Articles tagged with Government

Showing 15 of 508 articles

Government Targets Meth Epidemic with Seized Funds: A Nationwide Campaign Against Drug Use and Gang Profits

09 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 996 views

The Government is using seized criminal money to fund a nationwide anti-methamphetamine campaign, aiming to reduce violent crime and support victims. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee emphasizes the destructive impact of meth on families and communities, highlighting the importance of providing help for recovery. The campaign, led by Health New Zealand, is part of a broader effort to combat organized crime, with a focus on cutting off illegal profits and making communities safer.

Tags: Government criminals campaign methamphetamine gangs Nicole McKee Proceeds of Crime Fund Health New Zealand organised crime

Government's Comprehensive Action Plan to Combat Methamphetamine Harm in New Zealand

09 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 925 views

The New Zealand Government, led by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, has approved a comprehensive action plan to combat the increasing harm caused by methamphetamine in society, with a focus on reducing crime victimization. Key initiatives include a nationwide media campaign, increased funding for community services, and enhanced enforcement measures to disrupt organized crime networks. Additional funding will support offshore liaison positions, money laundering teams, and community-led responses to combat the harms of meth and organized crime.

Tags: Government action plan methamphetamine harm New Zealand Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Minister Mitchell Minister Doocey Minister Costello Minister McKee Minister Chhour

Government Announces Further Funding for Storm-Damaged Farmers

07 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1085 views

The Government has allocated additional funding to aid farmers and growers in Southland, Clutha, and Hurunui districts in recovering from storm damage. Severe weather caused extensive destruction to powerlines, farm buildings, infrastructure, and affected dairy farms with prolonged power outages. The Rural Support Trusts in North Canterbury, Otago, and Southland are receiving up to $70,000 to assist in coordinating recovery efforts and supporting those in need, in addition to the $250,000 previously allocated for storm-affected communities.

Tags: Government funding farmers growers storm damage Agriculture Minister Todd McClay Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson power outages recovery efforts Rural Support Trusts

Government-Funded Gumboot Friday Delivers Over 40,000 Mental Health Sessions for Young New Zealanders

06 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 942 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey celebrates Gumboot Friday, an initiative providing free mental health support to young New Zealanders. Since receiving Government funding, over 40,700 counseling sessions have been delivered to support more than 14,350 youth. The partnership between the Government and I Am Hope aims to improve access to mental health support, with $24 million committed over four years to scale up services for young people.

Tags: Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey Gumboot Friday Government funding New Zealanders I Am Hope counselling sessions young people support

New Zealand Enhances Screen Production Rebate to Boost Global Competitiveness

06 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1084 views

The Government of New Zealand is updating the International Screen Production Rebate to enhance the country's competitiveness in the global film and television industry, responding to industry feedback and increasing incentives to attract screen investment. Changes include lowering the minimum qualifying spend for feature films, reducing thresholds for incentives, expanding eligibility for post-production projects, and removing caps on certain costs. These updates aim to diversify the screen economy, strengthen partnerships in growing markets, and support the local industry while attracting new investment and technology.

Tags: Government International Screen Production Rebate New Zealand Nicola Willis film television streaming productions economic growth incentives global competition

Government Commits $75M to Enhance New Zealand's Infectious Disease Resilience

05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 917 views

The Government is investing $75 million to enhance New Zealand's resilience to infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness through the Infectious Diseases Research Platform hosted by PHF Science. This initiative aims to deepen pandemic preparedness, reduce exposure to future pandemics, and build an agile research and response system. The investment reflects the Government's commitment to long-term, impactful research in collaboration with key health sector stakeholders.

Tags: Government New Zealand infectious diseases pandemic preparedness Minister of Science Innovation and Technology Dr Shane Reti research Public Health and Forensic Science PHF Science

New Zealand Labour Market Update: Government's Economic Rebuilding Efforts Highlighted

05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 981 views

Labour market statistics released today show a slight increase in unemployment to 5.3% in the September quarter, aligning with forecasts. The Finance Minister emphasizes the government's commitment to rebuilding the economy and creating more job opportunities for New Zealanders. Efforts include reducing taxes, boosting investments, and supporting businesses to drive economic recovery and job growth.

Tags: Labour market statistics Government Economy Job opportunities Kiwis Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Unemployment New Zealanders

Government Invests $80M+ in Transformative Research for NZ Economy, Health, Environment

05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 936 views

The Government will invest over $80 million in transformative research projects for New Zealand's economy, health, and environment, led by Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. The funding includes 107 Marsden Fund projects over three years to support established and emerging scientists in innovative research for lasting benefits. The diverse portfolio of funded projects ranges from cancer treatment advancements to geothermal energy utilization, reflecting the commitment to fostering breakthrough discoveries and driving transformative knowledge for New Zealand's future.

Tags: Government research projects New Zealand economy health environment Science Innovation Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti

Government Boosts Support for High Needs Youth & Families with New Services

04 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 992 views

Increased funding under the government has enabled Oranga Tamariki to provide more services to high support needs young people and their families, with an additional 59 placements across 11 community care providers. These services encompass everyday support, access to education, community inclusion, extracurricular activities, and family contact, benefiting the youth immensely. The funding of $99.784 million over four years has allowed for trauma-informed care, specialist disability support, and tools like visual timetables to help these individuals manage and avoid triggers, demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing the needs of these young people and their families.

Tags: services funding government young people families Minister for Children Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki support needs disability community care providers

Innovative AgriZeroNZ Investment: Wearable Device to Cut Agricultural Emissions and Boost Farm Productivity

03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1022 views

The Government and industry have invested $1.2 million through AgriZeroNZ to develop a wearable device for cows that can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching on farms. This investment is part of AgriZeroNZ's efforts to accelerate the development of emissions reduction tools for farmers, aligning with the Government's goal of doubling export value in 10 years. The project by Canterbury start-up Āmua is just one of several innovative ventures supported by AgriZeroNZ, aiming to drive productivity, high-value jobs, and a future-ready economy through science, technology, and innovation.

Tags: Nicola Willis Shane Reti AgriZeroNZ Āmua Government Innovation Technology Science Agribusiness Canterbury

Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill Boosts Grocery Competition for Kiwi Shoppers

03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 917 views

The 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 competition

Government Initiatives to Improve Teacher Education Quality and Governance

02 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 983 views

The Government is addressing issues in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to improve teacher quality and restore trust. Recent reports have highlighted deficiencies in teacher training, with many new teachers lacking confidence in subject content and teaching approaches. Legislative changes will transfer professional standard setting functions from the Teaching Council to the Ministry of Education to ensure stronger oversight and clearer policy direction in ITE.

Tags: Government Initial Teacher Education Education Minister Erica Stanford OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey Education Review Office Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry of Education Teaching Council Education and Training Amendment Bill.

New Zealand Government Boosts Crown Liquidity Facility for Local Government Financing

30 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1090 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.

Tags: Government Crown Liquidity Facility New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited Finance Minister Nicola Willis financing infrastructure public services Global Financial Crisis councils

Government Approves Auckland Council's Streamlined Planning Process for Housing Plan Change 120, Empowering Locals for Future Growth

29 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1144 views

The Government has confirmed the Streamlined Planning Process for Auckland Council's new housing plan, Plan Change 120 (PC120), as requested by the Council. This process allows for the withdrawal of the controversial Plan Change 78 (PC78) and aims to deliver the same housing capacity while enabling greater building heights and density around key stations. The 20-month PC120 process includes public submissions, hearings overseen by a panel, and a focus on ensuring local voices are central to decisions on Auckland's growth.

Tags: Government Streamlined Planning Process Auckland Council Plan Change 120 RMA Reform Chris Bishop Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link New Zealand Gazette National Policy Statement

New Pet-Friendly Rental Laws Enhacted for Tenants and Landlords

29 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1139 views

Starting from December 1, 2025, changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will provide tenants with pets more rental property options, as announced by Housing Minister Chris Bishop, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. The new policy introduces a pet bond system allowing landlords and tenants to lodge, top-up, or refund pet bonds, aiming to facilitate pet-friendly rentals and benefit both tenants and landlords. The reforms emphasize the importance of fairness, trust, and supporting a well-functioning rental property market, with a focus on practical solutions that cater to the needs of renters and property owners alike.

Tags: Government Residential Tenancies Act Housing Minister Chris Bishop Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka tenants landlords pet bonds system rental market