Articles tagged with Minister
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Tauranga Landslide Inquiry Report Delayed to February 2027 for Thorough Review
09 Sep 2026 | 56 min ago | 23 viewsThe Government Inquiry into the fatal landslides in Tauranga, which claimed eight lives in January 2026, will now report back in February 2027 following an extension request by the Inquiry Chair, Sir Mark O’Regan. The Inquiry aims to determine how the landslides occurred, assess agency responses, and identify lessons to prevent future tragedies, while incorporating findings from the Davison Review delivered in August 2026. Minister Brooke van Velden emphasized the need for a comprehensive report despite the delay, acknowledging the affected families’ and communities’ desire for timely answers.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Sir Mark O’Regan Tauranga Mauao Mount Maunganui Pāpāmoa Davison Review Government Inquiry Minister of Internal Affairs Tauranga City CouncilDavid McClatchy Reappointed to Guardians of NZ Superannuation Board for 3 Years
09 Sep 2026 | 3 hours ago | 32 viewsDavid McClatchy has been reappointed for three years as a member of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, which manages the NZ Superannuation Fund and Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund valued at $94.4 billion. His extensive experience in investment management and governance contributes to the board’s stability, leadership, and expertise during a period of economic uncertainty. The reappointment reflects the Government’s commitment to strong governance and robust investment performance to grow New Zealand’s sovereign wealth funds for future generations.
Tags: David McClatchy Nicola Willis Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board NZ Superannuation Fund Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund New Zealand Finance Minister sovereign wealth funds investment governance business leaderNZ Removes Royalties on Cushion Gas to Boost Underground Gas Storage and Energy Security
08 Sep 2026 | 6 hours ago | 56 viewsThe New Zealand Government will end the requirement for developers to pay royalties on "cushion gas," which is operational gas needed to maintain pressure in underground gas storage but unlikely to be extracted or sold. This change aims to remove regulatory barriers, encouraging investment in underground gas storage to improve the flexibility, resilience, and long-term energy security of the country’s energy system. An independent expert will determine the portion of gas qualifying as cushion gas, while future regulatory reviews will assess the effectiveness of this measure in supporting energy security.
Tags: Shane Jones Methanex New Zealand Resources Minister underground gas storage energy security petroleum regulatory framework cushion gas electricity generation gas royaltiesNew Signalised Pedestrian Crossing on SH1 Ōtaika Set to Improve Safety by 2026
08 Sep 2026 | 7 hours ago | 47 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that a tender has been released to upgrade the unsignalised pedestrian crossing on State Highway 1 through Ōtaika, addressing longstanding safety concerns due to heavy traffic and past incidents. The new signalised crossing, along with improved streetlights, footpaths, and road surfaces, aims to enhance safety and accessibility for nearby schools, medical centers, and shopping areas, with construction expected to finish by the end of 2026. These improvements are anticipated to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, and respond to strong community advocacy, including support from local MP Hon Dr Shane Reti.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Reti NZ Transport Agency Ōtaika State Highway 1 Whangārei pedestrian crossing Transport Minister local community signalised crossingNew Zealand Narrows Socio-Economic Achievement Gap with Strong Student Gains
08 Sep 2026 | 7 hours ago | 63 viewsNew Zealand’s latest OECD PISA results reveal a significant narrowing of the socio-economic achievement gap, driven by substantial gains among students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly in science, maths, and reading. Education Minister Erica Stanford attributes this improvement to factors like better attendance rates and government reforms focused on literacy, maths, a knowledge-rich curriculum, and early intervention for struggling students. Despite progress, overall results remain below levels from 15 years ago, but the government is committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education regardless of their background.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand OECD PISA Education Minister Ministry of Education literacy maths attendance education reformNew Zealand Enhances Mental Health Telehealth Services with Expanded Support and Faster Access
08 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 67 viewsAn independent review of mental health and addiction telehealth services revealed that while core safety systems are in place, many people face long wait times and inconsistent follow-up after referrals. In response, the government is expanding peer support hours, piloting proactive follow-up calls, establishing a dedicated 24/7 national suicide prevention crisis line, and considering a telehealth target to improve wait times. Recent investments of over $10 million aim to enhance service capacity and ensure timely, accessible support for those in need.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health New Zealand Whakarongorau 1737 Lifeline Youthline telehealth suicide prevention peer supportFree Government Food Safety Courses Help Thousands of Food Business Staff
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 65 viewsThe Government’s free online Food Safety Basics training modules have benefited thousands of food business staff, with the third module on maintaining a food safe workplace now available. Developed with industry input, the course covers key topics like cleaning, pest control, and waste management, and aims to simplify food safety while saving businesses money on costly training. Additionally, recent government changes have reduced regulatory burdens and costs for various food businesses, supporting a more efficient and consistent food safety system nationwide.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Government Food Safety Basics Restaurant Association Hospitality NZ Food Business Online Training Hygiene Food Safety Minister$740M NZ State Highway Renewal Boosts Safer, Smoother Roads This Summer
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 81 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced a $740 million state highway renewal programme for the upcoming summer, funded by the National Land Transport Fund, aiming to improve road safety, reliability, and longevity across New Zealand. This investment is part of a record $2.15 billion allocation for state highway maintenance and renewals from 2024 to 2027, emphasizing the government's priority on maintaining existing infrastructure to deliver better value and reduce costly reconstructions. The programme includes extensive resurfacing, pavement rehabilitation, and safety upgrades, with recognition of the essential work by roadworkers despite potential short-term disruptions.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister New Zealand National Land Transport Fund state highway renewal road maintenance infrastructure National Infrastructure Plan roadworkers pavement rehabilitation$640K Loan Boosts Stewart Island Air Connectivity and Regional Services
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 47 viewsA $640,000 loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been granted to South East Air to refurbish an aircraft, increasing Stewart Island Flights' fleet from four to five planes. This funding aims to enhance regional air connectivity, support essential services like healthcare and education, and boost tourism and business on Stewart Island. The loan is part of a broader $30 million initiative to sustain vulnerable regional air services and help airlines manage costs amid rising fuel prices.
Tags: Stewart Island Mark Patterson South East Air Stewart Island Flights Regional Infrastructure Fund regional air services aviation sector regional airlines Regional Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund loanTaranaki Alliance Boosted by $3M Grant to Secure $100M+ Contracts
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 67 viewsThe Taranaki Alliance, supported by a $3 million Regional Infrastructure Fund grant, aims to help local firms secure over $100 million in contracts within three years, aiding economic diversification away from the declining oil and gas sector. The initiative, led by Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki and local partners, will coordinate collaboration among engineering, manufacturing, and technical firms to pursue large-scale national and international projects. With strong regional support and over 85 firms interested, the Alliance seeks to build a commercially sustainable model that enhances bid coordination, compliance, and regional economic representation.
Tags: Shane Jones Taranaki Alliance Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki Methanex New Plymouth District Council Venture Taranaki Regional Development Minister Coalition Government Regional Infrastructure Fund oil and gas sectorFranz Josef Completes Key Flood Protection Works to Boost Community Resilience
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 91 viewsFranz Josef township has achieved a significant flood resilience milestone with the completion of key Waiho River stop bank upgrades, enhancing protection for homes, farms, and infrastructure. These works, part of the second stage of the Franz Josef Flood Protection Scheme, are co-funded by a $6 million Regional Infrastructure Fund grant and follow an initial $9.2 million investment from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The upgrades aim to safeguard the community against destructive flooding from the glacier-fed Waiho River while preparing for the final Havill Wall upgrade to protect additional critical assets.
Tags: Franz Josef Waiho River Mark Patterson Franz Josef Glacier Havill Wall Regional Infrastructure Fund State Highway 6 Tartare Stream Associate Regional Development MinisterNew Zealand Aviation Action Plan Achieves Major Milestones in First Year
06 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 81 viewsSignificant progress has been made on New Zealand's Aviation Action Plan, with over half of its 25 priorities completed within a year, including funding for RNZAF Base Ohakea as an alternative airport and support for regional airlines. Key achievements also involve updating pilot training, addressing workforce challenges, modernizing civil aviation rules, and assessing future infrastructure needs. The government favors a voluntary passenger rights charter over regulation to allow flexible improvements, emphasizing ongoing collaboration between the Aviation Council, industry, and government to strengthen the aviation sector.
Tags: James Meager Aviation Action Plan RNZAF Base Ohakea Aviation Council New Zealand aviation Associate Transport Minister civil aviation rules regional airports pilot training aviation passenger rightsAuckland's North-West Rapid Transit Project Gets Fast-Track Approval for Faster Bus Travel
04 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 137 viewsThe North-West Rapid Transit project in Auckland, approved through the Fast-track process, will create a rapid busway along State Highway 16 with seven stations and a Park and Ride facility, enhancing public transport for the rapidly growing north-west area. The project aims to provide a reliable 25-minute journey from Brigham Creek to Auckland City Centre, accommodating up to 9,000 passengers per hour and supporting the region's growth and economic productivity. This approval marks the 33rd Fast-track project, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, alongside other ongoing projects across housing, renewable energy, and transport sectors.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland New Zealand Transport Agency Westgate Station City Rail Link State Highway 16 WX1 service Brigham Creek Infrastructure MinisterSouthland Counsellor Kathryn Wright Joins Minister’s Arms Advisory Group
03 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 132 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomed Kathryn Wright, a Southland-based registered counsellor and rural mental health practitioner, to the Minister’s Arms Advisory Group (MAAG), highlighting her valuable experience with Mental Hunts, a charity supporting firearms users in rural communities. Wright’s expertise in mental health and understanding of the firearms community will aid in developing a firearms system that balances safety with fair treatment of licensed owners. Appointed for a three-year term starting August 2026, Wright replaces two non-firearm-owning members and brings a strong background in counselling and community engagement to the advisory group.
Tags: Nicole McKee Kathryn Wright Paul Goldsmith Catherine Stephenson Mental Hunts University of Otago Minister’s Arms Advisory Group New Zealand Association of Counsellors Justice MinisterNew Zealand’s International Education Exports Surge to Nearly $5 Billion in 2026
03 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 162 viewsNew Zealand’s international education export earnings have nearly reached $5 billion in the year to June 2026, surpassing pre-Covid levels and significantly boosting the economy. Despite having fewer international students than in 2019, the sector has achieved strong growth through increased value per student and rising enrolments, particularly in universities and schools. The government aims to sustain this momentum by supporting education providers, maintaining competitive immigration settings, and promoting New Zealand globally to reach 105,000 student enrolments by 2027 and $7.2 billion in export earnings by 2034.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand Education New Zealand international education export earnings immigration settings international students universities Education Minister