Articles tagged with Act
Govt.nz App Update: New Digital Wallet and Secure Messaging Features Coming Soon
19 hours ago | 54 viewsThe Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.
Tags: Govt. nz app Judith Collins digital identity digital wallet Government Credential Issuance Platform Hospitality New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Kiwi Access Card New Zealand government servicesGovernment Introduces Bill to Strengthen Police Powers on Surveillance and Area Closures
2 days ago | 53 viewsThe Government has introduced a Bill to amend the Policing Act 2008, reaffirming Police's ability to record images and sounds in public and some private places for lawful purposes, addressing constraints from a recent Supreme Court decision. The Bill also expands Police's temporary area closure powers to include parks, reserves, beaches, and carparks, allowing them to manage non-compliance more effectively. These changes aim to strengthen Police capabilities in crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and enforcing law and order, ultimately enhancing public safety.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Chris Bishop Policing Act 2008 Police Supreme Court Tamiefuna case Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill Government Law and Order temporary road closure powersNew Zealand Invests $20M to Support Families and Prevent Addiction Harm by 2029
2 days ago | 49 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing nearly $20 million annually in a new Action Plan to improve addiction support, focusing on early intervention, expanded pregnancy and parenting services, and community-based follow-up for those affected by substance use. Emphasizing the critical first 1000 days of a child's life, the plan aims to prevent harm through early identification and enhanced support for families experiencing alcohol or drug issues. Progress includes a growing addiction workforce and reduced counselor vacancies, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing addiction comprehensively across all stages.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand addiction substance harm mental health fetal alcohol spectrum disorder methamphetamine parenting support drug and alcohol counsellors Action PlanEmployment Leave Bill Passes First Reading to Simplify Worker Pay and Leave
1 week ago | 102 viewsThe Employment Leave Bill, recently passed its first reading in Parliament, aims to replace the complex Holidays Act 2003 with a simpler framework that reduces errors and provides clarity for businesses and workers. It introduces hours-based accrual, pro-rata sick leave, and improved entitlements such as immediate access to leave and full pay after parental leave, addressing compliance challenges and worker benefits. Minister Brooke van Velden emphasized extensive consultation and encouraged public feedback to ensure the legislation is effective and sustainable long-term.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Employment Leave Bill Holidays Act 2003 Workplace Relations payroll sick leave annual leave parental leave Cabinet ParliamentNew Zealand Launches Digital Food Labelling Trial to Boost Consumer Choice
1 week ago | 91 viewsThe New Zealand Government is launching a 12-month digital labelling trial for approved retailers to reduce barriers to market entry and increase consumer choice, focusing on lower-risk, pre-packaged imported foods. The trial will exempt a small number of retailers from physical labelling requirements while ensuring all safety standards and regulatory oversight remain intact. This initiative aims to test innovative technology, maintain food safety, and inform future food labelling policies in collaboration with Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Willis Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Food Act 2014 digital labelling Food Standards Australia New Zealand Economic Growth Minister Food Safety Minister Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Expression of InterestRoyal Commission Report Reveals Lessons and Impact of New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response
1 week ago | 111 viewsThe Royal Commission's final report on New Zealand's COVID-19 response highlights that initial restrictions were appropriate but later extended beyond public health advice, with economic warnings ignored, leading to excessive spending and increased public debt. Auckland endured the longest lockdown, exceeding official recommendations, and vaccine mandates for under-18s did not align with expert advice, reflecting missed opportunities to balance health and economic impacts. The Government acknowledges the sacrifices made by New Zealanders and plans to respond to the report’s recommendations by July, aiming to better balance future health and economic decisions.
Tags: Simeon Brown Royal Commission New Zealand Auckland Treasury vaccine mandate lockdown economic impact public healthGovernment Amends Law to Ensure Fair Treatment of ACC and Welfare Payments
2 weeks ago | 158 viewsThe Government has passed legislation to clarify the impact of ACC payments on welfare entitlements, addressing an unfair discrepancy between those receiving weekly ACC payments and those receiving lump sum payments while their ACC claims are considered. The Social Security Amendment Act ensures equal treatment for all ACC recipients, correcting a court-interpreted anomaly that previously favored one group over another. This change aims to create a fair and equitable process, with transitional provisions for individuals seeking review before the Bill's introduction.
Tags: Government legislation ACC payments welfare entitlement Social Development Employment Minister Louise Upston Social Security Amendment Act MSD benefit Appeal AuthorityNew Zealand Boosts Economy with Faster Overseas Investment Approvals and New Visas
2 weeks ago | 172 viewsThe New Zealand Government has introduced a two-track system under the Overseas Investment Act to speed up investment decisions, aiming to process most applications within five to 15 working days, significantly faster than before. This reform, along with increased Active Investor Plus visa applications, is expected to bring billions in overseas capital, supporting economic growth, productivity, and high-paying jobs by providing access to international capital, expertise, and technology. The Government emphasizes that attracting foreign investment is essential for New Zealand’s future as a high-income economy and is committed to removing barriers to help businesses grow and create opportunities for Kiwis.
Tags: David Seymour Erica Stanford Overseas Investment Act New Zealand Active Investor Plus golden visa overseas investment Kiwi businesses economic growth investment applicationsHealth NZ to Employ First-Year GP Trainees Directly, Boosting Primary Care Workforce
2 weeks ago | 195 viewsHealth New Zealand will directly employ all first-year GP trainees to simplify their transition from hospital training and maintain continuity of employment conditions, encouraging more doctors to choose general practice. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners will continue overseeing the training program, while the government implements initiatives such as increasing medical training places, establishing a new medical school, and funding overseas-trained doctors to strengthen the GP workforce. These changes aim to improve access to primary care by building a stronger pipeline of GPs and making general practice training more attractive and accessible.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Auckland Medical School Otago Medical School Waikato Medical School GP trainees primary care workforce New Zealand doctors medical trainingNew Collective Agreements Boost Salaries and Support for NZ Public Health Nurses
2 weeks ago | 174 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Public Service Association Public Health Nurses Mental Health Nurses Health New Zealand Nurse Practitioners APEX pharmacy APEX psychologists APEX dietitiansGovernment Removes Barriers for Rural Workers to Use KiwiSaver for First Homes and Farms
2 weeks ago | 218 viewsThe Government is amending the KiwiSaver Act to allow rural workers in service tenancies, such as farm workers and rural teachers, to use their KiwiSaver funds for first home purchases without needing to live in the property. Additionally, the changes will enable first-time farm buyers to use KiwiSaver balances to buy farms through commercial entities they majority own, reflecting modern farm ownership practices. These reforms aim to remove barriers for rural communities while maintaining KiwiSaver’s core purpose, with legislation expected to be introduced mid-year.
Tags: Nicola Willis Scott Simpson Suze Redmayne KiwiSaver first home purchase farm workers rural workers KiwiSaver Act New Zealand government Rangitīkei MPRegulatory Standards Act: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government
3 weeks ago | 187 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 legislationNew Zealand Expands RNZAF Ohakea as 24/7 Alternate Runway for Wide-Body Aircraft
3 weeks ago | 214 viewsNew Zealand will enhance its international aviation resilience by enabling RNZAF Base Ohakea to operate as a 24/7 alternate runway for wide-body aircraft, supported by government funding for round-the-clock air traffic control. This upgrade, part of the Aviation Action Plan, improves flight viability by allowing aircraft to carry less fuel and operate at full capacity, benefiting tourism, exports, and regional economies. Additionally, the government and industry have collaborated on multiple initiatives to address workforce challenges, infrastructure needs, and sustainable aviation, signaling a strong commitment to future-proofing the sector.
Tags: James Meager Airways New Zealand RNZAF Base Ohakea Aviation Council Associate Transport Minister Aviation Action Plan International Civil Aviation Organization New Zealand Government Aviation sector Advanced aviationRNZAF Base Ohakea to Support 24/7 Wide Body Aircraft Landings Boosting NZ Aviation
3 weeks ago | 227 viewsNew Zealand is enhancing its international aviation resilience by funding 24/7 air traffic control at RNZAF Base Ohakea, allowing it to serve as an alternate runway for wide-body aircraft overnight, which improves flight viability and benefits tourism and regional economies. This initiative completes a key action of the Aviation Action Plan, which includes 25 measures to grow and future-proof the sector, with significant progress made through government and industry collaboration. Additional efforts include supporting regional routes, updating pilot training, promoting sustainable aviation, and addressing workforce and infrastructure needs to reduce barriers and foster long-term growth.
Tags: James Meager RNZAF Base Ohakea Airways New Zealand Aviation Council Associate Transport Minister Aviation Action Plan International Civil Aviation Organization New Zealand government Aviation sector Air traffic controlApply Now: New Zealand’s Applied Doctorates Scheme Supports Industry-Driven PhD Research
3 weeks ago | 203 viewsThe Applied Doctorates Scheme, supported by a $20 million government investment, connects PhD students with industry to address real-world challenges while developing advanced research and commercial skills. The 2025 cohort focused on energy innovation with 25 industry-led projects, and the 2026 round is now open for applications centered on Aerospace, Defence, and Security. This initiative aims to build a skilled research workforce that drives economic and community benefits for New Zealand through applied science.
Tags: Shane Reti Contact Energy Vector Victoria University Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Applied Doctorates Scheme Science Innovation and Technology Aerospace Defence Security Biotechnology Bioprocessing