05 May 2026
5 months ago
1049 views
Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg has appointed Lisa Tumahai and Professor Nicola Shadbolt to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board for three-year terms, bringing extensive governance, climate, and regulatory expertise. Lisa Tumahai, Deputy Chair of the Climate Change Commission, and Professor Shadbolt, a former Climate Change Commissioner with over 30 years of governance experience, will strengthen the board's capabilities. Additionally, Mary Anne Macleod has been reappointed for one year and will serve as Deputy Chair from July 2026, succeeding outgoing Deputy Chair Paul Connell.
17 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1154 views
A fast-tracked 23MW Waitaha Hydro project in the Waitaha Valley, supported by Westpower Limited and Poutini Ngāi Tahu, aims to generate renewable electricity for 12,000 homes and reduce CO₂ emissions by 129,000 tonnes annually, enhancing the West Coast’s energy resilience and lowering high electricity costs. The project, which took about 20 years to progress and received necessary approvals within five months under the Fast-track Approvals Act, is expected to create 71 full-time jobs during its $160-$200 million construction phase. This initiative also contributes to New Zealand’s broader energy system by managing dry-year hydro risks and supporting local economic development.
16 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1188 views
A resilience project is commencing to repair a damaged retaining wall on State Highway 73 at Candys Bend, a vital route between Christchurch and the West Coast, damaged by 2018 flooding. The repairs, funded by the Crown Resilience Programme with a budget of around $8 million, aim to prevent potential collapse during future flooding or seismic events and ensure long-term safety and connectivity. Work will begin soon and conclude early next year, with efforts to protect the area's native flora and fauna in collaboration with local iwi and the Department of Conservation.
16 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1030 views
A major repair project is commencing on a damaged 1950s retaining wall at Candys Bend on State Highway 73 between Christchurch and the West Coast, crucial for freight, tourism, and local communities. The work, funded by the Crown Resilience Programme with an $8 million budget, aims to prevent potential collapse from future flooding or seismic events by filling voids, improving drainage, and reinforcing the structure. NZTA will collaborate with local iwi and the Department of Conservation to protect the area's native flora and fauna during the repairs, which are expected to start soon and finish early next year.
15 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1397 views
Mental 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.
14 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1460 views
Dunedin Hospital’s new $2.4 million Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) is now fully operational, providing faster assessment and earlier treatment for patients with acute surgical conditions, thereby reducing emergency department wait times. The SAU, staffed by experienced nurses and supported by surgical specialists, operates 24/7 and enables prompt interventions, improving patient flow by admitting directly to surgical wards or discharging with clear plans. Since its trial in December 2025, the unit has treated over 630 patients, demonstrating significant improvements in timely care and receiving positive feedback.
14 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1105 views
Nelson Hospital’s emergency department has undergone a $10.6 million expansion, increasing treatment spaces from 23 to 29 and adding modern clinical areas, including fast-track zones and dedicated mental health rooms, to improve patient care and efficiency. The upgrade has enhanced patient flow, privacy, and overall experience, leading to better performance in meeting the Government’s shorter stays in ED target. Alongside infrastructure improvements, workforce capacity has been strengthened with 28 permanent full-time roles, supporting the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment to provide modern, patient-centered facilities for the community.
24 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1321 views
The Government’s quarterly health results for October to December 2025 show clear year-on-year improvements across all five health targets, with more New Zealanders receiving faster care despite ongoing pressures on hospitals. Key gains include shorter emergency department stays, quicker specialist assessments and elective treatments, faster cancer treatments, and higher childhood immunisation rates. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized continued focus on improving the healthcare system and praised the dedication of health workers who delivered better outcomes amid increased demand and challenges.
20 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1269 views
The Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.
19 Mar 2026
7 months ago
3190 views
The Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) opening on 19 March 2026 to find experienced operators to restore and manage the historic Chateau Tongariro and its associated buildings. The proposals must balance commercial viability with heritage conservation, respect for tangata whenua aspirations, and the cultural significance of Tongariro National Park. The selection panel will evaluate submissions to ensure the restoration supports tourism, local businesses, and aligns with the park's values, with no guarantee of concession awarded.
18 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1185 views
New Zealand and Ireland have signed a joint ministerial statement to advance agricultural climate research, building on a successful $34.5 million Joint Research Initiative launched in 2022. Both countries aim to develop tools that help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions without lowering production, focusing on pasture-based farming. Additionally, they launched the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases to enhance scientific research, collaboration, and resource mobilization worldwide.
17 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1181 views
Health New Zealand is investing an additional $25 million to increase hospital capacity, staffing, and preparedness for higher winter demand, including adding up to 378 full-time staff, 71 extra hospital beds, and 567 short stay beds in aged care facilities. The comprehensive winter plan focuses on prevention, strengthening primary care, improving hospital flow, and supporting timely discharges to manage increased pressure on emergency departments and frontline staff. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes early planning and expanded resources to ensure timely patient care despite rising demand and challenges during the winter months.
04 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1249 views
Tauranga-based Māori health tech company Carepatron is expanding internationally after receiving support from the Government’s Māori Development Fund, which accelerated its AI-powered clinical support tool’s development and boosted export revenue by 50%. This growth aligns with the Government’s goals to double New Zealand exports and strengthen Māori participation in high-value sectors like technology. The investment reflects a broader strategy to enhance Māori enterprise capability, innovation, and global reach, driving economic success that benefits whānau, hapū, iwi, and regional communities.
04 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1333 views
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay and New Zealand reaffirmed their strong bilateral relationship based on shared values such as multilateralism, democracy, human rights, and respect for international law, while emphasizing cooperation on global issues including environmental governance, peace, and gender equality. They committed to advancing an open, rules-based multilateral trading system, highlighted joint efforts in sustainable agriculture and investment, and supported initiatives like the Cairns Group, FIT-P, and Uruguay’s integration into digital and gender-focused trade agreements. Both countries also stressed the importance of people-to-people ties through cultural, educational, and youth exchanges, and pledged to maintain ongoing political dialogue and collaboration in international forums.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1324 views
The Regulatory Standards Act, coming into law by July 1, mandates councils to publish Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) explaining the impact, costs, and benefits of new bylaws, promoting transparency and accountability in local regulation. This legislation aims to curb poor regulation that burdens ratepayers and stifles productivity by requiring councils to justify and regularly review their secondary legislation, ensuring laws are proportionate and evidence-based. The Act supports better governance by helping councils avoid kneejerk regulations, improve decision-making quality, and ultimately deliver greater value to taxpayers and communities.