14 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1270 views
The Government is urging North Island communities to prioritize safety amid severe weather warnings and recent flooding that has already caused a fatality. Emergency services and agencies, including the NZDF and local Civil Defence, are actively supporting response efforts and have resources pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. Authorities advise avoiding floodwaters, non-essential travel, and staying alert to landslide risks while following updates from official channels for safety guidance.
12 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1244 views
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced long-term tourism concessions in the South Island, including a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area and multi-decade agreements for the Milford Track and Te Ana-au Caves, aimed at supporting jobs and regional economies. These concessions provide operators with investment certainty while maintaining public access and enforcing environmental and safety standards. Tourism Minister Louise Upston emphasized that such stability helps businesses retain staff, deliver quality visitor experiences, and sustain local communities.
09 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1346 views
Southland Hospital has opened a new dialysis unit with five haemodialysis spaces and a dedicated area for peritoneal dialysis training, improving access to treatment for patients in Invercargill and the wider Southland region. Previously, patients had to travel long distances to Dunedin for dialysis, but the new facility allows more local care, reducing stress and supporting better health outcomes. The unit will also support home haemodialysis training, increasing patient independence and flexibility in managing their treatment.
08 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1467 views
Two century-old bridges on State Highway 82 in South Canterbury will be replaced over 12 months to improve safety, reliability, and freight productivity on this key inland route. The new bridges, costing $14 million and $5.7 million respectively, will have no load restrictions and maintain traffic flow via temporary structures during construction. This project, part of NZTA’s End of Life Bridge Replacement Programme, reflects the government’s commitment to upgrading critical infrastructure by prioritizing cost-effective replacements over ongoing maintenance.
07 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1317 views
One year after New Zealand's Fast-track approvals system launched, it has accelerated infrastructure project approvals from years to months, reducing costs and enabling timely economic growth and job creation. The system streamlines multiple approval processes into one efficient pathway while maintaining environmental safeguards, with nine projects approved and dozens more progressing, expected to deliver thousands of homes, jobs, and significant economic contributions. The Coalition Government highlights Fast-track's success in overcoming criticism, positioning New Zealand as a global leader in efficient, rigorous infrastructure development.
05 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1384 views
Construction has begun on a sustainable green hydrogen facility in South Taranaki, supported by a $19.9 million government investment and additional co-funding, with a total project cost of up to $112.3 million. The facility will supply renewable electricity to Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Kapuni site and produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport, creating around 50 construction jobs and seven permanent roles. This project, a partnership between multiple organizations, aims to boost the regional economy by integrating wind energy, renewable electricity, and zero-carbon hydrogen fuel production at scale.
29 Jan 2026
8 months ago
1357 views
The New Zealand Government is establishing two new day specialist schools in Palmerston North and South Auckland by 2027-2028 to support children with high and complex needs, marking the first such development in nearly 50 years. This initiative addresses long-standing demand for specialist education, expanding the total number of specialist schools to 29 and providing families with more tailored learning options. Funded through recent budgets, the schools will feature purpose-built, accessible facilities designed to foster inclusion and help students unlock their potential.
23 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1705 views
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey officially opened Te Piringa Āhuru, a new Crisis Recovery Café in South Auckland, providing a calm, peer-led, non-clinical space for people experiencing mental health or addiction challenges. The café, run by Ember, offers peer support workers who connect individuals to community services and provide empathetic understanding from lived experience, enhancing hope and recovery. This initiative is part of a broader government mental health plan to expand crisis recovery cafés nationwide, increase frontline workers, and improve crisis response services.
21 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1912 views
The Government is providing a $3.1 million loan to support a $13.6 million industrial subdivision near Gore, a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu’s Hokonui Rūnanga and Robertson Transport Limited, addressing the shortage of large industrial lots in the area. The 43-hectare project, located on State Highway 1, will create up to 50 construction jobs and attract various industries while generating sustainable income for Hokonui Rūnanga to fund community services. This development is the first phase of a 90-hectare master plan aimed at diversifying Southland’s economy and includes future plans for marae relocation, housing, and childcare facilities.
20 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1469 views
The Counties Manukau after-hours service in South and East Auckland now operates 24/7, providing urgent care at any time and reducing pressure on Middlemore Hospital's emergency department. This restoration reverses the 2020 closure and aligns with the Government's Urgent Care and After-Hours Framework, aiming to ensure 98% of New Zealanders live within an hour of urgent care. Similar expansions are planned nationwide to improve access and support rural communities.
15 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1362 views
The New Zealand Government is investing $3.69 million through the Regional Tourism Boost to promote international visitors exploring regional areas beyond typical hotspots. Five targeted campaigns will attract tourists from the USA, Canada, and Australia to diverse regions, highlighting unique experiences like cycling, wine tasting, and local hospitality during quieter seasons. This initiative aims to support local businesses, create jobs, and ensure tourism benefits are shared across the country’s communities.
15 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1395 views
The New Zealand Government is investing $459,250 in the Southern Way campaign to promote the lower South Island to Australian visitors, highlighting unique local attractions and hospitality. The campaign, running from April to June 2026, involves collaboration among regional tourism organizations to offer themed itineraries and travel deals that support local businesses and communities. This funding is part of a larger $3.69 million initiative aimed at boosting regional tourism during the autumn and early winter seasons.
19 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1657 views
The New Zealand Government is investing in a new Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) at Mt Albert to enhance biosecurity, protect primary industries, and support economic growth. This modern facility will replace the aging MPI lab, strengthen defenses against biosecurity threats, and help maintain export market access critical to the $60.4 billion food and fibre sector. Construction, managed by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and led by Southbase Construction, began with completion expected in 2028 and operation starting in 2029.
19 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1438 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, allowing restaurants with on-site retail areas that sell takeaway food or non-alcoholic beverages to apply for an off-licence to sell alcohol for off-site consumption. This amendment removes restrictive rules that previously prevented such businesses from selling take-home alcohol, aiming to reduce red tape, support responsible operators, and foster entrepreneurial hospitality ventures. The reform, supported by MPs Chris Bishop and Mike Butterick, seeks to adapt regulations to modern business models and enhance customer choice.
15 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1422 views
The Government is seeking feedback on proposed changes to rock lobster fisheries in New Zealand’s CRA 3 and CRA 7 regions as part of its fisheries sustainability review. CRA 7 is healthy and may support increased commercial harvest, while CRA 3 is under pressure, prompting recent catch reductions and further recovery proposals. These proposals were developed with input from various fishing sectors, and consultation on Southern blue whiting stocks will begin soon, with submission details available on MPI’s website.