Articles tagged with Employment
$200M Gas Security Fund Opens Jan 12, 2026 to Boost NZ Natural Gas Supply
1 week ago | 89 viewsThe $200 million Gas Security Fund, opening on 12 January 2026, aims to increase natural gas availability in New Zealand by supporting projects that accelerate supply or enable storage for critical demand periods. Declining gas production is raising costs and hindering economic growth, making natural gas essential during the transition to renewable energy sources. A new gas advisory panel will provide expert guidance to ministers, ensuring informed decisions amid the complexities of gas exploration and market conditions.
Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand natural gas Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Kānoa Grow Regions gas exploration energy transitionNew Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
1 week ago | 136 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 inflationGovernment Welcomes Select Committee Report on Employment Relations Amendment Bill
2 weeks ago | 104 viewsThe Government welcomes the Select Committee report on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which supports key reforms to enhance labour market flexibility and reduce compliance costs while maintaining core objectives. The Committee recommends clarifications to the gateway test for contractors, including platform-based arrangements, and supports Cabinet decisions to expand income definitions for unjustified dismissal claims and raise the income threshold from $180,000 to $200,000. Minister Brooke van Velden looks forward to progressing the Bill in early 2026, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to helping businesses grow and innovate confidently.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Employment Relations Amendment Bill Education and Workforce Committee Cabinet Government Labour Market Flexibility Select Committee Workplace Relations and Safety Contractors Income Threshold$20.7M Investment Boosts Youth Development Programs for 60,000 At-Risk Kiwis
2 weeks ago | 123 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $20.7 million into youth development programmes aimed at supporting over 60,000 at-risk young people through early intervention and prevention. Funding will be allocated to 53 organisations via two main funds—the Place-Based Youth Development Fund for community-led, long-term programmes, and the Youth Development Contributory Fund for shorter-term initiatives—tailored to regional needs. These programmes focus on education re-engagement, skill development, and personal growth, aiming to improve life outcomes, reduce long-term social costs, and align with government targets on school attendance, youth employment, and offending.
Tags: James Meager Youth Minister New Zealand Youth Development The Y Central South Island Golden Bay Workcentre Trust Youth Programmes Education EmploymentNew NZ Government Procurement Rules Boost Kiwi Businesses and Economic Benefits
3 weeks ago | 132 viewsNew government procurement rules, effective immediately, aim to boost Kiwi businesses by simplifying tender processes and introducing a minimum 10 percent economic benefit weighting in contract evaluations. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment will monitor compliance and impact, ensuring agencies prioritize New Zealand economic benefits such as workforce participation and training. These changes apply to contracts over specified thresholds and comply with international trade obligations by allowing foreign companies to demonstrate economic benefits to New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Willis government procurement New Zealand economic benefit Kiwi firms Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment government contracts workforce participation trade agreements tender processNew Zealand and US Launch $5M Antarctic Science Partnership on Climate Change
3 weeks ago | 160 viewsNew Zealand and the United States are expanding their long-standing Antarctic science collaboration through three joint research projects funded with up to $5 million over five years, focusing on climate and ecosystem change. These projects aim to advance understanding of Antarctic groundwater flows, ecosystem monitoring via combined UAV and satellite systems, and the causes and impacts of rapid sea ice decline in the Ross Sea. Supported by a new Memorandum of Cooperation and coordinated field research in 2026/27, this partnership enhances scientific innovation and environmental management in Antarctica while strengthening New Zealand’s global research standing.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand United States Antarctic science University of Otago University of Waikato National Science Foundation Antarctica New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Earth Sciences NZNew Zealand and US Launch $5M Antarctic Science Partnership to Tackle Climate Change
3 weeks ago | 143 viewsNew Zealand and the United States are expanding their long-standing Antarctic science collaboration through three new joint research projects funded with up to $5 million over five years, focusing on climate and ecosystem changes. These projects aim to map Antarctic groundwater flows, monitor ecosystem changes using advanced aerial and satellite technology, and investigate the rapid decline of sea ice in the Ross Sea, contributing to the global Antarctica InSync initiative. Supported by a recent Memorandum of Cooperation and upcoming field research in 2026/27, this partnership enhances environmental understanding and innovation while strengthening New Zealand’s role in international Antarctic science.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand United States Antarctic science National Science Foundation University of Otago University of Waikato Antarctica New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Catalyst FundGovernment Introduces New Building Consent Reforms to Protect Owners and Boost Productivity
1 month ago | 155 viewsThe Government is reforming the building consent system by replacing joint and several liability with proportionate liability, ensuring each party is only responsible for their own work to speed up consents and protect ratepayers. New safeguards include mandatory professional indemnity insurance for designers, compulsory home warranties for most new residential builds and significant renovations, and strengthened disciplinary penalties for Licensed Building Practitioners. These measures aim to enhance accountability, protect building owners, and make the building process faster, easier, and more affordable, with legislative changes expected by 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Licensed Building Practitioners Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Amendment Bill New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Building Act Home warranty Professional indemnity insurance Building consent systemDunedin Hospital Project Hits Milestone with Pile Capping Completion
1 month ago | 137 viewsThe New Dunedin Hospital project has completed pile capping for the inpatient building, marking a major construction milestone and enabling progress to substructure work. Construction is advancing with the formation of basement and ground-floor slabs, preparation for steel framework installation, and coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The project supports local employment and businesses, with over 900 jobs expected at peak construction and significant economic benefits for the Otago and Southland region.
Tags: New Dunedin Hospital pile capping inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown Otago Southland CPB Contractors construction milestone local employment structural steel frameworkGovernment Reforms Building Research Funding to Boost Innovation and Cut Costs in NZ
1 month ago | 155 viewsThe Government is reforming building research funding by repealing the outdated Building Research Levy Act 1969 and consolidating research funding into the existing building levy under the Building Act 2024 to improve transparency, efficiency, and innovation. The new system will centrally manage funds with sector input, ring-fence research funding for long-term projects, and make funding contestable to broaden access for universities and industry organizations, while reducing costs for consent applicants. These changes aim to enhance accountability, support a more resilient building sector, and contribute to making building easier, more affordable, and supportive of economic growth in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Research Levy Act Building Research Association of New Zealand BRANZ Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Building Act 2024 Building Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Launches Secure Digital Credential Platform for Government Agencies
1 month ago | 206 viewsNew Zealand company MATTR will develop a shared digital credential platform managed by the Department of Internal Affairs to enable government agencies to issue secure digital identities through a Government App. This initiative aims to simplify identity verification, reduce paperwork, enhance privacy and security, and improve convenience for users, with agencies like MBIE trialing the system for business credentials. By standardizing digital identity services across agencies, the government expects cost savings, greater efficiency, and a more consistent experience for citizens.
Tags: Judith Collins MATTR Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government App digital credentials digital identity services New Zealand Business Number public sectorNew Zealand Labour Market Update: Government's Economic Rebuilding Efforts Highlighted
1 month ago | 237 viewsLabour market statistics released today show a slight increase in unemployment to 5.3% in the September quarter, aligning with forecasts. The Finance Minister emphasizes the government's commitment to rebuilding the economy and creating more job opportunities for New Zealanders. Efforts include reducing taxes, boosting investments, and supporting businesses to drive economic recovery and job growth.
Tags: Labour market statistics Government Economy Job opportunities Kiwis Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Unemployment New ZealandersNew Non-Financial Sanctions Launch in Traffic Light System for Job Seekers
2 months ago | 231 viewsThe Traffic Light System is expanding with two new non-financial sanctions related to job searches and upskilling, aimed at increasing accountability for beneficiaries. These sanctions require reporting job search activities and attending employment-related training courses. The government is focused on reducing benefit dependency, offering support services and incentives to help individuals transition into employment and meet their obligations. The goal is to have fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030 by proactively preparing individuals for employment opportunities.
Tags: Traffic Light System job searches upskilling Social Development Employment Minister Louise Upston beneficiaries accountability benefit dependencyRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Job Creation and Resilience in New Zealand
2 months ago | 242 viewsThe Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
Tags: Regional Infrastructure Fund resilient communities local employment opportunities Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston infrastructure employment construction New Zealanders projectsGovernment Progresses in Tackling Unemployment Despite Economic Challenges
2 months ago | 225 viewsMinister Louise Upston highlights the Government's progress in reducing unemployment despite economic challenges, with a 6% increase in beneficiaries finding work in the June 2025 quarter, totaling 20,775 individuals transitioning into employment. The data also shows a 6.9% rise in work exits from Jobseeker Support and a decrease in young people receiving this support. The Government's initiatives, such as frontline investments, phone-based case management, and Kōrero Mahi seminars, aim to support jobseekers, emphasizing the importance of providing practical assistance during the job search process to help individuals gain independence and improve their lives.
Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston Government unemployment MSD stats Jobseeker Support New Zealanders Kōrero Mahi