Articles tagged with Goldsmith
Waioweka Gorge SH2 Recovery Accelerates with $33M Investment in Resilience Works
1 week ago | 119 viewsRecovery efforts on State Highway 2’s Waioweka Gorge are accelerating following severe weather damage in January 2026, with contracts awarded for design, project management, and physical works to restore full road access and improve resilience. Key works include stabilizing the Goldsmith slip—where over 20,000 cubic meters of debris closed the route for weeks—installing rockfall barriers, upgrading culverts, and enhancing drainage to reduce future disruptions. The government has committed around $75 million in Budget 2026 for further resilience improvements along the corridor, targeting critical and high-risk sites identified through NZTA’s National Resilience Assessment Tool.
Tags: Chris Bishop Dana Kirkpatrick NZ Transport Agency Stellar Projects Beca Geovert Waiotahi Contractors Ltd Goldsmith slip Waioweka Gorge NZTA BoardNew Zealand Extends Copyright Protection for Iconic Songs and Kiwi Artists
4 weeks ago | 246 viewsThe New Zealand Government is extending copyright protection for music recordings from 50 to 70 years after publication to support Kiwi artists and align with international standards. This change, prioritized during New Zealand Music Month, ensures artists can continue earning from their work and protects both iconic classics and future creations. The updates, part of trade agreements with the UK and EU, must be implemented by May 2028, with further Copyright Act changes to be announced soon.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Cameron Brewer New Zealand Copyright Act Kiwi artists New Zealand Music Month I See Red April Sun in Cuba Gutter Black music recordingsNew Zealand Criminalizes Stalking with Up to 5 Years Prison Starting Tonight
1 month ago | 278 viewsStarting tonight, stalking becomes a criminal offense in New Zealand, punishable by up to five years in prison, signaling the government's commitment to addressing this harmful behavior. The new law defines stalking as a pattern of behavior likely to cause fear or distress, including acts such as following, contacting, damaging property, and doxing, with legal mechanisms like police notices and sentencing limits in place. This legislation responds to widespread advocacy and aims to protect victims, particularly women, from the serious emotional, psychological, and economic harm caused by stalking and harassment.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister stalking harassment Crimes Legislation Amendment Act New Zealand victims sexual violence Justice Committee doxingNew Move-On Orders Give Police Power to Tackle Disorderly Public Behavior
1 month ago | 330 viewsLegislation granting Police the power to issue move-on orders to individuals displaying disorderly behaviour in public places has passed its first reading in Parliament, aiming to address disruptions in city centres. These orders target behaviours such as threatening conduct, obstructing business access, begging, and rough sleeping, requiring individuals to leave specified areas for up to 24 hours without criminalizing homelessness. The government emphasizes this measure is to restore safety and enjoyment in public spaces while maintaining support for those in need.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Police disorderly behaviour Parliament homelessness law and order public places city centres legislationBudget 2026: Transforming New Zealand’s Public Service for a More Affordable Future
1 month ago | 385 viewsThe Government Budget 2026 focuses on addressing New Zealand’s economic challenges through durable reforms aimed at affordability, fiscal responsibility, and improved public services rather than short-term spending. Key initiatives include streamlining government agencies, embracing digital and AI technologies, and reducing public service numbers to enhance efficiency and redirect savings toward health, education, infrastructure, and security. This strategic approach seeks to create a modern, productive public service, maintain balanced books, and build a resilient economy for a better and more affordable future.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Carney Labour New Zealand Prime Minister Business North Harbour Kainga Ora Public Service Commission Ministry of Cities Government BudgetGovernment Overhauls Public Service to Boost Productivity and Save $2.4 Billion
1 month ago | 243 viewsThe New Zealand Government is undertaking a major public service overhaul to reduce the number of agencies, enhance digitisation including AI use, and restore public service numbers to historic levels, aiming to deliver $2.4 billion in savings over four years. This reform seeks to shift resources from administrative growth to frontline services, improve productivity, and provide better, more connected public services that avoid duplication and outdated processes. Savings from these changes will be reinvested in health, education, infrastructure, defence, and police, with progress monitored to ensure efficiency and value for money.
Tags: Nicola Willis Paul Goldsmith New Zealand public service government overhaul digitisation AI productivity public sector budget savingsGovernment to Amend 19 Laws for Clear, Consistent Treaty of Waitangi References
1 month ago | 317 viewsThe Government has agreed to amend 19 pieces of legislation to ensure clear and consistent references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, replacing vague terms with specific language or repealing some references. Following a comprehensive review, the Government decided to standardize references to “take into account” as the highest requirement and prefers using both the Treaty of Waitangi and te Tiriti o Waitangi in relevant provisions. This initial step includes ongoing consultations with Iwi and a full select committee process to allow public input.
Tags: Treaty of Waitangi Paul Goldsmith Government Justice Minister Advisory Group Conservation Act Iwi legislation review te Tiriti o WaitangiNew Legislation Empowers Police with Move-On Orders to Tackle Disorderly Behaviour
1 month ago | 335 viewsThe Government has introduced legislation granting Police the power to issue move-on orders to address disorderly behaviour in public places, aiming to improve safety in central cities. These orders target disruptive actions such as threatening behaviour, obstructing access to businesses, begging, and rough sleeping, requiring individuals aged 14 or older to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours. The move-on orders are not criminal charges themselves, but breaching them can lead to prosecution, with the goal of reclaiming public spaces for residents, workers, and visitors.
Tags: Police disorderly behaviour legislation Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith public places law and order prosecution begging rough sleepingHauraki Iwi Treaty Settlements Passed: Historic Redress for Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Tara Tokanui
1 month ago | 345 viewsAfter 15 years of negotiations, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Claims Settlement Bills for three Hauraki iwi—Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, Ngāti Tara Tokanui, and Ngāti Hei—formally acknowledging the Crown's historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and providing financial, commercial, and cultural redress. These settlements include Crown apologies, agreed historical accounts, and protocols with government ministries, aiming to support the iwi’s economic, cultural, and environmental aspirations while fostering enduring relationships. The settlements allocate millions in financial redress and property rights specific to each iwi's region, marking a significant milestone in addressing past injustices and strengthening future partnerships.
Tags: Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu Ngāti Tara Tokanui Ngāti Hei Paul Goldsmith Treaty of Waitangi Hauraki iwi Crown Pare Hauraki Collective Ministry for Culture and Heritage Department of ConservationNgā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill Passes First Reading
1 month ago | 307 viewsThe Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill has passed its first reading after nine years of negotiations, marking progress in addressing historical Treaty of Waitangi grievances related to 19th-century warfare, unfair land transactions, and land alienation. The settlement includes a Crown apology, $30 million in financial and commercial redress, and the return of 27 culturally significant sites, such as Pākaitore (Moutoa Gardens). This milestone establishes a new relationship between Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown based on partnership, trust, and respect, covering a redress area centered on Whanganui city and surrounding regions.
Tags: Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Treaty of Waitangi Paul Goldsmith Whanganui Kaiwhaiki Pā Crown Pākaitore Moutoa Gardens Pipiriki Whangaehu RiverGovernment Clarifies Climate Change Laws to Boost Business Certainty and Investment
1 month ago | 286 viewsThe Government plans to amend the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent tort liability claims against businesses for climate change damage, aiming to provide legal certainty and protect business confidence. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasizes that climate change responses should be managed nationally through existing frameworks like the Emissions Trading Scheme, rather than through court litigation. This amendment will not affect government responsibilities or businesses’ obligations under the ETS but will ensure a consistent regulatory approach.
Tags: climate change greenhouse gas emissions Climate Change Response Act 2002 Emissions Trading Scheme legal clarity business certainty Paul Goldsmith High Court litigation government regulation environmental lawNew Zealand to Disestablish Broadcasting Standards Authority and Explore Media Self-Regulation
1 month ago | 346 viewsThe Government has decided to disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) and explore self-regulation options to better reflect New Zealand’s evolving media landscape. The current BSA framework is outdated, inconsistently regulating content across platforms, while self-regulation through bodies like the New Zealand Media Council is seen as a more practical and fair approach. Legislation to repeal the BSA provisions will be drafted soon, with the BSA continuing its role until the new laws are enacted.
Tags: Broadcasting Standards Authority Paul Goldsmith New Zealand Media Council Broadcasting Act 1989 Media regulation Media and Communications Minister Broadcasting Journalism standards Criminal Procedure ActNew Zealand Boosts Serious Fraud Office Powers to Tackle Rising Fraud Crimes
1 month ago | 381 viewsLegislation granting the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enhanced powers to combat fraud has passed its first reading in Parliament, addressing challenges in obtaining digital evidence, applying for warrants, and managing search sites. The Bill aims to modernize law enforcement tools to better tackle increasing and complex fraud cases, ensuring no legal hurdles hinder investigations and protecting New Zealanders from financial harm. Additionally, it updates evidence admissibility standards and clarifies police powers when assisting the SFO in executing warrants.
Tags: Serious Fraud Office Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell New Zealand fraud legislation law enforcement Evidence Act 2006 Search and Surveillance Act 2012Judge Ema Aitken to Remain as Acting District Court Judge After Panel Review
2 months ago | 453 viewsThe Judicial Conduct Panel found that Judge Ema Aitken breached comity but did not commit misbehaviour warranting her removal, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. As a result, Judge Aitken will remain an Acting District Court Judge until her warrant expires in February 2027. The minister emphasized the importance of judicial conduct panels in maintaining public trust and declined to comment further.
Tags: Judge Ema Aitken Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Judicial Conduct Panel Acting District Court Judge Judiciary Government Executive Legislature Judicial conduct panels MisbehaviourPrime Minister Luxon Announces New Cabinet Lineup to Strengthen NZ’s Future
2 months ago | 496 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a refreshed ministerial lineup to address economic challenges and enhance New Zealand's future, including key appointments such as Chris Penk to Defence and Penny Simmonds to Tertiary Education and Science. The reshuffle elevates the Energy portfolio due to recent security concerns and assigns new responsibilities to ministers like Chris Bishop as Attorney-General and Simon Watts as Minister for Auckland. Luxon also acknowledged the long service of Judith Collins and Shane Reti, who are leaving Parliament, and expressed gratitude for their contributions.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Chris Penk Penny Simmonds Simeon Brown Chris Bishop Paul Goldsmith Louise Upston Simon Watts Nicola Grigg Shane Reti