Articles tagged with Rig
New Zealand Launches $75K Training Fund to Boost Animal Welfare in Woolsheds
4 hours ago | 42 viewsThe New Zealand Government and industry have established a $75,000 fund to support targeted training initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare and compliance in the shearing industry. This one-year pilot, administered by Wool Impact and delivered by Elite Wool Industry Training, includes workshops, online modules, and practical assessments for shearers and wool handlers. The initiative responds to recent sheep mistreatment allegations and aims to uphold New Zealand’s reputation for high animal welfare standards and protect international wool market access.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Mark Patterson Ministry for Primary Industries PGG Wrightson New Zealand Merino Company Wool Impact New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association New Zealand Veterinary Association Elite Wool Industry Training The NZ Merino CompanyHistoric Settlement Advances Support for Disabled Students in NZ Schools
2 weeks ago | 140 viewsThe Government has settled a 2012 Human Rights Review Tribunal claim by IHC regarding education policies that disadvantaged disabled students, committing to a Framework for Action to improve support for disabled and neurodiverse learners. This framework includes better data collection, improved specialist services, coordinated education agencies, inclusive curriculum, accessible infrastructure, and investigations into funding and ableism impacts. Significant investments, including $750 million in Budget 25, have been made to increase teacher aide hours, expand early intervention, overhaul funding models, and enhance curriculum and school infrastructure to ensure timely and adequate support for students with additional needs.
Tags: Erica Stanford IHC Ministry of Education Human Rights Review Tribunal Bill of Rights Act Learning Support Ongoing Resourcing Scheme New Zealand Curriculum Budget 25 Education MinisterNew Zealand Retirement Village Reforms: Fairness, Clarity, and Resident Protection
3 weeks ago | 140 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing reforms to the Retirement Villages Act to enhance clarity, fairness, and transparency for residents and their families, addressing issues such as repayment delays and legal complexities. Key changes include clearer legal documents, upfront operator disclosures, an independent disputes scheme, and improved financial protections like timely fund repayments and cessation of fees upon vacancy. These balanced reforms, shaped by extensive public feedback, aim to strengthen residents' rights while supporting the sector’s growth and will be introduced to Parliament mid-next year.
Tags: Tama Potaka Casey Costello Retirement Villages Act New Zealand Government retirement villages aged care Retirement Commissioner National – New Zealand First Coalition housing reform residents rightsNew Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030: Driving Positive Change for All
3 weeks ago | 124 viewsThe New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 outlines a government plan with clear goals and actions across education, employment, health, housing, and justice to improve the lives of disabled people. It aims to address barriers through meaningful, measurable initiatives, including employer support, accessible healthcare, improved housing definitions, early intervention in justice and education, and adherence to UN recommendations. The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha will oversee implementation, report progress annually to Parliament, and measure the strategy's impact.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Disability Strategy Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Government Parliament disabled people youth justice system social housingNew Zealand and Australia Boost PACER Plus with $10M Support for Pacific Trade Growth
1 month ago | 179 viewsNew Zealand and Australia have committed $10 million over five years to support PACER Plus, aiming to enhance export capabilities, diversify trade, attract investment, and boost labor mobility in Pacific countries. This new investment, announced five years after the agreement took effect, underscores ongoing commitment to regional trade growth, economic integration, and prosperity. The PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme facilitates implementation, harmonizes trade infrastructure, and maximizes business opportunities across member nations.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Scott Simpson New Zealand Australia PACER Plus Pacific Islands Solomon Islands Minister of State for Trade and Investment Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Pacific regionRodger Finlay Appointed Reserve Bank Chair and Rhiannon McKinnon Joins Board
1 month ago | 157 viewsRodger Finlay has been appointed Chair of the Reserve Bank, continuing his leadership since August 2023, while Rhiannon McKinnon joins the Bank’s Board for a five-year term. These appointments are part of a broader refresh of the Reserve Bank, which includes new leadership, committees, and a focus on increased accountability, transparency, and banking competition. Both appointees bring extensive experience in governance and financial management, supporting the Bank's statutory responsibilities and government expectations.
Tags: Rodger Finlay Rhiannon McKinnon Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Kiwi Wealth NZ Post Kiwi Group Holdings NZ Oil and Gas PGG Wrightson NZ Film CommissionJoin the Movement: End Violence Against Women This White Ribbon Day
1 month ago | 142 viewsToday is White Ribbon Day, a national event encouraging people to oppose violence against women and celebrate men who promote healthy relationships. The day marks the start of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign, which raises awareness about gender-based violence and calls for an end to discriminatory attitudes. Government officials and high-profile women are collaborating with organizations like UN Women Aotearoa to share messages and resources aimed at creating safer communities and supporting victims.
Tags: Karen Chhour Nicola Grigg Cindy Kiro Alison Mau White Ribbon Day 16 Days of Activism UN Women Aotearoa Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence family violenceGovernment Invests $2.7M in Farmstrong to Boost Rural Wellbeing and Safety
1 month ago | 176 viewsThe Government has renewed a $2.7 million investment in the Farmstrong rural wellbeing programme, part of a five-year $6.8 million agreement between ACC and Farmstrong aimed at reducing injuries in agriculture and horticulture. Since its 2016 launch, Farmstrong has delivered significant returns, saving over 9,800 injury claims and $52 million in costs by addressing the link between wellbeing and injury risk. The programme, supported by ACC, FMG, and the Mental Health Foundation, provides practical resources to support farmers' mental health and safety, reinforcing the sector's importance to New Zealand's economy.
Tags: Farmstrong Nicola Grigg ACC agriculture injuries rural wellbeing FMG Mental Health Foundation New Zealand government horticulture injury preventionNew Members Appointed to National Advisory Council on Employment of Women
1 month ago | 139 viewsFive members have been appointed to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) for a three-year term, with three current members reappointed and two new members joining. NACEW advises the Minister for Women on employment issues, economic empowerment, and initiatives like the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit. Minister Nicola Grigg expressed gratitude to outgoing members for their service and emphasized the council’s role in enhancing employment opportunities for women in New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Traci Houpapa Lyn McMorran Michelle Huang Theresa Gattung Minnie Baragwanath Bernadette Pereira Theresa RongonuiNew Zealand Expands Gender Pay Gap Toolkit to Include Ethnicity and Disability Gaps
1 month ago | 156 viewsNew Zealand’s expanded Gender Pay Gap Toolkit now includes tools for calculating gender-ethnicity and gender-disability pay gaps, along with resources tailored for small to medium-sized businesses and young women. Despite the overall gender pay gap falling to 5.2 percent, significant disparities persist for Asian, Māori, Pacific, and disabled women, highlighting ongoing challenges. Developed in partnership with businesses and community groups, the toolkit provides practical guidance to help organizations measure, analyze, and address overlapping pay gaps to create fairer workplaces.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Karanina Sumeo YWCA Auckland New Zealand Gender Pay Gap Ethnicity Pay Gap Disability Pay Gap SMEs Women Wāhine MāoriNurse Practitioners in New Zealand Gain Expanded Prescribing Powers for Faster Care
1 month ago | 178 viewsNew Zealand’s Medicines Amendment Bill now allows nurse practitioners to prescribe a wider range of medicines, improving patient access and continuity of care. This change removes previous restrictions, enabling nurse practitioners to provide timely treatment directly within their scope of practice, especially benefiting communities with limited doctor access. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this update recognizes nurse practitioners' advanced skills and enhances healthcare efficiency and outcomes.
Tags: Nurse practitioners New Zealand Medicines Amendment Bill Health Minister Simeon Brown prescribing rights healthcare access patient care advanced practice primary care health legislationRegulatory Standards Bill: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in New Zealand Law
1 month ago | 250 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour celebrates the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, emphasizing its importance in revealing the true costs of regulations to the public and reducing regulatory burdens through political pressure. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in legislation by establishing a Regulatory Standards Board to assess consistency with principles of responsible regulation. By promoting evidence-based policy and providing recourse for individuals affected by overreaching regulations, the bill ultimately seeks to improve New Zealand's productivity and empower citizens to hold decision-makers accountable.
Tags: Regulation Minister David Seymour Regulatory Standards Bill Kiwis’ rights Public Finance Act Reserve Bank Act Bill of Rights Act Regulatory Standards Board Regulatory Impact Statements Earthquake Prone Buildings lawNew Appointments to Charities Registration Board Strengthen Governance and Decision-Making
1 month ago | 245 viewsJulie Hardaker and Leighton Evans have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston, bringing legal, regulatory, and governance expertise to the Board. Jane Wrightson has been promoted to Chair of the Board, replacing outgoing chair Gwendoline Keel. The appointments aim to strengthen the Board's decision-making capacity and ensure effective operation in complex situations, with the Board overseeing decisions about the registration and deregistration of over 28,000 charities in New Zealand.
Tags: Julie Hardaker Leighton Evans Louise Upston Jane Wrightson Gwendoline Keel Roger Miller Charities Registration Board Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Rata Foundation Traffic CourtGeothermal Energy: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives from New Zealand
2 months ago | 243 viewsThe New Zealand Minister for Resources and Regional Development delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Indigenous Geothermal Symposium in Reno, Nevada, highlighting the cultural significance and future potential of geothermal energy. New Zealand, known for its geothermal electricity production, has a deep connection to geothermal resources rooted in Māori heritage. The country is investing in supercritical geothermal technology, aiming to lead in sustainable innovation and global energy transformation.
Tags: New Zealand Māori Geothermal Energy Resources Minister Indigenous Symposium Chris Wright Roland HorneNew Zealand's $1M Welfare Funding Boosts Seafarers Support at Ports
2 months ago | 331 viewsNew Zealand allocates nearly $1 million in welfare funding to support international seafarers at 12 ports, announced by Associate Transport Minister James Meager during the opening of the South Canterbury Seafarers Welfare Centre in Timaru. The grants aim to fulfill New Zealand’s obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention by providing services like communication facilities, welfare officer visits, transportation for crew activities, financial services, and information on seafarers’ rights. The industry's funding of seafarer welfare services through levies reflects a commitment to ensuring the well-being of seafarers, recognizing their importance in enhancing productivity, safety, and environmental protection in the maritime sector.
Tags: New Zealand international seafarers welfare funding Associate Transport Minister James Meager Maritime NZ grants South Canterbury Seafarers Welfare Centre Maritime Labour Convention seafarers' rights seafarer welfare centre operations industry levies