Articles tagged with Ets
Government Extends ETS Unit Settings to 2031 for Market Stability and Emissions Targets
1 hour ago | 27 viewsThe Government will maintain existing Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) unit settings to provide market stability and support New Zealand’s emissions reduction targets, extending key price controls until 2031. These decisions follow consultation and align with the Climate Change Commission’s advice to keep the country on track with its emissions budgets. Additionally, minor regulatory changes will be implemented starting 1 January 2027.
Tags: Emissions Trading Scheme ETS Climate Change Minister Simon Watts New Zealand Climate Change Commission emissions reductions auction floor price cost containment reserve regulatory changesGovernment Invests $3.8M to Upgrade Public Toilets in NZ Visitor Hotspots
1 week ago | 158 viewsThe Government is investing $3.8 million from the International Visitor Levy to upgrade public toilet facilities in the Mackenzie and Queenstown Lakes districts, two of New Zealand’s busiest visitor destinations. This funding aims to alleviate the financial burden on local communities by adopting a user-pays approach, ensuring visitors contribute to the maintenance of public amenities. The investment supports tourism's role in sustaining jobs and local businesses while providing cleaner, more reliable infrastructure for both residents and visitors.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand International Visitor Levy Mackenzie Queenstown Lakes Tourism Hospitality Government investment Public toilets Visitor destinationsFIT Partnership Expands to 19 Members Boosting Global Trade Opportunities
2 weeks ago | 212 viewsThe Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership has expanded from 16 to 19 members with Korea, Peru, and Thailand joining, reflecting growing interest among small and medium-sized trading nations. The partnership focuses on creating simple, consistent trade rules to support exporters, strengthen trading positions, and foster economic growth amid global uncertainties. New Zealand, a founding member, hosted a significant Ministerial meeting in Auckland, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among like-minded economies to open doors in emerging markets and enhance trade opportunities.
Tags: FIT Partnership Todd McClay New Zealand Korea Peru Thailand Trade Investment Ministerial meeting Emerging marketsNew Zealand Updates Climate Change Response Act to Strengthen Adaptation and NZ ETS
2 weeks ago | 217 viewsThe Government is amending the Climate Change Response Act to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure effective climate risk management, including legally requiring councils to develop 30-year adaptation plans for high-risk communities. The Bill also strengthens governance and transparency of the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS), addressing investment disincentives and allowing for new carbon removal methods while excluding agriculture. These changes aim to streamline New Zealand’s climate framework, support emissions reduction targets, and deliver practical, results-focused climate action.
Tags: Simon Watts Climate Change Response Act New Zealand NZ ETS Climate Change Minister National Adaptation Framework Climate risks Decarbonisation Market governance Climate targetsGovernment and Federated Farmers Provide $100K Support for Flood-Hit Kaikōura Farmers
3 weeks ago | 242 viewsThe Government is providing $50,000 to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust to aid flood-affected Kaikōura farmers, with Federated Farmers matching the amount through fundraising. The immediate focus is on animal welfare, with efforts underway to relocate around 4,000 animals from flood-damaged areas to safe grazing, while ongoing assessments continue for other regions impacted by severe weather. Farmers are advised to monitor weather forecasts, take precautions, and contact support services like the Rural Support Trust and MPI for assistance.
Tags: Todd McClay Kaikōura Federated Farmers Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Farmers Adverse Events Trust Otago Wairarapa Agriculture Minister MetServiceNew Zealand Rejects Blanket Crypto ATM Ban, Opts for Targeted Regulation
3 weeks ago | 317 viewsThe Government has decided against a blanket ban on crypto ATMs, opting instead for targeted regulations to reduce criminal misuse of virtual assets while allowing legitimate use. Cabinet will introduce regulation-making powers to restrict cash transactions for virtual assets, such as setting transaction limits or banning cash payments for high-risk assets if necessary. These measures are part of broader reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism system, balancing innovation with crime prevention.
Tags: Nicole McKee crypto ATMs virtual assets New Zealand government Cabinet decision Countering Financing of Terrorism cash transactionsGovernment Supports Wairarapa Farmers Amid Heavy Rain Damage and Erosion
1 month ago | 296 viewsThe Government is collaborating with farmers and rural communities in the Wairarapa to assess damage from recent heavy rain, including harm to roads, bridges, and farmland erosion. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasized ongoing support efforts, coordination with local officials, and urged farmers to prepare for further adverse weather by safeguarding stock and infrastructure. Farmers needing assistance can contact the Rural Support Trust or MPI, with the Government ready to escalate its response as necessary.
Tags: Todd McClay Mike Butterick Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust Wairarapa Government Agriculture Minister MetService farmers rural communitiesNew Zealand Passes Law to Put Patients First with Better Healthcare Access
1 month ago | 306 viewsNew Zealand’s new Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Act prioritizes patients by strengthening accountability, reducing bureaucracy, and ensuring timely access to quality healthcare with measurable outcomes. The legislation replaces vague principles with clear health targets to improve system performance, transparency, and delivery after years of poor results under the previous government. Early improvements include reduced emergency wait times, faster treatment, higher immunization rates, and increased investment in hospitals and primary care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister New Zealand Healthy Futures Amendment Act Health New Zealand Government Patients Health system Health targets HealthcareNew Zealand Unifies AML/CFT Regulation Under DIA to Combat Financial Crime
1 month ago | 304 viewsNew Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has become the sole regulator for anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), consolidating oversight of about 6,100 reporting entities to provide clearer guidance and reduce compliance burdens. The government has passed multiple reform bills and launched a four-year AML/CFT National Strategy (2026–2030) aimed at making it easier to do business while targeting organized crime and fraud. An industry levy, starting in July 2027 and designed with sector input, will help fund enhanced intelligence sharing, supervision, and regulatory administration to strengthen New Zealand’s ability to detect and disrupt money laundering.
Tags: Nicole McKee Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand Financial Markets Authority Reserve Bank Ministry of Justice Financial Intelligence Unit organised crimeNew Zealand Health System Improves with Faster Treatment and Shorter Waits
1 month ago | 304 viewsNew Zealand's health system has shown continuous improvement across all five Government health targets, with more people receiving timely treatments and shorter wait times for elective procedures, specialist assessments, and cancer care. Key metrics such as childhood immunisation rates, emergency department stays, and volumes of care delivered have all increased compared to the previous year, reflecting steady progress in planned care, cancer services, and prevention. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that these results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Government’s focus on accountability and patient-centered care, signaling positive momentum toward a better and faster health system for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Health Minister elective treatment specialist assessment childhood immunisation emergency departments cancer treatment health targets government health systemBudget 2026 Introduces Prudential Levy on NZ Banks and Financial Firms
2 months ago | 508 viewsBudget 2026 introduces a new prudential levy on banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers, and financial market participants to cover Reserve Bank regulatory costs, aligning with international practices and ensuring taxpayers do not bear these expenses. The levy, expected to raise around $209 million over four years, will be paid to the Reserve Bank and returned to the government via increased dividends, with implementation planned for mid-2027 after consultation. This measure aims to strengthen New Zealand’s financial system by funding supervision, licensing, monitoring, and crisis management of regulated entities, including 27 banks, 14 non-bank deposit takers, 81 insurers, and five financial market infrastructures.
Tags: Budget 2026 prudential levy Reserve Bank Nicola Willis Financial Markets Authority Commerce Commission New Zealand banks insurers financial market participants financial regulationBudget 2026: New Prudential Levy on NZ Banks and Financial Market Players
2 months ago | 499 viewsBudget 2026 introduces a new prudential levy on banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers, and financial market participants to fund the Reserve Bank’s regulatory and supervisory services, ensuring these costs are borne by the industry rather than taxpayers. The levy, estimated to raise around $209 million over four years, aligns with international practices and will be implemented by mid-2027 after sector consultation. It targets a broad range of financial entities, including 27 banks, 14 non-bank deposit takers, 81 insurers, and five financial market infrastructures, supporting the Reserve Bank’s role in maintaining financial stability.
Tags: Budget 2026 prudential levy Reserve Bank Nicola Willis Financial Markets Authority Commerce Commission New Zealand banks insurers financial market infrastructure financial regulationNew Zealand Launches Guidance to Boost Trust in Voluntary Nature and Carbon Markets
2 months ago | 543 viewsClimate Change Minister Simon Watts has introduced refreshed guidance and tools to help New Zealanders confidently participate in voluntary nature and carbon markets, ensuring projects deliver genuine environmental benefits. The guidance emphasizes high-quality carbon activities that are additional, durable, real, measurable, transparent, and respectful of rights, aiming to build trust and prevent greenwashing. Additionally, online resources support businesses in exploring scientifically robust carbon removal options, facilitating the growth of credible projects and attracting investment.
Tags: Simon Watts Climate Change New Zealand carbon markets biodiversity greenwashing voluntary markets carbon removal environmental claimsNew Zealand Passes Major AML Reform Bills to Cut Red Tape and Boost Business
2 months ago | 565 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed the passage of two major Anti–Money Laundering reform Bills that cut red tape, reduce compliance burdens, and improve risk-based requirements for businesses, with some changes effective immediately and others by July 1, 2026. The reforms establish a single AML supervisor to replace three existing ones, enhancing clarity, consistency, and responsiveness, while introducing an industry levy and enabling more flexible rule-making. These changes aim to make AML compliance more efficient, reduce unnecessary paperwork for low-risk entities, and strengthen New Zealand’s ability to detect and disrupt serious financial crime without hindering access to global markets.
Tags: Nicole McKee AML reform Parliament New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs AML supervisor Business Committee Financial Markets Authority Reserve Bank of New ZealandNZ Citizenship Processing Hits Target After Six Years of Delays, Minister Says
2 months ago | 632 viewsAfter six years of delays, New Zealand's citizenship by grant processing has met timeliness targets for six consecutive months, with 94.6% of applications processed within 75 days in 2025. This improvement results from a focus on efficiency, prioritizing older applications, and has coincided with a 12% increase in applications and record processing volumes. Minister Brooke van Velden praised staff efforts and emphasized the importance of granting citizenship to those contributing to the country, while applications can be submitted online or by post.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Department of Internal Affairs citizenship processing New Zealand citizenship applications timeliness targets citizenship by grant citizenship office application backlog citizenship outcomes