16 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1224 views
The Government is investing $97 million in 32 flood resilience projects across New Zealand, protecting 30,000 homes and 350,000 hectares of land. The focus is on equipping regions to bounce back from storms, with 22 projects in the South Island addressing the urgent need for infrastructure resilience. These investments aim to protect 100,000 residents in flood-prone areas and bring the total RIF commitment to nearly $200 million since August 2024, with a significant impact on preventing damages and supporting local communities.
14 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1006 views
Legislation passing third reading in Parliament today will eliminate advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays, according to Media Minister Paul Goldsmith. The aim is to ensure local media companies are not disadvantaged compared to digital streaming platforms. The change is expected to generate around $6 million annually and is seen as necessary due to the increasing popularity of streaming services like YouTube in New Zealand.
03 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1250 views
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have approved the Milldale housing project in Wainui, Auckland, which is expected to provide 1100 residential allotments and inject $595 million into the region over three years. The project aims to address housing shortages by creating jobs and streamlining development processes through the Fast-track Approvals Act. Minister Jones is collaborating with Minister Bishop on legislative changes to expedite regional housing projects and other developments in the pipeline.
01 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1144 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.
30 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1366 views
The Government has selected the McCallum Bros Ltd and Nova Marine Carriers SA joint venture to procure a new 78-meter supply vessel for the Chatham Islands, expected to be operational by 2027. Associate Transport Minister James Meager highlights the importance of providing a secure, reliable, and long-term service that meets the community's needs and can accommodate future growth. The replacement of the aging Southern Tiare vessel is crucial for sustaining the economic and community lifeline of the Chatham Islands, ensuring essential supplies reach the community and supporting key industries like fishing, farming, and tourism.
30 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1252 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown highlights improved healthcare access in the South Island, with a focus on patient-centered care and meeting 2030 targets. Key improvements include faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunization rates, and reduced emergency department wait times. Despite progress, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, supported by increased health funding and a commitment to patient-focused care.
27 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1273 views
The upgrade of Christchurch Hospital’s cardiac catheterisation laboratory is now complete, with three state-of-the-art labs providing advanced cardiac care services for the South Island. The new facilities offer improved technology, increased capacity, and enhanced resilience, ensuring faster access to treatment and better outcomes for patients across the region. This upgrade establishes Christchurch Hospital as a leading center of excellence in cardiac intervention, delivering cutting-edge care and safeguarding the heart health of New Zealanders in the South Island.
23 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1330 views
Construction has begun on the new 24-kilometre Ō2NL expressway from Ōtaki to north of Levin, aiming to enhance economic benefits, safety, and reliability in the region, according to Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The project addresses long-standing issues of crashes, delays, and resilience on the current Kāpiti highway, with expectations of reducing travel times and improving efficiency for both commuters and freight transport. Part of the Wellington northern corridor initiated in 2013, Ō2NL follows the success of previous expressways and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2029, contributing to economic growth and development opportunities in the Horowhenua region.
17 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1418 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.
16 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1196 views
The Government is amending legislation to support New Zealand's offshore wind potential, aiming to boost economic growth and energy production. The Offshore Renewable Energy Bill is being revised to address concerns from offshore wind developers about coexisting with seabed mining activities. The amendments will create designated marine spaces for offshore wind projects, providing investment certainty while pausing new permits for seabed mining under the Crown Minerals Act.
04 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1283 views
Councils have submitted water services delivery plans under the Local Water Done Well initiative to ensure quality and cost-effective water services for ratepayers. The government aims to address water services challenges by enabling councils to collaborate on financial sustainability and infrastructure development. Plans will be reviewed and considered for acceptance, with a focus on financial sustainability to ensure safe and resilient water services for communities.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1754 views
The second Ashburton Bridge is closer to realization following a key agreement signed by Minister James Meager, marking progress towards the National Party's campaign promise. The New Zealand Transport Agency has contracted Fletchers Construction to advance detailed bridge design for construction starting next year, aiming to alleviate congestion on State Highway 1 and enhance network resilience in emergency events. Geotechnical investigations and property purchases are underway, with a Design and Construction contract expected to be finalized by year-end, emphasizing local opportunities and addressing potential challenges.
28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1201 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced proposed changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, aiming to restore fairness and practicality without compromising public safety. The reforms focus on fairer licensing processes, modernized rules for national events, and stronger safeguards to prevent alcohol-related harm. The changes also include requirements for licensed premises to offer a wider range of non-alcoholic alternatives and updates to regulations to support rapid delivery services and age verification for alcohol purchases.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1616 views
The Government plans urgent legislative and policy changes to remove barriers for competitor supermarkets in New Zealand, aiming to boost competition and offer better deals for consumers. These changes include fast-track approvals for new supermarkets, streamlining building consent processes, and amending regulations to combat predatory pricing. The initiative aims to encourage new domestic competitors and potential international retailers like Costco to expand in New Zealand, with further considerations on potentially restructuring major supermarket players Foodstuffs and Woolworths to enhance market competition.
21 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1586 views
The Government, led by Associate Justice and Courts Minister Nicole McKee, plans to expand the jurisdiction of Community Magistrates in the District Court to enhance efficiency and reduce delays. This expansion will enable Community Magistrates to handle guilty pleas for most offenses, manage a broader range of cases, and issue community-based sentences. The initiative aims to streamline court processes, alleviate pressure on judges, and provide faster justice outcomes for victims, with budget support for additional Community Magistrates and training oversight.