Articles tagged with Isla
$1.7M Funded for Predator Control to Protect Chatham Islands Wildlife
5 days ago | 108 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka announced $1.7 million from the 2026 Department of Conservation Community Fund for two projects on the Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands aimed at protecting endangered wildlife and ecosystems. The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust will receive $1,169,900 to remove feral cats from Rangihaute Pitt Island, safeguarding threatened bird species, while the Chatham Islands Farmers Association will get $543,240 for pig control efforts starting on the same island. These initiatives, supported by Iwi and community involvement, are expected to attract $2.8 million in co-investment and contribute to a predator-free environment for native species.
Tags: Tama Potaka Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands Department of Conservation Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust tūturuatu shore plover Chatham Islands Farmers Association Rangihaute Pitt Island ImiOtago Youth Empowered Through 10-Week Enterprise Accelerator Program
1 week ago | 154 viewsOver 240 young people aged 15 to 24 in Otago will participate in a 10-week Enterprise Accelerator programme to develop skills for work, business, and future opportunities through hands-on workshops and mentoring. Funded with $120,000 by the Government and delivered by The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, the initiative also connects participants to the He Kākano programme for seed funding and ongoing support. This investment aims to unlock youth potential by enhancing work-readiness, confidence, and creating pathways into employment, business, and self-employment.
Tags: James Meager Youth and South Island Minister Otago Dunedin Clutha Waitaki Districts King’s Trust Aotearoa He Kākano Enterprise Accelerator youth enterprise programHawke’s Bay Gets New Air Ambulance Helicopter Boosting Emergency Care
1 week ago | 164 viewsNew Zealand is upgrading its emergency helicopter fleet, replacing aging aircraft with 16 new helicopters by 2025 to improve safety, reliability, and performance, especially in remote and regional areas. The latest addition, an Airbus H145 D3 in Hawke’s Bay, enhances automation, patient care, and operation in challenging conditions, supporting critical medical transport and inter-hospital transfers. This $27.3 million investment aims to strengthen air ambulance services nationwide, ensuring better outcomes for patients and recognizing the vital work of air ambulance personnel.
Tags: Casey Costello Hawkes Bay New Zealand Airbus H145 D3 Search and Rescue Services Limited air ambulance helicopter upgrade coalition government North Island ChristchurchChatham Islands Boost Connectivity with $15.5M Wharf, Fuel & Air Upgrades
1 week ago | 172 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing over $15 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to upgrade critical wharf and fuel infrastructure on the Chatham Islands and expand air travel connectivity through an interlining agreement between Air Chathams and Air New Zealand. These improvements include major wharf repairs, upgraded fuel facilities to support a new supply vessel, and enhanced airport infrastructure, culminating in the new terminal at Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport as part of a broader $45 million investment since 2018. These projects aim to strengthen the islands’ economic sustainability, improve transportation reliability, and support essential services such as healthcare, tourism, and business growth.
Tags: Shane Jones Mark Patterson Inia William Tuuta Air Chathams Air New Zealand Chatham Islands Crown Infrastructure Delivery Kaingaroa Wharf Regional Development Minister Associate Regional Development MinisterNew Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Attend Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Fiji
2 weeks ago | 164 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will attend the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji on 7 August to discuss recent global impacts on the region and plan a common course for the Pacific. The meeting prepares for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau in September, with New Zealand hosting the Forum next year to advance the Blue Pacific priorities and regional cooperation. While in Suva, Mr Peters will also engage in bilateral discussions with Pacific counterparts before returning to New Zealand on 7 August.
Tags: Winston Peters Pacific Islands Forum Fiji New Zealand Pacific Suva Palau Blue Pacific Foreign Ministers Meeting regional cooperationSaving New Zealand’s Rare Hamilton’s Frog and White-Bellied Skink from Extinction
2 weeks ago | 200 viewsConservation efforts are underway to save two critically endangered native New Zealand species, Hamilton’s frog and the white-bellied skink, by creating safe backup populations through captive breeding programs at Auckland Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park. Hamilton’s frog populations have declined by about 80%, with remaining wild frogs only on a few islands, while fewer than 100 white-bellied skinks survive in the wild in Canterbury’s high country. These initiatives aim to boost breeding success and eventually reintroduce these species into protected natural habitats to ensure their survival for future generations.
Tags: Tama Potaka Hamilton’s frog Auckland Zoo Orana Wildlife Park Takapourewa Motuara Island Zealandia sanctuary NukuwaiataHauraki Gulf Shellfish Harvest Ban Extended for Two More Years to Protect Fisheries
2 weeks ago | 238 viewsA two-year extension has been granted for shellfish harvesting bans at Umupuia Beach, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu, and Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, requested by local iwi groups to help replenish marine resources. These closures support the Pou Rāhui Research Project, which combines mātauranga Māori and scientific methods to restore important species and train whānau in sustainable practices. The bans, effective from August 7, 2026, cover specific shellfish species and areas, aiming to ensure long-term sustainability and kaitiakitanga of customary fisheries.
Tags: Shane Jones Ngāi Tai Ki Tamaki Ngāti Tamaterā Ngāti Pāoa Pou Rāhui Research Project Hauraki Gulf Umupuia Beach Te Mātā Waipatukahu Waiheke IslandGreyhound Racing Ends in NZ: New Hope and Homes for 1400 Dogs
3 weeks ago | 221 viewsRacing Minister Winston Peters announced the end of commercial greyhound racing by 31 July 2026, following legislation passed due to unacceptable injury and death rates in the industry. The Greyhound Transition Agency has been appointed to coordinate the fully funded Greyhound Rehoming Project, providing financial support to owners and trainers until the estimated 1400 dogs are rehomed. Peters emphasized strong public support for ending racing, highlighted the industry's recent fatality, and called on New Zealanders to help provide these dogs with loving homes.
Tags: Winston Peters Greyhound Transition Agency Greyhound Rehoming Project New Zealand greyhound racing TAB Addington Greyhound racing legislation racing dogs rehoming programEmpowering Pacific Women Parliamentarians to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
3 weeks ago | 195 viewsThe speech emphasizes New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Pacific parliamentary cooperation, democratic governance, and regional collaboration through face-to-face dialogue and shared values. It highlights the critical and challenging role of elected representatives, particularly women, in addressing regional issues like security and development, while encouraging increased female participation in politics. Finally, it underscores the significance of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and New Zealand’s role in chairing it, calling for inclusive input to advance shared Pacific priorities.
Tags: New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Wellington Pacific cooperation women parliamentarians Pacific leaders Palau parliamentary cooperation regionalism democratic governanceNew Zealand and Papua New Guinea Strengthen Defence Cooperation 2026-2029
1 month ago | 290 viewsNew Zealand and Papua New Guinea have signed the Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation 2026-2029 to enhance collaboration through increased defence dialogue, training, exercises, and personnel exchanges. This agreement builds on their existing partnership and reflects a shared commitment to addressing regional security challenges and strengthening economic ties. Additionally, New Zealand is actively supporting Pacific regional cooperation by promoting digital transformation and cybersecurity, highlighted by Defence Minister Chris Penk’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum ICT Ministers Meeting.
Tags: Chris Penk Elias Kapavore New Zealand Papua New Guinea Pacific Islands Forum Defence Minister ICT Ministers Pacific region Defence Cooperation Statement of IntentKiwiRail to Operate New Cook Strait Ferries Kupe and Cook from 2029
1 month ago | 315 viewsThe New Zealand Government has confirmed KiwiRail will operate two new Cook Strait rail ferries, named Kupe and Cook, arriving in 2029 with a 30-year operational plan to ensure a practical and affordable ferry service. The project, capped at $1.7 billion, saves $2.3 billion compared to previous estimates and includes commercial arrangements protecting taxpayers while supporting critical freight routes between Auckland and Christchurch. The programme also features new marine infrastructure, strict project management, and a long-term strategy to maintain rail ferry services for future generations.
Tags: Winston Peters KiwiRail Kupe Cook Cook Strait CentrePort Port Marlborough Ferry Holdings Guangzhou Shipyard International InterislanderNew Zealand Declares First North Island Sika Deer Herd of Special Interest
1 month ago | 300 viewsNew Zealand has designated the sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks as the North Island’s first Herd of Special Interest (HOSI), establishing a coordinated management framework to enhance hunting opportunities and conservation outcomes. The Central North Island Sika Foundation, alongside DOC, iwi, hapū, and other partners, will assist in managing the herd to reduce browsing pressure on young trees and improve forest regeneration without increasing animal numbers. The decision follows extensive consultation and aims to balance hunting values with environmental protection, featuring ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews to ensure accountability.
Tags: James Meager New Zealand sika deer Kaimanawa Forest Park Kaweka Forest Park Central North Island Sika Foundation Game Animal Council DOC iwi hapūInnovative Submersible Dredge Planer Tackles Invasive Caulerpa Seaweed in NZ
1 month ago | 366 viewsThe submersible dredge planer (SDP), a remotely operated device developed by Northland Regional Council and Johnson Brothers Ltd, has successfully passed recent tests for removing invasive caulerpa seaweed in Omākiwi Cove. This custom-designed equipment, part of a $10 million initiative including UV-C light treatment and a chlorine sealing system, features unique screw propulsion for effective operation on sandy seabeds and is ready for deployment despite current low seaweed presence. The SDP represents a significant advancement in New Zealand’s biosecurity efforts, offering scalable mechanical removal capabilities adaptable to other invasive species in various aquatic environments.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Johnson Brothers Ltd Northland Regional Council Biosecurity New Zealand Cawthron Institute Ngāti Kuta Patukeha Omākiwi Cove Bay of Islands Number 8 wireForeign Minister Winston Peters to Strengthen Ties with Singapore and Japan Next Week
1 month ago | 434 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will visit Singapore and Japan next week to strengthen New Zealand’s strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. In Singapore, he will engage with senior leaders to enhance collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss regional challenges, while in Japan, he will meet political and business leaders to promote trade, investment, and defense cooperation. These visits aim to deepen ties, support security, and boost economic relations with key partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tags: Winston Peters Balakrishnan New Zealand Singapore Japan ASEAN Pacific Islands Forum North Korea Japanese companies Foreign MinisterNew Zealand Cracks Down on Boy Racers and Antisocial Road Users with Tough New Laws
1 month ago | 389 viewsThe New Zealand Government has passed the Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill to strengthen penalties against boy racers, fleeing drivers, and other antisocial road users, including vehicle forfeiture and increased fines for excessive noise. The law empowers Police to manage antisocial vehicle gatherings more effectively and aims to protect communities from dangerous and disruptive behaviours without targeting lawful car enthusiasts. Most changes will take effect in six months, allowing time for proper implementation by authorities and the judiciary.
Tags: Chris Bishop Mark Mitchell Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill New Zealand Police street racing fleeing drivers vehicle destruction excessive noise Justice Committee