiencies, leveling the playing field for Community Housing Providers through reduced borrowing costs, and establishing a Flexible Fund to support diverse housing interventions including affordable rentals. This plan emphasizes targeted investment, competitive procurement, and robust monitoring to improve housing outcomes and ensure effective use of resources in addressing New Zealand’s housing crisis.
Tags: Kāinga Ora Emerge Community Housing Providers Housing Investment Plan Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Housing Register South Auckland Māori providers Flexible Fund Housing Register150+ New Social Homes to Be Delivered in Hawke’s Bay by 2026
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 984 viewsHousing Minister Chris Bishop announced that over 150 new social homes will be delivered by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in Hawke’s Bay, targeting one and two-bedroom units to meet the region's greatest demand. The government is investing in a new housing system focused on building the right homes in the right places with appropriate support, backed by funding for more than 2,000 additional homes nationwide over the next two years. These efforts, supported by simplified funding and partnerships with local organizations, aim to address housing shortages efficiently, with some homes already delivered and more expected by mid-2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop Kāinga Ora Emerge Aotearoa Habitat for Humanity Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Ka Uruora Whatever It Takes Trust Hawke’s Bay Matariki Housing Leadership Group Community Housing Providers Ministry of Housing and Urban DevelopmentNew Action Plan Consultation to Support Unpaid and Informal Carers in NZ
17 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 894 viewsThe Ministry for Social Development, in partnership with the Carers Alliance and advisory groups, has launched a consultation on a draft action plan to support unpaid or informal carers in New Zealand. The plan focuses on three key areas: recognition and appreciation, health and wellbeing, and financial security. Feedback from carers is being sought through workshops, surveys, and submissions until 12 February 2026 to help shape the final strategy.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Ministry for Social Development Carers Alliance Associate Social Development Minister MSD unpaid carers informal carers carers strategy social development New ZealandChristchurch City Council Achieves Housing Growth Target, Withdraws Plan Change 14: Minister
10 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 919 viewsThe Christchurch City Council has achieved its Housing Growth Target, allowing it to withdraw part of Plan Change 14, which aimed to update planning rules to facilitate more housing. The Council demonstrated sufficient feasible housing capacity for at least 30 years, exceeding statutory requirements. Ministerial decisions are pending on heritage sites and a special character area, with a focus on removing planning barriers to increase housing supply in the fast-growing city of Christchurch.
Tags: Christchurch City Council Housing Growth Target Plan Change 14 RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop Medium Density Residential Standards National Policy Statement on Urban Development Urbanomics Sense Partners Te Kaha stadiumFast-track Approval for $1.45B Drury Metropolitan Centre Development in Auckland
07 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1473 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the Fast-track approval of the Drury Metropolitan Centre development project in Auckland, projected to inject over $1.45 billion into the economy and create 3,420 full-time jobs. The project includes residential, commercial, and community spaces, with significant government investments in infrastructure like new train stations and road upgrades in the area. The Fast-track process aims to address infrastructure deficits, boost housing supply, create jobs, and improve the efficiency of project approvals through the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Drury Metropolitan Centre Kiwi Property Holdings infrastructure expert panel major metropolitan development project residential commercial.Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill Boosts Grocery Competition for Kiwi Shoppers
03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 917 viewsThe Government has introduced the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill to create a fast-track consent option for new supermarkets, aiming to improve grocery competition and provide better prices and choices for consumers. The Bill streamlines the approval process by allowing new supermarket developments to bypass standard resource consent processes and be referred to a fast-track expert panel for quicker decisions. The amendments aim to enhance the efficiency of the Fast-track Approvals Act, with technical changes to cut project application processing times and reduce processing and consideration times by an estimated six weeks or more.
Tags: Government Nicola Willis Economic Growth Minister Chris Bishop RMA Reform Shane Jones Regional Development Minister supermarket grocery competitionFast-track Approval Granted for Genesis Energy's Tekapo Power Scheme
03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1082 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have approved the first renewable energy project under the Fast-track Approvals Act, with Genesis Energy's Tekapo power scheme receiving quick consent after facing delays under the standard process. The Tekapo project generates clean electricity for over 228,000 households in Canterbury and showcases the Act's ability to expedite vital infrastructure projects. The Ministers are working on legislative changes to further streamline the fast-track process and encourage more applications to boost job creation, regional prosperity, and economic growth in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Genesis Energy Limited Tekapo power scheme renewable energy project infrastructure regional development New Zealand legislative changesNew Zealand and Nordic Countries Strengthen Cooperation for Mutual Benefit
30 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 947 viewsNew Zealand and the Nordic countries are strengthening their cooperation based on shared strategic assessments, values, and development goals, as stated by Foreign Minister Winston Peters. During his visit to the Nordic region, Peters emphasized the commonality in worldviews, values, and the desire for economic cooperation between New Zealand and the Nordic countries. The visit included bilateral meetings with all five Nordic countries, discussions on supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, and exploring opportunities for economic development collaboration, highlighting the potential for mutual benefit.
Tags: New Zealand Nordic countries cooperation strategic assessments values national development aspirations Winston Peters Ukraine Russia economic developmentNordic Countries and New Zealand Align for Global Stability and Cooperation
29 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1074 viewsThe Nordic countries and New Zealand emphasize their shared values, commitment to international law, sustainable development, and partnership. They support the rules-based international order, including international courts, and advocate for an effective and inclusive multilateral system centered around the United Nations. The joint statement also addresses concerns about armed conflicts globally, condemns Russia's actions in Ukraine, calls for peace in Gaza, highlights cooperation within NATO, emphasizes the importance of international trade, science, and innovation collaboration, and expresses commitment to supporting the Pacific region.
Tags: Foreign Ministers Nordic Countries New Zealand International Law Geopolitical Issues Sustainable Development International Order United Nations Russia Ukraine210+ New Social Homes to Address Housing Needs in Waikato
22 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1044 viewsMore than 210 new social homes will be provided in Waikato by Community Housing Providers, supported by Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. The Government's commitment to delivering social housing includes funding for over 2,000 additional homes nationwide, with Waikato benefiting from this initiative. The allocation of social homes in Waikato is based on regional need, with a focus on addressing the demand for one- and two-bedroom properties to better match the needs of individuals and families seeking affordable housing.
Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Waikato social homes Community Housing Providers Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa The Salvation Army Emerge AotearoaNew Non-Financial Sanctions Launch in Traffic Light System for Job Seekers
18 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 945 viewsThe Traffic Light System is expanding with two new non-financial sanctions related to job searches and upskilling, aimed at increasing accountability for beneficiaries. These sanctions require reporting job search activities and attending employment-related training courses. The government is focused on reducing benefit dependency, offering support services and incentives to help individuals transition into employment and meet their obligations. The goal is to have fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030 by proactively preparing individuals for employment opportunities.
Tags: Traffic Light System job searches upskilling Social Development Employment Minister Louise Upston beneficiaries accountability benefit dependencyRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Job Creation and Resilience in New Zealand
16 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 971 viewsThe Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
Tags: Regional Infrastructure Fund resilient communities local employment opportunities Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston infrastructure employment construction New Zealanders projects