Articles tagged with Coalition
Hamilton Airport Runway Extension Boosted by $6.5M Loan for Growth and Resilience
1 day ago | 422 viewsHamilton Airport will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to extend its runway by 255 meters, enhancing its capacity and resilience as a key hub for domestic and international freight and passenger transport. The upgrade, including apron expansion and lighting improvements, supports Waikato’s major manufacturers and exporters and provides an alternative airport option during disruptions at other North Island airports. The project, led by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd with a $3.3 million contribution, is expected to create up to 39 local jobs and strengthen New Zealand’s national aviation network.
Tags: Hamilton Airport runway extension Regional Infrastructure Fund Shane Jones Waikato national aviation network Regional Development Minister Waikato Regional Airport Ltd Coalition Government airport construction jobsGovernment Approves Infrastructure Levy to Build 1,500 New Homes at Te Awa Lakes
2 days ago | 89 viewsThe Government has approved the use of an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act Levy to support the construction of around 1,500 new homes in the Te Awa Lakes development near Hamilton by funding up to $50 million in water and roading infrastructure. The IFF Act enables infrastructure costs to be financed through a Special Purpose Vehicle that charges levies to benefiting homeowners, bypassing local government borrowing constraints and allowing growth to pay for growth. Additionally, the Government is enhancing the IFF Act and supporting developments like Te Awa Lakes with the Greenfield Model to reduce financing costs and promote affordable housing growth.
Tags: Chris Bishop Te Awa Lakes Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act Hamilton City Council New Zealand Government Housing Minister IFF Act Levy Greenfield Model National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited Coalition GovernmentGovernment Responds to Health Committee Report on Aged Care for Neurological Disorders
2 weeks ago | 153 viewsThe Government has welcomed the Health Committee’s report on aged care support for people with neurological cognitive disorders, following an inquiry launched in 2024 that gathered extensive input and made 14 recommendations. The Government’s response acknowledges these recommendations and will consider them through ongoing aged care reforms, including work by the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group. Committed to improving access and quality of care, the Government aims to ensure timely support for older people, particularly those with neurological cognitive conditions.
Tags: Casey Costello Health Committee New Zealand First National coalition Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group Government neurological cognitive disorders dementia aged care ParliamentGolden Bay Air Secures $1.1M Loan to Support Vital Regional Flights
4 weeks ago | 214 viewsGolden Bay Air will be the first airline to receive a $1.1 million loan from the $30 million Regional Infrastructure Fund to refinance aircraft debt and maintain essential regional flights. This support aims to ensure connectivity, economic resilience, and access to health care and tourism for isolated communities like Golden Bay. Additionally, the fund includes initiatives to help regional airlines integrate bookings with larger carriers, enhancing commercial sustainability and travel accessibility.
Tags: Golden Bay Air James Meager Maureen Pugh Regional Infrastructure Fund Kānoa Coalition Government Tākaka Heaphy Track Abel Tasman TrackNew Zealand Allows Granny Flats Without Building or Resource Consents for Affordable Housing
2 months ago | 362 viewsNew Zealand has removed the need for building and resource consents for granny flats up to 70 square metres, simplifying the process and reducing costs by up to $5,650 and 14 weeks. This change, part of the Coalition Government’s housing reforms, aims to increase affordable and diverse housing options while boosting construction jobs and easing council workloads. Homeowners must ensure their granny flats meet Building Code standards and local council rules, with guidance and templates available from government websites.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Chris Penk New Zealand Coalition Government RMA Reform Building Act National Direction Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Ministry for the EnvironmentNew Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
3 months ago | 2818 viewsThe adult minimum wage in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026, benefiting around 122,500 workers while balancing cost-of-living pressures and business costs. The government aims to moderate wage increases to address wage compression and support youth employment, with starting-out and training wages set at 80% of the adult rate. This change reflects the NZ First-National coalition’s commitment to responsible economic management, boosting incomes, and fostering job opportunities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZ First National coalition New Zealand minimum wage Workplace Relations and Safety youth unemployment wage compression Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment inflationNew Zealand Retirement Village Reforms: Fairness, Clarity, and Resident Protection
3 months ago | 383 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing reforms to the Retirement Villages Act to enhance clarity, fairness, and transparency for residents and their families, addressing issues such as repayment delays and legal complexities. Key changes include clearer legal documents, upfront operator disclosures, an independent disputes scheme, and improved financial protections like timely fund repayments and cessation of fees upon vacancy. These balanced reforms, shaped by extensive public feedback, aim to strengthen residents' rights while supporting the sector’s growth and will be introduced to Parliament mid-next year.
Tags: Tama Potaka Casey Costello Retirement Villages Act New Zealand Government retirement villages aged care Retirement Commissioner National – New Zealand First Coalition housing reform residents rightsNZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Visit Vietnam, Thailand, and China Next Week
4 months ago | 499 viewsMinister Winston Peters will visit Viet Nam, Thailand, and China next week to strengthen New Zealand's key relationships in Southeast Asia and discuss regional challenges with senior leaders. He will also attend an event in Guangzhou marking New Zealand’s purchase of two interisland ferries, highlighting the strong trade ties with China. This visit underscores the Coalition Government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with both Southeast Asia and China.
Tags: Winston Peters New Zealand Viet Nam Thailand China Southeast Asia Guangzhou Ha Noi Bangkok Coalition GovernmentNew Legislation Allows Kiwis to Build Granny Flats Without Consent, Boosting Housing Choices
5 months ago | 572 viewsNew legislation will allow Kiwis to build granny flats up to 70 square metres without a building consent, aiming to increase housing options and reduce costs. The exemption is part of a government initiative to simplify the building process and boost housing availability. The change is expected to result in more granny flats being built over the next decade, benefiting families, workers, and communities.
Tags: legislation Kiwis granny flats housing Coalition Government RMA Reform Chris Bishop Building Act National Direction Shane JonesRemembering Jim Bolger: A Tribute to a Dedicated New Zealand Leader
5 months ago | 431 viewsJim Bolger's passing is marked with condolences for his family. He was a significant figure in New Zealand politics, serving as Prime Minister during a challenging period of transition. Despite policy differences, he led the country's first MMP Government with integrity and dedication, and continued to contribute to New Zealand's interests on the global stage post-politics. His legacy should be one of a devoted New Zealander who served his country with distinction.
Tags: Jim Bolger Joan Bolger New Zealand Prime Minister politics MMP Government coalition integrity New Zealand Ambassador New ZealanderGovernment-Funded Social Home Deliveries by Community Housing Providers: Progress Update and Future Plans
6 months ago | 1149 viewsCommunity Housing Providers (CHPs) are actively delivering over 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, with a focus on allocating 1,500 social houses from Budget 2024 and 550 social homes for Auckland from Budget 2025. The government is committed to building the right homes in the right places for those in need, with a new housing investment system centered on strategic partnerships with CHPs and a Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 to drive further change in social housing. Progress is being made in improving housing for Kiwis, including reducing the social housing register, moving families out of motels into social housing, and partnering with Māori housing providers to deliver affordable rental homes across the country.
Tags: Community Housing Providers CHPs Coalition Government Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development HUD Budget 2024 Budget 2025New Bill Boosts Aquaculture Growth Potential, Eases Regulatory Burden
6 months ago | 603 viewsA bill protecting marine farmers from costly consent reviews was passed, aiming to support the aquaculture industry's goal of generating $3 billion in revenue by 2035. The Resource Management Act amendments restrict council reviews of coastal permits until 2030, reducing bureaucratic barriers for industry growth. These changes aim to allow marine farmers to focus on innovation and growth rather than dealing with regulatory red tape and costs.
Tags: Shane Jones aquaculture industry marine farmers Resource Management Act regulatory environment Coalition Government consent reviews marine farm consent conditions coastal permits red tapeNew Zealand Introduces Online Casino Gambling Bill for Regulation and Consumer Protection
8 months ago | 1346 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has today introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill to the House of Representatives. “The Online Casino Gambling Bill will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritise harm minimisation, consumer protection, and tax collection,” says Ms van Velden. Cabinet has previously agreed to introduce new legislation to regulate the online casino gambling market, which is currently unregulated in New Zealand.
Tags: Brooke van velden Coalition government House of representatives New zealand Online casino gambling billGame-Changing Reservoir Project to Boost Economy and Agriculture in Wairarapa Region
9 months ago | 1491 viewsA reservoir to be built near Carterton will be a game-changer for the town and wider Wairarapa region, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The 20ha reservoir, which will hold up to 1 million m3, will provide water for industry at Waingawa Industrial Park and irrigation for land. “Water resilience has been identified as a regional priority for Wairarapa.
Tags: Carterton Carterton district council Coalition government Going for growth Regional infrastructure fund Shane jones Waingawa industrial park WairarapaBoosting Regional Energy Security: $28.1 Million Loans for Solar Projects in New Zealand
9 months ago | 1808 viewsThree solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28. 1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Energy Minister Simon Watts say. “The loans for these projects in Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Rakiura/Stewart Island will allow them to get under way this year, helping them to improve economic prosperity and resilience.
Tags: Bay of plenty Central hawke ’ s bay Centralines ltd Coalition government Hawke ’ s bay New zealand Of plenty Ongaonga Rakiura Regional development Regional infrastructure fund Shane jones Simon watts Southland district council Stewart island Te huata charitable trust