Articles tagged with Ministry Of Business
New Zealand Advances GeoShot NZ Project to Drill First Superhot Geothermal Well
1 week ago | 148 viewsThe GeoShot NZ project aims to drill New Zealand’s first superhot geothermal well at the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, with government funding of $55 million approved for pre-drilling and exploratory activities. The initiative involves expert partners and advanced technology to harness superhot fluids at depths of 4–5 km, offering significantly more energy than conventional wells and enhancing national energy resilience. This pioneering effort, supported by international collaboration, seeks to establish New Zealand as a leader in clean, high-capacity geothermal energy for long-term regional and national benefits.
Tags: Shane Jones Mercury NZ Todd Energy Tauhara North No. 2 Trust Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment GeoShot NZ Regional Infrastructure Fund Rotokawa Geothermal Field Iceland New ZealandNew Zealand Introduces Winter Energy Reliability Obligation to Prevent Power Shortages
1 week ago | 143 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing the Winter Energy Reliability Obligation, requiring major power companies and large electricity users to secure sufficient back-up energy ahead of dry winters to prevent power shortages and price spikes. This includes stricter penalties for non-compliance and enhanced oversight by the Electricity Authority to ensure dry-year risks are managed effectively, boosting system resilience and price stability. The obligation is part of the broader Securing Affordable Energy plan, which also considers additional back-up supply options like LNG imports and aims to rebuild the energy system for reliable, affordable power.
Tags: Simeon Brown Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Electricity Authority Winter Energy Reliability Obligation New Zealand Government LNG Electricity Industry Act Securing Affordable Energy plan gentailers power companiesBudget 2026 Boosts Frontline Teams to Combat Migrant Exploitation and Immigration Breaches
3 weeks ago | 225 viewsBudget 2026 allocates $18 million over four years to establish three new frontline teams within New Zealand’s immigration and labour enforcement agencies to better address migrant exploitation, immigration non-compliance, and serious offending. This investment aims to reduce case backlogs, increase enforcement actions, and prioritize high-risk cases by expanding capacity for investigations, compliance checks, and labour inspections. The Government also plans to strengthen legal penalties for migrant exploitation and improve deportation and compliance measures to enhance public trust and system effectiveness.
Tags: Erica Stanford Budget 2026 migrant exploitation immigration compliance Labour Inspectorate Immigration Investigations Immigration Compliance team deportation immigration offences Ministry of Business Innovation and EmploymentGovernment Secures Long-Term Housing Supply in Westport Post-West Coast Floods
1 month ago | 280 viewsThe Government is transferring 20 homes at Paparoa Way to local ownership for $1.2 million to support Westport's long-term housing supply following the 2021 West Coast floods. These modern homes, delivered in partnership with Buller District Council, remain fully occupied and help sustain the community by enabling families and workers to stay, aiding regional recovery and growth. This initiative transforms emergency housing into a lasting asset, enhancing Westport’s resilience and exemplifying effective collaboration between central and local government.
Tags: Tama Potaka James Meager Westport West Coast floods Paparoa Way Buller District Council Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Temporary Accommodation Service housing supply emergency responseNew Zealand Secures Extra Diesel Supply to Boost Fuel Reserves and Security
1 month ago | 391 viewsThe New Zealand Government has secured an additional nine days' supply of 90 million litres of diesel through a letter of intent with Z Energy to enhance fuel reserves amid global market uncertainties. This fuel will be stored at Marsden Point in refurbished tanks funded by a $21.6 million investment, with the Crown controlling its release to strengthen economic and fuel supply resilience. The agreement, resulting from a competitive procurement process, provides strategic insurance to ensure reliable diesel supply crucial for the economy while not counting towards fuel companies' minimum stockholding obligations.
Tags: Nicola Willis Shane Jones Z Energy New Zealand Marsden Point diesel supply Government fuel reserves Channel Infrastructure Ministry of Business Innovation and EmploymentRe-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
2 months ago | 546 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentNew Zealand Releases Oil Tickets to Support Global Supply Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure
3 months ago | 687 viewsNew Zealand will release 1.577 million barrels of crude oil purchase options, known as oil tickets, to support the International Energy Agency’s collective response to oil supply disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. This contribution, part of a larger IEA release of 400 million barrels, aims to ease global refinery pressure and stabilize markets without affecting New Zealand’s domestic fuel security. The released tickets pertain to crude oil and fuels incompatible with New Zealand’s system, meaning no physical oil supply will be directly released.
Tags: New Zealand International Energy Agency Shane Jones Strait of Hormuz oil tickets crude oil fuel security Middle East Ministry of Business Innovation and EmploymentNew Zealand Maintains Strong Fuel Stocks with 49 Days Supply Amid Global Uncertainty
3 months ago | 694 viewsNew Zealand currently maintains healthy fuel stocks, with about 49 days of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel supply available, including fuel in storage and shipments en route. The government is enhancing fuel data reporting and working closely with industry to monitor supply risks, ensuring readiness amid global uncertainties like the Strait of Hormuz closure. Authorities emphasize there is no need for fuel restrictions at this time, assuring the public that any changes will be communicated promptly with mitigation plans in place.
Tags: Nicola Willis Shane Jones New Zealand fuel stocks petrol diesel jet fuel Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment fuel security Strait of HormuzNew Zealand Welcomes Second Private Building Consent Authority to Boost Efficiency
3 months ago | 743 viewsNew Zealand has approved its second private Building Consent Authority (BCA), Farsight NZ Limited Partnership, to increase competition and capacity in the building consent system, aiming to reduce paperwork and speed up approvals. Farsight will manage key building control tasks for Summerset, a major residential builder, which will help alleviate pressure on council BCAs and improve consistency in applying the Building Code. All BCAs, including private ones, must meet strict accreditation and legal requirements to ensure strong consumer protections and efficient service delivery.
Tags: Chris Penk Farsight NZ Limited Partnership Building Consent Authority Building Consent Approvals Limited Summerset Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Kāinga Ora International Accreditation New Zealand Building Code New ZealandNew Insights Reveal Why and How New Zealanders Travel Domestically in 2025
3 months ago | 691 viewsThe new Domestic Visitor Survey, conducted in late 2025, reveals that three in five New Zealanders took overnight trips and nearly half took day trips in the previous six months, with main motivations being visiting family and relaxation. Domestic tourism accounts for about 60% of New Zealand's tourism expenditure, making these insights crucial for industry planning and responding to travel trends, especially as international visitor numbers recover post-COVID. The survey highlights high trip satisfaction, common planning methods, and barriers like cost and weather, with further data releases planned to support ongoing tourism development.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Domestic Visitor Survey Tourism Hospitality Verian Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre Covid CensusKiwi Tradies Gain Easier Access to Thousands of Australian Plumbing Products
4 months ago | 623 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has expanded recognition of thousands of Australian WaterMark-certified plumbing and drainage products, simplifying their use by Kiwi tradies and homeowners. This change, enabled by the Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill, reduces red tape by allowing Building Consent Authorities to accept these products as compliant without individual assessments, improving supply chain resilience and lowering costs. MBIE plans to continue reviewing overseas products, enhancing access to essential building materials like plasterboard, cladding, windows, and doors to support housing affordability and construction efficiency.
Tags: Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE WaterMark Building Act Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand Australia tradiesSouth Taranaki Green Hydrogen Facility Begins Construction with $19.9M Funding
4 months ago | 688 viewsConstruction has begun on a sustainable green hydrogen facility in South Taranaki, supported by a $19.9 million government investment and additional co-funding, with a total project cost of up to $112.3 million. The facility will supply renewable electricity to Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Kapuni site and produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport, creating around 50 construction jobs and seven permanent roles. This project, a partnership between multiple organizations, aims to boost the regional economy by integrating wind energy, renewable electricity, and zero-carbon hydrogen fuel production at scale.
Tags: Shane Jones Hiringa Energy Parininihi ki Waitōtara Todd Regional Development Minister Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Provincial Growth Fund South Taranaki New ZealandGovernment Activates Temporary Accommodation Service for North Island Weather Victims
4 months ago | 668 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
5 months ago | 707 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
6 months ago | 836 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 transition