Articles tagged with Epa
Showing 15 of 126 articles
Minister of Internal Affairs Celebrates Decrease in Citizenship Application Wait Times
14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1234 viewsMinister 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.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Citizenship by Grant application Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand citizen citizenship delays citizenship processing economy communities backlogTauranga Hospital Enhances Critical Care Services with New ICU and HDU Expansion
13 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1731 viewsHealth 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown Tauranga Hospital Intensive Care Unit High Dependency Unit Critical Care Services Bay of Plenty Coronary Care Unit Cardiology Services Emergency Department Health InfrastructureMinister Brooke van Velden Welcomes Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill for Improved Department of Internal Affairs Efficiency
12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1430 viewsMinister 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.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill Department of Internal Affairs RealMe identity verification service Lotto product Classification Office fertility clinics objectionable content international law enforcement agenciesTransforming New Zealand with Modern Digital Identity: Minister's Vision at Hui Taumata 2025
11 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1974 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Minister for Digitising Government Andy Higgs Maria Robertson Honourable Scott Simpson New Zealand Transport Agency Department of Internal Affairs Immigration New Zealand NZ Verify Dave Clark NZ MATTRNew Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre Enhances Urgent Care Access
04 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1742 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop inaugurated the new Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre on Connolly Street, emphasizing its importance for urgent healthcare in the area. The facility aims to alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments by offering faster access to essential treatments like diagnostics and urgent medicines. The center, set to begin daytime urgent care services in December 2025, will provide expanded care with consulting rooms, triage rooms, radiology services, and pharmacy access, enhancing healthcare accessibility for the Hutt community.
Tags: Simeon Brown Chris Bishop Health Minister Lower Hutt urgent care medical centre healthcare New Zealand emergency department radiology servicesNew Zealand to Boost Economy and Jobs by Expanding Access to Conservation Areas
02 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1755 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced plans to stimulate economic growth on a third of New Zealand's land, aiming to create jobs and boost wages nationwide. They highlighted issues with the current concessions regime for businesses operating on conservation land, proposing to reform the Conservation Act to streamline processes and introduce charges for foreign visitors at popular sites. The revenue generated from these charges, estimated at up to $62 million annually, will be reinvested in maintaining and enhancing conservation areas, while ensuring free access for New Zealanders.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Tama Potaka New Zealand Conservation Act Department of Conservation National Party Conference tourism agriculture infrastructure concessionsUnderstanding Council Spending: Impact on Rates & Communities | Local Government Minister Simon Watts
30 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2692 viewsLocal Government Minister Simon Watts emphasizes the importance of councils' spending transparency and its impact on ratepayers. The government aims to empower ratepayers by providing clear data on council performance and spending, allowing for better engagement and accountability. Additionally, there is a focus on councils delivering essential services efficiently and supporting communities through a potential rates capping system to ensure responsible spending.
Tags: Key metrics councils spending rates Local Government Minister Simon Watts ratepayers infrastructure fiscal management local governmentBoosting Sustainable Tourism with $17.5M Investment in Natural Attractions
30 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1776 viewsThe $17.5 million investment in sustainable tourism aims to boost regional economies by supporting jobs and incomes at popular natural attractions in New Zealand. The funding will improve visitor planning and management at key sites like Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Milford Sound, ensuring the conservation areas continue to attract tourists with stunning nature. Additionally, investments in Great Walks and DOC campsites will enhance service and management, contributing to the country's economic growth driven by tourism expenditure of $44.4 billion and over 300,000 jobs.
Tags: Tama Potaka sustainable tourism Conservation Minister Aotearoa New Zealand tourism conservation areas Department of Conservation Great Walks tourism concessions economic growthGovernment Funding Boost to Combat Invasive Weeds in NZ Tourist Landscapes
30 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1637 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the importance of eradicating invasive weeds to benefit tourism and rural businesses in New Zealand. The government is investing in early detection technology and allocating funds from the International Visitor Levy to protect iconic landscapes like Abel Tasman, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Tongariro. Additional funding is directed towards combating wilding pines and other significant weeds, aiming to safeguard the environment, economy, and biodiversity of the country.
Tags: Tourism rural businesses Government action invasive weeds early detection technology Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation International Visitor Levy wilding pines Biosecurity Minister Andrew HoggardJudicial Conduct Panel Appointed to Investigate Judge Ema Aitken's Alleged Conduct
28 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2809 viewsActing Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith has appointed a Judicial Conduct Panel to investigate acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken's alleged conduct at the Northern Club on November 22, 2024, based on a recommendation from the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. The Panel members include the Honourable Brendan Brown KC, Honourable Justice Jillian Mallon, and Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, with Tim Stephens KC serving as special counsel. The Panel will provide a report to the Acting Attorney-General, who will then determine if Judge Aitken's removal is warranted, with no further comments to be made until the report is received.
Tags: Ema Aitken Paul Goldsmith Brendan Brown Jillian Mallon Jerry Mateparae Tim Stephens Judicial Conduct Panel Acting District Court Judge Chief JusticeHamilton & Waikato Councils Unveil Groundbreaking Multi-Council Water Services Plan
25 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2819 viewsHamilton City and Waikato District Councils have collaborated on the first multi council water services delivery plan, aiming to benefit ratepayers by providing safe, reliable, and affordable drinking and wastewater services while keeping rate increases down. This joint effort, known as Local Water Done Well, ensures ongoing financial sustainability for 280,000 residents served by the combined organization, supporting infrastructure investment for growth and improved service quality over the next decade. Local Government Minister Simon Watts commends the councils for their proactive approach and encourages other councils to consider similar collaborative models to enhance community services.
Tags: Hamilton City Waikato District Councils water services Local Government Minister Simon Watts collaboration infrastructure ratepayers investment councilsEmpowering Frontline Workers: Enhanced Training for Family and Sexual Violence Response
24 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1881 viewsFrontline services are implementing enhanced training to support staff in responding to family and sexual violence, aiming to train 10,000 workers within the next two years. Minister Karen Chhour emphasizes the importance of this training in providing best practice support for victim-survivors and enabling staff to effectively address such violence. Progress against the Te Aorerekura Action Plan includes training for Ministry of Justice, Department of Corrections, and Police recruits, with a focus on collaboration and commitment to improve support for victim-survivors.
Tags: training staff support family violence sexual violence frontline services Minister Karen Chhour government departments Te Aorerekura Action PlanNew Zealand's Fast-track Approvals System Boosts Economic Growth with Streamlined Project Processes
22 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2868 viewsThe Fast-track Approvals system, established six months ago, aims to streamline project approvals in New Zealand for economic growth. The system allows for expedited processing of project applications through expert panels, with over 50 projects applying so far. Additional projects can be referred into the process, with decisions expected on key projects by the end of the year.
Tags: New Zealand RMA Reform Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Expert Panels Panel Convenor Project referrals Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Artificial Intelligence Data Centre.NZ-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Boosts Export Opportunities in $500B Market
22 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1968 viewsThe NZ-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) legislation has passed, giving Kiwi exporters access to a $500 billion market that imports 90% of its food, with tariffs on 98.5% of exports immediately removed, rising to 99% in three years. Agriculture, Trade, and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlights the benefits of the agreement in lowering costs, increasing access, and enhancing New Zealand's presence in the Middle East, aiming to capitalize on UAE consumers' demand for safe, fresh products. The CEPA aims to boost two-way trade between New Zealand and the UAE, worth $1.35 billion last year, by reducing red tape, promoting services trade, and supporting investment links, aligning with the government's goal of doubling export value in a decade.
Tags: New Zealand UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA Todd McClay Agriculture Trade Investment Minister exporters tariffsNew Cardiac Cath Lab Enhances Care at Tauranga Hospital
19 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2020 viewsA new state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation lab at Tauranga Hospital enhances diagnostic and treatment services in the region, replacing the old suite that had been in use since 2017. The upgraded facility offers advanced technology for cardiac care, reducing the need for patients to travel to other hospitals for complex procedures. With plans to increase operational sessions, the lab aims to provide a wider range of interventional services locally, improving access to quality healthcare and outcomes for patients in the Bay of Plenty and surrounding areas.
Tags: Tauranga Hospital Health Minister Simeon Brown cardiac catheterisation lab diagnostic services treatment services angiography stenting pacemaker insertion electrophysiology endovascular aneurysm repair