Articles tagged with Minister
Showing 15 of 965 articles
Energy Minister Hails New Rule to Boost Competition and Lower Power Prices
18 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1246 viewsEnergy Minister Simon Watts welcomes a new rule by the Electricity Authority to boost retail competition among smaller power companies, aiming to lower power prices for struggling Kiwis. The rule will prevent large power companies from cross-subsidizing themselves and offering discounts, creating a level playing field for all competitors. These changes, developed under the Energy Competition Task Force, aim to encourage investment in new generation and improve economic outcomes, with further improvements to be consulted on later this year.
Tags: Simon Watts Electricity Authority Kiwis Government Energy Minister Power companies Competition Electricity market Consumers Energy pricesFinance Minister Applauds Fitch Ratings for Preserving New Zealand's Strong Credit Rating Amid Borrowing Challenges
18 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1209 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis is pleased with Fitch Ratings affirming New Zealand's AA+ credit rating, attributing it to the government's prudent financial management. Fitch acknowledges New Zealand's strong commitment to fiscal consolidation and warns that a deviation from this path could impact creditworthiness. Willis emphasizes the importance of maintaining fiscal responsibility to avoid a credit downgrade, which would raise government debt costs and potentially affect households and businesses.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis Fitch Ratings New Zealand credit rating borrowing public finances fiscal consolidation debt GDPGovernment Announces Major Changes to Building Consent System for Economic Growth
18 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1364 viewsThe Government is planning significant changes to the building consent system to boost productivity and reduce costs in the construction sector. Measures include shifting from joint and several liability to proportionate liability, enabling voluntary consolidation of Building Consent Authorities, and exploring options like professional indemnity insurance and home warranties. These changes aim to streamline processes, reduce delays, and make building more affordable, with a Bill expected to be introduced to Parliament in early 2026.
Tags: Government Building consent system Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk New Zealand Building sector Building owners Councils Liability settings BCA consolidationRevolutionizing Brain Tumour Diagnosis in New Zealand: Faster and Accurate Results with DNA Methylation Profiling
15 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1418 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announces that over 100 New Zealanders have benefited from DNA methylation profiling, a groundbreaking diagnostic tool for brain tumour diagnoses at Auckland City Hospital. This technology allows for more precise and quicker identification of tumour types, leading to earlier treatment initiation. The service in Auckland is one of three in Australasia, providing faster access to advanced diagnostic technology locally, improving outcomes for patients and reducing costs associated with sending samples overseas for analysis.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister New Zealanders DNA methylation profiling brain tumours Auckland City Hospital diagnostic technology Kiwi patients cancer treatment diagnostic toolsNew Law Introduces Offence for Disruptive Demonstrations at Private Homes in New Zealand
15 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1407 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing a new offence to address disruptive demonstrations outside private homes, particularly those targeting public figures like MPs and judges. The legislation aims to protect individuals and their families' peace and privacy while balancing the public's right to demonstrate reasonably. The new law will target demonstrations directed at individuals in their homes with penalties of up to three months in jail or a $2,000 fine.
Tags: Government offence disruptive demonstrations private homes Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith public persons MPs judges public officialsNew Zealand's Commitment to Pacific Regionalism Emphasized at Foreign Ministers' Meeting
14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1349 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters reaffirmed New Zealand's dedication to Pacific regionalism at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Fiji. He stressed the importance of the region standing united and setting its own agenda amidst external pressures. Peters welcomed the report on Pacific regional architecture and offered New Zealand as a host for the 2027 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting, emphasizing the need for effective regional collaboration to address urgent challenges.
Tags: Winston Peters New Zealand Pacific regionalism Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Pacific Islands Forum dialogue development partners regional architecture Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ MeetingMinister of Internal Affairs Celebrates Decrease in Citizenship Application Wait Times
14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1234 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden notes a significant decrease in the number of people awaiting citizenship decisions, with the current backlog reduced to just over 13,700 from a high of 37,690 in April 2022. Efforts to streamline processes and reduce wait times have led to improved efficiency and quicker processing times, with the oldest applications now being picked up within two months compared to an 11-month delay in the past. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of celebrating the milestone of becoming a New Zealand citizen and acknowledges the contributions of individuals waiting for citizenship to the economy and communities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Citizenship by Grant application Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand citizen citizenship delays citizenship processing economy communities backlogMinister Judith Collins Unveils RNZAF No. 5 Squadron Headquarters at Ohakea with State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1287 viewsMinister 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.
Tags: Minister of Defence Judith Collins Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 5 Squadron Te Whare Toroa Albatross RNZAF Defence personnel Defence Capability Plan New ZealandMinister Karen Chhour Urges Caregivers to Provide Safe and Loving Homes: Enhanced Support Available
13 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1513 viewsMinister Karen Chhour urges individuals capable of offering a loving and stable environment to consider becoming caregivers, emphasizing improved support and training. Budget 2025 allocated $16 million to enhance care environments and caregiver training. Initiatives include caregiver feedback incorporation, improved on-boarding processes, and prioritizing safe and loving homes for children.
Tags: Minister for Children Karen Chhour caregiver support training Budget 2025 Caregiver Panel Oranga Tamariki Caring Families Aotearoa approval processGovernment Strengthens Laws Against Trafficking and People Smuggling to Ensure Accountability and Justice
13 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1469 viewsThe Government is strengthening trafficking and people smuggling laws to hold criminals accountable and address the low prosecution rates for trafficking cases. The reforms aim to make it easier to prosecute offenders, particularly in cases involving victims under 18, by removing the need to prove coercion or deception. The changes also focus on preventing the smuggling of migrants using fraudulent travel documents and enhancing protection for undercover Police investigating child exploitation cases.
Tags: Government trafficking people smuggling laws criminals Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith victims prosecution consequencesChris Seed Named New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Succeeding Rosemary Banks
13 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1636 viewsChris Seed has been appointed as New Zealand's next Ambassador to the United States, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Seed, a highly experienced diplomat who previously served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is seen as well-suited for the role. He will succeed Rosemary Banks, who is completing her second term and is praised for her distinguished diplomatic career and contributions to the critical bilateral relationship with the US.
Tags: Winston Peters Chris Seed New Zealand United States Washington DC Rosemary Banks Ambassador Foreign Minister Diplomat Strategic PartnershipGovernment Acts to Prevent 'Stop Work' Order for NZ Farmers: RMA Reform Bill Update
12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1264 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 BillMinister Brooke van Velden Welcomes Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill for Improved Department of Internal Affairs Efficiency
12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1430 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden supports the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the Department of Internal Affairs by streamlining relevant legislation. The Bill, which has passed its first reading and will now undergo public submissions, proposes changes such as age restrictions on Lotto sales, empowering the Department to combat objectionable online content, and improving the Classification Office's operations. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of these amendments in advancing the Department's capabilities and safeguarding against harmful online materials.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill Department of Internal Affairs RealMe identity verification service Lotto product Classification Office fertility clinics objectionable content international law enforcement agenciesPacific Islands Forum: NZ Foreign Minister to Discuss Key Regional Issues
12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1425 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will attend the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji to discuss key regional issues with counterparts, emphasizing the importance of Pacific unity in addressing shared challenges. New Zealand views its membership in the Pacific Islands Forum as crucial for developing Pacific-owned solutions and maintaining diplomatic relationships within the region. The meeting in Fiji will pave the way for further discussions among Forum Leaders in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in September, with Mr Peters departing on August 13 and returning on August 14.
Tags: Winston Peters Foreign Minister Pacific Islands Forum Fiji New Zealand Honiara Solomon Islands Diplomacy Regional Issues Forum LeadersTransforming New Zealand with Modern Digital Identity: Minister's Vision at Hui Taumata 2025
11 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1974 viewsThe Minister for Digitising Government addresses the Digital Identity New Zealand Hui Taumata 2025, highlighting the importance of digital identity in transforming how New Zealanders access services. The government has made significant progress in developing a modern digital identity system, including the launch of NZ Verify and the Government App. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is encouraged to ensure the successful implementation and use of digital identity services for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Minister for Digitising Government Andy Higgs Maria Robertson Honourable Scott Simpson New Zealand Transport Agency Department of Internal Affairs Immigration New Zealand NZ Verify Dave Clark NZ MATTR