Articles tagged with Auckland Council
Government Expands Digital Manufacturing Light Program to Boost NZ Manufacturers
1 month ago | 233 viewsThe New Zealand Government is expanding the University of Auckland’s Digital Manufacturing Light programme to help at least 180 small and medium-sized manufacturers in key regions adopt affordable digital technologies, boosting productivity and workforce skills. The programme provides tailored assessments, installation support, and training to integrate low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies without major capital investment, enabling manufacturers to modernize operations and gain real-time insights. This initiative aims to enhance competitiveness, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to the national economy, with potential GDP growth of $8.6 billion from faster digital adoption.
Tags: Chris Penk University of Auckland Auckland Council Xero New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Institute for Manufacturing University of Cambridge Digital Manufacturing Light Small Business and Manufacturing Minister New Zealand GovernmentNew Police Move-On Powers Boost Safety in Auckland City Centre
1 month ago | 201 viewsThe Government has introduced new move-on powers for Police as part of its Auckland city centre action plan to address antisocial behaviour and enhance safety, making the CBD a welcoming place for residents, workers, and visitors. Progress includes housing 146 people through the Housing First initiative, a significant drop in crime victimisations, improved police presence, and infrastructure upgrades like better lighting and cameras. With major developments like the International Convention Centre and City Rail Link underway, the Government emphasizes a balanced approach of support and accountability to ensure Auckland’s city centre remains safe and vibrant.
Tags: Simeon Brown Auckland Police Housing First Auckland Council City Rail Link International Convention Centre Government CBD TourismGovernment Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Requirement to 1.6 Million Homes
1 month ago | 295 viewsThe Government will amend the Resource Management Act to reduce Auckland Council’s minimum housing capacity requirement under Plan Change 120 from over 2 million to 1.6 million homes, allowing more targeted growth around the city centre, rapid transit stations, and metropolitan centres. This change provides Auckland Council greater flexibility to respond to public feedback and focus development where infrastructure supports it, while still meeting national urban development policies. Additionally, the Government will investigate and potentially adjust planning controls in Auckland’s CBD to unlock further housing and business potential, ensuring growth aligns with economic and liveability goals.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Resource Management Act Plan Change 120 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link Auckland Unitary Plan National Policy Statement on Urban Development Eden Park New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand's 30-Year National Infrastructure Plan Unveiled by Minister Bishop
1 month ago | 337 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop introduced the National Infrastructure Plan in Parliament, emphasizing its role in enhancing New Zealand’s prosperity through improved planning, funding, and maintenance of infrastructure over the next 30 years. The Plan acknowledges existing challenges such as inefficiencies and fragmented asset management despite high infrastructure spending, and outlines ten priority actions including hospital investment, water renewals, transport project sequencing, flood resilience, and legislative reforms. The Government has begun implementing many of these priorities and will respond to the Plan’s recommendations by June 2026, seeking cross-party engagement to build durable consensus for future infrastructure development.
Tags: Chris Bishop National Infrastructure Plan New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Party Infrastructure Minister Health New Zealand Auckland Council Regional Infrastructure Fund Resource Management Act City Rail LinkGovernment Allocates Land for New Kumeū Secondary School in North-West Auckland
1 month ago | 390 viewsThe Government is prioritizing land for a new secondary school in Kumeū, North-West Auckland, to support the rapidly growing community, with the Notice of Requirement now lodged with Auckland Council. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlighted the government's efforts to deliver more school property efficiently, including halving classroom construction costs, funding new schools, and investing heavily in maintenance. Local MP Chris Penk welcomed the move as a vital step for families, and further school property announcements are expected this year to meet future educational needs.
Tags: Erica Stanford Chris Penk Kumeū Huapai District School Kaipara ki Mahurangi Education Minister Government Resource Management Act 1991 Auckland CouncilEastern Busway Final Stretch Begins in Botany, Boosting Auckland Transit
1 month ago | 293 viewsThe final $101 million section of Auckland’s $1.4 billion Eastern Busway project, connecting Botany to Pakuranga and Panmure with dedicated busways, is set to begin construction in March and is expected to open in 2027. This rapid transit link will provide faster, more reliable journeys, reducing travel time to the city center to 40 minutes and is forecasted to carry up to 24,000 passengers daily by 2048, enhancing access to jobs and education. Delivered through a government and council partnership, the project includes 7km of busway, 5 new stations, and integrates with future transit plans like the Airport to Botany Busway and the upcoming City Rail Link.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simeon Brown Eastern Busway Auckland Botany NZ Transport Agency Auckland Council City Rail Link Tī Rākau Drive PanmureAuckland City Centre Action Plan Boosts Safety, Support, and Vibrancy for All
3 months ago | 406 viewsA new action plan led by Auckland’s government and council aims to make the city centre safe, welcoming, and vibrant by supporting vulnerable populations, increasing police presence, and improving public spaces and services. Key initiatives include adding social housing, outreach for rough sleepers, enhanced enforcement against criminal behavior, and regular maintenance of cleanliness and safety in public areas. The plan emphasizes collaboration among multiple agencies to boost confidence, economic activity, and community well-being as major projects and tourism increase in Auckland.
Tags: Simeon Brown Wayne Brown Auckland Ministry for Housing and Urban Development Ministry for Social Development Health New Zealand Auckland Council Minister of Justice City Rail Link New Zealand International Convention CentreNew Zealand Parliament Passes Land Transport Bill for Time-of-Use Charging to Combat Congestion
4 months ago | 451 viewsThe Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill has passed in Parliament, aiming to reduce congestion and improve travel times in New Zealand. Time-of-use charging encourages off-peak travel to keep cities moving efficiently. The legislation allows local authorities to partner with NZTA on targeted schemes to ease gridlock and support economic growth, with Auckland likely to be the first to implement such measures.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Transport Agency Auckland Council congestion productivity travel times Auckland congestion.Government Approves Auckland Council's Streamlined Planning Process for Housing Plan Change 120, Empowering Locals for Future Growth
4 months ago | 604 viewsThe Government has confirmed the Streamlined Planning Process for Auckland Council's new housing plan, Plan Change 120 (PC120), as requested by the Council. This process allows for the withdrawal of the controversial Plan Change 78 (PC78) and aims to deliver the same housing capacity while enabling greater building heights and density around key stations. The 20-month PC120 process includes public submissions, hearings overseen by a panel, and a focus on ensuring local voices are central to decisions on Auckland's growth.
Tags: Government Streamlined Planning Process Auckland Council Plan Change 120 RMA Reform Chris Bishop Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link New Zealand Gazette National Policy StatementEmpowering Aucklanders: Future Growth Decisions in Hands of Locals
6 months ago | 582 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Aucklanders RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop Auckland Council Plan Change 78 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link housing growth Independent Hearings Panel Mayor Brown Auckland's growth.Major Transport Reforms in Auckland to Enhance Accountability and Governance
6 months ago | 766 viewsSignificant transport reforms in Auckland since 2010 aim to enhance democratic accountability and empower Aucklanders to influence transport policies, as stated by Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. The reforms involve shifting most transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, establishing the Auckland Regional Transport Committee to create a 30-year transport plan, and granting local boards new powers for local road decisions. The changes, set to be in place by September 2026, prioritize public input, efficient governance, and improved transport outcomes for Auckland.
Tags: transport reforms Auckland democratic accountability elected representatives governance Auckland Transport Auckland Council Minister Chris Bishop Minister Simeon Brown Mayor Wayne BrownWatercare's $500 Million Investment: Upgrading Auckland's Water Infrastructure for Improved Services and Job Growth
6 months ago | 717 viewsWatercare plans to invest $500 million in upgrading Auckland's aging water infrastructure over the next 18 months to improve water services and create job opportunities. The Government collaborated with Auckland Council to develop the Watercare Charter, aiming to make water services more affordable for Aucklanders, saving households nearly $900 million over four years. The increased investment in infrastructure will be beneficial for Auckland's economy, with a focus on upgrading treatment plants and renewing pipes and assets to ensure improved service quality and affordability.
Tags: Watercare investment infrastructure Aucklanders Simon Watts Government Watercare Charter Auckland Council renewals work programme economic regulationCelebrating 60 Years of Cook Islands' Free Association with New Zealand
7 months ago | 1514 viewsThe speech for Constitution Day Celebrations of the Cook Islands highlights the unique 'Free Association' relationship with New Zealand, celebrating 60 years since its establishment in 1965. The model, born out of the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly's desire for self-government while retaining New Zealand citizenship, has been a successful and enduring partnership. The speech emphasizes the economic, cultural, and social successes of the Cook Islands community in New Zealand, as well as New Zealand's ongoing support for the Cook Islands in times of need, reflecting on the strong bonds and mutual respect shared between the two nations.
Tags: Constitution Day Celebrations Cook Islands Upokina Taoro CIDANZ Auckland Council Reverend Charles Pange Mama Tupou Manapori Mama Mi'i Tarapu Sir Tom Davis Norman KirkGovernment Mandates Greater Housing Development Around Auckland's City Rail Link Stations for Economic Growth
9 months ago | 2504 viewsThe Government will require Auckland to allow even greater housing and development around City Rail Link stations, ensuring that Auckland takes economic advantage of this transformational investment in the city, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. “CRL is a massive multi-billion dollar investment for the Government and Auckland Council. It’s important that we get ‘bang for buck’ by maximising the opportunities for economic growth and increased productivity that the CRL will bring when it opens next year,” Minister Bishop says.
Tags: Auckland Auckland council Baldwin Baldwin avenue Chris bishop City rail link Committee of the whole house Government Kingsland Management Maungawhau Morningside Mount eden Mt albert Other matters Sion brown