19 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1447 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasizes the importance of focusing on literacy and numeracy skills, as highlighted by the latest Curriculum Insights & Progress Study (CIPS) data collected in Term 4 2024. The government's initiatives, including an hour a day dedicated to reading, writing, and maths, have shown improvements in maths achievement and writing against the new curriculum standards. The ongoing education reforms aim to provide strong foundations for students, with structured literacy in primary schools, a new Maths and English curriculum, and targeted interventions to support student learning.
19 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1414 views
Energy Minister Simon Watts welcomes a new rule by the Electricity Authority to boost retail competition among smaller power companies, aiming to lower power prices for struggling Kiwis. The rule will prevent large power companies from cross-subsidizing themselves and offering discounts, creating a level playing field for all competitors. These changes, developed under the Energy Competition Task Force, aim to encourage investment in new generation and improve economic outcomes, with further improvements to be consulted on later this year.
18 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1595 views
The Government is planning significant changes to the building consent system to boost productivity and reduce costs in the construction sector. Measures include shifting from joint and several liability to proportionate liability, enabling voluntary consolidation of Building Consent Authorities, and exploring options like professional indemnity insurance and home warranties. These changes aim to streamline processes, reduce delays, and make building more affordable, with a Bill expected to be introduced to Parliament in early 2026.
15 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1599 views
The New Zealand Government is introducing a new offence to address disruptive demonstrations outside private homes, particularly those targeting public figures like MPs and judges. The legislation aims to protect individuals and their families' peace and privacy while balancing the public's right to demonstrate reasonably. The new law will target demonstrations directed at individuals in their homes with penalties of up to three months in jail or a $2,000 fine.
14 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1415 views
The Government is investing in a new Biodiversity Research Centre in Upper Hutt to replace the earthquake-prone and inadequate Tory Street facility, preserving Te Papa’s natural history collection of over 860,000 specimens. The project, costing $155.4 million, is part of a $6 billion infrastructure initiative and will create construction jobs for over 2,000 people, with completion expected by March 2028. The collection transfer and decommissioning of the current facility are scheduled to be completed by April 2029.
14 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1591 views
The Government is focused on growing the economy by improving competition settings, with updates on the Commerce Act review and Commerce Commission governance. Reforms to the Commerce Act aim to simplify collaboration processes, enhance confidentiality protections, and promote competition. Additionally, initiatives include strengthening banking competition, implementing open banking, regulating retail payments, and introducing a new water services regulatory regime under the Commerce Act to ensure efficiency and transparency.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1531 views
The Government expresses disappointment over the secondary school teachers' union (PPTA) walking out of classrooms after only six days of bargaining, deeming their actions disproportionate despite a fair offer being made. Ministers Collins and Stanford highlight the disruption caused to student learning and families due to the strike, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue for a realistic settlement that supports teachers, students, and the public education system. The current offer includes a 3% increase over three years, reflecting fiscal constraints and past salary increases, with a call for the PPTA to return to the bargaining table for productive negotiations.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1661 views
The Government is strengthening trafficking and people smuggling laws to hold criminals accountable and address the low prosecution rates for trafficking cases. The reforms aim to make it easier to prosecute offenders, particularly in cases involving victims under 18, by removing the need to prove coercion or deception. The changes also focus on preventing the smuggling of migrants using fraudulent travel documents and enhancing protection for undercover Police investigating child exploitation cases.
12 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1516 views
The Government has intervened to prevent potential stop work notices for thousands of New Zealand farmers due to water discharge rules under the RMA, affecting 2,800 Waikato farms. Various regional councils raised concerns, leading to amendments broadening permitted water discharges in the Resource Management Amendment Bill. The changes aim to support farmers, ensure water quality improvement, and avoid hindering economic recovery, with the bill set to pass into law soon.
12 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2205 views
The 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.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1893 views
The Government emphasizes timely, effective, and affordable healthcare for all New Zealanders, viewing health as an investment in societal well-being and economic productivity. Efforts are underway to streamline the medical devices system, address uncertainties, and enhance patient outcomes through strategic decision-making and collaboration between agencies. The goal is to drive innovation, improve access to new technologies, and ensure Pharmac evolves to support broader fiscal and societal objectives, ultimately aiming to deliver better care, increase efficiency, and secure a sustainable future for the healthcare system.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1822 views
Foreign Minister Winston Peters of New Zealand will carefully consider recognizing a state of Palestine in September, taking into account the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and New Zealand's support for a two-state solution. New Zealand's independent foreign policy will guide its decision, weighing factors such as the viability of a Palestinian state and progress towards peace. A formal decision on recognition will be made by Cabinet in September, following a thorough assessment of various perspectives and considerations.
10 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1644 views
The Government is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to assist New Zealand businesses in accessing necessary workers during peak periods, while also prioritizing job opportunities for New Zealanders. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is a three-year visa for experienced seasonal workers in various industries, while the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is a seven-month visa for short-term roles. Visa holders must spend time offshore before returning, and employers must advertise roles and engage with MSD to prioritize New Zealand workers.
08 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2075 views
The Government will amend the Building Code to enhance fire safety protections for New Zealanders, prompted by a nationwide fire safety review following a tragic fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington. Over 100 organizations and individuals contributed feedback during the consultation, highlighting the need for clearer regulations and improved evacuation measures, especially in larger residential buildings. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will incorporate this feedback into proposed Building Code changes separate from the regular update cycle, with a focus on aligning fire safety provisions with modern technologies and ensuring the safety of occupants and firefighters.
08 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2297 views
Eighteen job seekers in Tasman have begun clearing flood-damaged farms and orchards through the Enhanced Task Force Green programme funded by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston. The program received $500,000 in funding to support job seekers in the clean-up efforts following the region's first flood in late June. The job seekers, who received training, are removing debris and trees from properties to aid in the recovery of the regional economy, with the Ministry of Social Development assisting in finding other employment opportunities for interested individuals.