07 Sep 2026
1 month ago
477 views
Significant progress has been made on New Zealand's Aviation Action Plan, with over half of its 25 priorities completed within a year, including funding for RNZAF Base Ohakea as an alternative airport and support for regional airlines. Key achievements also involve updating pilot training, addressing workforce challenges, modernizing civil aviation rules, and assessing future infrastructure needs. The government favors a voluntary passenger rights charter over regulation to allow flexible improvements, emphasizing ongoing collaboration between the Aviation Council, industry, and government to strengthen the aviation sector.
04 Sep 2026
2 months ago
432 views
New Zealand has joined the Pacific Islands Forum Troika, taking on an expanded leadership role and preparing to host the Forum in Auckland in 2027. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to advancing Pacific priorities such as economic prosperity, regional security, and resilience through close collaboration with Pacific partners. Additionally, New Zealand is strengthening regional ties, exemplified by the resumption of direct flights between Papua New Guinea and Auckland after 26 years, reflecting closer bilateral relations.
02 Sep 2026
2 months ago
503 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Auckland for the annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers meeting and discussions with trans-Tasman businesses to strengthen economic ties. In 2025, two-way trade between New Zealand and Australia reached $35 billion, with Australia being New Zealand's largest export destination and international visitor market. The visit will also include talks on tourism growth, Māori tourism, and regional economic development to enhance collaboration between the two countries.
02 Sep 2026
2 months ago
489 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Auckland for the annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers meeting and discussions with trans-Tasman businesses to strengthen the partnership. Their 2025 two-way trade reached $35 billion, with Australia as New Zealand’s largest export destination and visitor market, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong economic and tourism links. Minister Farrell will also meet with Tourism Minister Louise Upston and participate in a Bay of Islands program focused on Māori tourism and regional economic development.
27 Aug 2026
2 months ago
527 views
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has welcomed Tourism Industry Aotearoa's Tourism 2050 strategy, highlighting its role in guiding the future of tourism amid upcoming challenges and opportunities. She emphasized the strategy’s alignment with the Government's Tourism Policy Statement, which aims for sustainable growth benefiting visitors, communities, and the economy. Upston expressed support for ongoing collaboration between the government, industry, and communities to ensure the tourism sector's long-term success through innovation and balanced development.
20 Aug 2026
2 months ago
706 views
The NZ Transport Agency has released the Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan (AMSP), a 30+ year strategy focused on smarter traffic management, targeted capacity increases, and wider transport system improvements to optimize the existing motorway network and support Auckland’s growth beyond two million people. The plan emphasizes making better use of current infrastructure through measures like Time of Use Charging, addressing bottlenecks with targeted investments, and enhancing public transport, active modes, and freight efficiency to reduce motorway congestion. This long-term strategy, developed in partnership with Auckland Council, will guide future investment decisions and regional transport planning but does not represent immediate construction or funding commitments.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
704 views
The Government is taking targeted action to provide certainty for farmers in Waikato and Manawatū-Whanganui by preventing restrictive elements of Plan Change 1 (PC1) and Plan Change 2 (PC2) from applying during the transition to a new planning system, reducing duplication and regulatory burden. While ongoing environmental improvements remain required, prescribed nitrogen discharge reductions under PC2 will no longer apply, and the new natural environment plan will specifically consider PC1 to respect prior work. These changes aim to avoid economic disruption and uncertainty for farmers, with amendments to be progressed through upcoming legislation later this month.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
692 views
The government will establish an independent Urban Land Market Officer to monitor, assess, and ensure councils maintain competitive urban land markets by preventing artificial scarcity and enabling sufficient land supply for housing and business development. This role aims to address housing affordability and economic growth by holding councils accountable for zoning enough land and facilitating reforms such as abolishing rural-urban boundaries, setting housing growth targets, and easing private plan changes. The Officer’s independent scrutiny will promote transparency and enforce action where local planning decisions hinder land market competitiveness, supporting the government’s broader agenda to reform the planning system and boost housing supply.
19 Aug 2026
2 months ago
777 views
The Government’s Housing Flexible Fund has exceeded its initial target by enabling the delivery of 823 new social and affordable homes across nine high-need locations, primarily funded through Budget 2025 with $41 million in operating and around $60 million in capital funding. This data-driven, needs-based approach prioritizes one- and two-bedroom homes and actively involves over 30 Community Housing Providers, including many Māori providers with strong local ties, to ensure effective delivery tailored to community needs. Building on previous budgets, the Flexible Fund establishes a long-term pipeline for social housing, reduces borrowing costs for providers, and aims to deliver thousands more homes in coming years to address ongoing housing demand.
18 Aug 2026
2 months ago
601 views
The Government is funding an additional Growth Advisor at the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce through June 2027 to provide hands-on support for local business owners recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle. This advisor will offer practical guidance on planning, growth opportunities, and decision-making, helping businesses navigate ongoing challenges and access regional resources. The initiative aims to strengthen Hawke's Bay's productive economy by ensuring small businesses receive timely, local expertise to rebuild and succeed.
17 Aug 2026
2 months ago
640 views
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has appointed Doug Leeder as a Facilitator to advise the Government on addressing forestry challenges in Tairāwhiti, focusing on consenting complexities and land use changes. The government aims to reset the relationship between Gisborne District Council and stakeholders to support sustainable forestry management, jobs, and local businesses while ensuring compliance measures are workable and proportionate. Building on the progress of the Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group, the Facilitator will help accelerate clean-up efforts, improve collaboration, and guide decisions to benefit forestry, the environment, and the community.
14 Aug 2026
2 months ago
712 views
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has released an investigation report and launched a public consultation on specific provisions in the Hamilton City Operative District Plan that may unnecessarily increase development costs and complexity, particularly affecting social and affordable housing. The review focuses on rules related to electric vehicle charging, cycle parking, deep soil planting, urban tree canopy, and building design controls, aiming to ensure planning regulations support economic growth and housing supply. Consultation runs from 24 August to 7 September 2026, after which officials will analyze submissions and advise the Government on potential regulatory changes under the Resource Management Act.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
850 views
The speaker highlights the government's strong infrastructure track record, emphasizing value-for-money investments, policy reforms, and major projects underway, while acknowledging challenges like a funding gap and high costs in the land transport system. To address these, the government plans an independent report on cost drivers and reforms in funding and oversight, aiming for a sustainable, user-funded, and efficient transport network aligned with economic growth and housing development. The upcoming Government Policy Statement (GPS) 2027 will focus on cost control, maintenance, productivity, safety, and transit-oriented development to maximize infrastructure benefits and support growth.
12 Aug 2026
2 months ago
629 views
The Government has allocated $30 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support projects that grow New Zealand's hydrogen sector, emphasizing hydrogen's potential to diversify renewable energy and reduce emissions in heavy transport and industry. This initiative complements existing renewable resources, aims to enhance energy security, and encourages innovation and private investment, particularly in regional areas. Additionally, the Government is developing a regulatory framework for emerging white and orange hydrogen industries to provide clarity and attract further investment.
12 Aug 2026
2 months ago
652 views
The Government has allocated $30 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support projects aimed at growing New Zealand’s hydrogen sector, emphasizing its potential to enhance renewable energy, reduce emissions, and improve energy security. Minister Shane Jones highlighted hydrogen’s role in heavy transport and industry where electrification is less viable, and noted ongoing efforts to establish regulatory frameworks for white and orange hydrogen development. This funding package aims to foster innovation, attract private investment, and strengthen regional economic growth through emerging hydrogen technologies.