29 Oct 2026
1 hour ago
36 views
Customs Minister Casey Costello is travelling to Tonga this evening to represent New Zealand at the official opening of the country’s second detector dog facility. “The new facility in Vava’u will help strengthen Tonga’s border and build local capability to combat organised crime and the drug trade,” Ms Costello says. “Transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) is a growing challenge across the Pacific with criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade and travel to move illicit drugs, firearms and cash across borders.
10 Sep 2026
1 month ago
445 views
New Zealand’s Government reports record renewable electricity generation and a 66% drop in wholesale prices for the June quarter, attributing success to policies like LNG import facility procurement and fast-tracking renewable projects. Despite strong renewable output, the electricity system remains vulnerable to dry years due to reliance on hydro storage and backup thermal generation, highlighting risks from past bans on oil and gas exploration. The Government emphasizes ongoing investment in renewables supported by LNG imports to ensure energy security and affordability in challenging conditions.
20 Aug 2026
2 months ago
707 views
A new 16-bed acute mental health and addiction facility has opened at Rotorua Hospital, replacing the outdated 45-year-old unit and providing faster access to support for people in the Lakes district. The facility features individual bedrooms, therapy spaces, family areas, and quieter zones tailored to different needs, enhancing care for patients and working conditions for staff. This $50 million investment is part of a broader Mental Health Infrastructure Programme aimed at improving facilities nationwide and expanding support services to prevent the need for inpatient care.
09 Jun 2026
4 months ago
791 views
New Zealand’s Government is advancing plans for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to enhance energy security, reduce power bills by up to $800 million annually, and provide reliable backup during dry years when renewable sources underperform. This facility, expected to be operational by 2028, will not be funded by levies on power bills but through a fair model involving industry stakeholders, ensuring stable and affordable energy for households and businesses. The initiative addresses risks highlighted by recent energy shortages and price spikes, aiming to protect jobs, support economic growth, and secure the nation’s energy supply amid declining indigenous gas production.
25 May 2026
5 months ago
1172 views
The New Zealand Government is launching the Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme, offering up to $1.2 billion in bank loans with an 80% Crown guarantee to help businesses reduce gas dependency, protect jobs, and conserve dwindling gas supplies. Budget 2026 allocates $48 million to cover potential losses and $5.9 million to support businesses exploring alternative energy options, aiming to reduce gas use by up to 10 PJ annually while maintaining or increasing production. Additionally, new legislation will require improved transparency in gas supply and demand data to strengthen market confidence and inform better policymaking amid declining gas reserves and rising prices.
14 May 2026
5 months ago
1065 views
New Zealand's natural gas reserves have declined sharply due to overestimated reserves and the closure of major fields, causing rising energy prices, job losses, and economic setbacks. The Government blames the previous Labour administration's offshore oil and gas exploration ban for the energy crisis and is now reversing this policy while investing in gas security, LNG imports, and carbon capture technologies to stabilize supply and reduce costs. Their goal is to ensure affordable, reliable energy for households and businesses, protect jobs, and support the economy amid declining domestic gas production.
09 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1313 views
The New Zealand Government will build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to enhance energy security, stabilize electricity prices, and support economic growth amid declining domestic gas supply and increasing reliance on coal and diesel. This facility, expected to be operational by 2027 or 2028 in Taranaki, will provide a reliable backup fuel source, potentially saving households $50 annually and protecting around 2,000 jobs by reducing price spikes and supply risks. The project aims to foster competition, enable resource development, and support gas-dependent industries while minimizing exposure to international gas prices through strategic import management.
25 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1166 views
Defence Minister Judith Collins inaugurated a $58 million Army maintenance support facility at Burnham Military Camp, enhancing equipment repair capacity and safety, delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. Construction also began on an $82.7 million multi-functional regional supply facility at Burnham, which will serve as a modern logistics hub and provide around 600 jobs during its development. Both facilities are part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Consolidated Logistics Project, aimed at upgrading logistics infrastructure across Burnham and Linton Military Camps to support operational readiness and personnel.
07 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1275 views
The Taranaki Cancer Centre, recently opened, provides world-class cancer care close to home for patients in the region, featuring a Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy. This technology allows for precise treatment targeting, improving outcomes and patient comfort. The facility also offers increased access to chemotherapy, enhancing medication availability and treatment scheduling, in addition to various amenities to support patients and families throughout their care journey.
31 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1309 views
The Government is increasing and extending the Crown Liquidity Facility (CLF) for the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited (LGFA) to support local government borrowing. The CLF helps LGFA secure competitively priced financing for local authorities during exceptional circumstances. The facility, established in 2011 and never used, is being raised to $3 billion and extended to June 2037 to assist in financing critical infrastructure and public services.
05 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2502 views
A $12. 7 million investment in a new modular CT unit at Palmerston North Regional Hospital will double scanning capacity and significantly improve access to diagnostic services across the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This is a major step forward for Palmerston North and the surrounding communities.
03 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2675 views
The Government is investing more than $56 million into water resilience projects in rural Canterbury to help protect against changing weather patterns and increase productivity through higher value land use, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say. “Ease of access to water is a top priority for Canterbury’s rural communities,” Mr Jones says. “Canterbury has so far avoided the extreme drought experienced in previous years, thanks in part to high rainfall over December and January.