Articles tagged with Imi

Showing 15 of 108 articles

Courts Minister Nicole McKee Celebrates 20% Drop in District Court Backlog, Delivering Faster Justice for Victims

20 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1007 views

Courts Minister Nicole McKee is pleased with the 20% decrease in the backlog of criminal cases in the District Court since April 2023, equivalent to around 1,700 cases, under the government's efforts to prioritize timely justice for victims. The improvement is attributed to a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies and the judiciary, with initiatives like the District Court Timely Justice Programme enhancing court system efficiency and performance. The focus on reducing delays in court processes aligns with the government's commitment to providing faster access to justice and making a tangible impact on the criminal justice system.

Tags: Courts Minister Nicole McKee backlog criminal cases District Court victims justice sector judiciary Timely Justice Programme Chief District Court Judge

Northland to Receive 70+ New Social Homes: Government's Commitment to Address Housing Needs

15 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 997 views

More than 70 new social homes will be built in Northland by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), with a focus on addressing severe housing deprivation in the region. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated these homes based on regional need, including factors like the housing register and emergency housing use. These new homes, primarily one or two-bedroom units, aim to meet the high demand for such properties in Northland and are part of the government's broader efforts to improve the social housing system and deliver the right homes to those in need.

Tags: Chris Bishop Northland Community Housing Providers social homes Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Otangarei Papakāinga Limited Ngāti Rēhia Habitat for Humanity Whangarei

New Zealand Government Secures Guangzhou Shipyard for Two Ferry Builds

14 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1147 views

The Government has selected Guangzhou Shipyard International to build two new ferries through Ferry Holdings Limited. Rail Minister Winston Peters highlighted GSI's expertise and capabilities as a leading shipbuilding enterprise in Southern China. Negotiations are ongoing, with details to be disclosed upon completion, including agreements with CentrePort Limited and Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited, aiming for completion in 2029 with cost-effective solutions to benefit New Zealand taxpayers.

Tags: Government Ferry Holdings Limited Guangzhou Shipyard International Rail Minister Winston Peters GSI New Zealand taxpayers ferry replacement programme CentrePort Limited Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited project iReX

Empowering Sexual Harassment Complainants in Public Service: Strengthened Support and Dignity Standards Released by Minister Judith Collins

25 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 994 views

Public Service Minister Judith Collins announces strengthened standards to support sexual harassment complainants in the public service, emphasizing dignity and rights. The new guidelines, titled "Your Complaint, Your Rights," outline the support and rights available to complainants when reporting harassment. The improvements aim to enhance the handling of complaints and ensure that individuals who come forward are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, drawing on feedback from the Public Service Commission and the recent Public Service Census.

Tags: sexual harassment public service standards Judith Collins complainants dignity support bullying discrimination speaking up

New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building Construction Contract Signed by Health Minister Simeon Brown with CPB Contractors Limited

18 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1172 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown announced the signing of the contract with CPB Contractors Limited for the construction of Dunedin Hospital’s new inpatient building. The $1.88 billion New Dunedin Hospital program is New Zealand’s largest health infrastructure project, providing economic benefits and over 900 jobs during construction. The project, set to be completed by 2031, aims to deliver a safe, modern hospital that meets the region's needs, with CPB Contractors Limited overseeing the construction under close monitoring to ensure timely and within-budget completion.

Tags: Simeon Brown CPB Contractors Limited Dunedin Hospital Health Minister New Zealand Otago Southland Health New Zealand Cadbury site Crown Manager

Parliament Passes Bill for Fairer and More Effective Revenue Collection on Imported and Exported Goods

17 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1217 views

Parliament has passed the Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, aiming to enhance revenue collection on imported and exported goods. The bill introduces a levy regime to recover Customs' goods management costs, allows for the collection of product stewardship fees, and streamlines the process for seeking GST refunds on returned imported goods. Customs Minister Casey Costello emphasizes that the bill does not change existing charges or introduce new ones, highlighting the importance of spreading costs across importers through a levy regime.

Tags: Customs Minister Casey Costello Parliament revenue collection imported goods exported goods Customs legislation product stewardship fees waste minimisation legislation GST refunds levy regime

NZTA Awards Contract for SH29 Tauriko West Road Phase 1 Construction

03 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1625 views

The NZ Transport Agency has awarded a $42 million contract to HEB Construction Limited to begin construction on the Ōmanawa Bridge replacement in October, as part of the State Highway 29 Tauriko West project. This project aims to enhance safety, resilience, and freight efficiency along SH29, a crucial corridor in the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga triangle, with a total of $7 billion already allocated for Government-funded projects nationwide. Future phases of the project will involve route protection and consenting for a new four-lane SH29, supporting growth in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty with improved travel times and reduced accidents.

Tags: NZ Transport Agency SH29 Tauriko West Road Ōmanawa Bridge Transport Minister Chris Bishop HEB Construction Limited Port of Tauranga Redwood Interchange Takitimu North Link interchange Tauriko Business Estate.

Southland's Space Sector Receives $2.25M Boost from Regional Infrastructure Fund

01 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1398 views

Southland's space sector receives a significant boost through a loan of up to $2.25 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for Space Operations New Zealand Limited. The loan will support the expansion of the business at the Awarua Satellite Ground Station near Invercargill, leveraging Southland's strategic location for satellite operations. The project aims to create a regional space hub, accelerating essential works to meet current demand and future growth plans, ultimately enhancing the development of Southland's space industry.

Tags: Southland Space Operations New Zealand Limited Mark Patterson Awarua Satellite Ground Station Greenhills Invercargill Great South Regional Infrastructure Fund satellite ground station Warkworth Space Centre

Regional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Horticulture Expansion in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

27 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1294 views

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is providing $24.62 million to boost horticulture expansion in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti through water storage, flood resilience, and Māori land projects, aiming to enhance regional economies, employment, and export growth while improving resilience to economic shocks and extreme weather events. Specific projects include establishing high-value horticulture on Māori land in Tairāwhiti, expanding water storage capacity in Hawke’s Bay, replenishing the Makauri aquifer in Tairāwhiti, and developing water storage infrastructure for pipfruit orchards. These investments aim to strengthen regional resilience and productivity, with a focus on supporting the regions' economic growth and success.

Tags: Shane Jones Regional Infrastructure Fund Hawke’s Bay Tairāwhiti water storage horticulture expansion whenua Māori projects Regional Development Minister Makauri Aquifer Recharge Limited Ngāti Pahauwera Commercial Development Limited

Government Strengthens Laws Against Trafficking and People Smuggling to Ensure Accountability and Justice

13 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1469 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.

Tags: Government trafficking people smuggling laws criminals Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith victims prosecution consequences

Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod Seasonal Closure Extended for Sustainability

11 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1327 views

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced an extended seasonal closure for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds, aiming to reduce fishing pressure and support sustainability. Commercial catch limits for the fish stock were reduced in 2022 due to concerns about high fishing pressure impacting the fishery. An advisory group has been established to provide expertise on improving the health of the blue cod population, with further exploration of factors affecting the fishery planned for the future.

Tags: Shane Jones Marlborough Sounds blue cod fishery sustainability closure fishing pressure advisory group commercial catch limits spawning

Major Fisheries Reforms for Sustainable Growth: Minister Shane Jones Unveils Game-Changing Changes

05 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1590 views

The Government is implementing significant fisheries reforms to support sustainable growth in the fishing industry, aiming to remove obstacles and enhance decision-making for setting catch limits. The reforms include more responsive rules based on changes in fish abundance, improved privacy protection for fishers through changes in the onboard camera program, and practical guidelines for landing or discarding catch. These changes align with the goal of fostering a thriving and sustainable fishing industry, with an amendment Bill to be introduced for further feedback through the select committee process.

Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act reforms sustainable growth fishing industry catch limits fisheries management onboard cameras Official Information Act MPI.

Major Safety Improvements Coming to SH2 Moonshine Hill Road Intersection in Upper Hutt

30 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1701 views

Safety improvements, including intersection upgrades and a speed limit review, will be implemented soon at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection on State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, following Transport Minister Chris Bishop's announcement due to the high number of crashes at the intersection. The upgrades will involve installing traffic lights, signage, and line markings to enhance safety for motorists and cyclists. NZTA will consult the public on a proposed 80km/h speed limit, with construction scheduled to start in October and be completed by the end of the year.

Tags: safety improvements State Highway 2 Moonshine Hill Road intersection upgrades speed limit review Transport Minister Chris Bishop NZTA Whakatiki Street intersection speed limit consultation

New Zealand Bolsters Cybercrime Protection with Budapest Convention Passage

24 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2202 views

New Zealand passes legislation to enhance protection against cybercrime, with 11% of citizens falling victim to online threats in 2024, resulting in significant emotional and financial harm. Joining the Budapest Convention will enable cooperation with other countries in criminal investigations and align domestic laws with international standards. Provisions in the Bill include new preservation directions, amendments to enhance mutual assistance in criminal matters, and updates to the Crimes Act to address cybercrime comprehensively.

Tags: New Zealanders cybercrime legislation Paul Goldsmith fraud National Cyber Security Centre Budapest Convention Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime law enforcement agencies criminal investigations

Government Revokes Vaping Battery Rule Amid Court Challenge

23 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1818 views

The Government is revoking 2023 regulations mandating removable batteries in vaping devices to address a court challenge by Mason Corporation Limited. Cabinet decided this action would resolve the case, allowing withdrawal of proceedings related to regulations introduced by the previous Labour government. The change will be implemented on September 1, eliminating the requirement for removable batteries in vaping devices, with no anticipated adverse effects on smoking or vaping rates due to prior legislation banning disposable vapes popular among youth.

Tags: Government regulations vaping devices removeable batteries court challenge Mason Corporation Limited Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Labour government gazetted disposable vapes