Articles tagged with Ministry
New Zealand Invests in Advanced Biosecurity Lab to Protect Primary Industries
6 days ago | 97 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing in a new Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) at Mt Albert to enhance biosecurity, protect primary industries, and support economic growth. This modern facility will replace the aging MPI lab, strengthen defenses against biosecurity threats, and help maintain export market access critical to the $60.4 billion food and fibre sector. Construction, managed by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and led by Southbase Construction, began with completion expected in 2028 and operation starting in 2029.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Chris Bishop Biosecurity Minister Infrastructure Minister Ministry for Primary Industries Crown Infrastructure Delivery Southbase Construction Plant Health and Environment Laboratory Mt Albert Research Centre New Zealand GovernmentNew Parent Portal Updates Help Kiwi Parents Support Kids' Learning at Home
6 days ago | 81 viewsThe Ministry of Education has launched an updated Parent Portal featuring the refreshed curriculum for Years 0 to 10, enabling parents to clearly understand and support their children's learning at home. The portal will also include curriculum-aligned resources, starting with a free online math practice tool for Years 3 to 8, with additional content coming in January. Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasizes that these updates aim to enhance educational achievement by providing clarity and tools for both teachers and parents.
Tags: Parent Portal Education Minister Erica Stanford Ministry of Education refreshed curriculum Year 0 to Year 10 maths practice tool online learning resources educational achievement Kiwi kids curriculum consultation$200M Gas Security Fund Opens Jan 12, 2026 to Boost NZ Natural Gas Supply
1 week ago | 89 viewsThe $200 million Gas Security Fund, opening on 12 January 2026, aims to increase natural gas availability in New Zealand by supporting projects that accelerate supply or enable storage for critical demand periods. Declining gas production is raising costs and hindering economic growth, making natural gas essential during the transition to renewable energy sources. A new gas advisory panel will provide expert guidance to ministers, ensuring informed decisions amid the complexities of gas exploration and market conditions.
Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand natural gas Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Kānoa Grow Regions gas exploration energy transitionNew Zealand Launches VetNet-Biosecurity to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreaks
1 week ago | 84 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries has partnered with the Veterinary Council to create VetNet-Biosecurity, a network of 200 private veterinarians ready to respond rapidly to serious animal disease outbreaks like foot and mouth disease. This initiative aims to provide urgent field support, including clinical examinations and sample collection, with veterinarians continuing their regular employment while receiving training and financial compensation from MPI. Additionally, free biosecurity training is available to all registered veterinarians to enhance their skills in exotic disease detection and on-farm biosecurity protocols.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Veterinary Council of New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand foot and mouth disease Biosecurity Minister MPI private veterinarians CabinetGovernment to Adjust Total Mobility Scheme Subsidies to Ensure Long-Term Viability
1 week ago | 107 viewsThe New Zealand Government will reduce the Total Mobility fare subsidy from 75% to 65% starting July 2026 and work with public transport authorities to lower fare caps by about 10%, aiming to ensure the scheme’s financial sustainability amid rising costs and demand. To support public transport authorities facing funding shortfalls, the Government will allocate $10 million and recycle savings to reduce regional shortfalls over 2025-2030, while also consulting on improving access and targeting of the scheme. These changes seek to maintain consistent, fair, and sustainable support for disabled and older New Zealanders who rely on subsidised taxi fares when they cannot use public transport independently.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston Total Mobility NZ Transport Agency Ministry of Transport New Zealand Government public transport disability support fare subsidy transport authoritiesNew Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) Launches in NZ
1 week ago | 119 viewsThe Government has established the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) by merging four agencies to streamline housing, transport, urban development, and environmental reforms. MCERT aims to address New Zealand’s economic and environmental challenges through integrated planning, clearer accountability, and coordinated policy advice, improving outcomes for local government and communities. The new Ministry will be fully operational by July 2026, with a Chief Executive appointed earlier that year, enhancing efficiency and supporting ambitious reform agendas.
Tags: Chris Bishop Judith Collins Simon Watts Penny Simmonds Ministry of Cities Environment Regions and Transport New Zealand government housing reform urban development local government climate changeGovernment-Backed KidsCan ECE Food Programme Boosts Child Development and Wellbeing
1 week ago | 115 viewsThe Ministry of Education’s ECE Food Programme Kōhanga Reo Survey Report highlights strong support for KidsCan’s delivery of taxpayer-funded meals to up to 10,000 early childhood education (ECE) children, with high ratings for reliability, food safety, communication, flexibility, and professionalism. The report shows significant improvements in children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development linked to the programme, including better energy, concentration, mood, and social interactions. With $4 million in annual government funding and expected taxpayer savings of $145 million in 2026, KidsCan’s programme continues to expand, supporting more children’s nutrition and learning outcomes.
Tags: KidsCan Mr Seymour Sir Peter Gluckman Ministry of Education Associate Education Minister ECE Food Programme Kōhanga Reo Healthy School Lunch Early Childhood Education taxpayer funded mealsHistoric Settlement Advances Support for Disabled Students in NZ Schools
1 week ago | 122 viewsThe Government has settled a 2012 Human Rights Review Tribunal claim by IHC regarding education policies that disadvantaged disabled students, committing to a Framework for Action to improve support for disabled and neurodiverse learners. This framework includes better data collection, improved specialist services, coordinated education agencies, inclusive curriculum, accessible infrastructure, and investigations into funding and ableism impacts. Significant investments, including $750 million in Budget 25, have been made to increase teacher aide hours, expand early intervention, overhaul funding models, and enhance curriculum and school infrastructure to ensure timely and adequate support for students with additional needs.
Tags: Erica Stanford IHC Ministry of Education Human Rights Review Tribunal Bill of Rights Act Learning Support Ongoing Resourcing Scheme New Zealand Curriculum Budget 25 Education Minister32 Graduate Veterinarians Start Rural Careers in New Zealand Through Govt Scheme
1 week ago | 130 viewsThirty-two graduate veterinarians will start their careers in rural New Zealand through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians, receiving $55,000 over five years to work in 26 communities focused on production animals and working dogs. The scheme aims to address the rural vet shortage, support animal health, and promote primary sector growth by placing vets in diverse, close-knit rural areas. Since its launch in 2009, the scheme has supported 516 recipients, with the latest group distributed across regions including Waikato, Canterbury, Otago, and others.
Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Voluntary Bonding Scheme Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand rural veterinarians agriculture veterinary graduates animal health primary sectorNew Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
1 week ago | 136 viewsThe adult minimum wage in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026, benefiting around 122,500 workers while balancing cost-of-living pressures and business costs. The government aims to moderate wage increases to address wage compression and support youth employment, with starting-out and training wages set at 80% of the adult rate. This change reflects the NZ First-National coalition’s commitment to responsible economic management, boosting incomes, and fostering job opportunities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZ First National coalition New Zealand minimum wage Workplace Relations and Safety youth unemployment wage compression Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment inflationNew Zealand Reforms Industrial Hemp Regulations to Boost Growth and Innovation
2 weeks ago | 144 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour announced reforms to scrap the outdated licensing regime for industrial hemp in New Zealand, replacing it with a more practical and proportionate approach that removes licenses and sets a clear THC threshold below 1%. These changes aim to reduce costs, encourage innovation, and generate significant economic benefits, while maintaining safeguards to prevent misuse and ensuring compliance with existing food safety and medicinal cannabis regulations. The Ministry of Health will lead implementation, reflecting the government's commitment to cutting red tape and improving regulatory standards for business growth.
Tags: David Seymour New Zealand industrial hemp Regulation Minister Ministry of Health Regulatory Standards Act medicinal cannabis Ministry for Regulation Parliamentary Council Office CabinetOur Whare Our Fale: Affordable Homes and Jobs Boost in Eastern Porirua
2 weeks ago | 154 viewsThe Our Whare Our Fale housing programme in Eastern Porirua has completed its first stage, delivering 18 affordable, energy-efficient homes and a communal fale, with plans for up to 300 homes by 2034. The initiative, supported by a $114.6 million government investment and partnerships with local iwi and community groups, creates local jobs and offers financial support measures like shared equity and perpetual land leases to keep homes affordable. This programme aims to strengthen the local economy, promote multigenerational living, and provide families with stable, healthy housing and improved financial security.
Tags: Shane Reti Tama Potaka Central Pacific Collective Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Ministry for Pacific Peoples Ngāti Toa Our Whare Our Fale Pacific Peoples Minister Associate Housing Minister Eastern PoriruaNew Zealand's Strong Wool Scores First Export Order for Innovative Wool Particles
2 weeks ago | 114 viewsNew Zealand’s strong wool sector has achieved a major milestone with its first export order for innovative wool particle products, secured by Wool Source for a Japanese personal care company. This success stems from a significant $8.72 million Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) program aimed at developing high-value wool products, including powders and pigments for cosmetics, paints, and inks. The government is actively promoting wool use domestically and internationally to boost returns for sheep farmers and support the sector’s growth.
Tags: Mark Patterson Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand Wool Source Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand WRONZ Kāinga Ora sheep farmers Japanese company Rural Communities MinisterNew Zealand Launches National Rural Recycling Scheme for Farm Plastics and Agrichemicals
3 weeks ago | 125 viewsNew Zealand’s Government has approved regulations for a nationwide rural recycling scheme that consolidates existing agrichemical and farm plastics programs into a single, free-to-use system to support sustainable farming and environmental protection. This industry-led initiative establishes a consistent product stewardship framework, encouraging shared responsibility among producers, sellers, and users to reduce waste and environmental impact while improving productivity. The scheme also extends benefits beyond farming, providing national take-back services for forestry, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, and local authorities, promoting safer and cleaner rural communities.
Tags: Penny Simmonds New Zealand Agrecovery Plasback Ministry for the Environment Waste Minimisation Act farmers growers Environment Minister rural recycling schemeNew Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030: Driving Positive Change for All
3 weeks ago | 115 viewsThe New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 outlines a government plan with clear goals and actions across education, employment, health, housing, and justice to improve the lives of disabled people. It aims to address barriers through meaningful, measurable initiatives, including employer support, accessible healthcare, improved housing definitions, early intervention in justice and education, and adherence to UN recommendations. The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha will oversee implementation, report progress annually to Parliament, and measure the strategy's impact.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Disability Strategy Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Government Parliament disabled people youth justice system social housing