Articles tagged with Safety
Drive Safe This Summer: NZ Government and Police Boost Road Safety Measures
3 days ago | 99 viewsThe New Zealand Government urges all drivers to prioritize road safety this summer, with Police actively enforcing laws against speeding, impaired driving, and seatbelt non-compliance. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlights the introduction of roadside drug testing and investments in major transport projects to improve holiday travel conditions and reduce accidents. Additionally, travelers are encouraged to plan their trips using updated traffic prediction tools and to drive responsibly during the official Christmas–New Year holiday period.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Police road safety Transport Minister NZTA Ōtaki Takitimu North Link Hawke’s Bay Expressway Roads of National Significance$848K Government Grants Boost Maritime Safety for Kiwi Boaties This Summer
3 days ago | 105 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $848,000 in grants to support community-led safety programs and compliance checks aimed at reducing harm in high-risk recreational maritime environments this summer. Funding includes $773,000 for 30 education initiatives targeting small craft users and vulnerable groups, and $75,000 for 11 regional authorities to conduct on-water compliance checks nationwide. With an average of 37 drowning deaths each summer, officials emphasize the importance of wearing lifejackets and promoting water safety to prevent these tragedies.
Tags: James Meager Cameron Brewer Maritime NZ Watersafe Auckland Inc Queenstown Lakes District Council Associate Transport Minister National MP New Zealand boating safety drowning preventionRoad Cone Hotline Pilot Ends Early, Paving Way for Risk-Based Traffic Management
1 week ago | 95 viewsThe road cone digital hotline pilot concluded early after six months of collecting data and building relationships with road authorities, revealing that excessive cone use was often due to councils not applying NZTA’s latest risk-based temporary traffic management guidelines. The pilot met its goals by giving the public a voice, identifying root causes, and clarifying WorkSafe’s enforcement role, while prompting councils to comply fully with new guidelines by July 2027. WorkSafe will continue integrating this approach into its inspections and use lessons from the pilot to improve public and business feedback responses.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZTA WorkSafe Workplace Relations and Safety Minister road cone hotline temporary traffic management councils pilot project traffic management guidelinesNew Zealand Updates Hydrogen Safety Rules to Boost Innovation and Growth
1 week ago | 91 viewsThe New Zealand Government is updating health and safety regulations to better support the growth and innovation of the hydrogen sector, addressing outdated rules that hinder development. These changes include specific requirements for hydrogen infrastructure, easier approval processes, and adoption of international standards, aiming to balance safety with reduced compliance costs. By implementing these reforms, the government seeks to accelerate hydrogen adoption, drive economic growth, create jobs, and advance sustainable energy goals under the Hydrogen Action Plan.
Tags: Simon Watts Brooke van Velden New Zealand Government Hydrogen Energy Minister Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Hydrogen Action Plan Health and Safety Regulations Sustainable EnergyNew Zealand Minimum Wage to Rise 2% to $23.95 from April 2026
1 week ago | 136 viewsThe adult minimum wage in New Zealand will increase by 2% to $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026, benefiting around 122,500 workers while balancing cost-of-living pressures and business costs. The government aims to moderate wage increases to address wage compression and support youth employment, with starting-out and training wages set at 80% of the adult rate. This change reflects the NZ First-National coalition’s commitment to responsible economic management, boosting incomes, and fostering job opportunities.
Tags: Brooke van Velden NZ First National coalition New Zealand minimum wage Workplace Relations and Safety youth unemployment wage compression Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment inflationGovernment Welcomes Select Committee Report on Employment Relations Amendment Bill
2 weeks ago | 104 viewsThe Government welcomes the Select Committee report on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which supports key reforms to enhance labour market flexibility and reduce compliance costs while maintaining core objectives. The Committee recommends clarifications to the gateway test for contractors, including platform-based arrangements, and supports Cabinet decisions to expand income definitions for unjustified dismissal claims and raise the income threshold from $180,000 to $200,000. Minister Brooke van Velden looks forward to progressing the Bill in early 2026, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to helping businesses grow and innovate confidently.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Employment Relations Amendment Bill Education and Workforce Committee Cabinet Government Labour Market Flexibility Select Committee Workplace Relations and Safety Contractors Income ThresholdNew Food Safety Rules Help Small-Scale Meat Processors Save Costs and Boost Local Food
2 weeks ago | 115 viewsNew rule changes reduce sampling and testing requirements for small-scale meat processors, lowering costs while maintaining high food safety standards. These adjustments, developed after consultation with micro operators, aim to ease barriers for small businesses and support local food supplies without compromising safety. The government is committed to balancing oversight with practicality to foster innovation and help primary industries succeed.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister micro abattoirs food safety rule changes sampling requirements small businesses primary industries complianceNew Zealand Expands Next Gen Critical Communications to Boost Emergency Response
3 weeks ago | 146 viewsThe New Zealand Government is enhancing emergency responder capabilities by creating a new entity and expanding the mandate of Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) to extend Public Safety Network (PSN) services beyond frontline responders to a broader range of emergency management and public safety organizations. NGCC, responsible for delivering the $1.4 billion PSN infrastructure, aims to modernize critical communications with improved coverage, reliability, and real-time information sharing to better prepare for disasters. The new company, overseen by the Ministers for Emergency Management and Finance, will offer user-pays cellular services to eligible organizations starting mid-2026.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Next Generation Critical Communications NGCC Public Safety Network Emergency Management New Zealand Police Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hato Hone St John Wellington Free AmbulanceNew ECE Licensing Criteria Reform to Boost Quality, Cut Costs from 2026
3 weeks ago | 166 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour announced the completion of reforms to Early Childhood Education (ECE) licensing criteria, reducing and simplifying requirements by nearly 20% to lower compliance costs while maintaining child safety. The changes, based on sector feedback, aim to remove unnecessary red tape, improve clarity, and introduce a new Director of Regulation to oversee licensing, enforcement, and support with a collaborative approach. These reforms, effective April 2026, are designed to make it easier to open and operate high-quality ECE centers, increasing parental choice and access.
Tags: David Seymour Early Childhood Education ECE licensing criteria Ministry of Education ECE Sector Review Director of Regulation compliance costs child safety early learning services Government reformNZ Government Proposes Digital Food Labels to Boost New Supermarkets Entry
1 month ago | 176 viewsThe New Zealand Government is proposing a trial of digital food labelling for lower-risk imported goods to reduce costly re-labelling requirements for new supermarkets entering the market. This initiative aims to provide allergen, ingredient, and nutrition information via QR codes and digital platforms while ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Public consultation on the trial is open until December 19, 2025, with the goal of enhancing market entry flexibility and supporting trans-Tasman digital labelling efforts.
Tags: Nicola Willis Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Food Act digital labels supermarkets food labelling food safety economic growthTogether 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 courageWorkSafe New Zealand Implements Funding Reforms for Increased Accountability and Transparency in Health and Safety Management
1 month ago | 179 viewsWorkSafe New Zealand's funding management has been reformed to enhance accountability, transparency, and performance measurement, as confirmed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The change, influenced by the SageBush review and previous financial challenges, aims to improve resource allocation transparency and effectiveness without altering total funding. The funding will now be divided into five categories to prioritize functions aligned with Health and Safety System reforms, such as supporting best practices, enforcing compliance, authorizing activities, energy safety, and major hazard facilities oversight.
Tags: Health and Safety reforms WorkSafe New Zealand Workplace Relations Safety Minister Brooke van Velden financial management SageBush independent review resource allocation Health and Safety System reformsNew Zealand to Introduce Tougher Drug Testing for Drivers: Key Drugs and Procedures Revealed
1 month ago | 248 viewsNew Zealand is implementing tougher enforcement against drug-impaired drivers by introducing roadside drug testing for THC, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine using oral-fluid devices. The initiative aims to reduce the 30% of road deaths involving impairing drugs and improve road safety. Police will conduct quick roadside screening tests, followed by laboratory analysis for positive results, leading to driving prohibitions and infringement notices for non-compliance.
Tags: New Zealand Roads Government Transport Minister Chris Bishop Police Minister Mark Mitchell Road Safety Roadside Drug Testing THC MethamphetamineNew Zealand to Replace and Strengthen Arms Act for Improved Public Safety
1 month ago | 172 viewsCabinet has approved the repeal and replacement of the Arms Act 1983 with a new law aimed at enhancing public safety, streamlining compliance for licensed firearm owners, and cracking down on criminals. The new law will simplify regulations, increase penalties for offenses, address emerging technologies, and establish a more transparent firearms regulator. Changes include clarifying secure storage requirements, creating a new licensing review committee, and ensuring police access to essential information while enhancing trust in the licensing system. The proposed Arms Act overhaul aligns with the coalition commitment to prioritize public safety, simplify regulations, and undergo thorough public consultation during the six-month select committee process.
Tags: Arms Act New Zealanders Nicole McKee Firearms LFOs Gangs Public Safety Criminals Firearms Regulator Firearms LicenceModernizing New Zealand's Land Transport Rules: Public Consultation on Key Reforms Begins Today
1 month ago | 277 viewsThe New Zealand Government is starting public consultation on modernizing land transport rules to improve productivity and safety, focusing on reviewing vehicle inspection frequency, simplifying heavy vehicle permitting, and considering additional safety requirements for vehicles entering the fleet. The aim is to reduce unnecessary costs and time pressures on Kiwis while ensuring road safety, looking at international practices for guidance. The reforms also include simplifying heavy vehicle requirements and potentially mandating additional safety features in vehicles to bring land transport regulation up to date and boost the economy.
Tags: Government progress modernise land transport rules public consultation Transport Minister Chris Bishop safety vehicle inspection Associate Transport Minister James Meager safety requirements.