Articles tagged with New Zealand
Showing 15 of 1544 articles
Minister Nicola Grigg Leads NZ Delegation to Pacific Trade Ministers Meeting in Fiji
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1582 viewsMinister of State for Trade and Investment Nicola Grigg will attend the Pacific Island Forum’s Trade Ministers Meeting in Fiji to discuss the importance of trade for economic growth and prosperity in New Zealand and the Pacific region. The meeting aims to shape the future of trade and economic integration among Pacific Island countries. Ms. Grigg highlights New Zealand's commitment to regional cooperation, resilience, and leadership in advancing Pacific trade priorities, including initiatives such as the Fiji New Zealand Business Council's strategy to increase two-way trade to NZ$2 billion by 2030 and the PACER Plus trade agreement benefiting businesses and promoting investment flows in the region.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Trade Investment Pacific Island Forum FTMM New Zealand Suva PIF World Trade Organisation PACER PlusBoosting Trade: New Zealand and Malaysia Strengthen Halal Meat Partnership
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1922 viewsNew Zealand and Malaysia aim to enhance trade in high-quality halal meat products, with Malaysia being a key market for New Zealand's premium halal meat exports. Malaysia is facilitating approvals for New Zealand halal meat premises to gain access to its market, potentially leading to significant growth in exports and benefiting Kiwi farmers and exporters. Both countries are collaborating to streamline export requirements for New Zealand halal meat, emphasizing the importance of compliance with halal standards and strengthening their relationship in halal processing and assurance systems.
Tags: New Zealand Malaysia Andrew Hoggard Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Haji Hamidi Halal meat Trade Export Collaboration Market ComplianceMajor Upgrades Begin on SH76 Brougham Street in Christchurch to Enhance Safety and Economic Growth
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1845 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that major upgrades to State Highway 76 (SH76) Brougham Street in Christchurch will commence to enhance economic growth and improve safety and mobility in the city. The project, funded by the Government, aims to address congestion and safety concerns on one of Christchurch's busiest streets, accommodating over 45,000 vehicles daily and serving as a key freight route to Lyttelton Port. The first stage will focus on constructing a pedestrian and cycle bridge to improve accessibility for school children and individuals with mobility challenges, with subsequent stages including traffic signal improvements, T2 lanes, crossings, and a shared path.
Tags: Chris Bishop Christchurch SH76 Brougham Street Transport Minister Fulton Hogan Lyttelton New Zealanders NZTA Budget 2024 Crown fundingTransforming New Zealand's Planning System for Economic Growth: A Ministerial Address
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2597 viewsThe speaker acknowledges the challenges faced by local government in New Zealand, particularly concerning restrictive planning rules, infrastructure funding, and coordination issues with central government. The focus is on the need for reform in the housing market and resource management, with a three-pillar approach to housing growth and significant changes planned for the replacement of the Resource Management Act. The government aims to simplify planning processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of saying 'yes' to enable economic growth and development while safeguarding the environment.
Tags: Christchurch Sam Susan Simon Watts Local Government Housing Transport Infrastructure RMA Reform New ZealandersGovernment Acts to Streamline Planning Process in Anticipation of New System
16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1731 viewsThe Government, led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, is implementing reforms to simplify New Zealand's planning system and speed up project approvals. These changes include amendments to the RMA, fast-track approval processes, and upcoming legislation to replace the RMA with two new Acts focusing on land-use planning and the natural environment. To ease the transition, councils will be relieved of mandatory plan reviews and changes, with exemptions for certain critical areas like natural hazard management and Treaty settlement agreements. Additionally, councils can seek exemptions to continue work aligned with government priorities such as housing and urban development.
Tags: Government councils officers RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop planning system New Zealand primary sector renewable energy housing supplyGovernment Focuses on Jobseeker Beneficiaries in Employment Programs for Next Three Years
15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1797 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights the Government's focus on jobseeker beneficiaries in upcoming employment programs. The Ministry of Social Development's updated strategy emphasizes the importance of prioritizing beneficiaries for job placements. Efforts include targeted support for young people to reduce long-term reliance on benefits and increase employment opportunities.
Tags: Jobseeker beneficiaries Government Employment programmes Minister Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Young people Frontline staff Employment case management New Zealand.Boosting Sign Language in New Zealand: Funding for Families of Deaf Children
15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1723 viewsThe New Zealand government is funding 11 community projects, totaling nearly $250,000, to support and promote the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) among families of Deaf children and teenagers. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston highlights the importance of these initiatives, including NZSL classes, community events, a directory website in NZSL, a code of ethics review, and skills development programs for interpreters. The NZSL Board, which advocates for NZSL use, invests approximately $1 million annually to enhance NZSL initiatives and projects.
Tags: Deaf children teenagers community projects sign language New Zealand Louise Upston NZSL Board Deaf community interpreter workforce Deaf clubsNew Zealand's Employment Relations Bill: Boosting Business Confidence and Worker Opportunities
15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2796 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden applauds the passage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, emphasizing its significance in fostering business confidence and employment opportunities. The bill will now undergo review by the Education and Workforce Select Committee to gather public feedback on proposed changes. Key provisions of the legislation aim to clarify employment arrangements, simplify the grievance process, and enhance flexibility in negotiations between employers and employees.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister Employment Relations Amendment Bill New Zealand businesses workers contracting arrangements personal grievance process Select Committee genuine contracting relationshipsNew Zealand Minister Proposes Safer Online Gambling Bill, Sets Stricter Rules for Operators
15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1790 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden's Bill to regulate New Zealand's online gambling market passed its first reading in Parliament, aiming to protect players and ensure safer gambling practices. The Bill allows for up to 15 online gambling licences to be auctioned, with strict criteria for companies to meet, including harm prevention strategies and compliance history. The Department of Internal Affairs will enforce the new regulations, with fines of up to $5 million for rule violations, and public submissions on the Bill are encouraged as it moves to the select committee stage.
Tags: Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden Bill online gambling New Zealand player safety harm minimisation regulatory system Department of Internal Affairs licensed operatorsNew 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 ResilienceNew Zealand's Strengthened Ties in Southeast Asia: Security and Prosperity Updates
11 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2496 viewsNew Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasizes the importance of relationships with Southeast Asia for security and prosperity. They are working intensively with Southeast Asia, aiming to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN by 2025. During his visit to Malaysia, Mr. Peters engaged in discussions on various security issues and held bilateral talks with ministerial counterparts from several countries.
Tags: New Zealand Southeast Asia Winston Peters ASEAN Malaysia East Asia Summit security partnership dialogue scholarshipNew 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'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 PouNew Zealand Government Strengthens AML/CFT Regime to Combat Financial Crime
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1816 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee today announced further steps in the Government’s overhaul of the AML/CFT regime, strengthening efforts to combat serious financial crime. “This Government is serious about targeting criminals, not tying up legitimate businesses in unnecessary red tape,” Mrs McKee says. “Cabinet has agreed to introduce a bill to strengthen enforcement powers for Police and regulators to crack down on those involved in money laundering.
Tags: Nicole McKee financial crime Police regulators financial sanctions crypto currencies Financial Intelligence Unit New Zealand businesses criminals.New 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 management