10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1332 views
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey participated in the launch of the Construction Industry Wellbeing Survey on World Suicide Prevention Day, emphasizing the importance of changing the narrative on suicide to reduce stigma and encourage seeking help. New Zealand faces high suicide rates, with 617 suspected suicides last year, leading to increased investment of $16 million per year in the new Suicide Prevention Action Plan, which includes various health and cross-agency actions to enhance access to support and prevention services. The government is committed to providing timely support for those at risk of suicide, promoting wellbeing campaigns, establishing crisis recovery cafes, and funding peer support workers in emergency departments to strengthen suicide prevention efforts in New Zealand.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1326 views
A bill protecting marine farmers from costly consent reviews was passed, aiming to support the aquaculture industry's goal of generating $3 billion in revenue by 2035. The Resource Management Act amendments restrict council reviews of coastal permits until 2030, reducing bureaucratic barriers for industry growth. These changes aim to allow marine farmers to focus on innovation and growth rather than dealing with regulatory red tape and costs.
28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1519 views
The Government and poultry industry have reached a significant agreement to jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). The agreement involves cost-sharing arrangements, with industry contributing to readiness and response costs, and industry bodies being recognized as decision-makers alongside the Government. The focus is on ensuring a unified response to diseases like H5N1 to protect the industry, domestic food supply, and international trade, with the agreement set to take effect on 1 September 2025.
26 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1449 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden launched the Approved Code of Practice for Forestry and Harvesting Operations to improve health and safety compliance in the forestry industry. The ACOPs are sector-specific guidelines developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders to reduce deaths and serious injuries in forestry operations. This initiative is part of broader health and safety reforms aiming to provide clear and practical guidelines for high-risk sectors, with plans to extend ACOPs to other industries like agriculture and construction.
25 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1566 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis supports the Reserve Bank's consultation on reviewing capital settings for banks and deposit takers to address concerns about impacts on competition, lending costs, and economic growth. The Minister's Financial Policy Remit emphasized the need to balance financial stability with competition, prompting the Bank to consider changes like aligning capital requirements with risk and adjusting overall capital ratio requirements to lower lending rates. The proposed changes aim to benefit smaller players in the market, reduce barriers for new entrants, and create a more competitive environment in the New Zealand banking sector.
20 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1645 views
The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act, passed into law, has improved the freshwater farm plan system to make it more workable and affordable for farmers, reducing duplication and costs by allowing industry organisations to certify and audit plans. This change recognizes good work done by farmers and industry groups in managing risks, focusing on actual on-farm risks and practical actions to reduce them. The Act increases the minimum farm size requiring a freshwater farm plan to 50 hectares for certain land uses, removing the requirement for around 8,000 smaller, lower-risk farms, supporting environmental stewardship and growth in the primary sector.
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.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1905 views
Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard has announced the release of a revised Code of Welfare for Deer, emphasizing the importance of balancing animal protection with practicality and economic considerations for farmers. The code, the first of the priority pastoral livestock codes to be finalized, aims to uphold New Zealand's strong reputation for animal welfare standards while ensuring that regulations are practical and proportionate. Developed in consultation with the deer industry, the code sets clear welfare standards and guidelines for farmers to follow, promoting high standards of animal handling and care.
06 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1806 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.
04 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2543 views
The Minister of Education addressed the need for reform in the national secondary qualification system, acknowledging the contributions of educators and stakeholders. The proposal aims to replace NCEA with a new qualification structure, emphasizing foundational skills, simplification, and alignment with industry needs. The goal is to provide students with clearer pathways, improved coherence, and better preparation for future education or employment, with a focus on academic and vocational learning. Feedback on the proposal is sought during a six-week consultation period to ensure successful implementation and better outcomes for all students.
22 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2317 views
The Racing Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, emphasizes animal welfare as a priority in planning for the intended end of greyhound racing in the country. An Advisory Committee has presented an interim report outlining the transition process, which includes rehoming plans for the greyhounds currently involved in the sport. The report also addresses concerns about financial support for owners and trainers, with the recommendations set to be reviewed by Cabinet before any decisions are made.
10 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2059 views
Important progress in the fight against online financial scams has been made with the launch of a new initiative between government, industry and consumer groups, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says. “It is unacceptable that so many Kiwis are swindled by scammers every day,” Mr Simpson says. “Some reports suggest scams cost the economy up to $2 billion annually, and it is crucial we get on top of the problem.
02 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2267 views
Eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will give industry a strong voice in work-based learning, ensuring the system delivers the right skills, in the right places, for a growing economy, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says. “The Government promised to disestablish Te Pūkenga and return decision-making to local providers and industry. The Industry Skills Boards are a key part of delivering on that promise,” Ms Simmonds says.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2224 views
Racing Minister Winston Peters says the passage of legislation today will ensure the sustainability of the racing industry in New Zealand. The amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020 will enable the TAB NZ to be the sole legal provider of online sports and racing betting in New Zealand. “The racing industry generates $1.