28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1298 views
New legislation introduced by Defence Minister Judith Collins allows the Chief of Defence Force to redeploy uniformed personnel to fill roles of striking civilian staff, ensuring national security during industrial action. The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill expands the Minister's authority to include instances where national security and core defence functions are at risk, such as security at military bases and aircraft maintenance. The bill aims to address challenges faced during previous industrial actions and will be open for public submissions when referred to a select committee in September 2025.
21 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1669 views
Seahawk helicopters and Airbus planes are set to replace aging New Zealand Defence Force aircraft as part of the Government’s Defence Capability Plan, with a $2.7 billion investment announced by Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. The MH-60R Seahawk will replace maritime helicopters, while the Airbus A321XLR will replace the aging 757 fleet, aiming to enhance combat capability and respond to international events. These investments are part of the $12 billion planned commitments outlined in the 2025 DCP, reflecting the Government's response to the deteriorating security environment and the need for reliable aircraft for military operations and humanitarian aid.
14 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1488 views
Minister of Defence Judith Collins inaugurated the new headquarters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron at Ohakea, housing four P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The facility, named Te Whare Toroa - The Home of the Albatross, offers modern infrastructure to support maritime surveillance, resource protection, and disaster response efforts. The project aligns with the Government's commitment to enhance Defence capabilities, with planned investments of $12 billion over the next four years and a focus on generating employment opportunities in regional economies.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1528 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.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2089 views
Legislation for public service overhaul emphasizing value for taxpayers has passed first reading, led by Public Service Minister Judith Collins. The Public Service Amendment Bill aims to enhance public service performance by clarifying its purpose and chief executives' responsibilities. The bill reinforces merit-based appointments, increases chief executives' accountability, and ensures a competitive selection process, maintaining political neutrality and professional standards for better taxpayer outcomes.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2785 views
The FBI's upgraded Wellington office strengthens the Five Eyes partnership, enhancing safety and security for New Zealanders, as stated by Ministers Judith Collins and Mark Mitchell. The Ministers met with FBI Director Kash Patel, who opened the new office and discussed various key areas such as organized crime, counter-terrorism, and cyber-security. The visit emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement efforts to combat crime and protect citizens, with Director Patel being the highest-ranking US official to visit New Zealand in recent times.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2624 views
Tāwhaki Joint Venture received a $5.85 million boost to support the growth of New Zealand's space and advanced aviation sectors. The Government aims to create a world-class regulatory environment for advanced aviation by the end of the year. The funding will help Tāwhaki scale up operations, attract new customers, and strengthen New Zealand's position in the global advanced aviation sector.
23 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2034 views
New Zealand's Parliament has passed legislation under urgency to regulate ground-based space infrastructure, enhancing national security and protecting against foreign interference, according to Space Minister Judith Collins. The Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill aims to ensure the safe and responsible use of space, with oversight and safeguards for satellite operations starting from 29 July. Operators will need to meet security requirements and undergo due diligence to obtain authorisation, with enforcement powers in place to address any national security concerns.
22 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2070 views
A bill to improve access to secondary legislation and digitize government services has passed its first reading, aiming to make legislation easier to find and comply with. Attorney-General Judith Collins highlights the importance of high-quality legislation that is easy to understand and use. The bill standardizes publication practices for secondary legislation and includes the redevelopment of the New Zealand legislation website to provide a one-stop shop for all legislation matters.
18 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2053 views
A cross-agency Anti-Corruption Taskforce pilot led by the Serious Fraud Office, supported by NZ Police and the Public Service Commission, aims to combat corruption and fraud risks in the public sector. The taskforce seeks to enhance New Zealand's reputation as a transparent and trustworthy place to invest by strengthening fraud prevention and detection systems within participating agencies. By promoting ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability, the taskforce aligns with the Government's efforts to maintain public trust and integrity in institutions.
10 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2045 views
New Zealand and Japan are developing a logistics agreement to support ongoing defence cooperation between our two countries, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced. “Japan is a crucial partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says following a meeting with Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi at the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. “We are both committed to the international rules-based system, and to maintaining security and prosperity in our region.
04 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3107 views
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has established its first dedicated space unit with the reactivation of the No. 62 Squadron today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. “This reflects our commitment to protecting New Zealand’s interests and security in the rapidly evolving space domain,” Ms Collins says.
27 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2784 views
The government’s secure digital storage capability has been significantly boosted with the opening of the new all-of-government data centre, the Minister Responsible for the GCSB and Minister of Defence Judith Collins says. “This facility will provide a safe, secure storage capability for New Zealand agencies to process and store some of the government’s most sensitive information for the next quarter of a century,” says Ms Collins. “Today we conduct the vast majority of our business digitally, and the amount of government data that requires safe and secure storage is only going to increase.
27 Jun 2025
1 year ago
3319 views
Canterbury’s Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre has been allocated permanent test flight airspace, giving advanced aviation companies the freedom to safely trial next-generation technologies, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “The Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) permanent special use airspace designation for Tāwhaki anchors Canterbury’s growing reputation as a national hub for space and advanced aviation innovation. ”
Ms Collins announced the Tāwhaki designation at the launch of the Waitaha Canterbury Aerospace Strategy, which aims to position Canterbury as a global leader in aerospace innovation by 2035.
24 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2372 views
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti and Space Minister Judith Collins have today announced that in partnership with the US, the Government is investing $5. 6 million to support five new joint NZ-NASA research projects in the field of Earth observation. Researchers from New Zealand and NASA will work in partnership to tackle challenges such as disaster resilience and environmental management over the next three years.