23 Oct 2026
1 day ago
89 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today welcomed Pharmac’s decision to extend the 12-month transitional access funding limit for Pertuzumab with trastuzumab (Phesgo) for people receiving treatment for certain types of breast cancer in private clinics. “In the past, when Pharmac funded a new cancer treatment, people already paying for that treatment privately are forced to make a very difficult choice: spend their savings to continue private treatment undisrupted, or transfer to a public hospital. The latter can be detrimental to their recovery,” Mr Seymour says.
14 Oct 2026
1 week ago
195 views
The New Zealand Government has extended its agreement with Z Energy to maintain a 550,000-barrel strategic diesel reserve at Marsden Point until August 2027, ensuring national fuel resilience amid global uncertainty. This reserve, critical for key industries and stored in refurbished tanks funded by $21.6 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, provides about nine days of typical national diesel consumption. The Government continues to monitor global developments, especially the Middle East conflict, and will respond as needed while limiting its financial exposure through the agreement.
14 Oct 2026
1 week ago
222 views
New Zealand's recent independent assessments reveal significant improvements in primary and intermediate students' mathematics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, marking a turnaround in educational achievement. The government’s comprehensive reforms—focused on curriculum clarity, literacy and numeracy approaches, teacher training, and targeted support—have led to measurable gains, including accelerated progress in maths and substantial phonics improvements, especially among Māori and disadvantaged students. These positive trends are supported by multiple data sources, such as PAT, Curriculum Insights, and OECD PISA results, showing narrowed socio-economic gaps and enhanced student outcomes nationwide.
09 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
257 views
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Leighvi Maynard of Gisborne and Nicola Graham of Napier as District Court Judges. Mr Maynard has extensive experience in criminal law, prosecution, and defense, having worked in various legal roles since 2006 and co-founded Rāwhiti Legal in 2024, while Ms Graham has a strong background as a crown prosecutor, sole practitioner, and Youth Advocate. Judge Maynard will serve at Napier District Court, sworn in on 21 November 2026, and Judge Graham will serve at Hamilton District Court, sworn in on 14 December 2026.
08 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
311 views
The new Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board (CEB) has convened to enhance government coordination and oversight in combating organised crime in New Zealand. The CEB, comprising senior officials from key agencies, aims to implement the TSOC Strategy and Action Plan, improve information sharing, and address system-wide challenges such as money laundering and migrant exploitation. Its initial focus will be on strengthening operational cohesion, particularly targeting the financial aspects of organised crime groups, while reviewing governance structures for increased effectiveness.
08 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
291 views
The Government has completed the largest overhaul of national direction under the Resource Management Act, introducing new National Environmental Standards for Electricity Network Activities (NES-ENA) and Telecommunication Facilities (NES-TF) to streamline and standardize rules, making it faster and more affordable to build and upgrade infrastructure. These reforms replace outdated, inconsistent planning requirements with clearer, nationally consistent rules that facilitate routine maintenance, upgrades, and the rollout of modern technologies like 5G, while reducing unnecessary consenting costs and delays. The changes, informed by extensive consultation, serve as a bridge to the new planning system and aim to support housing, infrastructure, energy, and primary sectors with improved environmental and development outcomes.
08 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
283 views
The Government is expanding the frontline psychology workforce by increasing the number of Psychology Intern Hubs from six to eight, supporting up to 40 interns annually to gain supervised experience in mental health and addiction services. This initiative, along with doubling clinical psychology internships and creating the new Psychology Assistant role, aims to strengthen pathways from university training into frontline mental health careers. These efforts are part of a broader plan to improve access to support, grow the workforce, and enhance crisis response across the country.
05 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
219 views
The Proceeds of Crime Fund, managed by the Ministry of Justice, is allocating $14.587 million seized from criminals to nine initiatives aimed at reducing violence, preventing reoffending, and disrupting the drug trade in New Zealand. These initiatives focus on early intervention for at-risk youth, victim support, violence prevention, and enhancing Customs' drug detection capabilities. The funding reflects the government's commitment to exceeding targets for reducing violent crime victims and ensuring criminal proceeds are used to protect communities.
01 Oct 2026
3 weeks ago
319 views
BreastScreen Aotearoa has expanded free breast screening to include women turning 71, continuing a four-year rollout that will eventually cover women aged 70 to 74, benefiting approximately 120,000 more women. The government has increased capacity with four new mobile units and five new or upgraded sites to improve access, particularly in rural areas, leading to early detection of hundreds of breast cancers since the program began. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance women's health in New Zealand, including upcoming free cervical screening and improved endometriosis diagnosis.
29 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
334 views
The New Zealand government has announced $1.7 million in funding for three projects aimed at reducing food waste across households, food production, hospitality, and other businesses over the next three years. These initiatives, including programs led by WasteMINZ, NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust, and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, focus on measuring, managing, and minimizing food waste to support emissions reduction and landfill diversion. This investment aligns with national priorities to tackle the estimated 1.2 million tonnes of food wasted annually, helping to expand the impact of successful waste reduction campaigns and practices.
29 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
219 views
Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced that New Zealand’s updated pre-election economic forecast shows stronger growth, smaller deficits, bigger surpluses, reduced debt, and rising wages outpacing inflation. The improved outlook is attributed to households and businesses performing better than expected, resulting in increased tax revenue and lower government borrowing, which frees up funds for public priorities and strengthens resilience against global uncertainties. Willis emphasized the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline and cautious spending to sustain this positive trajectory amid ongoing international risks.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
354 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced reforms to New Zealand’s alcohol licensing system following a comprehensive Hospitality Sector Review, aiming to reduce red tape and make licensing easier, more cost-effective, and proportionate. The government accepted nearly all recommendations, including simplifying application processes, reforming fees, extending renewal periods, consolidating licensing types into a risk-based framework, and improving oversight through a nationwide information system. These changes are intended to support hospitality businesses, reduce delays and costs, and ultimately unlock economic potential by enabling Kiwi businesses to operate more efficiently.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
436 views
A $4.7 million upgrade to Taupō's Broadlands Road Resource Recovery Centre, funded equally by the Waste Minimisation Fund and Taupō District Council, will enhance waste sorting and divert at least 8,000 tonnes of waste from landfill annually. The upgrade will enable processing of organic, construction, demolition, and recyclable materials, reducing landfill emissions and promoting sustainability. This investment supports waste reduction goals, lowers costs for residents and businesses, and creates economic opportunities through waste levy savings and material reuse.
09 Sep 2026
1 month ago
440 views
David McClatchy has been reappointed for three years as a member of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, which manages the NZ Superannuation Fund and Elevate NZ Venture Capital Fund valued at $94.4 billion. His extensive experience in investment management and governance contributes to the board’s stability, leadership, and expertise during a period of economic uncertainty. The reappointment reflects the Government’s commitment to strong governance and robust investment performance to grow New Zealand’s sovereign wealth funds for future generations.
07 Sep 2026
1 month ago
373 views
The Government is launching a nationwide Rural Recycling Scheme from March 2027 to improve the recovery and recycling of farm plastics through a regulated, industry-designed take-back system managed by the Agrecovery Foundation. This new scheme will replace current voluntary programs, expand the network of collection sites, and require producers to contribute fees to support free recycling services for farmers and other sectors using agrichemicals and farm plastics. The initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and provide a simple, accessible recycling solution, with existing voluntary schemes continuing until the new system begins.