Articles tagged with Iwi
New Legislation Allows Kiwis to Build Granny Flats Without Consent, Boosting Housing Choices
1 day ago | 62 viewsNew legislation will allow Kiwis to build granny flats up to 70 square metres without a building consent, aiming to increase housing options and reduce costs. The exemption is part of a government initiative to simplify the building process and boost housing availability. The change is expected to result in more granny flats being built over the next decade, benefiting families, workers, and communities.
Tags: legislation Kiwis granny flats housing Coalition Government RMA Reform Chris Bishop Building Act National Direction Shane JonesNew Zealand Government Expands Solar Panel Exemptions for Sustainable Construction
2 days ago | 66 viewsThe New Zealand Government is implementing reforms to promote sustainable construction, including a new building consent exemption for rooftop solar panels to create healthier homes and reduce energy bills. The exemption, effective immediately, simplifies the process and is expected to save homeowners around $1,200 per consent. Additionally, the Government plans to introduce a fast-track consent process for sustainable buildings with performance criteria such as energy efficiency and climate resiliency, aiming to provide more choice and affordability for Kiwis while promoting renewable energy adoption.
Tags: Government reforms sustainable construction New Zealand rooftop solar panels Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Building Act solar panel consents KiwisKaikohe Affordable Housing Project: 100 Homes to Bring Stability and Opportunities
2 days ago | 33 viewsAn Iwi - Crown partnership in Kaikohe will deliver 100 affordable rental homes, providing stability and pride for whānau while creating local jobs and opportunities. The Bisset Road development, backed by Government and Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi funding, will address housing challenges and improve health outcomes for the community. This project is part of the larger Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga initiative aiming to develop over 400 affordable rentals for Māori by 2027, showcasing successful collaboration between Iwi and Government in creating sustainable housing solutions.
Tags: Tama Potaka Kaikohe Iwi Crown partnership Te Tai Tokerau Ngāpuhi Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga Māori Government Bisset Road.New Zealand Government Eases Climate Reporting Burden for Businesses to Boost Market Growth
2 days ago | 71 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announces changes to support business growth and capital markets in New Zealand. The Government is adjusting climate reporting regulations to reduce costs and encourage listings on the NZX. Changes include raising the reporting threshold, adjusting liability settings, and excluding managed investment schemes. These adjustments aim to ensure robust reporting, maintain market competitiveness, and provide clearer information on investments for KiwiSaver and managed funds.
Tags: Government business growth capital markets climate reporting compliance costs Scott Simpson market capitalisation climate disclosures KiwiSaver investment Financial Markets Conduct Amendment BillKiwi Kids Learn Cycling Safety with Expanded Bikes In Schools Program
1 week ago | 92 viewsNew funding of up to $3.5 million from the NZ Transport Agency will support the Bikes in Schools programme, allowing primary and intermediate students to access bikes and tracks in their schools. The programme, aimed at teaching cycling safety skills to kids, is supported by the Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust and helps build confidence and key biking skills in a safe school setting. Since 2010, over 400 schools have participated in Bikes in Schools, with the funding secured to continue the programme until June 2027.
Tags: Kiwi kids cycling safety skills bike tracks Bikes In Schools programme Transport Minister Chris Bishop NZ Transport Agency primary students intermediate students Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust Paul McArdleMinister Attends Graduation of 10 New Fishery Officers Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries
1 week ago | 63 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones attended the graduation of 10 new Fishery Officers, emphasizing the importance of their work in ensuring fishers comply with regulations and protect fish stocks. The graduates unexpectedly encountered real poachers during a training exercise, highlighting the significance of their role in enforcing regulations. The Fishery Officers play a crucial role in maintaining sustainable fisheries, with over 11,000 Kiwis employed in the seafood sector and hundreds of thousands engaging in recreational fishing activities.
Tags: Shane Jones Fishery Officers New Zealand Fisheries Minister sustainability fish stocks poachers seafood sector fisheries management system KiwisMinister Upston Applauds Progress in Job Seeker Preparation and Case Management Boost
1 week ago | 89 viewsMinister Louise Upston has praised the progress in preparing Kiwi job seekers for work, emphasizing the focus on matching them with employers through targeted case management. The Ministry for Social Development is increasing case management places and rolling out Individual Employment Plans to help clients become job-ready. MSD aims to support job seekers in securing positions now and in the future, aligning with the government's Jobseeker reduction target and economic growth projections.
Tags: Minister Social Development Employment Louise Upston Kiwi job seekers case management MSD Individual Employment Plans Government Jobseeker reduction targetKiwiRail Welcomes New Directors as Jager and Wattie Conclude Tenure: Minister Peters Announces Changes
1 week ago | 75 viewsKiwiRail directors Rob Jager and Bruce Wattie will finish their service on 31 October 2025, with two new directors appointed starting 1 November 2025, as announced by Minister for Rail Winston Peters. Jager and Wattie are recognized for their contributions, with Jager's leadership background and Wattie's accomplishments highlighted. New directors Murray Harrington and Alastair Bell bring financial acumen and governance expertise to help KiwiRail improve operations and meet expectations for increased efficiency and profitability.
Tags: Rob Jager Bruce Wattie Winston Peters Sue Tindal Murray Harrington Alastair Bell Shell New Zealand Air New Zealand KiwiRail New ZealandersReserve Bank Eases Lending Restrictions for First Home Buyers, Finance Minister Welcomes Move
1 week ago | 155 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis has praised the Reserve Bank's plan to relax lending restrictions, aiming to assist first home buyers in achieving home ownership. The Reserve Bank is considering increasing the limit on new lending to owner-occupiers with less than a 20% deposit to 25%, potentially aiding more first-time buyers. Additionally, the proposal includes raising the amount banks can lend to residential property investors with deposits under 30% from 5% to 10%, following the introduction of debt-to-income restrictions to enhance banking system resilience.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reserve Bank lending restrictions first home buyers property ladder Kiwis loan to value DTI restrictions banking systemMinister Brooke van Velden: Passport Processing Efficiency Soars, Wait Times Slashed by 18 Days
2 weeks ago | 100 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden announces an 18-day reduction in passport processing wait times under the current government, with standard applications now taking 7 days instead of 25. The Department of Internal Affairs has achieved this efficiency through digital processes, staff training, and identity verification automation. Van Velden emphasizes the government's commitment to improving services for New Zealanders and ensuring timely passport delivery as application volumes are expected to rise.
Tags: Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden passport processing efficiency New Zealanders Government Kiwis families Department of Internal Affairs processing timesNew Zealand Boosts Local Businesses with Procurement Rule Changes
2 weeks ago | 113 viewsChanges to government procurement rules in New Zealand aim to give local businesses a better chance at winning contracts by introducing an economic benefit test, effective from 1 December. These new rules, resulting from feedback received during consultation, include simplifying processes, reducing the number of rules, and emphasizing the economic value and job creation for Kiwis. The changes are designed to make it easier for both local and international businesses to compete for government contracts while upholding international trade commitments and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer money.
Tags: New Zealand Government contracts Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis procurement rules businesses economic benefit test Kiwi businesses taxpayer money international companiesFinance Minister Hails OCR Cut, Easing Pressure on Kiwi Households and Businesses
2 weeks ago | 109 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis highlights the positive impact of the 50 basis point Official Cash Rate reduction on Kiwi households and businesses, easing financial pressure. The reduction in OCR will lead to lower interest rates for mortgage-holders and businesses, stimulating growth and investment. The Government's focus on responsible economic management, along with lower interest rates, aims to support recovery and drive policies for job and income growth to benefit all New Zealanders.
Tags: Official Cash Rate Kiwi households Finance Minister Nicola Willis monetary policy interest rates growth jobs investment inflationBoosting Economy and Connectivity: Celebrating Rail Infrastructure Milestones in Otago
3 weeks ago | 174 viewsPort Otago hosted an event to celebrate the milestone of the new rail siding, with partners Dynes Transport and KiwiRail. Government ministers outlined investments in Otago's economic development and fast-track consenting steps. The rail infrastructure investments aim to boost efficiency, reduce road congestion, and support economic growth in the region.
Tags: Port Otago directors management workers Dynes Transport KiwiRail Jules Radich Shane Jones Mark Patterson Sir Julius Vogel New ZealandGovernment Backs Community Housing Providers with New Loan Guarantee Scheme to Boost Social Homes
3 weeks ago | 148 viewsThe Government has introduced a new loan guarantee scheme to support community housing providers in delivering more social homes at a lower cost, with banks providing debt financing at reduced rates. This initiative aims to remove obstacles and inefficiencies in social housing delivery, with the Crown guaranteeing 80% of loans to eligible providers. The scheme, available until 2027, supports up to $900 million in new lending and refinancing, empowering community housing providers to expand and improve housing accessibility for those in need.
Tags: Government community housing providers loan guarantee scheme Nicola Willis Chris Bishop ANZ ASB BNZ Kiwibank WestpacNational Mental Health and Addiction Services Performance in Review: Positive Progress and Targets Exceeded
3 weeks ago | 148 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey mental health addiction services Kiwis Whanganui district Central region South Island Southern district HNZ regional leaders Health NZ