Articles tagged with Isla
New Zealand Strengthens Pacific Partnerships at US Pacific Agenda Summit
1 day ago | 56 viewsCustoms Minister Casey Costello will attend the US-hosted Pacific Agenda Summit in Honolulu to strengthen partnerships supporting the Pacific’s long-term prosperity and resilience. The Summit aims to enhance economic connections, infrastructure, and investment by bringing together Pacific leaders, US officials, and private investors to reduce barriers and accelerate project readiness. New Zealand views this initiative as vital for regional cooperation and economic development, aligning with strategies like PACER Plus to foster sustainable growth and shared well-being in the Pacific.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand United States Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Agenda Summit PACER Plus Blue Pacific Continent United States Government Pacific leaders Pacific investmentLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Criminal Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
4 days ago | 86 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases awaiting hearing, thanks to coordinated efforts across the justice sector. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, enhanced performance reporting, and upcoming legislative reforms to further expedite justice. This progress significantly benefits victims by reducing delays, stress, and uncertainty, while the Family Court backlog also decreased by 9 percent during the same period.
Tags: Nicole McKee Courts Minister District Court judiciary justice sector criminal backlog Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform victimsLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
4 days ago | 76 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases waiting to be heard, reflecting a coordinated justice sector effort. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, and enhanced performance reporting, resulting in faster justice and reduced stress for victims. Further reforms, such as expanding Community Magistrates' powers and promoting remote court participation, aim to continue this progress and improve court efficiency nationwide.
Tags: Nicole McKee District Court judiciary criminal backlog justice sector victims Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform Auckland metro courtsVisa-Free Travel Boosts New Zealand Tourism with 36,800 Chinese and Pacific Visitors
4 days ago | 99 viewsA new visa-free travel option via the New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors arriving from Australia has significantly increased tourism, with visits nearly tripling to 36,800 and generating an estimated $210 million in economic benefits. This streamlined process reduces costs and wait times compared to traditional visas, prompting 85% of Chinese and 82% of Pacific travelers to visit specifically because of the change. The influx of visitors is boosting local businesses, especially in key tourism regions like the South Island, aligning with the government’s goal to support Kiwi businesses and regional growth.
Tags: Erica Stanford Louise Upston New Zealand Chinese visitors Pacific visitors NZeTA tourism South Island Immigration MinisterNew Zealand Updates Anzac Day Law to Honor All War Service Personnel
6 days ago | 113 viewsNew Zealand's Parliament has passed legislation updating the Anzac Day Act to formally recognize all service personnel who have served in times of war, including conflicts after 1966 and allied forces involved in the Gallipoli landing. The updated law broadens commemoration to include those who served in various roles, such as United Nations missions, medical units, the Merchant Navy, and those who died during training. This change strengthens the significance of Anzac Day as a national tradition that honors the courage and sacrifice of all who defended New Zealand and its allies.
Tags: Anzac Day New Zealand Paul Goldsmith Chris Penk Anzac Day Act Gallipoli Veterans World Wars Allied Forces LegislationGovernment Urges North Island Residents to Prioritize Safety Amid Severe Weather Warnings
1 week ago | 145 viewsThe Government is urging North Island communities to prioritize safety amid severe weather warnings and recent flooding that has already caused a fatality. Emergency services and agencies, including the NZDF and local Civil Defence, are actively supporting response efforts and have resources pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. Authorities advise avoiding floodwaters, non-essential travel, and staying alert to landslide risks while following updates from official channels for safety guidance.
Tags: Government North Island Cyclone Gabrielle Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Civil Defence NZDF Severe Weather Flooding South WaikatoNew Zealand Tourism Surges in 2025 with Strong Growth from China and Australia
1 week ago | 157 viewsNew Zealand’s international visitor arrivals surpassed 3.5 million in the year to December 2025, driven by strong growth from China and Australia, marking significant progress toward pre-COVID tourism levels. The Government supports this recovery through initiatives like promoting New Zealand as a year-round destination, streamlining travel processes, and introducing the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for easier access, which has notably encouraged Chinese and Pacific visitors. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston emphasizes that these efforts are boosting economic growth, supporting jobs, and establishing New Zealand as a preferred holiday destination.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand China Australia Stats NZ NZeTA Pacific Island Forum Tourism Government HospitalityLong-Term Tourism Concessions Boost Jobs and Economy in South Island Destinations
1 week ago | 164 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka announced long-term tourism concessions in the South Island, including a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area and multi-decade agreements for the Milford Track and Te Ana-au Caves, aimed at supporting jobs and regional economies. These concessions provide operators with investment certainty while maintaining public access and enforcing environmental and safety standards. Tourism Minister Louise Upston emphasized that such stability helps businesses retain staff, deliver quality visitor experiences, and sustain local communities.
Tags: Tama Potaka Louise Upston The Remarkables Milford Track NZSki Tourism Milford Limited South Island Fiordland Te Rua o te Moko QueenstownGovernment Invests $70M to Boost Major Events and Tourism Across New Zealand
2 weeks ago | 126 viewsThe Government is investing over $3.2 million in a range of major events across New Zealand, including sports, food, culture, and innovation, as part of its $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. These events, running from May to December, aim to attract more participants and international visitors, stimulate local economies, and enhance New Zealand's reputation as a world-class destination. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston emphasizes that this investment will bring vibrancy to regions, support local businesses, and create unforgettable experiences for both locals and visitors.
Tags: Louise Upston Bay of Islands Tekapo Opua Wellington Rotorua Auckland Nelson Tasman Glou Glou Visa Wellington on a PlateNew Zealand Expands Urgent Rural Healthcare with Improved Local Services
2 weeks ago | 184 viewsThe first phase of delivering healthcare closer to home has been completed in six rural communities, improving urgent and after-hours care through initiatives like point-of-care testing, ultrasound, telehealth pharmacy services, and integrated paramedic support. Budget 2025 allocated $164 million to expand these improvements to 70 rural locations, ensuring 98% of New Zealanders can access urgent care within an hour’s drive. This approach emphasizes locally led solutions and workforce strengthening, including rural training hubs and a new medical school, to enhance healthcare access and outcomes in remote areas.
Tags: Matt Doocey Golden Bay Tūrangi Twizel Te Kūiti Coromandel Great Barrier Island Hato Hone St John University of Waikato Mackenzie DistrictNew Zealand and Germany Strengthen Partnership for Global Security and Prosperity
2 weeks ago | 187 viewsNew Zealand and Germany reaffirmed their strong partnership based on shared democratic values, commitment to international law, and multilateralism, emphasizing cooperation across strategic, economic, security, and cultural domains. They highlighted the importance of upholding the UN Charter, supporting regional stability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, addressing climate change, and enhancing trade, innovation, and supply chain resilience. Both countries committed to deepening bilateral ties, promoting human rights, and maintaining close coordination on global challenges to ensure a stable, secure, and prosperous international environment.
Tags: New Zealand Germany United Nations NATO Pacific Islands Forum European Union Māori Moriori ASEAN UkraineNorth Island Storm Recovery: Rapid Repairs Restore Key Transport Links
3 weeks ago | 209 viewsSevere storms and flooding caused widespread damage to North Island’s transport infrastructure, leading to road closures and isolation of communities, with urgent restoration efforts underway. Significant progress has been made reopening state highways and rail lines, though some sections, particularly on SH25, SH2, and SH35, remain closed due to extensive slips and landslides, requiring ongoing repair and safety monitoring. The government emphasizes the importance of investing in transport resilience, highlighting recent successful upgrades that have withstood the severe weather and committing to continued support and improvements for future storm recovery.
Tags: Chris Bishop North Island Northland Waikato Tauranga Coromandel Bay of Plenty SH25 SH35 NZTAGovernment Launches $1M Marae Emergency Fund for Severe Weather Support
3 weeks ago | 226 viewsThe Government has established a $1 million Marae Emergency Response Fund to reimburse marae for welfare support provided during severe weather events in the Upper North Island in January 2026. At least 20 marae across five regions offered essential aid such as food, shelter, and power to evacuees and isolated residents, often being the first responders. The fund, administered by Te Puni Kōkiri, allows marae to recover costs and build resilience, with eligible organisations able to apply for reimbursement through their regional offices.
Tags: Mr Potaka Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Development Fund Marae Manaakitanga Upper North Island Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiWairoa Airport to Get $4.2M Upgrade Boosting Runway and Emergency Services
4 weeks ago | 249 viewsWairoa Airport will receive a $4.2 million upgrade, including runway extension and improved infrastructure, to enhance its operational capacity and support the region’s growing needs. The airport plays a crucial role in commercial flights, emergency health transport, and logistics during extreme weather, as demonstrated during Cyclone Gabrielle. Funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund and North Island Weather Event fund, construction will begin in late 2026, with local employment prioritized.
Tags: Wairoa Airport Shane Jones New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Hawke’s Bay Airport Cyclone Gabrielle Wairoa District Council Regional Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund North Island Weather Event fund Wairoa communityNew Zealand and Palau Strengthen Partnership for Pacific Islands Forum and Ocean Protection
1 month ago | 234 viewsNew Zealand and Palau have agreed to strengthen their partnership as the next hosts of the Pacific Islands Forum, focusing on regional challenges like ocean health, fisheries management, and economic resilience. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized the importance of unity among Pacific nations to address shared issues and announced New Zealand's continued support for Palau's Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner with NZ$1.1 million. The discussions also covered practical cooperation for Palau’s Forum hosting and highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to safeguarding the ocean, a vital resource for the region’s future.
Tags: Winston Peters Surangel Whipps Jr Gustav Aitaro Sakiasi Ditoka Baron Waqa New Zealand Palau Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Ocean Commissioner Pacific regionalism