Articles tagged with Sam
NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters Strengthens Ties with Polynesian Leaders in Samoa
3 weeks ago | 229 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters met with Polynesian leaders in Samoa during the Independence Day commemorations to discuss regional challenges, including the impact of Middle East conflicts on fuel supply and cost. New Zealand reaffirmed its support for the Pacific Islands in addressing the fuel crisis in coordination with partners like Australia, the US, and international financial institutions. Additionally, Peters emphasized the importance of securing a sustainable future for the Moana Pasifika rugby team, committing to urgent engagement with stakeholders to ensure its continued participation in Super Rugby.
Tags: Winston Peters La’aulialemalietoa Lord Fakafanua Faipule Alapati Tavite Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi Samoa Tonga Tokelau Moana Pasifika New ZealandNew Zealand's Winston Peters to Attend Samoa's 64th Independence Celebrations
3 weeks ago | 276 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will visit Samoa from May 31 to June 2 to participate in the 64th Independence Day celebrations and meet with key regional leaders. During his visit, he will attend official events and discuss important issues such as the fuel crisis, New Zealand’s aid program, and regional security with the Samoan Prime Minister, as well as leaders from Tonga and Tokelau. This visit underscores New Zealand’s strong friendship and commitment to the Pacific region.
Tags: Winston Peters Samoa La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt Lord Fakafanua Faipule Alapati Tavite New Zealand Tonga Tokelau Foreign Minister Prime MinisterCustoms Minister Casey Costello Visits Samoa and Fiji for Pacific Crime Summit
1 month ago | 285 viewsCustoms and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello is visiting Samoa and Fiji to fulfill her responsibilities and attend the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit Minister’s meeting. The summit, jointly hosted by Fiji and Australia, gathers over 15 Pacific Police Ministers to enhance regional cooperation against transnational crime. During her visit, Ms. Costello is meeting with Samoan officials and conducting operational visits to key security facilities in Samoa.
Tags: Casey Costello Masinalupe Leatuavao Makesi Pisi Samoa Fiji Pacific Transnational Crime Summit Customs Associate Police Minister Pacific Police Ministers New Zealand Apia PortGovernment Invests $60K for 51st Polyfest Celebrating Pacific Culture and Youth
3 months ago | 576 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $60,000 to support the 51st Polyfest in 2026, celebrating Pacific culture, youth leadership, and community strength. Alongside cultural support, the Government is improving Pacific peoples' quality of life through initiatives in safety, education, health, housing, and employment. Polyfest 2026 will feature diverse Pacific stages and promote environmental stewardship under the theme of Pacific youth as eco-warriors.
Tags: Polyfest Dr Shane Reti Pacific Peoples Minister Ministry for Pacific Peoples Toloa STEM scholarships Alo Vaka Cook Islands Niue Samoa TongaNew Food Safety Rules Help Small-Scale Meat Processors Save Costs and Boost Local Food
6 months ago | 661 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 complianceHealth Minister Announces New Primary Care Advisory Group Appointments
7 months ago | 625 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has announced the new Primary Care Advisory Group, with Dr Bryan Betty as Chair and Dr Samantha Murton as Deputy Chair. Other appointed members include Penny Clark, Dr Jo Scott-Jones, Dr Steven Young, Dr Kate Baddock, Dr Stephanie Taylor, and Darryl Jhinku. The group aims to provide expert guidance to strengthen primary care, improve health outcomes, and expand its focus beyond general practice into other community healthcare settings, with terms of office starting on 3 November 2025.
Tags: Simeon Brown Bryan Betty Samantha Murton Penny Clark Steven Young Kate Baddock Stephanie Taylor Darryl Jhinku New ZealandNew Zealand Government Supports Samoa with $10M Payment for HMNZS Manawanui Incident
8 months ago | 804 viewsThe New Zealand Government has paid the Government of Samoa 10 million Samoan Tala (approximately NZD 6 million) as a response to the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui last year. All 75 passengers and crew survived the incident that occurred off the Safata District coastline in Samoa. Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that New Zealand is working with Samoa to minimize environmental impacts and support the response, following a comprehensive Court of Inquiry into the incident.
Tags: New Zealand Government Samoa Samoan Tala HMNZS Manawanui Winston Peters Safata District Upolu Foreign Minister Court of Inquiry NZDFNew Zealand Supports Samoa in Dengue Outbreak: Providing Medical Assistance and Supplies
10 months ago | 1219 viewsNew Zealand is supporting Samoa in addressing a severe dengue outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of five children, demonstrating the special relationship between the two countries. New Zealand plans to send a clinical team to Apia, provide medical supplies worth $300,000, and offer additional assistance as needed. Travellers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and refer to the SafeTravel website for Dengue Fever prevention advice.
Tags: New Zealand Samoa dengue outbreak children Mr Peters clinical assistance medical supplies public health officials travellers Dengue Fever prevention.Student Volunteer Army Receives $50,000 Grant for Youth-Led Response to Nelson Tasman Weather Crisis
11 months ago | 1546 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 workTransforming New Zealand's Planning System for Economic Growth: A Ministerial Address
11 months ago | 2195 viewsThe speaker acknowledges the challenges faced by local government in New Zealand, particularly concerning restrictive planning rules, infrastructure funding, and coordination issues with central government. The focus is on the need for reform in the housing market and resource management, with a three-pillar approach to housing growth and significant changes planned for the replacement of the Resource Management Act. The government aims to simplify planning processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of saying 'yes' to enable economic growth and development while safeguarding the environment.
Tags: Christchurch Sam Susan Simon Watts Local Government Housing Transport Infrastructure RMA Reform New ZealandersSelwyn District Leads the Way in Water Services Reform with Launch of Selwyn Water
11 months ago | 1527 viewsSelwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The launch of Selwyn District’s water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,” Mr Watts says. “Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.
Tags: Selwyn District Simon Watts Local Government Minister Paul James Selwyn Water Water Services Delivery Plan Commerce Commission Department of Internal Affairs Sam Broughton Local Water Done Well