Articles tagged with Minister
Showing 15 of 965 articles
New Zealand Fuel Security Plan: Ensuring Reliable Access to Fuel for Economic Resilience
14 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2057 viewsThe Coalition Government is seeking feedback on a draft Fuel Security Plan to ensure reliable fuel access for New Zealanders during disruptions, focusing on improving resilience, infrastructure, low-carbon alternatives, and managing the transition to new energy technologies. Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones emphasizes the importance of fuel security for economic and national resilience, highlighting recent measures to boost reserves and improve storage locations. Public submissions on the plan are open from July 15 to August 25, with feedback accepted through the MBIE website.
Tags: Shane Jones Fuel Security Plan New Zealand Energy Minister Resilience Supply Chain Fuel Infrastructure Economic Wellbeing National ResilienceRegional Polytechnic Revival: 10 Institutions Restored for Strong Communities & Economic Growth
14 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3218 viewsTen polytechnics will be re-established from 1 January 2026, aiming to restore regional decision-making and support economic growth, according to Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds. The move is part of building a locally led and future-focused vocational education system, following extensive industry feedback. The new federation will include ten polytechnics, with Te Pūkenga acting as a transitional entity for up to a year to manage unallocated programmes and support the handover process.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Vocational Education Minister Ara Institute of Canterbury Eastern Institute of Technology Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Southern Institute of Technology Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Waikato Institute of Technology Unitec Institute of Technology Manukau Institute of TechnologyChildhood Immunisation Rates Continue to Soar, Reflecting Government Commitment to Kiwi Health
14 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1736 viewsChildhood immunisation rates in New Zealand have increased to 79.3% at 24 months, reflecting the government's commitment to improving health outcomes for children. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes the importance of protecting children from preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. Progress has been seen nationwide, with districts such as Auckland and South Canterbury showing significant improvements in immunisation coverage.
Tags: childhood immunisation health minister Simeon Brown measles whooping cough vaccination GPs Government Kiwi children health outcomesNew Dialysis Unit in Blenheim to Provide Life-Changing Support for Local Patients & Families
12 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2883 viewsA new dialysis unit is set to open in Blenheim, providing crucial support for local patients and their families, reducing the need for extensive travel to Nelson Hospital. The initiative aims to ease the burden on patients, support self-dialysis capabilities, and address the growing need for kidney care in the region. The project is a collaborative effort involving various healthcare providers, local charities, and community organizations, showcasing a commitment to responsive and locally led healthcare services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Marlborough Health Minister Nelson Hospital dialysis unit healthcare local communities patients families Marlborough Primary HealthNew Zealand and Japan Forge Logistics Agreement to Enhance Defence Cooperation
10 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1883 viewsNew Zealand and Japan are developing a logistics agreement to support ongoing defence cooperation between our two countries, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced. “Japan is a crucial partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says following a meeting with Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi at the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. “We are both committed to the international rules-based system, and to maintaining security and prosperity in our region.
Tags: New Zealand Japan Defence Minister Judith Collins Foreign Minister Winston Peters Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement logistics agreement Iwaya Takeshi East Asia Summit Information Security AgreementNew Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance: Fighting Online Financial Scams Together
10 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1867 viewsImportant progress in the fight against online financial scams has been made with the launch of a new initiative between government, industry and consumer groups, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says. “It is unacceptable that so many Kiwis are swindled by scammers every day,” Mr Simpson says. “Some reports suggest scams cost the economy up to $2 billion annually, and it is crucial we get on top of the problem.
Tags: online financial scams government industry consumer groups Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis scams AllianceNew Zealand's Mental Health Workforce Growth: Ensuring Support When It's Needed
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2827 viewsWhen someone is making the brave step of reaching out for help whether it’s you, your child, a friend or family member, this Government is committed to ensuring we have the right support in place to answer that call, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says. “It is promising to see reports showing New Zealand’s mental health and addiction workforce is growing. This will help us ensure that people are getting the support they need, when they need it and no one’s call is going unanswered,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Health Workforce Health NZ Psychiatry Health New Zealand Te PouBoost in Great Walks Bookings Signals Conservation Success and Economic Growth
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1783 viewsA significant boost in the number of people booking bednights along the country’s Great Walks is a good sign for conservation tourism and local businesses, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Opening day bookings for each of the Great Walks were up by over 10,000 bednights compared to last year, totalling more than 140,000 bednights and bringing in more than $9 million to the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, says Mr Potaka. “Booking system upgrades - including a new online lobby - successfully processed a peak of nearly 12,000 people waiting to book the Milford when it opened on 28 May in an hour.
Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Great Walks Conservation tourism Local businesses Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai International Visitor Levy National Parks Rakiura National Park International visitorsNew Zealand to Reform AML/CFT Laws for Small Businesses: Minister McKee Announces Overhaul
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1627 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says that small businesses will benefit from upcoming reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, as the Government moves to make compliance more proportionate and practical for low-risk operators. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced Cabinet’s approval to draft a new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Omnibus) Amendment Bill to overhaul the existing system. Under current rules, even small businesses and professionals, such as real estate agents, face complex and time-consuming checks, often regardless of how much risk they face,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister small businesses reforms compliance customer due diligence real estate agents simplified checksNew Zealand’s Stable Economy: Government’s Fiscal Management Keeps Official Cash Rate Low
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2109 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 managementRegulation Minister Applauds BusinessNZ's Support for Regulatory Standards Bill to Cut Red Tape and Boost Business Growth in New Zealand
08 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2811 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour is welcoming BusinessNZ’s strong support for the Regulatory Standards Bill as a means to deal with red tape and regulation. “After all the misinformed opposition we’ve heard, the people who get up in the morning to make an honest buck and deliver goods and services to New Zealanders want red tape and regulation dealt to and believe this Bill will help them do that. “Submitting on the Bill at select committee today, BusinessNZ said it was an important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses by putting more scrutiny on politicians when law is made.
Tags: Regulation Minister David Seymour BusinessNZ Regulatory Standards Bill red tape select committee politicians compliance burden academicsSelwyn District Leads the Way in Water Services Reform with Launch of Selwyn Water
08 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1800 viewsSelwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The launch of Selwyn District’s water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,” Mr Watts says. “Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.
Tags: Selwyn District Simon Watts Local Government Minister Paul James Selwyn Water Water Services Delivery Plan Commerce Commission Department of Internal Affairs Sam Broughton Local Water Done WellAccelerating Economic Growth Through Efficient Conservation Land Applications Processing
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1765 viewsA targeted effort to reduce the backlog of applications for use of conservation land is accelerating economic growth without compromising conservation values, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. “Over the years, decision makers at the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai became wrapped and trapped in a sticky ball of red tape unnecessarily slowing the success of tourism operators, researchers, major infrastructure project developers, among many others. “The department is doing a great job delivering on my expectation to crack on with the mahi.
Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai tourism applications economic growth infrastructure AI tools Kokiri Lime conservation landNew Zealand Sends Specialist Team to Support Canada's Wildfire Response
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2885 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says New Zealand is sending a seven-person specialist team to Manitoba on Wednesday 9 July to support Canada in its response to severe wildfires across the country. “Canada is dealing with an intense and escalating wildfire season, with fires raging across multiple provinces,” says Ms van Velden. “More than 20,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs New Zealand Canada Manitoba wildfires firefighting Fire and Emergency New Zealand Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Stewart IslandsGovernment Reforms to AML/CFT Act Ease Property Transactions for Kiwi Families
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1754 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Government is continuing to cut through unnecessary bureaucracy with reforms to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, which will make life easier for hard-working Kiwi families managing property through family trusts. “For thousands of New Zealanders, setting up a family trust is part of securing their financial future, especially when it comes to their home. But under the current AML regime, selling a house held in a trust triggers a burdensome level of document verification and compliance checks that has little to do with actual risk,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister Family Trusts Real Estate Agents New Zealanders Financial Future Compliance Checks Property Management