Articles tagged with Services
New Zealand Government Advances Disability Inclusion with New Strategy and Funding
8 hours ago | 48 viewsMinister Louise Upston reaffirmed the New Zealand Government’s commitment to improving the lives of disabled people, endorsing the 2025 international theme of fostering inclusive societies. The government recently launched the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030, focusing on education, employment, health, housing, and justice to address ongoing disadvantages faced by disabled individuals. Key initiatives include significant investments in learning support, enhanced Disability Support Services, increased funding for residential care, and the development of a new Carers’ Strategy Action Plan.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Government International Day of Persons with Disabilities New Zealand Disability Strategy Disability Support Services Early Intervention Service Carers’ Strategy Action Plan residential care providers disabled people disability communityLieutenant General Rhys Jones Appointed Chair of National War Memorial Advisory Council
1 day ago | 34 viewsLieutenant General Rhys Jones has been appointed chair of the National War Memorial Advisory Council, bringing extensive military and governance experience from his 35-year Defence Force career and leadership roles in various organizations. He succeeds Fiona Cassidy and will serve until November 30, 2028. Additionally, Staff Sergeant Tina Grant and Colonel (Retired) Roger Howard have been reappointed as Council members with terms ending in 2028 and 2026, respectively.
Tags: Rhys Jones Paul Goldsmith Fiona Cassidy Tina Grant Roger Howard New Zealand Defence Force National War Memorial Advisory Council Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association Great War Exhibition Australasian Fire Authorities CouncilPharmac Proposes Funding Seven Key Medicines to Improve Rural Emergency Care in NZ
2 days ago | 65 viewsAssociate Health Ministers David Seymour and Matt Doocey support Pharmac’s proposal to fund seven emergency medicines for rural care, aiming to improve timely access for rural GPs, nurses, and midwives by March 2026. The proposal includes medicines for PRIME services and home births, addressing delays in ambulance and hospital access in rural New Zealand, and is part of broader efforts to ensure equitable healthcare regardless of location. Public consultation on the proposal will run from December 1 to 19, with the goal of enhancing emergency and everyday care in rural communities while reducing hospital pressure.
Tags: David Seymour Matt Doocey Pharmac Health NZ ACC rural health emergency care PRIME services intravenous tranexamic acid rural GPsNew ECE Licensing Criteria Reform to Boost Quality, Cut Costs from 2026
5 days ago | 82 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 reform$50M Social Investment Fund Supports 1,600+ Children of Incarcerated Parents
1 week ago | 66 viewsThe Social Investment Fund has allocated $50 million in its first round to seven projects supporting over 1,600 children affected by parental incarceration, care system experience, or early school suspension. These initiatives, selected for their measurable impact, aim to improve health, safety, housing stability, skills, income, and family support, with ongoing monitoring of outcomes. The government has committed $190 million for the fund in Budget 2025, with another funding round planned for early next year.
Tags: Nicola Willis Te Hou Ora Whānau Services Tākiri Mai te Ata Trust Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Barnardos New Zealand Horowhenua New Zealand Trust Kaikaranga Holding Social Investment Fund Social Investment MinisterNew Zealand Unifies Weather Services to Enhance Forecasting and Climate Safety
1 week ago | 100 viewsLegislation has passed its first reading to enable Earth Sciences New Zealand to acquire MetService, uniting the country’s key meteorological agencies to improve climate understanding and natural hazard response. The bill removes MetService from the State-Owned Enterprises Act, mandates data access policies, and exempts the acquisition from certain commerce regulations to prioritize public benefits over competition concerns. This integration aims to provide clearer climate insights, more accurate forecasts, faster warnings, and enhanced scientific collaboration while maintaining MetService’s trusted brand and authoritative public safety role.
Tags: Shane Reti Simeon Brown Earth Sciences New Zealand MetService Meteorological Services Legislation Amendment Bill New Zealand weather forecasting climate expertise Commerce ActNew Zealand Unites Weather Agencies for Better Forecasting and Climate Insights
1 week ago | 109 viewsLegislation has passed its first reading to enable Earth Sciences New Zealand to acquire MetService, uniting the country’s key meteorological agencies to improve climate understanding and response to natural hazards. The bill removes MetService from the State-Owned Enterprises Act, mandates data access policies, and exempts the acquisition from certain competition laws to prioritize public benefits. This integration aims to provide clearer climate insights, more accurate forecasts, faster warnings, and enhanced collaboration using expanded infrastructure and technology.
Tags: Shane Reti Simeon Brown Earth Sciences New Zealand MetService Meteorological Services Legislation New Zealand weather forecasting climate expertise Commerce ActTogether Against Family Violence: How Communities Can Support Healing and Safety
2 weeks ago | 93 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 courageNew Zealand Launches Secure Digital Credential Platform for Government Agencies
2 weeks ago | 131 viewsNew Zealand company MATTR will develop a shared digital credential platform managed by the Department of Internal Affairs to enable government agencies to issue secure digital identities through a Government App. This initiative aims to simplify identity verification, reduce paperwork, enhance privacy and security, and improve convenience for users, with agencies like MBIE trialing the system for business credentials. By standardizing digital identity services across agencies, the government expects cost savings, greater efficiency, and a more consistent experience for citizens.
Tags: Judith Collins MATTR Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government App digital credentials digital identity services New Zealand Business Number public sectorWhangārei Hospital Redevelopment: New Car Park Expansion On Track for Increased Capacity by May 2026
2 weeks ago | 118 viewsA major on-grade car parking extension has been initiated at Whangārei Hospital to support the construction of a new acute services building, marking a significant milestone in the hospital's redevelopment. The new Car Park 14 will provide 583 additional parking spaces by May 2026, ensuring continued access to hospital services during construction. The project, supported by Health Minister Simeon Brown and Whangārei MP Dr. Shane Reti, aims to enhance hospital infrastructure and increase parking capacity to improve the overall healthcare experience for the community.
Tags: Whangārei Hospital Simeon Brown Health Minister Car Park 14 Shane Reti hospital infrastructure acute services building child health centre parking capacity Northlanders.Boosting School Attendance: Insights from Education Minister David Seymour
2 weeks ago | 139 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour expressed disappointment over a drop in attendance rates in the last week of Term 3, attributing it to strike action disrupting learning. The decline in attendance was significant, with almost 20,000 students leaving early, prompting the need for schools to have an attendance management plan in place. Interventions outlined in the plan include escalating responses for declining attendance, with a focus on improving data monitoring and case management to ensure all students have the opportunity for positive educational outcomes.
Tags: David Seymour Education Minister Attendance Term 3 Strike action AMP Education and Training Amendment Bill Daily attendance reporting Frontline attendance servicesNew Education Bill Mandates Attendance Plans for Schools in 2023
3 weeks ago | 160 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is pleased with the passing of the Education Training Amendment Bill (No 2) at third reading, which mandates attendance management plans starting from Term 1 next year. The new STAR system, meaning Stepped Attendance Response, will provide escalating responses for declining attendance, with schools developing their own systems based on a standard framework. The government's focus on improving school attendance is showing positive results, with rising attendance rates and additional funding allocated to enhance attendance services and support students in returning to school.
Tags: David Seymour Education Minister Attendance Management STAR system Education Training Amendment Bill School Attendance Education Review Office Frontline Attendance Services Budget 2025 Educational OutcomesRevolutionizing Diagnostic Imaging at Hawke’s Bay Hospital
3 weeks ago | 127 viewsStage 1 of the radiology upgrade at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital will provide over 10,000 additional MRI and CT scans annually, improving diagnostic speed. The refurbishment doubles MRI and CT imaging capacity, ensuring quicker and more reliable services for patients. The upgrades support government health targets, including reducing wait times, enhancing emergency care, and increasing diagnostic efficiency to meet growing demand in Hawke’s Bay.
Tags: Hawke’s Bay MRI CT scans Health Minister Simeon Brown radiology upgrade MRI imaging CT scanner diagnostic services endoscopy room diagnostic capacityStratford Community Benefits from Advanced Digital X-Ray System in Health Centre
3 weeks ago | 122 viewsA new digital X-ray system has been installed at the Stratford Health Centre in Taranaki, improving access to diagnostic services for the community and eliminating the need for patients to travel to Taranaki Base Hospital. The system offers faster image processing, greater accuracy, and advanced automatic positioning technology, enhancing the quality and efficiency of radiology services for patients in Stratford. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative to strengthen local health services in Taranaki, with further expansion of radiology capabilities planned for the New East Wing Building at Taranaki Base Hospital in 2026.
Tags: Stratford Taranaki Simeon Brown radiology imaging services Health Minister diagnostic services New East Wing Building healthcareGovernment Boosts Support for High Needs Youth & Families with New Services
4 weeks ago | 170 viewsIncreased funding under the government has enabled Oranga Tamariki to provide more services to high support needs young people and their families, with an additional 59 placements across 11 community care providers. These services encompass everyday support, access to education, community inclusion, extracurricular activities, and family contact, benefiting the youth immensely. The funding of $99.784 million over four years has allowed for trauma-informed care, specialist disability support, and tools like visual timetables to help these individuals manage and avoid triggers, demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing the needs of these young people and their families.
Tags: services funding government young people families Minister for Children Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki support needs disability community care providers