Articles tagged with Response
New Zealand Sets Practical Biogenic Methane Target to Cut Emissions by 2050
1 week ago | 150 viewsThe New Zealand Government has passed the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill, setting a new biogenic methane reduction target of 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050, while maintaining the net zero target for long-lived gases. The legislation supports farmers by emphasizing practical, technology-driven emissions reductions without compromising productivity or trade competitiveness, backed by over $400 million in investments for methane-cutting tools. Additionally, the Bill mandates a 2040 target review, protects food production in emissions budgeting, and clarifies the Emissions Trading Scheme’s role, aiming to provide certainty and move from debate to action in the agriculture sector.
Tags: Todd McClay Simon Watts biogenic methane Climate Change Response Amendment Bill New Zealand agriculture emissions methane targets Climate Change Commission Net Zero target emissions budgetNew Zealand Launches AI Platform to Simplify Access to Mental Health Support
4 weeks ago | 151 viewsThe New Zealand government is funding Whakarongorau to develop a mental health AI navigation platform that will help people easily find and access available mental health services, including telehealth and in-person options. This digital tool aims to reduce barriers by guiding users to appropriate support, offering online resources, and enabling direct bookings, thereby addressing the fragmented mental health system. The platform seeks to improve early intervention, increase awareness of existing services, and provide faster, 24/7 access to mental health support across the country.
Tags: New Zealand mental health Whakarongorau AI navigation platform Matt Doocey telehealth Gumboot Friday digital tools mental health support crisis responseGovernment Cancels Cook Strait Emergency Ocean Response Vessel Procurement Due to High Costs
1 month ago | 156 viewsThe Government has decided against procuring dedicated emergency ocean response capabilities (EORC) for the Cook Strait due to significant cost escalations—from $80 million to over $259 million over 10 years—and limited benefits, as existing vessels have resolved past incidents effectively. New Cook Strait ferries with enhanced safety features will reduce the need for external assistance, and the temporary contract for the MMA Vision tugboat will end in February 2026, saving $9 million. Overall, the Government concludes that the investment in dedicated towing capabilities is not cost-effective and cannot justify passing costs onto taxpayers or users through levies.
Tags: Chris Bishop Cook Strait Maritime NZ MMA Vision Golden Mind Ministry of Transport Budget 2024 Cabinet Emergency Ocean Response Capability Transport MinisterTogether Against Family Violence: How Communities Can Support Healing and Safety
1 month ago | 159 viewsMinister Karen Chhour emphasizes the collective responsibility of individuals and communities to prevent and respond to family violence by recognizing signs, offering support, and encouraging those affected to seek help. While the government leads legal actions, community education and intervention are crucial for ensuring safety and healing. She highlights that help is available nationwide, urging people to overcome shame and access support services regardless of the abuse's severity or duration.
Tags: family violence Karen Chhour prevention support services community healing safety legal response education courageGovernment Boosts Crisis Response with $61.6M Investment in Mental Health Services
1 month ago | 240 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced a $61.6 million funding boost to improve crisis response services, including adding 40 frontline clinical staff for crisis assessment teams nationwide, establishing two new peer-led acute alternative services, and expanding peer support in emergency departments and Crisis Recovery Cafés. The initiative aims to reduce wait times for crisis assessment and inpatient beds, provide more choice and quicker support for those in mental health distress, and enhance the peer support workforce. This investment complements previous efforts, such as the roll-out of mental health co-response teams and improving crisis helpline capacity, to ensure timely and effective support for individuals reaching out for help.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Crisis Response Peer Support Frontline Workers Crisis Recovery Cafés Budget 2025 Clinical Staff Emergency Departments Crisis Assessment TeamsNew Legislation Protects Farmland from Forest Conversions, Boosting Agriculture Sector
1 month ago | 247 viewsLegislation has been enacted to restrict farm-to-forest conversions on productive farmland, fulfilling a campaign promise by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay. The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme - Forestry Conversion) Amendment Act, effective from October 31, 2025, aims to protect food production, rural communities, and forestry investments. Exotic forests are limited from entering the Emissions Trading Scheme on New Zealand's most productive soils, with exemptions for Māori-owned land and erosion-prone areas, while transitional exemptions are available for qualifying forestry investments made between 2021 and 2024.
Tags: Legislation farmland Agriculture Forestry Minister Todd McClay Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme New Zealand MPINew Zealand Climate Change Minister Unveils Carbon Removals Framework and Legislative Enhancements
1 month ago | 202 viewsClimate Change Minister Simon Watts introduced a new Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals in New Zealand, aiming to recognize and reward non-forestry carbon removals and support landholders and businesses. The framework aligns with the Government's commitment to climate action that stimulates the economy and promotes emissions reductions, fulfilling an election promise to explore biodiversity credits for initiatives like creating wetlands. Changes to the Climate Change Response Act will streamline processes, improve the NZ ETS, expand opportunities for carbon removal recognition, and reduce compliance costs for stakeholders, with an amendment bill planned for next year.
Tags: Climate Change Minister Simon Watts Assessment Framework Carbon Removals New Zealand Emissions Reduction Plan Biodiversity credits Forestry Climate Change Response Act NZ ETSNew Zealand Achieves Safer Communities Through Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Milestones
2 months ago | 262 viewsMinister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence highlights achievements in reducing family and sexual violence in New Zealand, emphasizing the interconnectedness needed for effective responses. The second Te Aorerekura Action Plan has been successfully implemented ahead of schedule, leading to safer communities. Notable accomplishments include improved multi-agency responses in various regions, expanded safety programs for victims, and the successful reduction of family violence homicides in Canterbury through the Integrated Safety Response approach.
Tags: family violence sexual violence Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Te Aorerekura Action Plan Minister Chhour community partnerships safety programmes Integrated Safety ResponseNew Zealand Government Enhances Child Protection System to Prioritize Safety and Wellbeing
2 months ago | 252 viewsThe Government has accepted all recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review to enhance the children's system and prioritize child safety. Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the need to improve systems to better protect children from harm and ensure every child in New Zealand feels safe. The Government will implement an integrated response overseen by Child and Youth Ministers, focusing on information sharing, supporting children with incarcerated parents, and developing a mandatory reporting regime to enhance child safety.
Tags: children system Government response Dame Karen Poutasi Louise Upston child safety New Zealand child abuse agenciesNew Zealand Government Passes Bill to Protect Farmland and Forestry in Climate Change Response
3 months ago | 367 viewsThe Government passed the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill to prevent wholesale conversion of farmland to pine forests, aiming to balance food production and Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) confidence. Key changes include limits on exotic forestry registrations for productive farmland, flexibility for farmers to convert up to 25% of land to forestry, and provisions for Māori-owned land. The Bill aims to support rural economies, create jobs, and ensure ETS credibility, with a review planned for 2028 to assess effectiveness.
Tags: Todd McClay Simon Watts Government Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions Agriculture Forestry New Zealand Land UseTreasury Report: Pitfalls of Excessive Government Spending Exposed
4 months ago | 635 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis highlights Treasury's report on the dangers of excessive government spending, emphasizing the challenges of using large spending measures in response to one-off shocks like the Covid-19 pandemic. The report criticizes the fiscal response to Covid, pointing out significant errors made and urging policymakers to avoid repeating those mistakes. It emphasizes the importance of restoring fiscal guardrails promptly after increased spending during crises, praising the current Government's commitment to responsible fiscal and economic management.
Tags: Treasury report government spending Finance Minister Nicola Willis fiscal policy economic shocks Labour government fiscal responseStudent Volunteer Army Receives $50,000 Grant for Youth-Led Response to Nelson Tasman Weather Crisis
5 months ago | 859 viewsYouth Minister James Meager has announced a one-time $50,000 grant to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) to mobilize young volunteers aged 12-24 to assist in response to severe weather events in Nelson Tasman. The SVA will coordinate region-wide activities for the next four-to-six weeks to provide valuable assistance to communities affected by recent flooding. The initiative aims to engage young people in disaster response, offering them a youth development opportunity while contributing to community recovery efforts.
Tags: Nelson Tasman Student Volunteer Army Youth Minister James Meager Foxhill Sam Johnson disaster response community leaders youth development extreme weather voluntary workGovernment Funds New Nelson Tasman Weather Radar for Enhanced Emergency Response
5 months ago | 908 viewsThe Government is funding MetService for a new Nelson Tasman weather radar to enhance severe weather monitoring and response in the region, as announced by Associate Transport Minister James Meager. The radar procurement aims to improve community preparedness for future disasters following recent severe weather events. The investment in the radar, with a capital cost of up to $5 million and ongoing operating costs, will provide emergency managers with better tools to monitor rainfall and flooding risks, ultimately reducing the potential for loss of life and property during severe weather events.
Tags: Government MetService Nelson Tasman weather radar severe weather monitoring response James Meager Mark Mitchell emergency management rainfall.Government Takes Stand to Safeguard Farmland for Food Production with Climate Change Bill
6 months ago | 981 viewsThe Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament last night. “This Bill is about protecting our most valuable land that grows food for export and sustains rural communities,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “For too long, ETS incentives have driven the wrong outcomes for our rural sector.
Tags: Climate change response Conversion New zealand Todd mcclay Trading schemeAttendance rates rose in Term 1 2025
6 months ago | 1004 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour says this Government has prioritised student attendance and as a result we’ve seen every term since Term 1 2024 record higher attendance than the same term of the previous year. In Term 1 of 2025 65. 9 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 4.
Tags: David seymour Marlborough Ministry Ministry of education Response Seymour West coast