Articles tagged with Development

New Amendments Boost NZ Infrastructure Funding to Support Housing Growth

6 days ago | 143 views

The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill passed today enhances the existing Act by simplifying processes, broadening eligible projects, and allowing operational costs to be funded through levies, addressing previous barriers that limited its use. This legislation enables private investment to fund essential infrastructure, such as roads and water services, with repayments made via levies on benefiting properties, thereby supporting housing growth and economic development. The changes aim to accelerate infrastructure delivery, provide greater certainty for developers, and ensure that growth is sustainably funded, aligning with the Government’s broader Going for Housing Growth programme.

Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill New Zealand Housing Growth Milldale development New Zealand Transport Agency KiwiRail National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Environment Committee

New Waitangi Tribunal Members Nick Wells and Rick Witana Appointed

6 days ago | 120 views

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the appointments of Nick Wells and Rick Witana to the Waitangi Tribunal, replacing Dr Paul Hamer and Basil Morrison, who are stepping down after long service. Wells and Witana bring extensive expertise in governance, law, Iwi leadership, and Crown–Māori relationships, enhancing the Tribunal's work. Both new members will serve three-year terms, with Wells succeeding Hamer and Witana succeeding Morrison.

Tags: Tama Potaka Nick Wells Rick Witana Paul Hamer Basil Morrison Waitangi Tribunal Ngāpuhi UNICEF Aotearoa Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri Māori Development

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka Announces Key Governance Reappointments

6 days ago | 98 views

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed the reappointments of Dr Charlotte Severne as Māori Trustee, Hinerangi Edwards to the Poutama Trust Board, and Brian Morris to the Te Māngai Pāho Board, ensuring continuity in governance across Māori land, economic development, and broadcasting. Each appointee brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to advancing Māori land management, enterprise growth, and the promotion of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. Their leadership is expected to sustain the organisations' efforts in supporting Māori landowners, economic initiatives, and cultural broadcasting.

Tags: Tama Potaka Charlotte Severne Hinerangi Edwards Brian Morris Māori Trustee Poutama Trust Board Te Māngai Pāho Māori Development Māori broadcasting Māori economic development

Government Contributes $50,000 to Support Kaikōura Flood Relief Efforts

1 week ago | 187 views

The Government is contributing $50,000 to the Kaikōura Mayoral Relief Fund to assist with recovery from severe flooding and landslides that caused widespread damage in July. This funding, requested by the Kaikōura District Council, will support community needs like residential waste disposal and replacing uninsurable items, supplementing an earlier $50,000 grant to local farmers. Mayoral Relief Funds provide rapid, targeted aid to fill immediate gaps after emergencies, complementing other support from agencies without replacing insurance or other funding sources.

Tags: Mark Mitchell Kaikōura Government Mayoral Relief Fund Emergency Management Flooding Farmers Adverse Events Trust Federated Farmers Kaikōura District Council Ministry of Social Development

Government and Community Fund $950K to Boost Youth Education and Employment in Waikato

1 week ago | 151 views

The Waikato Region will benefit from joint Government and community funding initiatives to support over 400 young people in education, leadership, and employment pathways. The Hauraki Māori Trust Board received $316,000 (matched to $632,000) for a two-year early intervention program aiding 320 students' transition to high school, while the Raukawa Charitable Trust got $120,000 to run employability and education programs for 80 youth. Youth Minister James Meager emphasized that these partnerships leverage local knowledge to provide tailored support, align with government targets, and enhance opportunities without extra taxpayer cost.

Tags: James Meager Waikato Region Hauraki Māori Trust Board Youth Development Partnership Raukawa Charitable Trust Len Reynolds Trust Ministry of Youth Development Department of Internal Affairs youth employment education pathways

Government Grants $60M to Secure New Zealand’s Domestic Cement Manufacturing Through 2040

2 weeks ago | 201 views

The New Zealand Government has agreed to provide up to $60 million to Golden Bay Cement (GBC) to maintain domestic cement manufacturing at its Whangarei plant and support at least $150 million in investments through 2040, ensuring economic resilience against global supply disruptions. This decision follows concerns that rising costs and emissions expenses threatened the closure of the country's only fully integrated cement facility, which is vital for essential infrastructure construction. The support is conditional, includes strict oversight, and aims to preserve strategic domestic capability without undermining the Emissions Trading Scheme or setting a broad precedent for taxpayer funding.

Tags: Golden Bay Cement GBC New Zealand Government Whangarei plant Fletcher Building Limited Emissions Trading Scheme domestic cement production cement manufacturing infrastructure development supply chain resilience

John Rae Reappointed Chair of Crown Regional Holdings Board for Three Years

2 weeks ago | 199 views

John Rae has been reappointed Chair of the Crown Regional Holdings Limited Board for three more years due to his extensive legal, financial, and governance expertise. Crown Regional Holdings manages significant government investments aimed at supporting regional economic development across New Zealand, with a diverse portfolio spanning eight regional funds, 13 regions, and 19 industry sectors. As of the 2025 financial year, CRHL oversees 201 active contracts totaling $1,085 million in loans, equity, and capital assets, reflecting the government’s commitment to regional growth.

Tags: John Rae Shane Jones Crown Regional Holdings Limited CRHL regional development New Zealand regional investment governance financial experience

Bay of Plenty Aquaculture Settlement Boosts Growth and Jobs for Te Moana-a-Toi Iwi

3 weeks ago | 243 views

A major aquaculture settlement between the Crown and Te Moana-a-Toi iwi, involving 5000 hectares of new aquaculture space, aims to drive significant economic growth and workforce development in the Bay of Plenty. The region, known for open ocean mussel farming, has the potential to generate $200 million in annual revenue by 2035, contributing to the Government’s goal of $3 billion in aquaculture revenue nationwide. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones highlighted the settlement as a milestone that supports iwi leadership and strengthens local communities through stable jobs and export opportunities.

Tags: Shane Jones Crown Bay of Plenty Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act Tauranga New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan mussel farming aquaculture settlement

Jane Searle Appointed New Children’s Commissioner to Advocate for Kids' Wellbeing

3 weeks ago | 295 views

Jane Searle has been appointed Children’s Commissioner, bringing over 15 years of experience in child protection, including roles as chief executive of Child Matters, a police detective, and legal professional. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston highlighted Ms Searle’s deep understanding of children’s issues and her capability to advocate for their wellbeing. Ms Searle will begin her five-year term on 1 August 2026, succeeding Dr Claire Achmad, who was thanked for her dedicated service.

Tags: Jane Searle Louise Upston Claire Achmad Child Matters Children’s Commissioner Social Development Employment Minister New Zealand Police barrister solicitor

Parliament Removes 5-Year Ban for Real Estate Agents Failing CPD Requirements

1 month ago | 279 views

Parliament has passed legislation removing the disproportionate five-year disqualification penalty for real estate agents who fail to complete continuing professional development (CPD) or pay fees on time, addressing concerns about fairness and relevance. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bills also enhance conveyancers' ability to work, promote competition, and improve the justice system by allowing the Disputes Tribunal to order respondents to pay filing fees to successful claimants. These changes reflect the Government’s commitment to fit-for-purpose regulation and timely access to justice, with further court system improvements under consideration.

Tags: Nicole McKee Janet Dickson Real Estate Authority Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill Associate Justice Minister Real estate agents Continuing professional development Disputes Tribunal Conveyancers Justice Committee

Government Funds $4.5M Mussel Spat Nursery to Boost NZ Greenshell Industry

1 month ago | 360 views

The New Zealand government is funding a $4.5 million loan to establish a mussel spat nursery in Houhora Bay, Northland, aiming to stabilize and increase spat supply for the Greenshell mussel industry. The Te Hiku Aquaculture Mussel Spat Project, led by four iwi groups and co-funded with $1.3 million, will develop up to 150 mussel lines to improve spat survival and support nationwide mussel farming. This initiative aligns with the government’s Aquaculture Development Plan to grow the industry to $3 billion annually by 2035 and is progressing through the Fast-track consent process before funding is released.

Tags: Mark Patterson Te Aupōuri Te Rarawa Ngāi Takoto Ngāti Kahu Akau Associate Regional Development Minister Te Aupōuri Fisheries Management Limited Muriwhenua Government

Government Approves $22.4M Funding for Te Utanganui Freight Rail Hub in PN

1 month ago | 340 views

The Government has approved up to $22.4 million to support the rail component of Te Utanganui, a major intermodal freight hub in Palmerston North linking rail, road, air, and sea. This funding, delivered in stages, will aid pre-construction and construction of the Bunnythorpe Regional Freight Hub, aiming to improve supply chain efficiency, drive economic growth, and create hundreds of jobs. The project, led by local agencies and supported by government investment, seeks to unlock industrial land, build resilience, and attract private sector co-investment to boost the lower North Island's logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Tags: Winston Peters Shane Jones Te Utanganui Bunnythorpe Regional Freight Hub Manawatū Central Economic Development Agency KiwiRail Regional Infrastructure Fund Palmerston North New Zealand Government

New Ngāmotu Marae in New Plymouth to Boost Culture, Community, and Resilience

1 month ago | 287 views

The New Zealand Government is investing up to $8.6 million to establish Ngāmotu Marae in central New Plymouth, providing Ngāti Te Whiti with a long overdue home and serving as a cultural, social, and economic hub for the wider community. The marae will feature facilities like a wharenui and wharekai, doubling as an emergency lifeline offering food, shelter, and essential services during crises. With a total cost of $17.8 million and multiple co-funders, the project aims to support jobs during construction and foster long-term cultural tourism, local enterprise, and community development.

Tags: Ngāti Te Whiti Shane Jones Tama Potaka Ngāmotu Marae New Plymouth Moturoa Regional Infrastructure Fund Toi Foundation Ngāti Te Whiti Whenua Tōpu Trust Māori Development

New Zealand Removes Land Disposal Provisions to Protect Conservation Areas

1 month ago | 374 views

The New Zealand Government will remove provisions related to the disposal or exchange of conservation land from the Conservation Amendment Bill in response to public concerns. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka emphasized the importance of protecting iconic landscapes and committed to working with environmental groups, stakeholders, and iwi to balance economic development with strong conservation outcomes. The bill, currently under parliamentary review, aims to modernize conservation land management and improve environmental outcomes while ensuring clarity and public support.

Tags: Tama Potaka Conservation Amendment Bill New Zealand Conservation Minister Environmental Defence Society Forest and Bird conservation land conservation legislation economic development parliamentary select committee

Taranaki Base Hospital New East Wing Opens, Boosting Patient Care and Capacity

1 month ago | 365 views

The New East Wing of Taranaki Base Hospital has officially opened, marking a major milestone in the $462.6 million redevelopment to modernize healthcare services in the region. This new facility significantly expands capacity by 57%, integrating emergency, intensive care, maternity, diagnostics, and an Acute Assessment Unit to improve patient flow and treatment speed. The redevelopment also includes enhanced infrastructure like a rooftop helipad and an Integrated Operations Centre, ensuring better coordination and future-proofing healthcare delivery for Taranaki residents.

Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Taranaki Base Hospital New East Wing healthcare redevelopment emergency department maternity services neonatal unit Acute Assessment Unit hospital expansion