17 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1291 views
Starting next month, tens of thousands of households will receive increased support for early childhood education through the expanded FamilyBoost scheme, as announced by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. The legislation for the expanded ECE support scheme has passed through Parliament, with Labour reversing its position to support the enhanced FamilyBoost. Changes include increasing the proportion of ECE fees families can claim from 25 to 40 percent, raising the household income limit for FamilyBoost, and making about 21,000 more households eligible for assistance.
17 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1202 views
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson is traveling to London to enhance New Zealand's partnerships in insurance, emergency preparedness, and business competition. He aims to showcase New Zealand's leadership in resilience and disaster recovery and strengthen ties with global partners facing similar challenges. The Minister's itinerary includes meetings with key industry players, a briefing at the New Zealand High Commission, and participation in events highlighting the New Zealand-UK relationship, such as the Battle of Britain Service and the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final.
17 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1349 views
New proposals to manage high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 aim to reduce impacts on poultry in New Zealand if the virus arrives, with a focus on protecting livelihoods and food supply. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is leading preparedness efforts in collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders. Proposed regulations include requirements for biosecurity control programs, standards for poultry operators, audits, and penalties for non-compliance, with consultation open for six weeks to gather feedback on the potential impacts and costs for the industry.
16 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1311 views
The Government, through RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, supports Auckland Council's request to withdraw controversial Plan Change 78 to allow for more local decision-making on growth and housing. This move will give Aucklanders greater choice and input on future development, particularly around key stations benefiting from the City Rail Link project. The process includes a submission period from November to December, followed by hearings before an Independent Hearings Panel, aiming for an 18-month timeframe to provide certainty and address delays in decision-making for Auckland's growth and housing options.
16 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1304 views
The Government, led by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, is urgently suspending recognition of unsafe international adoptions to protect children and young people. The Adoption Amendment Bill has been introduced to immediately suspend New Zealand's recognition of risky overseas adoptions, citing inadequate safeguards in current laws. The temporary suspension, effective until a specified date or July 1, 2027, aims to prevent harm to children adopted into unsafe situations, with plans for a long-term solution and exemptions for countries with safe adoption practices.
16 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1378 views
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford is leading a delegation to the United States to promote New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa, which has attracted over $1 billion in proposed investments since April 1, with US investors showing the most interest. The trip aims to engage with potential investors interested in New Zealand's business opportunities and economic growth, highlighting the country's appeal as a safe and pro-business environment. Minister Stanford will visit New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco for events organized by Invest NZ, emphasizing the importance of attracting investment to support economic development and create opportunities for New Zealanders.
13 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1373 views
Minister Todd McClay will lead a delegation of 21 New Zealand businesses to Riyadh to enhance trade ties with Saudi Arabia, aiming to tap into the country's significant economic potential outlined in its Vision 2030 strategy. The mission will spotlight New Zealand's strengths in food, agriculture, technology, and creative sectors, aligning with the government's goal to double export value in a decade and support Saudi Arabia's development objectives. With Saudi Arabia already a key export market for New Zealand, bilateral trade has seen substantial growth, reaching $1.58 billion, showcasing the mutual benefits of the partnership.
13 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1388 views
Whanganui Hospital's dental unit has been modernized and upgraded to provide a brighter, more accessible space for patients, with improvements including an enlarged waiting room and dedicated areas for IV sedation. The refurbishment aimed to enhance patient flow, safety, and accessibility, with improved wheelchair access and a new recovery space for sedation patients. The upgraded unit now features modernized dental rooms with new equipment to enable efficient and safe care delivery, reflecting the government's commitment to providing fit-for-purpose health facilities that meet community needs.
12 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1323 views
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones praised the collaborative effort between Buller District Council, Development West Coast, and Endura in building 10 new units at Reefton Campground using local labor and businesses. The project aims to enhance accommodation options for both locals and tourists. The initiative not only provided employment for 50 local workers but also boosted the local economy, with Endura leasing the units initially for its staff before repurposing them for visitor accommodation.
12 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1177 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announces changes to modernize health workforce regulation to improve patient access to care by reducing bureaucratic red tape and recognizing overseas qualifications more quickly. The changes aim to streamline regulation, increase accountability, and align New Zealand with Australia to speed up access to care and support new healthcare delivery models while maintaining patient safety. Patients will have a voice in ensuring regulators work towards improving access to care, and the changes will help attract, train, and retain the healthcare workforce needed to deliver timely, quality care.
12 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1320 views
New Zealand has joined Canada, the EU, and the UK in lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil to USD $47.60 per barrel to cut off funding for Putin's war in Ukraine. Additionally, New Zealand has sanctioned Russian actors involved in cyber-attacks, including military intelligence Unit 29155, for using malware against Ukrainian government networks. These sanctions mark New Zealand's 32nd round, targeting individuals, entities, vessels, and shadow fleet vessels involved in chemical weapons, disinformation, and illicit activities in North Korea and Iran.
12 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1293 views
The Government is investing $1.6 million to repair and reopen Tasman’s Great Taste Cycle Trail, damaged by recent storms, aiming to boost tourism and support local businesses. The funding will address flood and wind damage by repairing sections, replacing infrastructure, and creating alternative routes. Reopening the trail will benefit the Nelson-Tasman region, reconnect communities, and provide opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy the outdoors.
12 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1355 views
The Government is providing $50k to Nelson Tasman for domestic tourism marketing to support local businesses impacted by severe weather events, according to Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston. Nearly 70% of tourism and hospitality businesses in the region have suffered revenue losses due to cancellations and a drop in visitors. The funding will be used for a domestic marketing campaign to promote tourism in Nelson Tasman, emphasizing its importance for the local economy and encouraging visitors to explore the region.
11 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1290 views
The Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards recognized projects like re-seeding juvenile pāua and driving mussel farming innovation. Professor Kura Paul-Burke of the University of Waikato was celebrated for championing healthy oceans through community-based restoration efforts. Other winners included individuals and organizations contributing to sustainable practices and innovation in the seafood sector.
11 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1308 views
New Zealand and the United Kingdom have updated their defence cooperation statement to address current global challenges, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. The two countries aim to increase interoperability and support collective security to uphold the international rules-based order. They have agreed to explore new areas of cooperation, including innovation, defense industrial supply chains, and common equipment, to strengthen their partnership in the face of evolving threats.