19 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1412 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced the signing of the contract with CPB Contractors Limited for the construction of Dunedin Hospital’s new inpatient building. The $1.88 billion New Dunedin Hospital program is New Zealand’s largest health infrastructure project, providing economic benefits and over 900 jobs during construction. The project, set to be completed by 2031, aims to deliver a safe, modern hospital that meets the region's needs, with CPB Contractors Limited overseeing the construction under close monitoring to ensure timely and within-budget completion.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1745 views
The second Ashburton Bridge is closer to realization following a key agreement signed by Minister James Meager, marking progress towards the National Party's campaign promise. The New Zealand Transport Agency has contracted Fletchers Construction to advance detailed bridge design for construction starting next year, aiming to alleviate congestion on State Highway 1 and enhance network resilience in emergency events. Geotechnical investigations and property purchases are underway, with a Design and Construction contract expected to be finalized by year-end, emphasizing local opportunities and addressing potential challenges.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1572 views
Southland's space sector receives a significant boost through a loan of up to $2.25 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for Space Operations New Zealand Limited. The loan will support the expansion of the business at the Awarua Satellite Ground Station near Invercargill, leveraging Southland's strategic location for satellite operations. The project aims to create a regional space hub, accelerating essential works to meet current demand and future growth plans, ultimately enhancing the development of Southland's space industry.
07 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1919 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown highlights the significant reduction in neurosurgery wait times in the South Island, emphasizing the importance of timely access to specialist care for serious brain and spinal conditions. The number of patients waiting for neurosurgery has decreased by 22% and those waiting longer than four months has dropped by 45%, reflecting positive progress in patient care. The government's focus on reducing waitlists, investing in surgical teams, and ensuring timely specialist care demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for all New Zealanders.
03 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2322 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is traveling to Thailand and Indonesia to enhance New Zealand's economic relationships with these key Southeast Asian economies. The focus is on leveraging the region's economic growth potential, with discussions centered around doubling exports and strengthening trade ties. The Minister will engage with senior officials, promote high-value exports, and seek to expand cooperation in areas such as food security and trade agreements during his visit from 4 to 8 August.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2228 views
Yvonne Browning MNZM has been appointed to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission by Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds. Browning's passion for enabling students, especially young women, to reach their potential through tertiary education and training was highlighted. Her experience as Principal of Southland Girls’ High School and her efforts in promoting engineering careers for young women were emphasized as valuable assets for the TEC's mission to prepare students for further education, training, and employment.
14 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3446 views
Ten polytechnics will be re-established from 1 January 2026, aiming to restore regional decision-making and support economic growth, according to Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds. The move is part of building a locally led and future-focused vocational education system, following extensive industry feedback. The new federation will include ten polytechnics, with Te Pūkenga acting as a transitional entity for up to a year to manage unallocated programmes and support the handover process.
12 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2730 views
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasizes the importance of relationships with Southeast Asia for security and prosperity. They are working intensively with Southeast Asia, aiming to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN by 2025. During his visit to Malaysia, Mr. Peters engaged in discussions on various security issues and held bilateral talks with ministerial counterparts from several countries.
08 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1989 views
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Malaysia this week for regional engagement with Southeast Asian partners. “The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays a central role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and has been a steadfast partner of New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. “In our 50th anniversary of Dialogue Relations with ASEAN, we will highlight the value of the deep partnership between New Zealand and South East Asia, and will engage on the strategic issues impacting the stability of our region.
03 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2382 views
The Government is focused on the delivery of Dunedin’s new inpatient building, with the establishment of a local engagement group to support the next phase of the New Dunedin Hospital project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Work is back underway on the inpatient building at the former Cadbury site, marking a critical phase for this major health investment. I’m pleased to announce, alongside Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich, the formation of the Southern Engagement Group, which will help ensure the local community is kept well informed as this vital project progresses,” Mr Brown says.
30 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2311 views
The Government today classified the flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions as a medium-scale adverse event unlocking extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. “Last week’s deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,” Mr McClay says. “The Government is making up to $100,000 available to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including up to $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust.
27 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2733 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey have today marked the beginning of construction on the new Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre in Lower Hutt. Joined by Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, the Ministers took part in a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of a project that will transform mental health services across the Wellington region. “Today, I’m proud to announce the Government is investing $38 million in the construction of this world-class facility – alongside an extraordinary $50 million donation from Sir Mark Dunajtschik, who also generously donated $50 million towards the new Wellington Children’s Hospital in 2017,” Mr Brown says.
26 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2407 views
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written to the major supermarkets to restate the basic expectation that they take all steps needed to comply with the Fair Trading Act and ensure Kiwi shoppers are not subjected to misleading price claims. “Supermarkets have statutory obligations under the Fair Trading Act to ensure that pricing information is accurate and does not mislead consumers. “I am disappointed that I have to spell out to some of New Zealand’s biggest and most sophisticated retail operators - Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths - that they should have in place processes to prevent inaccurate pricing, institute and publicise refund policies, and train staff to ensure that when errors are reported, fixes occur system-wide.
24 Jun 2025
1 year ago
3529 views
A United Nations report ranking New Zealand’s fisheries among the world’s most sustainable is strong recognition of the sector’s hard work, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The report compared fisheries around the world and found the region including New Zealand’s waters have the second highest levels of sustainable stocks in the world. “New Zealand has a reputation around the world for high quality, sustainable kaimoana and, as this report shows, the reputation is richly deserved,” Mr Jones says.
23 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2717 views
Three solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28. 1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Energy Minister Simon Watts say. “The loans for these projects in Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Rakiura/Stewart Island will allow them to get under way this year, helping them to improve economic prosperity and resilience.