Articles tagged with Mana

Showing 15 of 143 articles

New Zealand’s New Planning System Cuts Red Tape for Farmers and Growers

09 Dec 2025, 12:56 PM | 10 months ago | 1040 views

New Zealand is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with two new bills—a Planning Bill and a Natural Environment Bill—to simplify land use regulation and better support farmers by reducing red tape, standardizing rules, and adopting a risk-based approach. The new system emphasizes property rights, fewer consents through flexible freshwater farm plans, and practical environmental management, aiming to lower costs and increase certainty for farmers while promoting sustainable practices. The bills will be introduced to Parliament soon, with public consultation planned and laws expected by 2026 to foster economic recovery and environmental stewardship.

Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill farmers growers farm plans agriculture

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

09 Dec 2025, 12:55 PM | 10 months ago | 987 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

New Zealand’s New Planning System to Boost Growth, Simplify Consents & Protect Environment

09 Dec 2025, 12:51 PM | 10 months ago | 997 views

New Zealand is overhauling its Resource Management Act 1991 with a new planning system designed to simplify consents, speed up infrastructure and housing development, and strengthen property rights while protecting the environment. The reforms include fewer, faster plans, clearer national direction, mandatory regional spatial plans, and a new Planning Tribunal to reduce red tape and improve accountability, aiming to boost GDP by up to $3.1 billion annually by 2050. The government plans to introduce the bills to Parliament soon, with national policy direction and standards to follow, inviting public consultation through the Select Committee process.

Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Janette Campbell New Zealand Resource Management Act RMA Reform Planning Tribunal Environmental Defence Society Expert Advisory Group

New Zealand Fish Stocks Are 87% Sustainable, Fisheries Minister Confirms

09 Dec 2025, 9:37 AM | 10 months ago | 1029 views

A recent report shows that 87.2% of New Zealand’s 149 scientifically evaluated fish stocks are sustainable, with plans to restore the 19 stocks needing support. The country’s fisheries are recognized globally for sustainability, supported by a quota management system and ongoing reforms to enhance responsive fisheries management. The seafood sector employs around 9,000 people and generates approximately $1.5 billion in exports annually, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economy and food supply.

Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand Fisheries New Zealand fish stocks sustainability United Nations seafood sector quota management system fisheries reforms MPI

Canterbury’s In-Home Care Service Transforms Healthcare, Frees Hospital Beds

06 Dec 2025, 10:19 AM | 10 months ago | 1074 views

Canterbury’s Acute Demand Management Service, celebrating 25 years, provides in-home care to around 110 patients daily, reducing hospital admissions and freeing up beds for those needing hospital-level care. Overseen by primary care doctors and supported by skilled nurses and specialists, the service manages a wide range of conditions and delivers thousands of care packages and diagnostic tests annually. This community-based approach ensures timely, tailored treatment in patients' homes, improving satisfaction and optimizing healthcare resources in the region.

Tags: Simeon Brown Canterbury Christchurch Hospital Acute Demand Management Service primary care doctors community nurses allied health professionals mobile acute nursing team New Zealand healthcare

New Zealand Expands Next Gen Critical Communications to Boost Emergency Response

28 Nov 2025, 1:30 PM | 10 months ago | 1166 views

The New Zealand Government is enhancing emergency responder capabilities by creating a new entity and expanding the mandate of Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) to extend Public Safety Network (PSN) services beyond frontline responders to a broader range of emergency management and public safety organizations. NGCC, responsible for delivering the $1.4 billion PSN infrastructure, aims to modernize critical communications with improved coverage, reliability, and real-time information sharing to better prepare for disasters. The new company, overseen by the Ministers for Emergency Management and Finance, will offer user-pays cellular services to eligible organizations starting mid-2026.

Tags: Mark Mitchell Next Generation Critical Communications NGCC Public Safety Network Emergency Management New Zealand Police Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hato Hone St John Wellington Free Ambulance

New Zealand Local Government Reform: Simplifying City Planning & Regional Management

25 Nov 2025, 5:02 PM | 10 months ago | 1106 views

The Government proposes major reforms to simplify local government by abolishing regional councils and replacing them with Combined Territories Boards composed of mayors, aiming to reduce duplication, costs, and complexity while enhancing accountability and regional collaboration. These Boards would lead locally-driven regional reorganisation plans to improve service delivery, infrastructure, and governance, with plans evaluated against criteria including financial responsibility, national priorities, local representation, and Treaty commitments. Consultation is open until February 2026, with the goal of establishing a more efficient, streamlined local government system that better serves communities and supports sustainable growth.

Tags: New Zealand government local government reform Mr Bishop Mr Watts regional councils Combined Territories Boards regional reorganisation resource management reforms Treaty settlements Department of Internal Affairs

WorkSafe New Zealand Implements Funding Reforms for Increased Accountability and Transparency in Health and Safety Management

14 Nov 2025, 2:51 PM | 10 months ago | 1103 views

WorkSafe New Zealand's funding management has been reformed to enhance accountability, transparency, and performance measurement, as confirmed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The change, influenced by the SageBush review and previous financial challenges, aims to improve resource allocation transparency and effectiveness without altering total funding. The funding will now be divided into five categories to prioritize functions aligned with Health and Safety System reforms, such as supporting best practices, enforcing compliance, authorizing activities, energy safety, and major hazard facilities oversight.

Tags: Health and Safety reforms WorkSafe New Zealand Workplace Relations Safety Minister Brooke van Velden financial management SageBush independent review resource allocation Health and Safety System reforms

New Education Bill Mandates Attendance Plans for Schools in 2023

11 Nov 2025, 8:32 PM | 11 months ago | 1162 views

Associate Education Minister David Seymour is pleased with the passing of the Education Training Amendment Bill (No 2) at third reading, which mandates attendance management plans starting from Term 1 next year. The new STAR system, meaning Stepped Attendance Response, will provide escalating responses for declining attendance, with schools developing their own systems based on a standard framework. The government's focus on improving school attendance is showing positive results, with rising attendance rates and additional funding allocated to enhance attendance services and support students in returning to school.

Tags: David Seymour Education Minister Attendance Management STAR system Education Training Amendment Bill School Attendance Education Review Office Frontline Attendance Services Budget 2025 Educational Outcomes

New Zealanders Invited to Shape Future of Sika and Wapiti Deer Management for Conservation and Hunting Growth

08 Nov 2025, 3:23 PM | 11 months ago | 1113 views

New Zealanders will have the opportunity to provide feedback on managing sika and wapiti deer as the country's first Herds of Special Interest, announced by Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Sika Show in Hamilton. The draft plans propose a new approach to managing wapiti deer in Fiordland National Park and sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks, aiming to allow hunter-led conservation groups to sustainably manage herd numbers and boost economic growth. The plans emphasize the importance of recreational hunting, community stewardship, professional deer control, and conservation values, recognizing hunters as significant conservation assets and inviting public input for achieving better conservation and hunting outcomes.

Tags: New Zealanders sika deer wapiti deer Herds of Special Interest Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Fiordland National Park Kaimanawa Forest Parks Kaweka Forest Parks

Government Announces $100,000 Aid for Kaikōura and Hurunui Communities

28 Oct 2025, 11:45 AM | 11 months ago | 1427 views

The Government is providing an additional $100,000 to Mayoral Relief Funds for Kaikōura and Hurunui communities affected by severe weather, in addition to a $150,000 contribution to Southland and Clutha funds. Each of the Kaikōura and Hurunui districts will receive $25,000 to aid in response and recovery efforts. The Ministry for Primary Industries is also contributing $25,000 to each district to support rural sector recovery efforts.

Tags: Government Mayoral Relief Funds Kaikōura Hurunui Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Recovery Ministry for Primary Industries Rural sector Communities

Government's $150,000 Aid for Clutha and Southland Severe Weather Impacts

27 Oct 2025, 12:00 PM | 11 months ago | 1386 views

The Government is providing $150,000 in total to assist Clutha and Southland communities affected by severe weather, with $75,000 allocated to Southland and $25,000 to the Clutha District Council Mayoral Relief Fund for immediate needs. The Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing an additional $50,000 through the Mayoral Relief Fund to aid the rural sector in recovery efforts. The medium scale adverse event classification allows for further support for farmers and growers, including tax relief, Rural Assistance Payments, and activation of Enhanced Taskforce Green, with affected individuals encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust for assistance.

Tags: Government Contribution Communities Clutha Southland Labour Weekend Severe Weather Emergency Management Mark Mitchell Mayoral Relief Fund

State of Local Emergency Declared in Southland Region by Minister Mark Mitchell

24 Oct 2025, 10:45 AM | 11 months ago | 1152 views

Minister Mark Mitchell declared a state of local emergency in Southland due to potential impacts from power outages following a significant weather event, as the Southland Mayors have not been sworn in after local elections. This declaration grants local Civil Defence emergency powers to respond and support services, urging residents to prioritize safety, follow instructions, and stay informed about weather updates. The state of local emergency in Canterbury continues, with the Minister empowered to declare such emergencies when local representatives are unavailable due to election procedures.

Tags: Mark Mitchell Minister Emergency Management Recovery Southland Region local emergency Civil Defence MetService weather information Canterbury

Canterbury Region Declares State of Emergency Due to Severe Weather

22 Oct 2025, 3:30 PM | 11 months ago | 1267 views

Minister Mark Mitchell has declared a state of local emergency for Canterbury due to severe weather, as the mayors have not been sworn in after recent elections. The declaration grants local Civil Defence emergency powers to respond effectively. Mitchell urges residents to heed advice from local authorities, prioritize safety, and stay informed through official channels like MetService.

Tags: Minister Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Recovery Canterbury Region State of Emergency Civil Defence Weather Event National Emergency Management Agency MetService Local Government

Andrew Wilson Joins Board of Guardians of NZ Super Fund

17 Oct 2025, 11:28 AM | 11 months ago | 1223 views

Andrew Wilson, a former investment banker with extensive experience in global markets, has been appointed to the Board of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, overseeing the $85 billion Superannuation Fund. Prior to this role, Wilson held key positions at institutions like the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Bank of England, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop highlighted Wilson's valuable expertise in investment management and global markets, emphasizing his potential to make a significant impact on the Guardians' work. Wilson's official appointment to the Board is scheduled to commence on 20 October.

Tags: Andrew Wilson Chris Bishop Investment banker Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bank of England Rothschild Asset Management Goldman Sachs Asset Management Fixed Income Currency & Money Markets