Articles tagged with North Island
New Zealand Maintains Ban on Retaining North Island Reef Fish Bycatch
6 days ago | 117 viewsThe proposal to allow commercial fishers in northern North Island to retain and sell certain reef fish caught as bycatch will not proceed, according to Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. After considering over 22,000 public submissions and sustainability concerns, the historic ban protecting these species since 1993 will remain. The decision is part of a broader consultation on commercial fishing regulations, with further announcements forthcoming.
Tags: Shane Jones Oceans and Fisheries Minister North Island reef fish bycatch commercial fishers fishing regulations sustainability public consultation Quota Management speciesNew MRI Scanner at Wairarapa Hospital Cuts Wait Times and Travel for Patients
1 week ago | 196 viewsA new $3.7 million MRI scanner will be installed at Wairarapa Hospital to improve local access to diagnostic services, reducing the need for patients to travel to other districts. Currently, Wairarapa patients face long wait times of around 72 days for MRI scans, but the new facility aims to cut this to a 42-day target, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. This investment supports the government's goals of faster cancer treatment, shorter specialist wait times, and strengthened regional health service resilience.
Tags: Wairarapa Hospital MRI scanner Health Minister Simeon Brown diagnostic services lower North Island radiology services Hutt Valley Wellington Palmerston North cancer treatmentGovernment Urges North Island Residents to Prioritize Safety Amid Severe Weather Warnings
1 month ago | 295 viewsThe Government is urging North Island communities to prioritize safety amid severe weather warnings and recent flooding that has already caused a fatality. Emergency services and agencies, including the NZDF and local Civil Defence, are actively supporting response efforts and have resources pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. Authorities advise avoiding floodwaters, non-essential travel, and staying alert to landslide risks while following updates from official channels for safety guidance.
Tags: Government North Island Cyclone Gabrielle Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Civil Defence NZDF Severe Weather Flooding South WaikatoNorth Island Storm Recovery: Rapid Repairs Restore Key Transport Links
1 month ago | 344 viewsSevere storms and flooding caused widespread damage to North Island’s transport infrastructure, leading to road closures and isolation of communities, with urgent restoration efforts underway. Significant progress has been made reopening state highways and rail lines, though some sections, particularly on SH25, SH2, and SH35, remain closed due to extensive slips and landslides, requiring ongoing repair and safety monitoring. The government emphasizes the importance of investing in transport resilience, highlighting recent successful upgrades that have withstood the severe weather and committing to continued support and improvements for future storm recovery.
Tags: Chris Bishop North Island Northland Waikato Tauranga Coromandel Bay of Plenty SH25 SH35 NZTAGovernment Launches $1M Marae Emergency Fund for Severe Weather Support
1 month ago | 334 viewsThe Government has established a $1 million Marae Emergency Response Fund to reimburse marae for welfare support provided during severe weather events in the Upper North Island in January 2026. At least 20 marae across five regions offered essential aid such as food, shelter, and power to evacuees and isolated residents, often being the first responders. The fund, administered by Te Puni Kōkiri, allows marae to recover costs and build resilience, with eligible organisations able to apply for reimbursement through their regional offices.
Tags: Mr Potaka Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Development Fund Marae Manaakitanga Upper North Island Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiWairoa Airport to Get $4.2M Upgrade Boosting Runway and Emergency Services
1 month ago | 411 viewsWairoa Airport will receive a $4.2 million upgrade, including runway extension and improved infrastructure, to enhance its operational capacity and support the region’s growing needs. The airport plays a crucial role in commercial flights, emergency health transport, and logistics during extreme weather, as demonstrated during Cyclone Gabrielle. Funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund and North Island Weather Event fund, construction will begin in late 2026, with local employment prioritized.
Tags: Wairoa Airport Shane Jones New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Hawke’s Bay Airport Cyclone Gabrielle Wairoa District Council Regional Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund North Island Weather Event fund Wairoa communityRotoruaNZ Receives $4.5M Boost for International Campaigns
4 months ago | 474 viewsRotoruaNZ will receive over $4.5 million for two campaigns promoting the region's geothermal wonders, Māori culture, and hospitality to international visitors. The "North Island x Ctrip" campaign targets travelers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, while the "Kiwi North" campaign focuses on attracting visitors from Australia's eastern seaboard. These initiatives aim to showcase the diverse experiences across the North Island, support local businesses, and enhance the region's reputation as a must-visit destination, funded by the Regional Tourism Boost as part of the Government's Major Events and Tourism Package.
Tags: RotoruaNZ Louise Upston Tourism Hospitality Minister North Island Ctrip China Japan South Korea AustraliaNew Cycle Trails Boost Ruapehu Tourism and Economy
4 months ago | 449 viewsThe Government is funding the completion of Te Ara Mangawhero and Te Hangāruru trails, connecting them to create the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono cycle journey, aiming to attract more visitors to the Ruapehu region and boost the Central North Island economy. These trails are crucial for completing the full 231km journey from Mount Ruapehu to the Tasman Sea, with only one section left to finish. The project, led by various trusts and organizations, emphasizes partnership, cultural significance, and environmental sustainability, with completion expected by early 2027 through funding from the International Visitor Levy and the Major Events and Tourism Package.
Tags: Ruapehu region Central North Island economy Te Ara Mangawhero Te Hangāruru trails Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono cycle journey Louise Upston Tama Potaka Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust Te Korowai o WainuiāruaŌ2NL Expressway: Transforming Transport and Boosting Economy in Horowhenua
6 months ago | 553 viewsConstruction has begun on the new 24-kilometre Ō2NL expressway from Ōtaki to north of Levin, aiming to enhance economic benefits, safety, and reliability in the region, according to Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The project addresses long-standing issues of crashes, delays, and resilience on the current Kāpiti highway, with expectations of reducing travel times and improving efficiency for both commuters and freight transport. Part of the Wellington northern corridor initiated in 2013, Ō2NL follows the success of previous expressways and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2029, contributing to economic growth and development opportunities in the Horowhenua region.
Tags: Transport Minister Chris Bishop Horowhenua North Island Wellington National Government Transmission Gully Mackays Peka Peka Kāpiti highway OtakiNew Zealand Strengthens Emergency Management System for Major Emergencies: Investment Roadmap Unveiled
9 months ago | 1864 viewsThe Government has agreed in principle to an investment and implementation roadmap to strengthen New Zealand’s emergency management system so it can manage major to severe emergencies, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “This roadmap is part of our response to the Government Inquiry into the North Island Severe Weather Events and complements the work underway to develop a new Emergency Management Bill,” says Mr Mitchell. “New Zealand is facing more frequent and severe weather events, and we need to ensure our emergency management system is fit for purpose to manage significant, widespread emergencies like Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tags: Emergency management and recovery Emergency management bill Gabrielle Government Government inquiry Mark mitchell Mitchell National emergency management agency New zealand North island severe weather events Rence fundMinister Calls for Supermarkets to Ensure Fair Pricing Practices for Kiwi Shoppers
9 months ago | 1549 viewsEconomic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written to the major supermarkets to restate the basic expectation that they take all steps needed to comply with the Fair Trading Act and ensure Kiwi shoppers are not subjected to misleading price claims. “Supermarkets have statutory obligations under the Fair Trading Act to ensure that pricing information is accurate and does not mislead consumers. “I am disappointed that I have to spell out to some of New Zealand’s biggest and most sophisticated retail operators - Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths - that they should have in place processes to prevent inaccurate pricing, institute and publicise refund policies, and train staff to ensure that when errors are reported, fixes occur system-wide.
Tags: Australia Commerce commision Commerce commission and consumer new zealand Fair trading act Foodstuffs north island Foodstuffs south island New zealand Nicola willis Paknsave Woolworths ZealandOtago students to benefit from more classrooms
9 months ago | 1487 viewsThe Government’s ensuring hundreds more students in Otago benefit from new, safe, warm and dry classrooms. A $27 million investment into new infrastructure will help make sure schools meet the needs of their communities and gets ahead of new growth. It will support the construction of: Six new teaching spaces at Dunstan High School A twelve-teaching space expansion at Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau The investment is in addition to the purchase of a site at Ladies Mile in Queenstown last year, which will accommodate a new primary school in the area.
Tags: Canterbury Central north island Dunstan high school Erica stanford James meager Ladies mile Otago central lakes Queenstown South island Stanford Te kura whakatipu o kawara