Articles tagged with Mana
Showing 15 of 143 articles
New Bill Boosts Aquaculture Growth Potential, Eases Regulatory Burden
02 Sep 2025, 3:22 PM | 1 year ago | 1257 viewsA 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.
Tags: Shane Jones aquaculture industry marine farmers Resource Management Act regulatory environment Coalition Government consent reviews marine farm consent conditions coastal permits red tapeRecord Attendance Trends in Schools Signal Positive Shifts for Education System
21 Aug 2025, 10:28 AM | 1 year ago | 1399 viewsSince Term 1 of 2024, attendance rates in schools have consistently increased each term compared to the previous year, with Term 2 of this year seeing a notable rise to 58.4% from 53.4% in Term 2 of the previous year. Associate Education Minister David Seymour highlights improvements in attendance across all regions, with a significant decrease in chronic absence rates. Plans are underway to enforce stricter attendance measures, including mandatory school attendance management plans aligned with the STAR program by 2026, with prosecution as a last resort for parents who persistently fail to ensure their children attend school. A $140 million budget allocation in 2025 aims to enhance attendance rates over the next four years to promote positive educational outcomes and long-term benefits for students.
Tags: Term 1 2024 Attendance David Seymour Education Minister Taranaki Whanganui Manawatū STAR Prosecution Budget 2025New Law Streamlines Freshwater Farm Plans for NZ Farmers
20 Aug 2025, 1:24 PM | 1 year ago | 1537 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Government freshwater farm plan system Resource Management Act Agriculture Minister Todd McClay Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard industry organisations farm plans environmental stewardship growth RMA.New Zealand's RMA Amendment Bill: Driving Economic Growth and Removing Red Tape for Progress
14 Aug 2025, 4:09 PM | 1 year ago | 1533 viewsThe Government's second RMA Amendment Bill has passed into law, aiming to drive economic growth and job creation by removing roadblocks and cutting red tape in various sectors, such as infrastructure, housing, farming, and emergency management. The Bill introduces changes to streamline consent processes for renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector. It is part of a broader three-phase RMA reform program, with the full replacement for the RMA expected to be in effect by 2027.
Tags: RMA Amendment Bill Chris Bishop infrastructure renewable energy housing farming primary sector emergency natural hazards Resource Management systemGovernment Acts to Prevent 'Stop Work' Order for NZ Farmers: RMA Reform Bill Update
12 Aug 2025, 4:17 PM | 1 year ago | 1438 viewsThe Government has intervened to prevent potential stop work notices for thousands of New Zealand farmers due to water discharge rules under the RMA, affecting 2,800 Waikato farms. Various regional councils raised concerns, leading to amendments broadening permitted water discharges in the Resource Management Amendment Bill. The changes aim to support farmers, ensure water quality improvement, and avoid hindering economic recovery, with the bill set to pass into law soon.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Government New Zealand farmers RMA Reform Minister Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Waikato Regional Council Resource Management Amendment BillFiordland Marine Guardians Strengthened with New Appointment and Reappointments
11 Aug 2025, 1:34 PM | 1 year ago | 1260 viewsActing Environment Minister Tama Potaka announces the appointment of Murray Willans to the Fiordland Marine Guardians, highlighting his expertise and valuable contributions. Additionally, Dr. Rebecca McLeod and four other existing Guardians are reappointed, providing continuity and diverse knowledge to the advisory group. The Guardians advise on the integrated management of the Fiordland Marine Area, with members bringing various backgrounds and skills to safeguard the environment.
Tags: Fiordland Marine Guardian Tama Potaka Murray Willans Dr Rebecca McLeod Stewart Bull Mark Peychers Gavin Tayles John Cushen environment marine managementFinance Minister Nicola Willis Reacts to Lower Than Forecast Unemployment Rates
06 Aug 2025, 11:57 AM | 1 year ago | 1599 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis has acknowledged the latest labour market data, revealing a lower-than-expected unemployment rate of 5.2% for the June quarter, below the Treasury's forecast of 5.4%. Despite challenges like inflation and rising interest rates, the government's efforts have led to 8,000 fewer unemployed individuals than initially projected, with a focus on economic recovery and job creation through initiatives like government-funded construction projects and investment incentives. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in average hourly earnings by 4.5% in the past year, surpassing the inflation rate of 2.7%.
Tags: labour market unemployment Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Treasury forecast economic management inflation interest rates job creationTransforming New Zealand's Infrastructure: A Vision for Growth and Efficiency
06 Aug 2025, 10:20 AM | 1 year ago | 2407 viewsThe speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to attend Building Nations 2025 and acknowledges the need for improved infrastructure policy in New Zealand. As the Infrastructure Minister, the speaker highlights challenges in delivering and maintaining infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of efficient systems for economic growth and living standards. Key priorities include developing a National Infrastructure Plan, improving funding and financing, addressing road pricing reform, enhancing the consenting framework, and strengthening asset management and resilience to ensure a prosperous future for New Zealand.
Tags: Nick Leggett Infrastructure New Zealand Minister New Zealand National Infrastructure Plan NIFFCo Infrastructure Commission Building Nations RUC Resource Management ActMajor Fisheries Reforms for Sustainable Growth: Minister Shane Jones Unveils Game-Changing Changes
06 Aug 2025, 8:19 AM | 1 year ago | 1734 viewsThe 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.Celebrating 60 Years of Cook Islands' Free Association with New Zealand
04 Aug 2025, 2:17 PM | 1 year ago | 2459 viewsThe speech for Constitution Day Celebrations of the Cook Islands highlights the unique 'Free Association' relationship with New Zealand, celebrating 60 years since its establishment in 1965. The model, born out of the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly's desire for self-government while retaining New Zealand citizenship, has been a successful and enduring partnership. The speech emphasizes the economic, cultural, and social successes of the Cook Islands community in New Zealand, as well as New Zealand's ongoing support for the Cook Islands in times of need, reflecting on the strong bonds and mutual respect shared between the two nations.
Tags: Constitution Day Celebrations Cook Islands Upokina Taoro CIDANZ Auckland Council Reverend Charles Pange Mama Tupou Manapori Mama Mi'i Tarapu Sir Tom Davis Norman KirkUnderstanding Council Spending: Impact on Rates & Communities | Local Government Minister Simon Watts
31 Jul 2025, 9:44 AM | 1 year ago | 2887 viewsLocal Government Minister Simon Watts emphasizes the importance of councils' spending transparency and its impact on ratepayers. The government aims to empower ratepayers by providing clear data on council performance and spending, allowing for better engagement and accountability. Additionally, there is a focus on councils delivering essential services efficiently and supporting communities through a potential rates capping system to ensure responsible spending.
Tags: Key metrics councils spending rates Local Government Minister Simon Watts ratepayers infrastructure fiscal management local governmentGovernment Funds New Nelson Tasman Weather Radar for Enhanced Emergency Response
19 Jul 2025, 9:00 AM | 1 year ago | 1985 viewsThe Government is funding MetService for a new Nelson Tasman weather radar to enhance severe weather monitoring and response in the region, as announced by Associate Transport Minister James Meager. The radar procurement aims to improve community preparedness for future disasters following recent severe weather events. The investment in the radar, with a capital cost of up to $5 million and ongoing operating costs, will provide emergency managers with better tools to monitor rainfall and flooding risks, ultimately reducing the potential for loss of life and property during severe weather events.
Tags: Government MetService Nelson Tasman weather radar severe weather monitoring response James Meager Mark Mitchell emergency management rainfall.Over 80,700 People Transition from Benefit to Work in Past Year, Reveals Social Development Minister
17 Jul 2025, 10:27 AM | 1 year ago | 1819 viewsOver 80,700 individuals transitioned from benefits to employment in the past year, reflecting the government's focus on facilitating job opportunities despite economic challenges. While the total number of beneficiaries has increased, particularly in Jobseeker Support, this aligns with seasonal trends and the government's efforts to provide enhanced support services for job seekers. Initiatives such as increased case management, community job coaching, and regular work seminars aim to assist individuals in securing and maintaining employment, with a focus on transitioning people off welfare and into work during the economic recovery period.
Tags: Louise Upston MSD benefit job seekers employment New Zealanders main benefit Social Development economic conditions case managementGovernment Focuses on Jobseeker Beneficiaries in Employment Programs for Next Three Years
16 Jul 2025, 11:03 AM | 1 year ago | 1956 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights the Government's focus on jobseeker beneficiaries in upcoming employment programs. The Ministry of Social Development's updated strategy emphasizes the importance of prioritizing beneficiaries for job placements. Efforts include targeted support for young people to reduce long-term reliance on benefits and increase employment opportunities.
Tags: Jobseeker beneficiaries Government Employment programmes Minister Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Young people Frontline staff Employment case management New Zealand.New Zealand’s Stable Economy: Government’s Fiscal Management Keeps Official Cash Rate Low
09 Jul 2025, 2:13 PM | 1 year ago | 2244 viewsThe Government’s responsible fiscal management has supported the Reserve Bank to keep the Official Cash Rate low, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand today announced it would keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3. 25 per cent while continuing to foreshadow further reductions in the OCR.
Tags: Government fiscal management Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate Finance Minister Nicola Willis New Zealand OCR interest rates economic management