02 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1950 views
The Government and Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc are partnering to build 80 affordable rental homes at Manawa Gardens in Rotorua by mid-2027, with a total investment of $45 million. These homes aim to provide housing security for kaumātua, working whānau, and others in need, with rents capped at 80% of market rates for 25 years. This initiative is part of the broader commitment to deliver 400 affordable rental homes for Māori across New Zealand by 2027, aiming to address housing pressures and transition away from emergency motels.
01 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1247 views
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has announced seven new appointments to key Māori entities to enhance Māori development, focusing on te reo Māori revitalization, strengthening the Waitangi Tribunal, and maximizing Māori social and economic potential. The appointments include individuals with expertise in Māori education, media, governance, and language revitalization to support the goal of having one million New Zealanders confidently using te reo Māori by 2040. Notable appointments include Dr. Te Rina Warren, Mahanga Pihama, Dr. Jeremy MacLeod, Reikura Kahi, Kingi Kiriona, Mark Gray, and Juliet Tainui-Hernandez, each bringing unique skills and experience to their respective roles.
30 Sep 2025
1 year ago
2115 views
A $6 million investment in the Raukūmara Pae Maunga restoration project aims to strengthen local employment and iwi-led conservation efforts against destructive pests, supported by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The project, a collaboration between Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, and the Department of Conservation, focuses on large-scale pest control, forest regeneration, community engagement, and species protection in the Raukūmara Range. Through innovative approaches like DNA surveying and aerial hunting, the project is enhancing conservation efforts and developing a new generation of indigenous conservation leaders, with funding secured until 2028 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
11 Sep 2025
1 year ago
2049 views
Community Housing Providers (CHPs) are actively delivering over 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, with a focus on allocating 1,500 social houses from Budget 2024 and 550 social homes for Auckland from Budget 2025. The government is committed to building the right homes in the right places for those in need, with a new housing investment system centered on strategic partnerships with CHPs and a Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 to drive further change in social housing. Progress is being made in improving housing for Kiwis, including reducing the social housing register, moving families out of motels into social housing, and partnering with Māori housing providers to deliver affordable rental homes across the country.
10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1370 views
A public reserve named Watts Peninsula, also known as Mātai Moana, will be established on the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, with significant historical and cultural value. The reserve, promised by the government in 2011, will encompass 72 hectares of land transferred from Land Information New Zealand to the Department of Conservation. Managed by a charitable trust appointed by Wellington City Council, Taranaki Whānui, and DOC, the reserve aims to preserve ecological, historical, and cultural significance, funded by the council and Taranaki Whānui.
05 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1633 views
The Government is taking immediate actions to address homelessness in New Zealand, focusing on expanding support for rough sleepers and providing more social housing options. These actions include funding additional social homes for the Housing First program, increasing support services for rough sleepers, improving the efficiency of transitional housing, redirecting beneficiaries' income to contribute to accommodation costs, and encouraging greater discretion in assessing emergency housing applications. The aim is to deliver the right homes, in the right places, with the right supports for rough sleepers and address the root causes of homelessness in the country.
22 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1546 views
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the support from Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi to preserve Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki for future generations. The four Crown appointments to Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi include individuals with expertise in ecology, strategic advisory, cultural development, and governance leadership. These appointments aim to ensure the protection and enhancement of the area, with joint decision-making on certain concession matters between the Crown and Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi as per the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act.
21 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1468 views
The Government is progressing towards significantly increasing marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana to restore biodiversity and benefit future generations. This move aims to preserve unique wildlife habitats, support local economies, and address ecological decline in the Gulf. The Department of Conservation will lead the implementation of the new rules, focusing on education, compliance, and monitoring to protect critical habitats and balance community, environmental, and economic needs.
19 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1413 views
The latest appointments to New Zealand's 15 Conservation Boards aim to enhance environmental efforts in the country. Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka announced a total of 145 appointments, including 21 reappointments, 37 new appointments, and 87 continuing members, focusing on diversity and community representation. Additionally, two reappointments and four new appointments were confirmed for the New Zealand Conservation Authority to provide strategic policy advice for conservation efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1329 views
Acting Environment Minister Tama Potaka announces the appointment of Murray Willans to the Fiordland Marine Guardians, highlighting his expertise and valuable contributions. Additionally, Dr. Rebecca McLeod and four other existing Guardians are reappointed, providing continuity and diverse knowledge to the advisory group. The Guardians advise on the integrated management of the Fiordland Marine Area, with members bringing various backgrounds and skills to safeguard the environment.
02 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2222 views
The speaker expresses gratitude to various individuals for their contributions to the National Party, highlighting achievements in law and order, education, healthcare, and the economy over the past two years. They emphasize the progress made in reducing violent crime, improving education, and enhancing healthcare services. The speaker also outlines plans to further stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and increase wages by streamlining processes for businesses operating on DOC land and implementing charges for foreign visitors at high volume sites to generate revenue for conservation efforts.
02 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1941 views
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced plans to stimulate economic growth on a third of New Zealand's land, aiming to create jobs and boost wages nationwide. They highlighted issues with the current concessions regime for businesses operating on conservation land, proposing to reform the Conservation Act to streamline processes and introduce charges for foreign visitors at popular sites. The revenue generated from these charges, estimated at up to $62 million annually, will be reinvested in maintaining and enhancing conservation areas, while ensuring free access for New Zealanders.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2042 views
A $4.5 million investment in developing tourism at culturally significant sites aims to create jobs and boost rural economies, expanding the Tohu Whenua program to more regions. Tohu Whenua enhances visitor experiences by sharing unique cultural heritage stories and improving facilities. The program, a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and DOC, has seen significant increases in visitation at sites and is set to expand to Manawatū-Whanganui and Murihiku Southland regions.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1947 views
The $17.5 million investment in sustainable tourism aims to boost regional economies by supporting jobs and incomes at popular natural attractions in New Zealand. The funding will improve visitor planning and management at key sites like Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Milford Sound, ensuring the conservation areas continue to attract tourists with stunning nature. Additionally, investments in Great Walks and DOC campsites will enhance service and management, contributing to the country's economic growth driven by tourism expenditure of $44.4 billion and over 300,000 jobs.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1838 views
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the importance of eradicating invasive weeds to benefit tourism and rural businesses in New Zealand. The government is investing in early detection technology and allocating funds from the International Visitor Levy to protect iconic landscapes like Abel Tasman, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Tongariro. Additional funding is directed towards combating wilding pines and other significant weeds, aiming to safeguard the environment, economy, and biodiversity of the country.