Articles tagged with Epa
Restoring 110 Hectares of Native Forest on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula
4 days ago | 88 viewsA restoration project on Northland’s Kōwhairoa Peninsula Historic Reserve aims to reestablish 110 hectares of native forest through planting 132,000 native trees and pest control, supported by $1.54 million in government funding. Led by Te Komanga Marae Trust and guided by ecologist Dr. Adam Forbes, the initiative revives a culturally and ecologically significant site cleared by early settlers, using locally-sourced seeds. The project, launched in 2019 and funded under the Provincial Growth Fund’s One Billion Trees programme, is progressing well and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Tags: Shane Jones Roger Kingi Adam Forbes Te Komanga Marae Trust Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa Te Uru Rākau Department of Conservation Provincial Growth Fund One Billion Trees NorthlandNew Zealand Launches Inter-Agency Hub and Mandatory Training to Protect Vulnerable Children
6 days ago | 86 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched an inter-agency hub at the Oranga Tamariki National Contact Centre and begun mandatory foundational training for core children’s workers to better protect vulnerable children, especially those with sole carers facing imprisonment. This hub facilitates rapid information sharing among key agencies to assess and address risks within 48 hours, ensuring tailored responses to each child's safety and wellbeing. These initiatives follow recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review and the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, complementing public awareness campaigns like Mana Mokopuna’s "Dear Children" to enhance child protection nationwide.
Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Oranga Tamariki Mana Mokopuna Child Poverty Reduction New Zealand Police Ministry of Social Development Ministry of Education Department of Corrections Health NZNew DOC Cadetship Programme Launches to Build Future Conservation Workforce
1 week ago | 126 viewsThe Department of Conservation has launched the Te Pū Hono cadetship programme in Renwick, a 30-month paid initiative aimed at developing a skilled conservation workforce for long-term careers. Selected cadets gain hands-on experience in various conservation tasks, including ecological monitoring, weed control, and historic site restoration, with opportunities to specialize in areas like chainsaw operations. The programme, supported by the government, seeks to ensure DOC’s capability to protect New Zealand’s natural and cultural assets while fostering strong interest in conservation careers.
Tags: Tama Potaka Department of Conservation Te Pū Hono Renwick Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau Te Tauihu kaihonoa taiao Ōmaka Marae New Zealand conservation DOC cadetshipMilford Sound Tourism Gets Long-Term Concession to 2050 for Sustainable Management
2 weeks ago | 132 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka has approved a long-term concession for Milford Sound Tourism Limited to operate key visitor infrastructure at Milford Sound Piopiotahi until 2050, providing certainty for essential facilities in this important conservation area. The decision emphasizes balancing conservation, safe visitor access, and support for regional economies, while recognizing the cultural significance of the site through a partnership with Ngāi Tahu. Officials will now negotiate terms to ensure statutory obligations, capital investment, and broader tourism interests are addressed, supported by government funding for the Milford corridor.
Tags: Tama Potaka Milford Sound Piopiotahi Milford Sound Tourism Limited Ngāi Tahu Conservation Minister Aotearoa New Zealand International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy Tangata Whenua Department of Conservation New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Citizenship Wait Times Cut by 72% with Faster Processing
3 weeks ago | 208 viewsCitizenship application wait times in New Zealand have decreased by 72% since Labour last governed, with average processing now taking 51 days compared to 180 days in October 2023. Despite consistent application numbers over the past three years, the Government has focused on efficient service delivery to reduce stress and provide certainty for applicants who have already spent at least five years in the country. Minister Brooke van Velden thanked the processing teams and emphasized the importance of reliable government services, noting applications can be submitted online or by post.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Labour New Zealand citizenship Department of Internal Affairs Government citizenship applications wait times citizenship processing New Zealand GovernmentGovernment Adds 31 Specialist Mental Health Beds at Manor Park Hospital
1 month ago | 393 viewsThe Government is enhancing mental health support by adding 31 specialist beds at Manor Park Private Hospital, including 15 for adults with complex long-term needs and 16 psychogeriatric beds for secure and transitional care. This expansion aims to provide faster access to appropriate care, reduce hospital stays, ease emergency department pressure, and improve patient outcomes in the Hutt Valley and Capital Coast regions. The initiative is part of a broader mental health plan focused on better infrastructure, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to deliver compassionate, effective care.
Tags: Matt Doocey Manor Park Private Hospital mental health support psychogeriatric beds Hutt Valley Capital Coast emergency departments mental health plan New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Sees Faster Access and Shorter ED Stays in Mental Health Services Q1 2025
1 month ago | 291 viewsNew data for Q1 2025/26 shows significant improvements in New Zealand’s mental health and addiction access targets, with faster access to primary and specialist services and shorter emergency department stays compared to Q1 2024/25. Progress is evident nationally and across Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities, though shorter ED stays remain the biggest challenge, with efforts focused on supporting under-performing health districts. Minister Matt Doocey emphasizes the goal of equitable access to mental health support nationwide, crediting frontline workers for these advancements.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand mental health addiction support emergency departments primary mental health specialist services Māori Pacific peoples Asian communitiesNew Zealand Health Progress: Faster Cancer Care, Immunisations & Shorter Waits
1 month ago | 316 viewsNew Zealand has seen year-on-year improvements in healthcare access, including faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunisation rates, and shorter waits for surgeries and specialist assessments, despite a busy winter and union strikes. The government’s investments, such as a $604 million boost to Pharmac and the Elective Boost program, have contributed to these gains by delivering new medicines and additional procedures. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes ongoing efforts to ensure timely, quality care for all Kiwis, supported by increased funding and frontline staff.
Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac New Zealand healthcare workers cancer treatment childhood immunisations elective surgery emergency departments Elective Boost health targetsCheck Your Passport Expiry Now: Renew Early to Beat 2026-27 Rush in NZ
1 month ago | 293 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden urges New Zealanders to check and renew their passports ahead of a predicted surge in applications due to the 10-year passport validity anniversary. Over 1.3 million passports will expire in the next two years, with 622,000 expected to apply for renewal in 2026 and 759,000 in 2027. The Department of Internal Affairs has improved processing times from 25 to 3 days, encouraging travelers to renew passports early via the easy online system.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs New Zealand passport expiry passport renewal Department of Internal Affairs passport applications 2026 passport expiry 2027 passport expiry passport processing timesNational Wild Goat Hunting Competition Removes 10,349 Goats in NZ This Year
1 month ago | 288 viewsThe National Wild Goat Hunting Competition in New Zealand, now in its third year, has removed over 33,000 wild goats, helping protect native ecosystems through hunter-led conservation. The event, supported by the Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, and sponsors, engaged 863 participants, including many youth, promoting conservation and encouraging outdoor activity. With strong backing from the hunting community and significant prizes, the competition has positively influenced hunter behavior and become a key annual event.
Tags: James Meager National Wild Goat Hunting Competition New Zealand Department of Conservation New Zealand Deerstalkers Association wild goats hunting community hunting sector conservation outcomesLocal Water Done Well: $48B Investment to Upgrade NZ Water Services by 2034
1 month ago | 263 viewsAll councils' water service delivery plans under Local Water Done Well have been assessed, with 76% of New Zealand’s population receiving services through council-controlled organisations (CCOs), addressing affordability challenges. Councils plan to invest nearly $48 billion over the next decade, including an additional $9 billion compared to previous estimates, to upgrade water infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance after decades of underinvestment. This reform also anticipates the creation of around 9,000 new water industry jobs, balancing the need to fix existing issues while preparing for future population growth.
Tags: Simon Watts Local Water Done Well New Zealand councils water service delivery Department of Internal Affairs water infrastructure water industry jobs Local Government MinisterGovernment Boosts Funding for New Plymouth Crisis Recovery Café
1 month ago | 265 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced increased government funding for New Plymouth's local crisis recovery café, run by Taranaki Retreat, to provide a calm, peer-led alternative to emergency departments for those in mental distress. This investment is part of a broader mental health plan that includes expanding peer support roles and establishing new crisis recovery cafés nationwide by June 2026. The initiative aims to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response through community-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Taranaki Retreat New Plymouth New Zealand Minister for Mental Health peer support workers crisis recovery café emergency departments mental health GovernmentNew Compassionate Stillbirth Registration Process Launched for Grieving Parents
2 months ago | 242 viewsThe Government is improving the stillbirth registration process to be more compassionate and supportive for grieving parents, moving away from the standard online form designed for live births. Health NZ and the Department of Internal Affairs are collaborating to enable registrations through the Whetūrangitia website, which offers a culturally safe and sensitive experience tailored to families experiencing baby loss. This initiative aims to provide dignity, care, and appropriate support during a traumatic time, benefiting the hundreds of families affected by perinatal loss annually in New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health NZ Department of Internal Affairs Whetūrangitia stillbirth registration perinatal loss miscarriage grieving parents New Zealand governmentGovernment to Introduce Rates Cap Limiting Council Increases to 4% from 2027
2 months ago | 273 viewsThe Government will introduce a rates cap limiting annual council rates increases to between 2 and 4 percent per capita, aiming to control rising household costs while ensuring councils can maintain essential services. The cap will apply from January 2027 with a transition period for councils to adapt, and a regulator will oversee exceptions for extreme circumstances or justified revenue needs. Legislation will be finalized by early 2026, with the full regulatory framework implemented by mid-2029, including ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements for councils.
Tags: Simon Watts Government Local Government Minister councils rates cap rates increases household budgets Local Government Act Department of Internal Affairs regulatorNew Zealand's New Wastewater Standards Cut Costs and Protect the Environment
2 months ago | 278 viewsNew Zealand’s new national wastewater environmental performance standards will streamline consenting processes for over 330 treatment plants, cutting costs by up to 40-60 percent and saving councils and ratepayers up to $830 million over 35 years. The standards use a risk-based approach to ensure strong environmental protection while enabling cost-effective solutions, addressing aging infrastructure and reducing unnecessary delays and over-engineering. Developed through extensive consultation, these flexible standards aim to ease ratepayer financial pressure, improve transparency, and support sustainable wastewater management starting December 2025.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand wastewater standards local government ratepayers environmental performance consenting costs councils infrastructure upgrades Taumata Arowai