Articles tagged with Reforms
Construction Industry Embraces Health and Safety Reforms: Survey Shows Overwhelming Support
1 week ago | 99 viewsThe construction industry overwhelmingly supports key Health and Safety reforms, with a focus on guidance and critical risks, according to a Site Safe survey welcomed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The survey results indicate strong backing for clearer guidance, increased use of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs), and a stronger emphasis on critical risks. Van Velden aims to improve guidance provision, clarify compliance with ACOPs, and involve industry stakeholders in developing ACOPs to enhance practicality and effectiveness in managing health and safety risks in the construction sector.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Health and Safety reforms Workplace Relations Safety Minister Site Safe survey construction industry health and safety WorkSafe Approved Codes of PracticeElectricity Authority Chair Announces Resignation: Future Reforms and Vacancy Updates
1 week ago | 106 viewsElectricity Authority Chair Anna Kominik has resigned, with Energy Minister Simon Watts expressing gratitude for her leadership and contributions to significant reforms in the electricity sector. Ms Kominik's departure is tied to a new opportunity and the completion of the Frontier Economics Review of Electricity Market Performance, with plans for an organisational review before her replacement is appointed. The Government aims to strengthen the Authority's enforcement and analytical capabilities, with a focus on pro-competitive initiatives that prioritize consumer benefit and public value.
Tags: Anna Kominik Simon Watts Electricity Authority resignation Energy Minister reforms Frontier Economics Review electricity market consumersNew Zealand Government Expands Solar Panel Exemptions for Sustainable Construction
1 week ago | 120 viewsThe New Zealand Government is implementing reforms to promote sustainable construction, including a new building consent exemption for rooftop solar panels to create healthier homes and reduce energy bills. The exemption, effective immediately, simplifies the process and is expected to save homeowners around $1,200 per consent. Additionally, the Government plans to introduce a fast-track consent process for sustainable buildings with performance criteria such as energy efficiency and climate resiliency, aiming to provide more choice and affordability for Kiwis while promoting renewable energy adoption.
Tags: Government reforms sustainable construction New Zealand rooftop solar panels Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Building Act solar panel consents KiwisStructured Literacy Mandate Boosting Reading Success Nationwide, Education Minister Reports
3 weeks ago | 124 viewsThe Government's mandate of structured literacy is positively impacting reading achievement nationwide, according to Education Minister Erica Stanford. All primary schools now teach structured literacy and the new English curriculum, with new entrants undergoing a phonics check after 20 weeks to assess reading progress. Phonics data shows a significant increase in reading success, with improvements seen across the country, leading to a reduction in students needing targeted support and notable advancements in Māori and Pacific student achievement.
Tags: structured literacy reading achievement Education Minister Erica Stanford phonics data student achievement literacy reforms Māori students Pacific students equity decilesMilldale Housing Project Approved: Boosting Auckland Region Development
1 month ago | 158 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have approved the Milldale housing project in Wainui, Auckland, which is expected to provide 1100 residential allotments and inject $595 million into the region over three years. The project aims to address housing shortages by creating jobs and streamlining development processes through the Fast-track Approvals Act. Minister Jones is collaborating with Minister Bishop on legislative changes to expedite regional housing projects and other developments in the pipeline.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Milldale project housing development infrastructure deficit Auckland region resource management reforms legislative changes regional housing developmentsMajor Transport Reforms in Auckland to Enhance Accountability and Governance
2 months ago | 286 viewsSignificant transport reforms in Auckland since 2010 aim to enhance democratic accountability and empower Aucklanders to influence transport policies, as stated by Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. The reforms involve shifting most transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, establishing the Auckland Regional Transport Committee to create a 30-year transport plan, and granting local boards new powers for local road decisions. The changes, set to be in place by September 2026, prioritize public input, efficient governance, and improved transport outcomes for Auckland.
Tags: transport reforms Auckland democratic accountability elected representatives governance Auckland Transport Auckland Council Minister Chris Bishop Minister Simeon Brown Mayor Wayne BrownProposed Special Licensing Reforms for Events Sector by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee
2 months ago | 229 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee presented proposed changes to special licensing rules for the events sector at the New Zealand Events Association’s annual conference. The reforms aim to simplify regulations and provide greater certainty and consistency for event organizers, while prioritizing the reduction of alcohol-related harm. Key reforms include the introduction of a national risk-based framework for special license applications, a coordinated approach for multi-district events, raising the threshold for large-scale events, and granting flexibility for televised national events. These changes align with the government's creative sector strategy to streamline regulation and support the thriving of the events industry while maintaining strong safeguards for harm reduction.
Tags: Nicole McKee Minister special licensing events sector New Zealand Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 reforms regulations Amplify alcohol regulatory systemTransforming New Zealand's Universities: Priorities for Success and Global Impact
2 months ago | 259 viewsThe speech highlights the importance of universities in New Zealand, emphasizing the need for alignment between student skills and industry needs, faster research impact, and adaptability to new opportunities like advanced technologies. The government is introducing a new Tertiary Education Strategy with priorities including student achievement, economic impact, and international connections. Reforms also involve establishing a University Strategy Group, transitioning to a Tertiary Research Excellence Fund, strengthening quality assurance, and enhancing governance to ensure universities remain independent yet accountable for delivering impactful research and education.
Tags: University of Canterbury Minister Simmonds Tertiary Education Strategy Tertiary Research Excellence Fund New Zealand Global Impact Student Success Science Reforms Quality Assurance SystemProposed Changes to Alcohol Act 2012 for Fairness & Safety
2 months ago | 235 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced proposed changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, aiming to restore fairness and practicality without compromising public safety. The reforms focus on fairer licensing processes, modernized rules for national events, and stronger safeguards to prevent alcohol-related harm. The changes also include requirements for licensed premises to offer a wider range of non-alcoholic alternatives and updates to regulations to support rapid delivery services and age verification for alcohol purchases.
Tags: Nicole McKee Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 reforms alcohol legislation responsible drinking regulations licensing processes age verification local councilsNew Regulations Speed Up Building Inspection Wait Times, Boosting Efficiency and Cutting Costs
2 months ago | 335 viewsNew regulations mandate Building Consent Authorities to complete 80% of building inspections within three working days of the date requested by the building owner, aiming to reduce delays and costs in construction projects. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will publish quarterly wait time data for every council to improve transparency and performance. Additional reforms include a self-certification scheme for reputable building companies and homeowners being able to build a granny flat without consent, all aimed at streamlining processes and holding accountable those responsible for substandard work.
Tags: Chris Penk Building and Construction Minister Building inspections Building Consent Authorities MBIE Wait times Building projects Regulatory reforms Building companies CouncilsMajor Fisheries Reforms for Sustainable Growth: Minister Shane Jones Unveils Game-Changing Changes
3 months ago | 633 viewsThe Government is implementing significant fisheries reforms to support sustainable growth in the fishing industry, aiming to remove obstacles and enhance decision-making for setting catch limits. The reforms include more responsive rules based on changes in fish abundance, improved privacy protection for fishers through changes in the onboard camera program, and practical guidelines for landing or discarding catch. These changes align with the goal of fostering a thriving and sustainable fishing industry, with an amendment Bill to be introduced for further feedback through the select committee process.
Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act reforms sustainable growth fishing industry catch limits fisheries management onboard cameras Official Information Act MPI.New Zealand to Reform AML/CFT Laws for Small Businesses: Minister McKee Announces Overhaul
3 months ago | 592 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says that small businesses will benefit from upcoming reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, as the Government moves to make compliance more proportionate and practical for low-risk operators. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced Cabinet’s approval to draft a new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Omnibus) Amendment Bill to overhaul the existing system. Under current rules, even small businesses and professionals, such as real estate agents, face complex and time-consuming checks, often regardless of how much risk they face,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister small businesses reforms compliance customer due diligence real estate agents simplified checksSimplified Process: New Reforms Make Opening Bank Accounts for Children Easier
4 months ago | 966 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is making changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act that will make it easier for parents to open bank accounts for their children. “Opening a bank account for children should be a simple and positive step toward teaching them the value of saving. Unfortunately, regulations designed to prevent serious crimes can make the process unnecessarily difficult,” says Mrs McKee.
Tags: Nicole McKee Minister bank accounts children regulations reforms banks New Zealanders red tape