Articles tagged with Ability
Regulatory Standards Act: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government
5 days ago | 106 viewsThe Regulatory Standards Act, coming into law by July 1, mandates councils to publish Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) explaining the impact, costs, and benefits of new bylaws, promoting transparency and accountability in local regulation. This legislation aims to curb poor regulation that burdens ratepayers and stifles productivity by requiring councils to justify and regularly review their secondary legislation, ensuring laws are proportionate and evidence-based. The Act supports better governance by helping councils avoid kneejerk regulations, improve decision-making quality, and ultimately deliver greater value to taxpayers and communities.
Tags: Regulatory Standards Act Consistency Accountability Statement LGNZ councils local government Ministry for Regulation New Zealand ratepayers secondary legislationFast-Track Approval for Arataki Subdivision to Deliver 200 New Homes in Hawke’s Bay
1 week ago | 124 viewsThe Arataki subdivision in Havelock North has received Fast-track approval to deliver up to 200 new homes, generating an estimated $78 million investment and creating approximately 629 jobs over five years. This development aims to address Hawke’s Bay’s housing affordability crisis, where prices have surged significantly, by increasing housing supply for locals and temporary workers. Arataki is the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track process, which accelerates infrastructure and housing developments across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop CDL Land NZ Limited Arataki subdivision Hawke’s Bay Havelock North housing affordability infrastructure residential development expert panelsNew National Approach Streamlines Disability Support Services for All
3 weeks ago | 143 viewsA new nationally consistent approach to Disability Support Services (DSS) will standardize needs assessments and support allocations across New Zealand, ensuring fairness regardless of location. This change, informed by extensive consultation, includes personalized funding plans, consideration of families and carers, and greater choice for about 38,500 people with flexible funding. These improvements aim to simplify processes, enhance wellbeing, and provide a stable foundation for strengthening the disability support system long-term.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services NASC Enabling Good Lives Independent Review My DSS families carers disabled people flexible fundingNew National Approach Improves Disability Support Services for All
3 weeks ago | 176 viewsA new nationally consistent approach to Disability Support Services (DSS) will standardize needs assessment and support allocation across New Zealand, ensuring fairness regardless of location. This includes personalized funding plans, consideration of families and carers in assessments, and greater choice and control for around 38,500 people with flexible funding. The changes, informed by extensive consultation, aim to simplify processes, improve wellbeing, and provide a stable foundation for the disability support system's future.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services NASCs Enabling Good Lives Independent Review My DSS Minister for Disability Issues disability community families and carers flexible fundingMinister Jones Considers New Rules to Protect Rockpools and Marine Life Sustainability
1 month ago | 212 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is considering new restrictions and public education measures to address concerns about marine life depletion in rockpools around Whangaparāoa Peninsula and other areas. Fishery Officers are actively patrolling beaches to enforce current rules, with recent inspections revealing significant non-compliance, prompting a commitment to hold offenders accountable. Alongside potential rule changes, community engagement and education are emphasized to support the protection and sustainability of marine ecosystems for future generations.
Tags: Shane Jones Marcroft Fisheries New Zealand Fishery Officers Whangaparāoa Peninsula Clevedon Auckland marine life rockpools sustainabilityNew Zealand Updates Land Use and Natural Hazard Policies to Boost Development and Resilience
1 month ago | 264 viewsThe Government’s new reforms, effective today, aim to balance enabling urban development with protecting New Zealand’s most productive land, particularly by providing more flexible use of moderately productive Land Use Capability Class 3 land. Additionally, a new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards introduces a consistent, risk-based approach for councils to manage natural hazard risks, enhancing community resilience amid climate change. These changes, part of the first tranche of national direction instruments under the RMA, support streamlined planning, safer communities, and will integrate with the upcoming modern planning system.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay RMA Reform National Policy Statement Land Use Capability Class 3 Natural Hazards New Zealand Government Agricultural Areas Climate Change Planning BillGovernment Report Shows Progress and Accountability in Treaty Settlement Delivery 2025
2 months ago | 397 viewsThe Government's Whole of System Report on Treaty Settlement Delivery 2025 highlights increased progress, with 83.3% of commitments complete or on track and reduced delivery issues. The report includes new insights from post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs), revealing that successful Treaty relationships rely on reciprocal engagement, timely delivery, and adequate resourcing. Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka emphasizes the importance of accountability, trust, and partnership to strengthen Treaty relationships and ensure commitments are met.
Tags: Tama Potaka Māori Crown Relations Treaty Settlement Core Crown Report PSGEs Government Accountability Treaty Relationships Treaty Delivery Crown AgenciesDefence Minister Judith Collins to Visit Japan for Key Security Talks
2 months ago | 418 viewsDefence Minister Judith Collins will visit Japan tomorrow to engage in defence and security discussions with Japanese officials, including Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. She emphasized the importance of Japan as a key partner for New Zealand, both committed to international order and stability. Collins aims to strengthen the close relationship between the two countries during her visit, returning to New Zealand on 20 December.
Tags: Judith Collins Shinjiro Koizumi Toshimitsu Motegi Defence Minister Japan New Zealand Tokyo regional security international order stabilityGovernment to Adjust Total Mobility Scheme Subsidies to Ensure Long-Term Viability
2 months ago | 407 viewsThe New Zealand Government will reduce the Total Mobility fare subsidy from 75% to 65% starting July 2026 and work with public transport authorities to lower fare caps by about 10%, aiming to ensure the scheme’s financial sustainability amid rising costs and demand. To support public transport authorities facing funding shortfalls, the Government will allocate $10 million and recycle savings to reduce regional shortfalls over 2025-2030, while also consulting on improving access and targeting of the scheme. These changes seek to maintain consistent, fair, and sustainable support for disabled and older New Zealanders who rely on subsidised taxi fares when they cannot use public transport independently.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston Total Mobility NZ Transport Agency Ministry of Transport New Zealand Government public transport disability support fare subsidy transport authoritiesGovernment Seeks Feedback on Proposed Changes to NZ Rock Lobster Fisheries
2 months ago | 366 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand rock lobster CRA 3 CRA 7 fisheries sustainability National Rock Lobster Advisory Group Southern blue whiting MPI East CapeFast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill Passed to Boost Economy and Grocery Competition
2 months ago | 331 viewsThe Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill has been passed to streamline and expedite the approval process for important projects, particularly benefiting supermarket competition and regional development. The amendments aim to reduce consent processing times by over six weeks, making it easier for new supermarkets to open and boosting economic growth. Ministers emphasize that these changes will promote affordability, regional prosperity, and faster project delivery by addressing previous inefficiencies and red tape.
Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Shane Jones economic growth supermarket competition resource consent grocery affordability regional development government policy statementNew Zealand Fish Stocks Are 87% Sustainable, Fisheries Minister Confirms
2 months ago | 318 viewsA recent report shows that 87.2% of New Zealand’s 149 scientifically evaluated fish stocks are sustainable, with plans to restore the 19 stocks needing support. The country’s fisheries are recognized globally for sustainability, supported by a quota management system and ongoing reforms to enhance responsive fisheries management. The seafood sector employs around 9,000 people and generates approximately $1.5 billion in exports annually, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economy and food supply.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand Fisheries New Zealand fish stocks sustainability United Nations seafood sector quota management system fisheries reforms MPINew Zealand Government Advances Disability Inclusion with New Strategy and Funding
3 months ago | 345 viewsMinister Louise Upston reaffirmed the New Zealand Government’s commitment to improving the lives of disabled people, endorsing the 2025 international theme of fostering inclusive societies. The government recently launched the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030, focusing on education, employment, health, housing, and justice to address ongoing disadvantages faced by disabled individuals. Key initiatives include significant investments in learning support, enhanced Disability Support Services, increased funding for residential care, and the development of a new Carers’ Strategy Action Plan.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Government International Day of Persons with Disabilities New Zealand Disability Strategy Disability Support Services Early Intervention Service Carers’ Strategy Action Plan residential care providers disabled people disability communityNew Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030: Driving Positive Change for All
3 months ago | 322 viewsThe New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 outlines a government plan with clear goals and actions across education, employment, health, housing, and justice to improve the lives of disabled people. It aims to address barriers through meaningful, measurable initiatives, including employer support, accessible healthcare, improved housing definitions, early intervention in justice and education, and adherence to UN recommendations. The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha will oversee implementation, report progress annually to Parliament, and measure the strategy's impact.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Disability Strategy Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Government Parliament disabled people youth justice system social housingNew Zealand's $2.5B Defence Infrastructure Plan Boosts Military and Jobs by 2040
3 months ago | 281 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched the Defence Estate Portfolio Plan (DEPP), a $2.5 billion long-term initiative to modernise Defence Force infrastructure by 2040, addressing aging facilities and enhancing operational readiness. The plan includes the Future Naval Base Programme and five other key projects focused on upgrading critical infrastructure, housing, and training facilities to support military capability and personnel wellbeing. This investment not only strengthens national security but also creates construction jobs and economic opportunities across the country.
Tags: Chris Penk Defence Force New Zealand Defence Estate Portfolio Plan Future Naval Base Programme Royal New Zealand Navy Devonport Naval Base Defence Capability Plan Ōhakea Infrastructure Programme Defence Estate Regeneration Programme