Articles tagged with System

Showing 13 of 118 articles

New Zealand Approves Psychology Assistant Role to Boost Mental Health Support

20 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1520 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey welcomes the New Zealand Psychologists Board's approval of the Psychology Assistant role to enhance access to mental health and addiction support. The initiative aims to address workforce shortages by providing a career path for psychology graduates unable to enter clinical psychology programs. Psychology Assistants will work under supervision to expand support services, reduce vacancies, and improve mental health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand Psychologists Board Psychology Assistant mental health addiction support workforce shortages clinical psychology programme mental health system mental health workforce Health NZ.

New Law Streamlines Freshwater Farm Plans for NZ Farmers

20 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1375 views

The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Act, passed into law, has improved the freshwater farm plan system to make it more workable and affordable for farmers, reducing duplication and costs by allowing industry organisations to certify and audit plans. This change recognizes good work done by farmers and industry groups in managing risks, focusing on actual on-farm risks and practical actions to reduce them. The Act increases the minimum farm size requiring a freshwater farm plan to 50 hectares for certain land uses, removing the requirement for around 8,000 smaller, lower-risk farms, supporting environmental stewardship and growth in the primary sector.

Tags: Government freshwater farm plan system Resource Management Act Agriculture Minister Todd McClay Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard industry organisations farm plans environmental stewardship growth RMA.

Government Announces Major Changes to Building Consent System for Economic Growth

18 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1364 views

The Government is planning significant changes to the building consent system to boost productivity and reduce costs in the construction sector. Measures include shifting from joint and several liability to proportionate liability, enabling voluntary consolidation of Building Consent Authorities, and exploring options like professional indemnity insurance and home warranties. These changes aim to streamline processes, reduce delays, and make building more affordable, with a Bill expected to be introduced to Parliament in early 2026.

Tags: Government Building consent system Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk New Zealand Building sector Building owners Councils Liability settings BCA consolidation

New Zealand's RMA Amendment Bill: Driving Economic Growth and Removing Red Tape for Progress

14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1422 views

The Government's second RMA Amendment Bill has passed into law, aiming to drive economic growth and job creation by removing roadblocks and cutting red tape in various sectors, such as infrastructure, housing, farming, and emergency management. The Bill introduces changes to streamline consent processes for renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector. It is part of a broader three-phase RMA reform program, with the full replacement for the RMA expected to be in effect by 2027.

Tags: RMA Amendment Bill Chris Bishop infrastructure renewable energy housing farming primary sector emergency natural hazards Resource Management system

Proposals to Enhance Northland's Rock Lobster Fishery: Feedback Needed

14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1273 views

Feedback is being sought on proposals to cut the rock lobster catch on Northland’s east coast to aid fishery recovery, as stated by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. The proposals aim to increase the abundance and size of rock lobster in the area through potential area closures and reduced recreational daily limits. The consultation period for these proposals runs until 22 September 2025, with details on how to submit feedback available on MPI’s website.

Tags: Shane Jones Northland rock lobster fishery marine ecosystem proposals consultation MPI kina barrens submission

Minister Brooke van Velden Welcomes Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill for Improved Department of Internal Affairs Efficiency

12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1430 views

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden supports the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the Department of Internal Affairs by streamlining relevant legislation. The Bill, which has passed its first reading and will now undergo public submissions, proposes changes such as age restrictions on Lotto sales, empowering the Department to combat objectionable online content, and improving the Classification Office's operations. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of these amendments in advancing the Department's capabilities and safeguarding against harmful online materials.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill Department of Internal Affairs RealMe identity verification service Lotto product Classification Office fertility clinics objectionable content international law enforcement agencies

Building Better: Minister Van Velden Spearheads Productivity Boost in Construction Sector

28 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1686 views

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with builders and construction professionals to simplify scaffolding rules and streamline the prequalification process, aiming to align them better with the level of risk. The current complex rules have led to overuse of costly scaffolding, impacting construction productivity and increasing building time and costs. Van Velden is also addressing the frustration with prequalification systems and overlapping duties in the construction sector, aiming to provide clearer guidance and improve efficiency.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister construction sector scaffolding rules productivity WorkSafe prequalification systems overlapping duties Approved Code of Practice

New Zealand Construction Industry Welcomes Expanded Range of Building Products for Cost Savings and Quality Boost

27 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1581 views

Starting tomorrow, New Zealand will see increased accessibility of various building products such as plasterboard, cladding systems, external doors, and windows, aiming to boost the construction industry and lower building costs. The government, led by Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk, is focused on driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving wages through initiatives like allowing quality overseas building products into the market. These changes are part of a broader effort to introduce competition, reduce costly monopolies, and streamline the use of international building standards, with the Building Product Specifications document being a key resource for this transition.

Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand construction building products economic growth plasterboard cladding systems external doors windows Australia

Government Pauses Major Changes to Building Code System for Certainty in Construction Sector

26 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1877 views

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced a pause on major changes to the Building Code system to provide stability and clarity for the building sector amidst disruptions from the pandemic and supply chain challenges. The government aims to implement a predictable three-year cycle for updates, allowing businesses to plan ahead and invest with confidence. While major changes will be paused, updates related to life safety, energy efficiency, Building Product Specifications, and fire safety will continue, supporting economic growth and productivity improvements in the building sector.

Tags: Government Building sector Building Code system Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Builders Designers Developers

Pharmac Innovations: Driving Access to Life-saving Medicines for Kiwis

21 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1882 views

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has outlined clear expectations for Pharmac to enhance innovation and optimize services for better healthcare delivery to New Zealanders. Pharmac has made improvements in consultation processes, funding criteria adjustments, and appointed new leadership to drive positive change. The focus is on modernizing Pharmac, adopting AI technologies, engaging stakeholders proactively, and increasing transparency to ensure timely access to medicines and medical devices for all Kiwis.

Tags: David Seymour Natalie McMurtry Pharmac Kiwis New Zealanders Government AI Stakeholders Regulatory system

Government Acts to Streamline Planning Process in Anticipation of New System

16 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1731 views

The Government, led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, is implementing reforms to simplify New Zealand's planning system and speed up project approvals. These changes include amendments to the RMA, fast-track approval processes, and upcoming legislation to replace the RMA with two new Acts focusing on land-use planning and the natural environment. To ease the transition, councils will be relieved of mandatory plan reviews and changes, with exemptions for certain critical areas like natural hazard management and Treaty settlement agreements. Additionally, councils can seek exemptions to continue work aligned with government priorities such as housing and urban development.

Tags: Government councils officers RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop planning system New Zealand primary sector renewable energy housing supply

New Zealand Minister Proposes Safer Online Gambling Bill, Sets Stricter Rules for Operators

15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1790 views

Minister Brooke van Velden's Bill to regulate New Zealand's online gambling market passed its first reading in Parliament, aiming to protect players and ensure safer gambling practices. The Bill allows for up to 15 online gambling licences to be auctioned, with strict criteria for companies to meet, including harm prevention strategies and compliance history. The Department of Internal Affairs will enforce the new regulations, with fines of up to $5 million for rule violations, and public submissions on the Bill are encouraged as it moves to the select committee stage.

Tags: Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden Bill online gambling New Zealand player safety harm minimisation regulatory system Department of Internal Affairs licensed operators

Gordon Wilson Flats’ heritage protection goneburger

16 Jun 2025 | 1 year ago | 2279 views

The derelict and unsafe Gordon Wilson Flats in Wellington will lose its protected heritage status and become eligible for demolition through an amendment to the Resource Management Act (RMA) in the coming weeks, RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Gordon Wilson Flats were used as social housing until 2012, when an engineer’s report showed the building was so unsafe that large slabs of the concrete exterior could come off in an earthquake or even a strong wind. The building has sat vacant since then, becoming more dangerous and more of an eyesore every year,” Mr Bishop says.

Tags: Chris bishop Gordon wilson Gordon wilson flat Gordon wilson flats Resource management Resource management act Rma reform and housing System changes University Victoria Wellington Wellington city council Wellington city district Wilson flat Wilson flats