Articles tagged with Minister
Showing 15 of 965 articles
New Simplified ERO School Reports to Boost Parent Insights from Term 2
16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 892 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford announced an overhaul of ERO’s school reports to provide parents with clearer, more relevant information focused on student achievement, progress, and engagement. The new reports, co-designed with parents and launching in Term 2, will offer detailed, easy-to-understand visuals covering nearly twice as many topics, highlighting both successes and areas for improvement. This initiative complements wider government education reforms aimed at enhancing student outcomes through improved assessments and reporting, ensuring parents can actively support their child's learning journey.
Tags: Erica Stanford ERO Education Minister parents school reports student achievement education reforms Phonics Check Year 2 maths check curriculumHealth Minister Simeon Brown Welcomes New Health NZ Staff Pay Agreement
16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 916 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 4,400 Health New Zealand staff represented by the Public Service Association, recognizing their vital role in supporting frontline health services. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump-sum payment, and enhanced on-call and after-hours allowances. This ratification brings the total number of Health New Zealand employees covered by collective agreements to around 20,000, ensuring staff certainty and continued quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Public Service Association PSA PAKS APEX collective agreement frontline teams pay increaseSH35 East Coast Reopens 24/7 After Severe Weather Repairs
16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 964 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced the end of night closures on State Highway 35, restoring 24-hour access after severe weather caused extensive damage earlier this year. Crews have removed around 25,000 cubic metres of material, installed drainage, and laid new road surfaces, though ongoing work and caution while driving remain necessary. Additionally, work has begun on a retaining wall at the Waikura slip to improve road resilience, with continued efforts expected to ensure safety and access.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister State Highway 35 SH35 East Coast route NZTA Waikura Punaruku Hicks Bay Te AraroaNZ and Australia Ministers Meet in Canberra to Strengthen 75-Year Alliance
15 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 895 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins will attend the third annual Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN) in Canberra to strengthen their strategic partnership. Marking 75 years of the New Zealand-Australia Alliance, they will discuss shared approaches to foreign policy, security, and defence amid increasing instability in the Indo-Pacific and globally. The ministers will also hold bilateral meetings with their Australian counterparts to address issues including cooperation in the Pacific and Antarctica.
Tags: Winston Peters Judith Collins Penny Wong Richard Marles ANZMIN New Zealand Australia Foreign Policy Defence MinistersEnergy Minister Simon Watts to Attend Indo-Pacific Energy Security Forum 2026
13 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 962 viewsEnergy Minister Simon Watts is traveling to Japan to participate in the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, emphasizing the importance of energy security amid Middle East conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty. New Zealand is committed to securing global energy supply chains, particularly for liquid fuels, and remains prepared with resilient fuel systems and healthy stockpiles. The forum provides a key opportunity for New Zealand to collaborate with Indo-Pacific partners and support the International Energy Agency’s collective actions.
Tags: Simon Watts Energy Minister New Zealand International Energy Agency energy security fuel supply Middle East conflict international collaborationNZ Racing Minister Backs Greyhound Rehoming Plans Amid Racing Phase-Out
13 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 924 viewsRacing Minister Winston Peters supports plans to rehome greyhounds as New Zealand transitions away from greyhound racing, emphasizing a careful, multi-stage process involving industry input and select committee feedback. The Ministerial Advisory Committee proposes establishing a transition agency to manage dog care, provide mental health and retraining support for industry workers, and collaborate with animal welfare groups to ensure successful rehoming. This transition follows years of reviews highlighting animal welfare issues and reflects strong public support for ending greyhound racing.
Tags: Winston Peters Racing Minister greyhound racing Ministerial Advisory Committee select committee SPCA New Zealand greyhound rehoming animal welfare transition agencyOranga Tamariki Improves Child Safety with 97% Timely Visits and Better Support
13 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 914 viewsOranga Tamariki has shown significant progress in child care and protection, with 97% of children visited by social workers on time and improved compliance with caregiver support plans. There has been a notable reduction in serious offending behavior and harm among children in state care, supported by increased social worker recruitment, $68 million investment in case management technology, and enhanced training. Despite challenges like high reports of concern and insufficient supported accommodation, Minister Karen Chhour remains committed to improving the system and prioritizing child wellbeing.
Tags: Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki Minister for Children social workers child protection National Care Standards caregiver support children in care youth offending case management technologyNew Zealand and Cambodia Strengthen Ties with High-Level Diplomatic Visit
12 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 897 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters welcomed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn to New Zealand, marking the first high-level Cambodian visit since 2019 and highlighting the strengthening bilateral relationship. They discussed collaboration on development, regional security, and shared commitment to a rules-based international system, with Peters announcing NZ$7.5 million in additional support for mine clearance and victim assistance in Cambodia. This visit follows New Zealand’s recent trip to Cambodia, underscoring mutual dedication to deepening ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
Tags: Winston Peters Prak Sokhonn New Zealand Cambodia Foreign Minister Deputy Prime Minister mine clearance regional peace international cooperationHauraki Gulf Rockpool Ban Enforced to Protect Marine Life and Ecosystems
12 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 890 viewsA ban on gathering marine life from rockpools and coastal waters in the Hauraki Gulf north of Auckland has come into effect to preserve ecological areas and ensure fishery sustainability. Fishery Officers will patrol key locations to enforce the closure, with fines up to $100,000 for violations, and educational efforts are underway in partnership with local iwi and communities. Fisheries New Zealand, working with Ngāti Manuhiri, has implemented this temporary closure alongside educational materials to raise awareness about the cultural and environmental importance of protecting intertidal ecosystems.
Tags: Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft Ngāti Manuhiri Fishery Officers Fisheries New Zealand Hauraki Gulf Auckland Oceans and Fisheries Minister Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust MPINZ Hospitality Summit 2026: Boosting Economy and Supporting Industry Growth
12 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1084 viewsTourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston emphasized the hospitality industry's significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy, generating over $9 billion in GDP and shaping visitor experiences. Since the first Hospitality Summit in 2024, the government has collaborated with the industry by introducing the Michelin Guide, investing in regional tourism, supporting major events, and reviewing regulations. The 2026 Summit focused on reflecting progress and planning practical steps to build a strong, resilient hospitality sector through continued partnership between government and industry.
Tags: Louise Upston Tourism and Hospitality Minister Hospitality Summit 2026 New Zealand economy Hospitality New Zealand Restaurant Association Michelin Guide Hospitality Sector Review Regional tourism Hospitality industryGovernment Invests $60K for 51st Polyfest Celebrating Pacific Culture and Youth
12 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 987 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $60,000 to support the 51st Polyfest in 2026, celebrating Pacific culture, youth leadership, and community strength. Alongside cultural support, the Government is improving Pacific peoples' quality of life through initiatives in safety, education, health, housing, and employment. Polyfest 2026 will feature diverse Pacific stages and promote environmental stewardship under the theme of Pacific youth as eco-warriors.
Tags: Polyfest Dr Shane Reti Pacific Peoples Minister Ministry for Pacific Peoples Toloa STEM scholarships Alo Vaka Cook Islands Niue Samoa TongaPrime Minister Luxon Visits Samoa and Tonga to Strengthen Pacific Ties
11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 935 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit Samoa and Tonga to strengthen New Zealand’s ties with these key Pacific nations, reflecting the deep family connections shared by over 300,000 Samoan and Tongan New Zealanders. This trip marks New Zealand’s first full engagement with the new governments, aiming to build trust and collaborate on prosperity and security issues. Accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, and community representatives, Luxon will also celebrate cultural and economic links during the visit from March 15 to 18.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Savae Sir Michael Jones Rachel Afeaki Shane Reti Mark Mitchell Tim van de Molen Jenny Salesa Teanau Tuiono Prime Minister New ZealandNew Zealand Launches Digital Food Labelling Trial to Boost Consumer Choice
11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 892 viewsThe New Zealand Government is launching a 12-month digital labelling trial for approved retailers to reduce barriers to market entry and increase consumer choice, focusing on lower-risk, pre-packaged imported foods. The trial will exempt a small number of retailers from physical labelling requirements while ensuring all safety standards and regulatory oversight remain intact. This initiative aims to test innovative technology, maintain food safety, and inform future food labelling policies in collaboration with Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Willis Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Food Act 2014 digital labelling Food Standards Australia New Zealand Economic Growth Minister Food Safety Minister Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Expression of InterestNew MRI Scanner at Wairarapa Hospital Cuts Wait Times and Travel for Patients
11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 997 viewsA new $3.7 million MRI scanner will be installed at Wairarapa Hospital to improve local access to diagnostic services, reducing the need for patients to travel to other districts. Currently, Wairarapa patients face long wait times of around 72 days for MRI scans, but the new facility aims to cut this to a 42-day target, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. This investment supports the government's goals of faster cancer treatment, shorter specialist wait times, and strengthened regional health service resilience.
Tags: Wairarapa Hospital MRI scanner Health Minister Simeon Brown diagnostic services lower North Island radiology services Hutt Valley Wellington Palmerston North cancer treatmentTransforming New Zealand Life Sciences: Innovation, Technology, and Future Growth
11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 960 viewsThe Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology highlighted New Zealand’s significant reforms to its science system, including the creation of unified funding bodies, advisory councils, and major bioeconomy institutes to enhance research impact and economic resilience. Emphasizing the convergence of life sciences with advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing, the government is investing in platforms such as the Biodiscovery Platform and Infectious Diseases Research Platform to drive innovation, health security, and sustainable growth. The Minister also addressed the importance of modernizing gene technology regulations to keep pace globally, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting science that benefits New Zealand’s economy, environment, and communities.
Tags: Minister of Science Innovation and Technology BioTech NZ NZTech Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council Research Funding New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute Public Health and Forensic Science New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology