Articles tagged with Commission
New Bill Bans Surcharges on Foreign and Commercial Cards for Easier Payments: Impact on Businesses and Consumers
1 week ago | 96 viewsThe Government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, is expanding the surcharge ban to include foreign-issued cards and commercial cards, aiming to simplify transactions for businesses and consumers. The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading, prohibiting surcharges on in-store EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard payments. The ban, set to be implemented within a month of passing the Bill, aims to save businesses up to $90 million annually and prevent surprise costs for Kiwi shoppers at payment terminals.
Tags: Government payment pain point surcharge ban foreign cards Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Retail Payment System Amendment Bill Commerce Commission banking fees merchant service fees interchange feesNew Commerce Act Amendments Boost Public Protection and Business Certainty
1 week ago | 82 viewsThe Government is updating the Commerce Act after nearly 20 years to enhance protection for the public and provide more certainty for businesses, focusing on promoting competition, innovation, and fair markets. Key changes include preventing unfair tactics, clearer merger rules, strengthening the Commerce Commission, and facilitating beneficial collaborations among businesses. The amendments aim to ensure the Commerce Commission is more effective, separate governance and regulatory functions, and give the Commission stronger tools to assess mergers and competition concerns, ultimately promoting fairer markets and consumer choice.
Tags: Government Commerce Act Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Competition Innovation Commerce Commission Collaboration Mergers ConsumersTransforming New Zealand's Digital Infrastructure: Science, Innovation, and Technology Reforms
2 weeks ago | 216 viewsThe opening remarks express gratitude for the summit's organization and highlight the importance of digital infrastructure in supporting science and innovation. The reforms in the science, innovation, and technology system aim to drive economic growth and maximize government funding for research. Additionally, the AI Strategy focuses on regulating AI to enable innovation while building trust and social license, with a commitment to leveraging existing laws and global partnerships.
Tags: Craig TUANZ Digital Health Association Minister for Science Innovation and Technology Bioeconomy Science Institute Earth Sciences New Zealand New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology Prime Minister’s new Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council Privacy CommissionerHave Your Say: Kiwis Invited to Shape Telecommunications Regulatory Changes
4 weeks ago | 266 viewsKiwis are encouraged to provide input on proposed regulatory changes in the telecommunications sector, as their feedback is crucial to the review process, according to Ministers David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith. The review focuses on key regulatory issues such as the Telecommunications Development Levy (TDL), shareholder caps, and service quality regulations. Proposed draft changes include implementing a consumer code, updating infrastructure obligations, eliminating outdated rules, and enhancing investor appeal for telecom companies to boost growth in the sector.
Tags: David Seymour Paul Goldsmith Telecommunications sector Regulatory change Telecommunications Development Levy Retail Service Quality Fibre Fixed Line Access Telecommunications service obligations Telecommunication services Commerce CommissionLocal Water Done Well: Government Legislation Benefits Communities Nationwide
4 weeks ago | 170 viewsThe Government's Local Water Done Well legislation aims to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services to local communities across the country. The legislation focuses on ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and accountability in water service delivery, with the Commerce Commission overseeing economic regulation to ensure fair pricing and quality infrastructure. Councils are encouraged to submit water services delivery plans that meet the requirements and provide flexibility to make arrangements best-suited for their communities, ultimately benefiting Kiwis with improved water services.
Tags: Local Government Minister Simon Watts Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis Watercare charter Three Waters policy Local Government (Water Services) Act Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act Commerce Commission councils water services delivery planNew Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline Surges to $237.1 Billion: Construction Sector Growth Ahead
1 month ago | 235 viewsThe latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission reveals that the value of infrastructure initiatives in the National Infrastructure Pipeline has increased to $237.1 billion, with a $30.2 billion growth from the previous quarter, as stated by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. The Pipeline, managed by the Commission, encompasses over 9,200 projects, aiding in planning for future infrastructure projects across various sectors and contributing to about 4% of the country's GDP. Efforts are being made to enhance transparency and data quality within the Pipeline, with ongoing collaboration from 121 organizations, and the final National Infrastructure Plan is expected to be released in December.
Tags: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline Chris Bishop construction sector infrastructure projects New Zealand Infrastructure Commission GDP NZTA highway maintenance programmes Christchurch Men’s Prison Hawkes Bay PrisonGovernment Initiatives to Boost Banking Competition Unveiled by Finance Minister Nicola Willis
1 month ago | 206 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed the release of the Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC) Inquiry into banking competition, focusing on business, rural banking, and lending to Māori entities. The inquiry supports the Government's efforts to enhance competition in the banking sector for better services for Kiwis. The report, based on submissions from 148 stakeholders and public hearings, will be reviewed by the Government for proposed action items by November 2025.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis FEC Inquiry banking competition Government Commerce Commission Kiwis Kiwibank Reserve Bank financial stabilityForeign Minister Winston Peters Announces New Diplomatic Appointments
1 month ago | 264 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments: Joanna Kempkers as Ambassador to France, Greg Andrews as High Commissioner to Fiji, and Angela Hassan-Sharp as Ambassador to Ireland. Peters made the appointments to strengthen diplomatic relations with these countries. The new ambassadors will represent New Zealand's interests and foster positive relationships in their respective postings.
Tags: Foreign Minister Winston Peters Joanna Kempkers Greg Andrews Ambassador France High Commissioner Fiji IrelandUpdate on Competition Policy Reforms for Economic Growth
1 month ago | 253 viewsThe Government is focused on growing the economy by improving competition settings, with updates on the Commerce Act review and Commerce Commission governance. Reforms to the Commerce Act aim to simplify collaboration processes, enhance confidentiality protections, and promote competition. Additionally, initiatives include strengthening banking competition, implementing open banking, regulating retail payments, and introducing a new water services regulatory regime under the Commerce Act to ensure efficiency and transparency.
Tags: Government economy competition settings Commerce Act review Commerce Commission collaboration competition safeguards beneficial collaboration confidential information industry codesTransforming New Zealand's Infrastructure: A Vision for Growth and Efficiency
1 month ago | 619 viewsThe speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to attend Building Nations 2025 and acknowledges the need for improved infrastructure policy in New Zealand. As the Infrastructure Minister, the speaker highlights challenges in delivering and maintaining infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of efficient systems for economic growth and living standards. Key priorities include developing a National Infrastructure Plan, improving funding and financing, addressing road pricing reform, enhancing the consenting framework, and strengthening asset management and resilience to ensure a prosperous future for New Zealand.
Tags: Nick Leggett Infrastructure New Zealand Minister New Zealand National Infrastructure Plan NIFFCo Infrastructure Commission Building Nations RUC Resource Management ActNew Zealand Petroleum Exploration Permits Open in September: Crown Minerals Amendment Bill Impact
1 month ago | 567 viewsThe Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, following its third reading, will allow operators to apply for new petroleum exploration permits starting in September. The Bill removes the ban on oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki, introduces a new tier of permit for small-scale non-commercial gold mining, and aims to boost investment in Crown-owned minerals. Changes in liability for decommissioning costs and the need for clarity in regulatory burden and risk are also addressed in the Bill to enhance investor confidence and energy security.
Tags: Shane Jones petroleum exploration permits Crown Minerals Amendment Bill oil and gas exploration energy security natural gas decommissioning investment liabilityDr. Ang Jury Appointed Chair of Independent Children’s Monitor Board: Enhancing Oversight for Vulnerable Kiwi Kids
1 month ago | 573 viewsDr Ang Jury, ONZM has been appointed as the Chair of the new Board for the Independent Children’s Monitor, a key oversight body for the Oranga Tamariki system. This appointment is a significant step towards fulfilling commitments to vulnerable children, as highlighted by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston. Dr Jury's expertise in the social and Oranga Tamariki sectors will be instrumental in establishing the new Board, with her five-year term beginning on August 1, 2025.
Tags: Dr Ang Jury ONZM Louise Upston Women's Refuge Arran Jones Oranga Tamariki Independent Children’s Monitor Children’s Commissioner Ombudsman vulnerable childrenKiwibank Empowered to Challenge Big Four Aussie Banks with $500M Capital Boost
1 month ago | 471 viewsKiwibank has been authorized to enhance its competition with the dominant Australian-owned banks in New Zealand's banking sector by raising up to $500 million in capital for growth. This move is aimed at enabling Kiwibank to better compete with the big four Australian banks while preserving its New Zealand identity. The government has approved measures to ensure Kiwibank's New Zealand identity, including maintaining majority government ownership and requiring key operational aspects to remain in New Zealand.
Tags: Kiwibank Nicola Willis Finance Minister Commerce Commission New Zealand Kiwi Group Capital Māori institutions New Zealand KiwiSaver funds stock marketNew Zealand Bans Surcharges to Save Millions: Commerce Minister's Decision
1 month ago | 1183 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced the axing of surcharges to benefit New Zealanders financially. The move aims to eliminate the hassle and unexpected costs shoppers face at the checkout. By banning surcharges for in-store payments by May 2026, consumers can shop confidently without being penalized for their payment method choice.
Tags: surcharges money Kiwis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson New Zealanders ban payments fees Commerce CommissionYvonne Browning MNZM Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board by Vocational Education Minister
2 months ago | 512 viewsYvonne Browning MNZM has been appointed to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission by Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds. Browning's passion for enabling students, especially young women, to reach their potential through tertiary education and training was highlighted. Her experience as Principal of Southland Girls’ High School and her efforts in promoting engineering careers for young women were emphasized as valuable assets for the TEC's mission to prepare students for further education, training, and employment.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Yvonne Browning Tertiary Education Commission Education Minister Southland Girls’ High School New Zealand Order of Merit Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter engineering education youth