06 Aug 2026
2 months ago
616 views
A new urgent and after-hours service will open at Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub this Saturday to provide local urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions, reducing pressure on Christchurch Hospital's emergency department. The service operates evenings, weekends, and public holidays, improving access for the rapidly growing Rolleston and Selwyn district. This initiative is part of the Government’s $164 million Budget 2025 investment to expand urgent care nationwide, aiming to ensure 98% of New Zealanders can reach urgent care within an hour.
01 Jul 2026
3 months ago
888 views
All mainland New Zealand councils now have approved water services delivery plans under Local Water Done Well, marking significant progress toward more reliable and financially sustainable water services. Regional water organisations, such as Southern Water and others, are being established to improve efficiency, expertise, and access to finance, with five already operating and thirteen more expected soon, covering three-quarters of New Zealanders. The Government has repealed the previous Three Waters policy, returned water assets to local communities, and implemented regulatory reforms to reduce costs and enhance service delivery, with continued oversight by the new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
20 May 2026
5 months ago
955 views
The new Minister for the Environment emphasized the government’s commitment to modernizing waste management legislation, enhancing recycling systems, and implementing extended producer responsibility schemes to reduce waste and environmental harm while supporting economic growth. Key initiatives include updating the Waste Minimisation Act, improving waste levy allocations, addressing construction and demolition waste, and advancing planning system reforms through the creation of a unified ministry (MCERT) to streamline environmental and infrastructure governance. The Minister highlighted ongoing collaboration with industry sectors like WasteMINZ, acknowledging their vital role in driving practical, innovative solutions for a sustainable and resilient New Zealand.
24 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1231 views
The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell, has lifted the state of local emergency for most areas in the Canterbury Region, except for Kaikōura District. This decision was made based on advice from the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller. The state of local emergency remains in place for Kaikōura due to ongoing welfare needs and the risk of fires reoccurring, while similar states of emergency continue in the Southland Region and Clutha District.
08 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2001 views
Selwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The launch of Selwyn District’s water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,” Mr Watts says. “Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.