Articles tagged with Ministry Of Business
Government Activates Temporary Accommodation Service for North Island Weather Victims
1 week ago | 125 viewsThe Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated to support people displaced by recent severe weather in parts of the North Island. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is coordinating with emergency agencies, local councils, and communities to provide safe accommodation and additional support services, including social, mental health, and financial assistance. Those affected are encouraged to register for temporary accommodation through the TAS website or phone line, though registration numbers are not yet confirmed.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Temporary Accommodation Service Civil Defence Emergency Management National Emergency Management Agency Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiNew Zealand Allows Granny Flats Without Building or Resource Consents for Affordable Housing
2 weeks ago | 164 viewsNew Zealand has removed the need for building and resource consents for granny flats up to 70 square metres, simplifying the process and reducing costs by up to $5,650 and 14 weeks. This change, part of the Coalition Government’s housing reforms, aims to increase affordable and diverse housing options while boosting construction jobs and easing council workloads. Homeowners must ensure their granny flats meet Building Code standards and local council rules, with guidance and templates available from government websites.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Chris Penk New Zealand Coalition Government RMA Reform Building Act National Direction Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Ministry for the Environment$200M Gas Security Fund Opens Jan 12, 2026 to Boost NZ Natural Gas Supply
1 month ago | 263 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 Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
1 month ago | 1426 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 and US Launch $5M Antarctic Science Partnership on Climate Change
2 months ago | 301 viewsNew Zealand and the United States are expanding their long-standing Antarctic science collaboration through three joint research projects funded with up to $5 million over five years, focusing on climate and ecosystem change. These projects aim to advance understanding of Antarctic groundwater flows, ecosystem monitoring via combined UAV and satellite systems, and the causes and impacts of rapid sea ice decline in the Ross Sea. Supported by a new Memorandum of Cooperation and coordinated field research in 2026/27, this partnership enhances scientific innovation and environmental management in Antarctica while strengthening New Zealand’s global research standing.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand United States Antarctic science University of Otago University of Waikato National Science Foundation Antarctica New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Earth Sciences NZNew Zealand and US Launch $5M Antarctic Science Partnership to Tackle Climate Change
2 months ago | 311 viewsNew Zealand and the United States are expanding their long-standing Antarctic science collaboration through three new joint research projects funded with up to $5 million over five years, focusing on climate and ecosystem changes. These projects aim to map Antarctic groundwater flows, monitor ecosystem changes using advanced aerial and satellite technology, and investigate the rapid decline of sea ice in the Ross Sea, contributing to the global Antarctica InSync initiative. Supported by a recent Memorandum of Cooperation and upcoming field research in 2026/27, this partnership enhances environmental understanding and innovation while strengthening New Zealand’s role in international Antarctic science.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand United States Antarctic science National Science Foundation University of Otago University of Waikato Antarctica New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Catalyst FundGovernment Introduces New Building Consent Reforms to Protect Owners and Boost Productivity
2 months ago | 266 viewsThe Government is reforming the building consent system by replacing joint and several liability with proportionate liability, ensuring each party is only responsible for their own work to speed up consents and protect ratepayers. New safeguards include mandatory professional indemnity insurance for designers, compulsory home warranties for most new residential builds and significant renovations, and strengthened disciplinary penalties for Licensed Building Practitioners. These measures aim to enhance accountability, protect building owners, and make the building process faster, easier, and more affordable, with legislative changes expected by 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Licensed Building Practitioners Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Amendment Bill New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Building Act Home warranty Professional indemnity insurance Building consent systemGovernment Reforms Building Research Funding to Boost Innovation and Cut Costs in NZ
2 months ago | 275 viewsThe Government is reforming building research funding by repealing the outdated Building Research Levy Act 1969 and consolidating research funding into the existing building levy under the Building Act 2024 to improve transparency, efficiency, and innovation. The new system will centrally manage funds with sector input, ring-fence research funding for long-term projects, and make funding contestable to broaden access for universities and industry organizations, while reducing costs for consent applicants. These changes aim to enhance accountability, support a more resilient building sector, and contribute to making building easier, more affordable, and supportive of economic growth in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Research Levy Act Building Research Association of New Zealand BRANZ Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Building Act 2024 Building Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Launches Secure Digital Credential Platform for Government Agencies
2 months ago | 356 viewsNew Zealand company MATTR will develop a shared digital credential platform managed by the Department of Internal Affairs to enable government agencies to issue secure digital identities through a Government App. This initiative aims to simplify identity verification, reduce paperwork, enhance privacy and security, and improve convenience for users, with agencies like MBIE trialing the system for business credentials. By standardizing digital identity services across agencies, the government expects cost savings, greater efficiency, and a more consistent experience for citizens.
Tags: Judith Collins MATTR Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government App digital credentials digital identity services New Zealand Business Number public sectorNew Zealand Approves WaterMark Certification for Over 90,000 Building Products
3 months ago | 511 viewsNew 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 productsBreaking Ground: New Zealand's First Supercritical Geothermal Exploration at Rotokawa Reservoir
4 months ago | 538 viewsThe Rotokawa Geothermal Reservoir in New Zealand's Taupō Volcanic Zone has been chosen for the country's first supercritical geothermal exploration, with plans to develop multiple wells for enhanced power output. The site selection followed thorough geological studies and risk assessments, with a focus on involving the local community and cultural considerations. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between stakeholders to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal energy, with a multi-disciplinary team working on regulatory approvals, design, and drilling for the project's success.
Tags: Shane Jones Rotokawa Geothermal Reservoir New Zealand geothermal energy Tauhara North No. 2 Trust Earth Sciences New Zealand supercritical geothermal exploration Regional Development Minister Mercury NZ Ministry of Business.New Zealand Government Enhances Building Code for Improved Fire Safety
5 months ago | 1100 viewsThe Government will amend the Building Code to enhance fire safety protections for New Zealanders, prompted by a nationwide fire safety review following a tragic fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington. Over 100 organizations and individuals contributed feedback during the consultation, highlighting the need for clearer regulations and improved evacuation measures, especially in larger residential buildings. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will incorporate this feedback into proposed Building Code changes separate from the regular update cycle, with a focus on aligning fire safety provisions with modern technologies and ensuring the safety of occupants and firefighters.
Tags: Government Building Code New Zealanders fire safety Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Loafers Lodge WellingtonGovernment Pauses Major Changes to Building Code System for Certainty in Construction Sector
6 months ago | 1010 viewsBuilding and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced a pause on major changes to the Building Code system to provide stability and clarity for the building sector amidst disruptions from the pandemic and supply chain challenges. The government aims to implement a predictable three-year cycle for updates, allowing businesses to plan ahead and invest with confidence. While major changes will be paused, updates related to life safety, energy efficiency, Building Product Specifications, and fire safety will continue, supporting economic growth and productivity improvements in the building sector.
Tags: Government Building sector Building Code system Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Builders Designers DevelopersNew Flexible Insulation Rules to Cut Costs for Designers, Builders, and Homeowners
7 months ago | 1337 viewsOverly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. “I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs. “The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation – known as the Schedule Method – doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size.
Tags: insulation rules designers builders homeowners Chris Penk energy efficiency Building Code Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Far NorthGovernment Funds 46 Innovative Research Projects Driving Economic Growth in New Zealand
7 months ago | 1265 viewsThe Government has reinforced its commitment to science-led economic growth by funding 46 high-potential research projects, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. The projects will be funded by the contestable Endeavour Fund, which invests in research that unlocks new knowledge, technologies, and capabilities. The Smart Ideas stream of the fund targets bold, high-risk projects by catalysing and rapidly testing promising, innovative research.
Tags: Endeavour fund Medtech Ministry of business innovation and employment New zealand Science innovation and technology Shane re Smart ideas