Articles tagged with Ministry

Government Initiatives to Improve Teacher Education Quality and Governance

1 week ago | 101 views

The Government is addressing issues in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to improve teacher quality and restore trust. Recent reports have highlighted deficiencies in teacher training, with many new teachers lacking confidence in subject content and teaching approaches. Legislative changes will transfer professional standard setting functions from the Teaching Council to the Ministry of Education to ensure stronger oversight and clearer policy direction in ITE.

Tags: Government Initial Teacher Education Education Minister Erica Stanford OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey Education Review Office Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry of Education Teaching Council Education and Training Amendment Bill.

New Zealand Imposes Sanctions on Russian Oil Trade

1 week ago | 101 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced new sanctions targeting Russia's oil trade during a meeting with Nordic 5 Foreign Ministers in Stockholm. New Zealand has sanctioned 65 shadow fleet vessels involved in shipping Russian oil, as well as actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea involved in the oil supply chain. These actions support international efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table and mark New Zealand's 33rd round of Russia sanctions since the Russia Sanctions Act came into force in March 2022.

Tags: Winston Peters Russia sanctions New Zealand Ukraine Belarus Iran North Korea Vladimir Putin Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Government Announces $100,000 Aid for Kaikōura and Hurunui Communities

1 week ago | 119 views

The Government is providing an additional $100,000 to Mayoral Relief Funds for Kaikōura and Hurunui communities affected by severe weather, in addition to a $150,000 contribution to Southland and Clutha funds. Each of the Kaikōura and Hurunui districts will receive $25,000 to aid in response and recovery efforts. The Ministry for Primary Industries is also contributing $25,000 to each district to support rural sector recovery efforts.

Tags: Government Mayoral Relief Funds Kaikōura Hurunui Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Recovery Ministry for Primary Industries Rural sector Communities

NZ Disputes Tribunal Doubles Financial Jurisdiction for Quicker, Affordable Civil Cases

2 weeks ago | 145 views

The Disputes Tribunal's financial jurisdiction will double to $60,000, aiming to expedite civil cases and enhance affordability for New Zealanders, as noted by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Approximately 2,000 claims yearly are projected to benefit from this increase, aiding new claimants and those who might have previously adjusted their claims due to jurisdiction limitations. Efforts to improve access to justice include upcoming legislation that would require respondents to reimburse successful applicants for filing fees, addressing cost barriers for individuals seeking resolution without incurring high legal expenses.

Tags: Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister Disputes Tribunal New Zealanders civil cases legislation Ministry of Justice claimants filing fee respondent

210+ New Social Homes to Address Housing Needs in Waikato

2 weeks ago | 171 views

More than 210 new social homes will be provided in Waikato by Community Housing Providers, supported by Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. The Government's commitment to delivering social housing includes funding for over 2,000 additional homes nationwide, with Waikato benefiting from this initiative. The allocation of social homes in Waikato is based on regional need, with a focus on addressing the demand for one- and two-bedroom properties to better match the needs of individuals and families seeking affordable housing.

Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Waikato social homes Community Housing Providers Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa The Salvation Army Emerge Aotearoa

Northland to Receive 70+ New Social Homes: Government's Commitment to Address Housing Needs

3 weeks ago | 136 views

More than 70 new social homes will be built in Northland by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), with a focus on addressing severe housing deprivation in the region. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated these homes based on regional need, including factors like the housing register and emergency housing use. These new homes, primarily one or two-bedroom units, aim to meet the high demand for such properties in Northland and are part of the government's broader efforts to improve the social housing system and deliver the right homes to those in need.

Tags: Chris Bishop Northland Community Housing Providers social homes Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Otangarei Papakāinga Limited Ngāti Rēhia Habitat for Humanity Whangarei

99 New Social Homes in Nelson, Marlborough & Tasman by CHPs: Housing Minister's Commitment

3 weeks ago | 151 views

Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced that 99 new social homes will be built in Nelson, Marlborough, and Tasman by Community Housing Providers (CHPs). The Government has committed funding for over 2,000 additional homes to be delivered by CHPs nationwide, including in these regions. The homes will primarily consist of one to two-bedroom units to address the high demand for such housing in the area, with a focus on providing suitable homes for those most in need.

Tags: Chris Bishop Nelson Marlborough Tasman Community Housing Providers Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development The Salvation Army Nelson City Blenheim

New Zealand Hospitality Industry Undergoes Sector Review for Regulatory Improvements

3 weeks ago | 147 views

The hospitality industry in New Zealand, employing 145,000 people, is crucial for economic growth. The Ministry for Regulation is conducting a sector review to address regulatory costs hindering affordable services for Kiwis, focusing on restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels. The review aims to streamline regulations, cut red tape, reduce costs, and improve compliance to support the industry's recovery and growth.

Tags: hospitality industry New Zealand Ministry for Regulation David Seymour Louise Upston regulations red tape restaurants bars cafes

Government Awards $129,000 for Seaweed Removal in Northland After Cyclone Tam

1 month ago | 136 views

The Government awarded $129,000 to Northland Regional Council to assist in removing caulerpa seaweed washed up on beaches after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam in April, using emergency waste funding. Local hapū, volunteers, and council staff swiftly removed over 100 tonnes of the invasive seaweed to prevent harm to coastlines and marine ecosystems. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds commended the efforts and highlighted ongoing initiatives like the Exotic Caulerpa Elimination Project supported by $6.2 million to address the issue at its source.

Tags: Government Northland Regional Council Environment Minister Penny Simmonds emergency waste funding caulerpa seaweed local hapū marine ecosystems Tasman District Council Ministry for Primary Industries

Canterbury to Receive 65+ New Social Homes from Community Housing Providers, Housing Minister Announces

1 month ago | 152 views

The Housing Minister announced that more than 65 new social homes will be built in Canterbury by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) as part of the government's commitment to social housing. These homes are part of over 6,800 net new social homes delivered nationwide since November 2023, with 837 in Canterbury, and funding for an additional 2,000 homes over the next two years. The homes in Canterbury will be located in various suburbs and will primarily consist of one- and two-bedroom units to address the high demand for such properties in the region.

Tags: social homes Canterbury Community Housing Providers Housing Minister Chris Bishop Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Christchurch Methodist Mission Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust housing register emergency housing.

New Zealand Approves WaterMark Certification for Over 90,000 Building Products

1 month ago | 178 views

New Zealand has expanded access to over 90,000 overseas building products following a law change, with the WaterMark certification scheme now recognized as an endorsed standard. This change aims to make it easier for Kiwi tradies and homeowners to choose from a wide range of plumbing products, boosting competition and lowering costs. By amending the Building Act, the Government has streamlined the approval process for quality overseas building products, ensuring compliance with the Building Code and providing greater choice for building owners and designers.

Tags: Chris Penk WaterMark New Zealand Building Act Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Code MBIE Building Consent Authorities Building Product Specifications overseas building products

Transforming School Attendance Services for Better Student Engagement and Support

1 month ago | 184 views

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has revamped the Government's school attendance services contracting system to enhance support for chronically absent students. Budget 2025 allocated $140 million over four years, with $123 million designated for frontline services, leading to the awarding of 83 contracts to Attendance Service Providers (ASPs) nationwide. The new model emphasizes reaching more absent students, understanding their reasons for non-attendance, collaborating with families and schools, addressing students' basic needs, and escalating cases of chronic non-attendance, with a goal to achieve 80% student attendance by 2030.

Tags: David Seymour Ministry ERO Attendance Service Providers Budget 2025 School attendance Education Minister Contracts Students Services

New Zealand's Initiatives to Reduce Youth Benefit Dependency

1 month ago | 265 views

Minister Louise Upston announces two key initiatives aimed at reducing benefit dependency and encouraging young New Zealanders to stay in work. The first initiative involves removing Jobseeker payments for 18- and 19-year-olds if their parents can financially support them. The second initiative offers a $1,000 bonus payment to young people who participate in the Community Job Coaching service, secure employment, and remain off benefits for 12 months.

Tags: Louise Upston New Zealanders Jobseeker payments Ministry of Social Development Community Job Coaching service Parental Assistance Test welfare benefit dependency National’s Welfare that Works policy young people

Empowering Northland Job Seekers: Ministry for Social Development Partners with Local Businesses for Employment Success

1 month ago | 181 views

The Ministry for Social Development in Northland is partnering with local businesses to help job seekers find employment, with successful examples like Fulton Hogan training and employing 44 MSD clients. Minister Louise Upston highlights the success of businesses like Fulton Hogan in placing job seekers in Northland. MSD is focusing on understanding businesses to connect local job seekers with suitable opportunities, aiming to address workforce challenges through collaborative efforts with employers.

Tags: Ministry for Social Development Northland Louise Upston Into Work event Fulton Hogan MSD job seekers employers Whangarei cadets

Government's Focus on Faster Justice: Real Results in Civil Disputes, Family Wait Times

1 month ago | 210 views

Courts Minister Nicole McKee highlights the Government's focus on faster justice delivery, emphasizing the importance of reducing delays in resolving civil disputes and family wait times for coroners' findings. Significant progress has been made in various jurisdictions, such as the District Court, where active civil cases decreased by 20% and completed cases increased by 8%. The Disputes Tribunal also saw over 900 more cases completed in a year, with a 21% decrease in aged cases, while the Coroners Court reduced active cases by 15% through the introduction of associate coroners and clinical advisors.

Tags: Courts Minister Nicole McKee justice system District Court civil cases Disputes Tribunal Coroners Court associate coroners clinical advisors Ministry of Justice