21 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1226 views
The Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill passed its first reading, focusing on recognizing abuse in care experiences and providing redress through financial payments, apologies, access to care records, and counseling services. The Bill introduces a framework for independent consideration of financial redress for survivors who have committed serious offenses, aiming to prevent the scheme from being brought into disrepute. The Bill has been referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for further review, encouraging input from survivors, advocates, and other stakeholders.
08 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1235 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey visited Dunedin Hospital to celebrate the addition of peer support workers in the Emergency Department, emphasizing the benefits of having individuals with lived experience to support those in mental health crisis. The service, already implemented in five other major hospitals, aims to provide individuals with a sense of connection, support, and improved access to ongoing care. The expansion of peer support services across New Zealand is part of the government's commitment to strengthening the mental health workforce and improving crisis response for individuals seeking help.
07 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1306 views
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has revamped the Government's school attendance services contracting system to enhance support for chronically absent students. Budget 2025 allocated $140 million over four years, with $123 million designated for frontline services, leading to the awarding of 83 contracts to Attendance Service Providers (ASPs) nationwide. The new model emphasizes reaching more absent students, understanding their reasons for non-attendance, collaborating with families and schools, addressing students' basic needs, and escalating cases of chronic non-attendance, with a goal to achieve 80% student attendance by 2030.
01 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1144 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.
22 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1383 views
The Government announced a shift in digital investment and procurement in the public sector, aiming to save up to $3.9 billion in the next five years. The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) will lead decision-making for digital investments, potentially saving 30% of the projected $13 billion technology spend. The goal is to transition to a citizen-focused, digital-first public service model, improving efficiency and providing better digital services while maintaining traditional service options.
21 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1267 views
The Government is investing $100 million to upgrade hospital facilities in New Zealand, focusing on modernizing and expanding clinical spaces to improve healthcare quality and access. The funding, part of Budget 2025, aims to address neglected infrastructure and ensure timely, quality care for all citizens. The program includes local projects nationwide and remediation efforts to strengthen essential hospital infrastructure, creating jobs and supporting frontline staff while enhancing patient care and hospital resilience.
21 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1413 views
Minister Brooke van Velden highlights significant improvements in citizenship application processing, with wait times reduced from 180 to 69 days, the shortest in five years. The Department of Internal Affairs prioritized clearing the backlog, resulting in a 70% decrease in the number of people waiting for a decision. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of those applying for citizenship, acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by new Kiwis.
04 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1283 views
Councils have submitted water services delivery plans under the Local Water Done Well initiative to ensure quality and cost-effective water services for ratepayers. The government aims to address water services challenges by enabling councils to collaborate on financial sustainability and infrastructure development. Plans will be reviewed and considered for acceptance, with a focus on financial sustainability to ensure safe and resilient water services for communities.
03 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1371 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
1229 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.
28 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1373 views
Kiwis are encouraged to provide input on proposed regulatory changes in the telecommunications sector, as their feedback is crucial to the review process, according to Ministers David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith. The review focuses on key regulatory issues such as the Telecommunications Development Levy (TDL), shareholder caps, and service quality regulations. Proposed draft changes include implementing a consumer code, updating infrastructure obligations, eliminating outdated rules, and enhancing investor appeal for telecom companies to boost growth in the sector.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1364 views
The Government's Local Water Done Well legislation aims to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services to local communities across the country. The legislation focuses on ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and accountability in water service delivery, with the Commerce Commission overseeing economic regulation to ensure fair pricing and quality infrastructure. Councils are encouraged to submit water services delivery plans that meet the requirements and provide flexibility to make arrangements best-suited for their communities, ultimately benefiting Kiwis with improved water services.
25 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1631 views
Whangārei Hospital is initiating a procurement process for additional and upgraded carparks to accommodate the ongoing redevelopment, addressing the current capacity challenges and growing demand. Health New Zealand is seeking a civil contractor to build a new carpark extension with 552 spaces to replace those lost due to construction and enhance overall capacity. Acting Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasizes the importance of easy access to health services and highlights the commitment to delivering a modern hospital for the community.
22 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1700 views
New Zealand's emergency services are implementing the Device Location Information (DLI) service to quickly locate individuals at risk without them having to call 111, enhancing response times in critical situations. The DLI technology allows emergency services to track mobile phones in emergencies, aiding search and rescue operations and assisting in health emergencies by locating individuals who may have fallen unconscious during a call. This new system streamlines the process by eliminating the need for manual requests to mobile network operators, ensuring quicker and more efficient emergency responses while maintaining privacy and transparency through rigorous authorization processes.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1899 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown opened Tauranga Hospital's new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), completing a $21 million upgrade of critical care services for the Bay of Plenty. The upgrade increases ICU and HDU capacity from 10 to 16 beds on a dedicated floor, while the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) now has its own floor with potential to expand to 20 beds. The upgraded facilities aim to improve patient flow, reduce surgery delays, enhance coordination of cardiology services, and provide additional protection with negative pressure rooms.