24 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1172 views
The Government has renewed a $2.7 million investment in the Farmstrong rural wellbeing programme, part of a five-year $6.8 million agreement between ACC and Farmstrong aimed at reducing injuries in agriculture and horticulture. Since its 2016 launch, Farmstrong has delivered significant returns, saving over 9,800 injury claims and $52 million in costs by addressing the link between wellbeing and injury risk. The programme, supported by ACC, FMG, and the Mental Health Foundation, provides practical resources to support farmers' mental health and safety, reinforcing the sector's importance to New Zealand's economy.
20 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1197 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has introduced a ministerial exemption to the AML/CFT Act 2009, allowing banks to share anti-money laundering information to better prevent fraud and scams. This reduction in red tape enables banks to act faster and collaborate more effectively to freeze scam transfers before funds are lost overseas. The government aims to create more agile regulatory settings by freeing businesses from excessive compliance burdens while targeting actual financial criminals through wider AML/CFT reforms.
18 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1215 views
Minister Karen Chhour emphasizes the collective responsibility of individuals and communities to prevent and respond to family violence by recognizing signs, offering support, and encouraging those affected to seek help. While the government leads legal actions, community education and intervention are crucial for ensuring safety and healing. She highlights that help is available nationwide, urging people to overcome shame and access support services regardless of the abuse's severity or duration.
29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1265 views
Minister Brooke van Velden introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill to address community feedback for local benefit, with a focus on problem gambling prevention. The Bill proposes an increase in the Offshore Gambling Duty to 16%, with 4% earmarked for community returns. A two-year review post-implementation will assess impacts on existing gambling forms and inform future policy adjustments.
17 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1255 views
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence highlights achievements in reducing family and sexual violence in New Zealand, emphasizing the interconnectedness needed for effective responses. The second Te Aorerekura Action Plan has been successfully implemented ahead of schedule, leading to safer communities. Notable accomplishments include improved multi-agency responses in various regions, expanded safety programs for victims, and the successful reduction of family violence homicides in Canterbury through the Integrated Safety Response approach.
09 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1223 views
The Cabinet has decided to amend the Policing Act to clarify Police's authority to gather intelligence in public places and expand their powers to temporarily close areas in response to antisocial behavior or safety risks. Recent court decisions have raised uncertainty about Police's ability to record images in public spaces, prompting the proposed amendments to reaffirm their authority for lawful purposes. These changes aim to restore Police's crime prevention capabilities, support prosecutions, respond to evolving threats like organized crime, and enhance interventions for public safety, youth offending, and family harm.
12 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1311 views
The Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence and Minister for Children acknowledges key individuals and organizations in the field. Updates are shared on Te Aorerekura, the Oranga Tamariki Action Plan, and efforts to address trauma and prevent violence. The government is focused on improving multi-agency responses, workforce capability, and effective commissioning and investment processes to better support vulnerable children and families. Collaboration, communication, and social investment are emphasized to enhance service delivery and support community well-being.
10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1332 views
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey participated in the launch of the Construction Industry Wellbeing Survey on World Suicide Prevention Day, emphasizing the importance of changing the narrative on suicide to reduce stigma and encourage seeking help. New Zealand faces high suicide rates, with 617 suspected suicides last year, leading to increased investment of $16 million per year in the new Suicide Prevention Action Plan, which includes various health and cross-agency actions to enhance access to support and prevention services. The government is committed to providing timely support for those at risk of suicide, promoting wellbeing campaigns, establishing crisis recovery cafes, and funding peer support workers in emergency departments to strengthen suicide prevention efforts in New Zealand.
03 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1374 views
New Zealand's Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey, launched a refreshed strategic approach to eating disorders, with a significant funding increase of over $4 million annually, totaling over $23 million. The strategy emphasizes a full continuum of care, including prevention, primary health care, early intervention, community services, and specialist and inpatient services. The funding package includes initiatives such as peer support, community-based support for families, capacity increase for specialist services, and expansion of prevention and early intervention support to better support those battling eating disorders.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1232 views
A survey of workers in the family violence and sexual violence sector reveals improvements in training and collaboration, enhancing victim-centred services. Minister Karen Chhour emphasizes the importance of strong connections between community and government agencies, as well as consistent training for workers providing specialized support. The survey highlights the widespread training received by frontline workers and the ongoing efforts to ensure national consistency and quality, with a focus on expanding training to public sector staff and promoting collaborative relationships for effective multi-agency responses.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1397 views
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence announced that the multi-agency organization will now be known as 'The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention'. The Centre aligns government strategies and policies to improve the family violence and sexual violence system through the National Strategy and its Action Plan. It supports government agencies in delivering community-led solutions to prevent and respond to violence, with a focus on evidence-based responses.
06 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1702 views
New Zealand is supporting Samoa in addressing a severe dengue outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of five children, demonstrating the special relationship between the two countries. New Zealand plans to send a clinical team to Apia, provide medical supplies worth $300,000, and offer additional assistance as needed. Travellers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and refer to the SafeTravel website for Dengue Fever prevention advice.
03 Jul 2025
1 year ago
4429 views
The Government’s focus on improving roads across the country is well on its way, with the successful completion of one of the largest state highway road renewal programmes in New Zealand history, Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed today. “We are focused on ensuring government agencies are better at looking after the infrastructure assets we already have, to ensure New Zealanders get the most from their public infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says. “That’s why we’ve invested in road maintenance and renewals through the $2 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention fund, which ensures vital work is carried out to keep our roads safe and suitable for the people that use them.
27 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2312 views
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is today announcing it will no longer use the informal name of Te Puna Aonui and will adopt its legal name: the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence. “This decision reflects the reality that all people are potentially victims of Family Violence and Sexual Violence, as well as the wishes of disgruntled former advisory board members who have asked for the gifted Te Reo name to be returned,” says Mrs Chhour. “They have raised their concerns with me around my decision to not extend their tenure as the Ministerial Advisory Board, as well as concerns around my decision to include other communities in a new, multi-cultural advisory board which will replace the current Māori-only one.
17 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2162 views
The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has today launched the Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan which sets out a five-year whole-of-government approach to preventing suicide in New Zealand. “I want to acknowledge the people who have lost their lives to suicide, those struggling with their mental health or addiction, and those with lived experience or who have been affected by suicide,” Mr Doocey says. “New Zealand continues to face stubbornly high suicide rates.