Articles tagged with Growth

Showing 15 of 104 articles

Restoring 110 Hectares of Native Forest on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula

30 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1108 views

A restoration project on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula Historic Reserve aims to reestablish 110 hectares of native forest through planting 132,000 native trees and pest control, supported by $1.54 million in government funding. Led by Te Komanga Marae Trust and guided by ecologist Dr. Adam Forbes, the initiative revives a culturally and ecologically significant site cleared by early settlers, using locally-sourced seeds. The project, launched in 2019 and funded under the Provincial Growth Fund’s One Billion Trees programme, is progressing well and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Tags: Shane Jones Roger Kingi Adam Forbes Te Komanga Marae Trust Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa Te Uru Rākau Department of Conservation Provincial Growth Fund One Billion Trees Northland

Nelson Marina Expansion Secures $12.89M Loan to Boost Economy and Jobs

28 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1055 views

Nelson Marina has received a $12.89 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to expand its facilities, including installing a 110-tonne vessel hoist and increasing hardstand capacity from 14 to 54 bays. The project, co-funded by Nelson Marina Management Ltd with a matching $12.89 million, aims to create up to 110 construction jobs and 180 ongoing roles, boosting the region's $350 million blue economy. Construction is set to begin in May and is expected to be completed by mid-2028, supporting the government's goal of regional economic growth through improved infrastructure.

Tags: Nelson marina expansion Shane Jones Regional Development Minister Nelson Marina Management Ltd Regional Infrastructure Fund marine services economic growth blue economy marine engineering

Nelson Marina Expansion Secures $12.89M Loan to Boost Economy and Jobs

28 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1052 views

Nelson’s marina expansion has received a $12.89 million loan to upgrade infrastructure, including a 110-tonne vessel hoist and expanded maintenance capacity, aiming to boost the regional economy and create up to 180 ongoing jobs. The project, co-funded by Nelson Marina Management Ltd and owned by Nelson City Council, will also feature a new marine service centre with office, retail, and workshop spaces. Construction is set to begin in May and finish by mid-2028, supporting Nelson’s significant blue economy, which contributes over $350 million annually and employs more than 3,700 people.

Tags: Nelson marina expansion Shane Jones Regional Development Minister Nelson Marina Management Ltd Regional Infrastructure Fund marine services economic growth blue economy marine engineering

Strong Q3 Economic Growth Boosts Confidence Ahead of Christmas, Says Finance Minister

17 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1297 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the strong 1.1% economic growth in the third quarter, driven by 14 of 16 sectors, signaling a positive turnaround after challenging years. Key job-rich sectors like manufacturing, construction, and business services showed significant growth, alongside increases in exports and investment, indicating promising future job prospects and higher incomes. With GDP per capita rising 0.9% and forecasts predicting accelerated growth and lower unemployment next year, the government’s strategy to strengthen the economy appears effective.

Tags: economy growth Nicola Willis Finance Minister Stats NZ Treasury Reserve Bank manufacturing sector construction business services GDP per capita

New Overseas Investment Law Speeds Approvals and Boosts NZ Economic Growth

12 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1244 views

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the Overseas Investment Amendment Act, which accelerates overseas investment decisions to 15 working days for most sectors, aiming to boost New Zealand business growth, productivity, and wages. The law simplifies the screening process with a modified national interest test, maintains stricter rules for sensitive assets like farmland and residential land, and allows overseas investors with a New Zealand investor resident visa to purchase high-value homes to encourage investment. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlights that attracting international investors brings capital, skills, and connections vital for economic development and growth.

Tags: David Seymour Erica Stanford Overseas Investment Act New Zealand LINZ Active Investor Plus immigration foreign investment economic growth productivity

Kaikōura Waterfront Redevelopment Boosts Tourism and Local Economy

11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1308 views

The completion of Kaikōura’s waterfront redevelopment, including the Wakatu Quay precinct, marks a significant milestone in revitalizing the region’s economy and tourism after the 2016 earthquake. The project features a new marine-inspired building for tourism, hospitality, and cultural events, supported by over $10 million in funding and a partnership between government, local council, iwi, and stakeholders. Constructed within a year by mostly local workers, the redevelopment enhances Kaikōura’s appeal as a destination and is expected to stimulate further private sector growth.

Tags: Kaikōura Shane Jones Wakatu Quay Kaikoura earthquake Regional Development Minister Provincial Growth Fund Kaikoura District Council tourism waterfront redevelopment South Island

Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill Passed to Boost Economy and Grocery Competition

10 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 880 views

The Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill has been passed to streamline and expedite the approval process for important projects, particularly benefiting supermarket competition and regional development. The amendments aim to reduce consent processing times by over six weeks, making it easier for new supermarkets to open and boosting economic growth. Ministers emphasize that these changes will promote affordability, regional prosperity, and faster project delivery by addressing previous inefficiencies and red tape.

Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Shane Jones economic growth supermarket competition resource consent grocery affordability regional development government policy statement

New Zealand's New Planning System to Boost Housing Growth and Homeowner Freedom

08 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1140 views

The New Zealand Government is overhauling its planning system to address the housing crisis by simplifying rules, increasing land supply, and enabling more competitive urban land markets, thereby making it easier and faster to build homes. The reforms include standardizing zoning nationwide, reducing consent complexities, allowing more development without council approval, and providing clear national direction with ambitious housing growth targets. These changes aim to lower costs, increase housing choice, strengthen property rights, and support sustainable urban expansion, with legislation expected to pass by 2026.

Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Government RMA Reform Housing Minister Planning Bill Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth National Policy Statement Parliament

New Zealand's Planning Reform Boosts Growth, Cuts Costs, and Modernizes Laws

08 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 867 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced a major overhaul of New Zealand’s planning rules aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and income levels by replacing the Resource Management Act with a more efficient, pro-growth system. The reforms, introduced through two new bills—the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill—are projected to save $13.3 billion in costs over 30 years and increase GDP by at least 0.56% annually by 2050, while strengthening property rights and reducing regulatory burdens. The Government plans to pass the legislation by 2026, inviting public input through the Select Committee process.

Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA Reform Finance Minister economic growth

Tasman's Port Tarakohe Upgrade Boosts Economy, Aquaculture & Regional Resilience

03 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 827 views

The $12.7 million upgrade of Port Tarakohe in Tasman District has transformed it into the region's only all-tide, all-weather, deep-water port, enhancing economic development and resilience. The improvements, including new wharves and facilities, support the growing aquaculture industry, marine tourism, and provide a crucial alternative route during highway closures. Funded jointly by the government and Tasman District Council, the project is expected to unlock nearly a billion dollars in value over 25 years and ensure vital access to Golden Bay during emergencies.

Tags: Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft Port Tarakohe Tasman District Golden Bay aquaculture infrastructure upgrade Provincial Growth Fund mussel farming Regional Development Minister

New Zealand Tourism Booms with 6% More Visitors and $12.3B Spend in 2025

02 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1119 views

International visitors to New Zealand are increasing in number and spending more, driving significant growth in the tourism sector and economy, with total spending reaching $12.3 billion for the year ending September 2025. Visitor numbers rose to 3.43 million, reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels, boosted by higher-spending travelers, especially from the USA. The government supports this growth through the Tourism Growth Roadmap, aiming to double tourism export value by 2034 while enhancing visitor experiences and regional opportunities.

Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Tourism International Visitors USA MBIE Tourism Growth Roadmap Hospitality Economy Visitor Survey

Reserve Bank Cuts OCR Again to 2.25%, Boosting Kiwi Economy in 2026

26 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1184 views

The Reserve Bank has lowered the Official Cash Rate to 2.25%, marking the ninth reduction since July 2024, which is boosting economic activity and supporting forecasts of falling inflation and rising growth. This easing of rates is benefiting households by increasing mortgage renewal opportunities and enabling more Kiwis to purchase their first homes, with 23,600 first-time buyers in the past year. Finance Minister Nicola Willis highlights that these positive economic trends offer hope and improved financial choices for New Zealand families and businesses.

Tags: Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate OCR New Zealand inflation economic growth mortgage lending first home buyers Kiwi families

New Infrastructure Funding Bill Boosts Housing Growth and Speeds Development

25 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 889 views

The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill aims to ease development by enabling upfront financing of growth infrastructure, allowing properties benefiting from development capacity to be levied, thus overcoming council funding constraints. The amendments will broaden project eligibility to include agencies like NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail, remove bureaucratic barriers, and ensure faster decisions with fewer vetoes to accelerate infrastructure delivery. These changes support the Government’s Going for Housing Growth Programme by providing flexible funding tools that help both planned and unplanned infrastructure meet housing demand.

Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill Milldale Housing Growth New Zealand Transport Agency KiwiRail Infrastructure Funding Development Levy Government

New Zealand Launches Te Haeata Certificate to Boost Business Events Workforce

25 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 881 views

The New Zealand Government is investing in the New Zealand Certificate in Business Events (Level 4) “Te Haeata,” an industry-led qualification designed to build a skilled workforce for the business events sector. This practical, online training program aims to address workforce shortages, support career pathways, and enhance the global competitiveness of New Zealand’s tourism and hospitality industries. Launching in early 2026, Te Haeata will also be introduced in high schools to attract and retain talent, promoting sustainable growth in the sector.

Tags: New Zealand Certificate in Business Events Te Haeata Louise Upston business events sector tourism hospitality workforce development career pathways sustainable growth

Ōpōtiki Harbour Complete: Boosting Bay of Plenty Aquaculture and Jobs Growth

23 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 900 views

The completion of the new Ōpōtiki Harbour, featuring two 350m harbour walls and dredged channels, has created safe access for marine activities and unlocked opportunities for aquaculture and regional economic growth. The project, funded by government and regional councils with significant local collaboration, generated around 200 construction jobs and supports the expanding mussel industry, which employs over 200 full-time staff. This major infrastructure investment aims to boost local incomes and contribute to the government's goal of increasing aquaculture sector sales from $750 million to $3 billion by 2035.

Tags: Shane Jones Ōpōtiki Harbour Bay of Plenty Whakatōhea Mussels Regional Development Minister New Zealand aquaculture Provincial Growth Fund Bay of Plenty Regional Council Ōpōtiki District Council