Articles tagged with National
Showing 15 of 276 articles
Victoria Louise Heine Appointed High Court Judge in Wellington Starting 2026
18 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1309 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of Victoria Louise Heine as a High Court Judge, effective 16 February 2026, in Wellington. Justice Heine has a distinguished legal career, including roles as a partner at Chen Palmer and Chapman Tripp, a barrister sole, and an Adjunct Law Lecturer, with expertise in civil remedies, regulatory disputes, and arbitration. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University, a Master of Laws from the University of Chicago, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021.
Tags: Judith Collins Victoria Louise Heine Wellington Victoria University of Wellington Russell McVeagh Chen Palmer Chapman Tripp Thorndon Chambers Singapore International Arbitration Centre Equestrian Sports New ZealandDefence Minister Judith Collins to Visit Japan for Key Security Talks
17 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1171 viewsDefence Minister Judith Collins will visit Japan tomorrow to engage in defence and security discussions with Japanese officials, including Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. She emphasized the importance of Japan as a key partner for New Zealand, both committed to international order and stability. Collins aims to strengthen the close relationship between the two countries during her visit, returning to New Zealand on 20 December.
Tags: Judith Collins Shinjiro Koizumi Toshimitsu Motegi Defence Minister Japan New Zealand Tokyo regional security international order stabilityGovernment Seeks Feedback on Proposed Changes to NZ Rock Lobster Fisheries
14 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1191 viewsThe Government is seeking feedback on proposed changes to rock lobster fisheries in New Zealand’s CRA 3 and CRA 7 regions as part of its fisheries sustainability review. CRA 7 is healthy and may support increased commercial harvest, while CRA 3 is under pressure, prompting recent catch reductions and further recovery proposals. These proposals were developed with input from various fishing sectors, and consultation on Southern blue whiting stocks will begin soon, with submission details available on MPI’s website.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand rock lobster CRA 3 CRA 7 fisheries sustainability National Rock Lobster Advisory Group Southern blue whiting MPI East CapeNational Wild Goat Hunting Competition Removes 10,349 Goats in NZ This Year
12 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1200 viewsThe National Wild Goat Hunting Competition in New Zealand, now in its third year, has removed over 33,000 wild goats, helping protect native ecosystems through hunter-led conservation. The event, supported by the Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, and sponsors, engaged 863 participants, including many youth, promoting conservation and encouraging outdoor activity. With strong backing from the hunting community and significant prizes, the competition has positively influenced hunter behavior and become a key annual event.
Tags: James Meager National Wild Goat Hunting Competition New Zealand Department of Conservation New Zealand Deerstalkers Association wild goats hunting community hunting sector conservation outcomesNew Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 4042 viewsThe adult minimum wage in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026, benefiting around 122,500 workers while balancing cost-of-living pressures and business costs. The government aims to moderate wage increases to address wage compression and support youth employment, with starting-out and training wages set at 80% of the adult rate. This change reflects the NZ First-National coalition’s commitment to responsible economic management, boosting incomes, and fostering job opportunities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZ First National coalition New Zealand minimum wage Workplace Relations and Safety youth unemployment wage compression Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment inflationKiwi Space Activator Launches $1.8M Pilot to Boost NZ Space Innovation
11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1282 viewsNew Zealand's Space Minister Judith Collins launched a $1.8 million Kiwi Space Activator pilot program to help local companies and universities develop space technologies for future national missions. The program, administered by the New Zealand Space Agency, offers up to $600,000 per project over two funding rounds, supporting innovations aligned with government challenges like maritime security and ecosystem health. Open to New Zealand-based organizations, the initiative aims to advance space technology readiness and maintain the country's leadership in global space innovation, with applications closing on March 1, 2026.
Tags: Judith Collins Kiwi Space Activator New Zealand Space Agency space technology national space mission satellite technology space innovation maritime security biosecurity ecosystem healthNew Guidance to Boost New Zealand Government Infrastructure Management and Maintenance
11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1231 viewsNew Zealand’s Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop announced new guidance from the Infrastructure Commission aimed at improving how government agencies maintain and manage nearly half of the country’s infrastructure assets. The Asset Management and Investment Planning guidance provides clear expectations, tools, and accountability measures to address widespread poor asset management in sectors like health, education, and justice. This initiative is part of a broader government program focused on practical improvements now and longer-term system changes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure to avoid higher future replacement costs.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Infrastructure Minister Asset Management Investment Planning New Zealand Government National Infrastructure Plan Infrastructure Maintenance Public Sector Government AgenciesConservation Minister Approves Protection for 80% of West Coast Stewardship Land
11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 857 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced that 385 out of 576 stewardship land reclassification proposals on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island will proceed, protecting over 190,000 hectares under the Reserves Act and more than 300,000 hectares under the Conservation Act, with some land added to National Parks or considered for disposal. This significant reclassification, the largest since 1987, aims to provide clarity and certainty for land use, respecting conservation, cultural values, and existing rights such as tourism and mining concessions, while maintaining access for Ngāi Tahu’s pounamu gathering. The process, involving extensive consultation and collaboration with panels and communities, culminates in the creation of new reserves like the 181,000-hectare Tarahanga e Toru Historic Reserve and referrals of key stewardship areas for national park additions to ensure long-term protection.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ngāi Tahu Tarahanga e Toru New Zealand Conservation Authority DOC West Coast South Island Cave Creek Pike River National ParksDuane Kale Appointed Chair of Sport New Zealand to Lead High Performance Sport
10 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 884 viewsDuane Kale ONZM has been appointed Chair of Sport and Recreation New Zealand, bringing extensive experience in sports administration and Paralympic leadership. He has served as Deputy Chair of Sport NZ and High Performance Sport New Zealand since 2023, and as Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee since 2017. Kale is a decorated Paralympian and recognized leader, recently awarded the Paralympic Order, and will succeed Raewyn Lovett as Chair.
Tags: Duane Kale Mark Mitchell Raewyn Lovett Sport NZ Paralympics New Zealand International Paralympic Committee High Performance Sport New Zealand New Zealand Paralympian Paralympic Order Chef de MissionNew Govt.nz App Launches for Secure, Easy Access to NZ Government Services
09 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 911 viewsThe Government has launched the Govt. nz app to provide secure, convenient access to trusted government information and services via mobile phones. Initially offering customizable dashboards and emergency warnings, the app will soon include features like secure messaging and a digital wallet for identity credentials. Participation is optional, aiming to enhance a customer-focused, efficient, and future-ready digital public service while maintaining high safety standards.
Tags: Government app digital public service Judith Collins Govt. nz app National Emergency Management Agency NEMA Fire and Emergency New Zealand secure messagingNew Zealand’s New Planning System to Boost Renewable Energy Projects and Growth
09 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1228 viewsNew Zealand’s Government is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with two new bills to streamline the planning system, aiming to accelerate renewable energy projects by cutting red tape and reducing costs. Energy Minister Simon Watts highlights that the reforms will provide clearer national policy direction, faster consents, and investor certainty, supporting a renewable electricity boom with 95% of future electricity from clean sources. The bills will be introduced to Parliament soon, with the goal of becoming law by 2026, and public input will be sought through the Select Committee process.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand Energy Minister Renewable Energy Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill Electrify New Zealand National Policy Statement Infrastructure CommissionNew Zealand’s New Planning System to Speed Up Infrastructure Delivery and Growth
08 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 899 viewsThe New Zealand Government is replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 with a new planning system designed to simplify and accelerate infrastructure delivery, providing long-term certainty through spatial plans and streamlined consenting processes. Key reforms include protecting important sites early, standardizing rules for common activities, and enabling critical infrastructure projects to proceed even in protected areas, thereby reducing costs and delays. The legislation aims to unlock investment, support growth, and align infrastructure with development, with bills introduced to Parliament and national policy direction to be finalized within nine months of enactment.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand RMA Reform Infrastructure Commission Resource Management Act Government planning system infrastructure national policy directionNew Zealand's New Planning System to Boost Housing Growth and Homeowner Freedom
08 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1140 viewsThe New Zealand Government is overhauling its planning system to address the housing crisis by simplifying rules, increasing land supply, and enabling more competitive urban land markets, thereby making it easier and faster to build homes. The reforms include standardizing zoning nationwide, reducing consent complexities, allowing more development without council approval, and providing clear national direction with ambitious housing growth targets. These changes aim to lower costs, increase housing choice, strengthen property rights, and support sustainable urban expansion, with legislation expected to pass by 2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Government RMA Reform Housing Minister Planning Bill Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth National Policy Statement ParliamentUpdated Public-Private Partnership Guidance Boosts NZ Infrastructure Projects
04 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 955 viewsNew Zealand has updated its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) guidance to enhance clarity, consistency, and effectiveness in infrastructure delivery, building on lessons from past projects and international models. Key improvements include bid cost reimbursement, price validation, flexible works completion regimes, and provisions for project expansions, aiming to attract global investment and improve project outcomes. The updated guidance supports government agencies in delivering durable infrastructure that meets high standards, addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges and aligning with global best practices.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Infrastructure Treasury PPP Blueprint Infrastructure Investment Summit Roads of National Significance Correctional FacilitiesNew Zealand to Host Third Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in Wellington
03 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1053 viewsNew Zealand will host the third Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in Wellington next week, marking the first time it is held in the Southern Hemisphere. The Assembly aims to unite Parliamentarians and experts to raise awareness of Antarctica’s importance, support the Antarctic Treaty, and address challenges like climate change and geopolitical shifts. Chaired by MP Andrew Bayly, the event seeks to build a global network of advocates dedicated to the continent’s protection and scientific collaboration.
Tags: New Zealand Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly Wellington Winston Peters Antarctic Treaty Antarctica climate change Andrew Bayly Southern Hemisphere National MP