Articles tagged with Simpson
Attorney-General Announces High Court Judicial Appointments for 2026
1 week ago | 174 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointments of Natalie Walker as a High Court Judge in Auckland and Christopher Gambrill as a High Court Associate Judge in Christchurch. Justice Walker has extensive experience in Crown prosecution and legal practice in New Zealand, while Associate Judge Gambrill brings a background in commercial litigation and international legal consultancy. Their appointments will take effect in March and May 2026, respectively.
Tags: Judith Collins Natalie Walker Christopher Gambrill John Haigh Kayes Fletcher Walker Victoria University of Wellington Chapman Tripp Meredith Connell Simpson Grierson Everys Legal ConsultancyGovernment Removes Barriers for Rural Workers to Use KiwiSaver for First Homes and Farms
3 weeks ago | 251 viewsThe Government is amending the KiwiSaver Act to allow rural workers in service tenancies, such as farm workers and rural teachers, to use their KiwiSaver funds for first home purchases without needing to live in the property. Additionally, the changes will enable first-time farm buyers to use KiwiSaver balances to buy farms through commercial entities they majority own, reflecting modern farm ownership practices. These reforms aim to remove barriers for rural communities while maintaining KiwiSaver’s core purpose, with legislation expected to be introduced mid-year.
Tags: Nicola Willis Scott Simpson Suze Redmayne KiwiSaver first home purchase farm workers rural workers KiwiSaver Act New Zealand government Rangitīkei MPACC Achieves Best Rehabilitation Results in a Decade, Helping Kiwis Return to Work Faster
3 weeks ago | 212 viewsNew Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has achieved its strongest rehabilitation performance in over a decade, reducing the growth rate of long-term claims and helping injured New Zealanders return to work and independence faster. This improvement follows a government-mandated Turnaround Plan focused on client-centered care, lasting recovery, and organizational reset, reversing previous increases in long-term claim growth under the Labour government. While progress is evident in the latest public report, the government acknowledges more work is needed to ensure consistent support for claimants and build a better future.
Tags: New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation ACC Scott Simpson rehabilitation Turnaround Plan return to work Letter of Expectations injury supportNew Trans-Tasman Standards Agreement Boosts NZ Businesses and Innovation
1 month ago | 266 viewsStandards New Zealand and Standards Australia have signed a new agreement to align trans-Tasman standards, enhancing product quality, safety, and reducing costs for businesses and consumers. The agreement supports innovation and economic growth by adopting international standards in areas like AI, data management, and cybersecurity, while removing fees and red tape to boost competitiveness and digital trade. This collaboration, endorsed by both governments and industry stakeholders, strengthens New Zealand’s role in joint standards development and fosters a modern, efficient regulatory environment.
Tags: Scott Simpson Luxon Anthony Albanese Standards New Zealand Standards Australia Commerce and Consumer Affairs artificial intelligence cybersecurity digital tradeOpen Electricity: Helping New Zealanders Find the Best Power Plans and Save Money
2 months ago | 502 viewsThe New Zealand Government is launching Open Electricity to help households and small businesses easily compare and choose the best power plans, enhancing competition and transparency in the electricity market. This initiative, following Open Banking regulations, will provide secure access to individual electricity consumption data, enabling consumers to optimize energy use, save money, and make informed decisions about energy-related investments. Changes will begin in September 2024 and be completed by mid-2027, benefiting around two million households and 165,000 small businesses with improved choice, innovation, and cost savings.
Tags: Open Electricity New Zealand Simon Watts Scott Simpson electricity market power plans energy savings Customer and Product Data Act Open Banking electricity consumptionNew Zealand Shortlists Five AI Concepts for $70M National Research Platform
3 months ago | 542 viewsNew Zealand has shortlisted five leading AI concepts to develop a national AI research platform backed by up to $70 million over seven years, aiming to accelerate innovation, strengthen partnerships, and boost high-tech economic growth. The concepts span diverse sectors including healthcare, robotics, creative industries, and primary industries, with each receiving initial funding to develop detailed proposals for final selection in 2026. Additionally, the newly appointed Institute for Advanced Technology Board will guide advanced technology research, supporting long-term economic growth through science reforms and innovation.
Tags: Shane Reti Steve O’Connor Cather Simpson Greg O’Grady Arama Kukutai University of Auckland Wētā FX Victoria University of Wellington University of Waikato University of CanterburyACC Minister Thanks Outgoing CEO Megan Main for Dedicated Service
3 months ago | 378 viewsMinister Scott Simpson thanked outgoing ACC Chief Executive Megan Main for her leadership since 2021, highlighting her extensive public service experience and focus on improving client outcomes. Megan Main chose not to renew her contract after four years, during which she worked to strengthen service delivery amid significant organizational changes. The ACC Board will soon begin recruiting a new Chief Executive to continue restoring the Scheme’s commitment to fast and efficient rehabilitation for injured New Zealanders.
Tags: Scott Simpson Megan Main Accident Compensation Corporation New Zealand Chief Executive Managed Isolation and Quarantine Covid ACC Board public service rehabilitationNew Two-Lane SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge Approved to Ease Coromandel Traffic
3 months ago | 522 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced the contract for the design, consenting, and construction of a new two-lane Pepe Stream Bridge on State Highway 25, replacing the current over-80-year-old single-lane bridge that causes severe congestion. The $22 million project, led by Fulton Hogan with support from WSP, includes pedestrian paths and is expected to begin construction in late 2026, opening by December 2027, with traffic management continuing during the interim. Coromandel MP Scott Simpson emphasized the bridge’s importance for community safety, smoother holiday travel, and boosting the local economy.
Tags: Chris Bishop Scott Simpson Pepe Stream Bridge SH25 New Zealand Transport Agency Fulton Hogan WSP Tairua Coromandel NZTAOpen Banking Launches in New Zealand: Faster Loans, Easier Budgeting & Secure Data Sharing
3 months ago | 465 viewsOpen banking officially launched in New Zealand on 1 December 2025, enabling faster loan approvals, easier bill management, and personalized budgeting through secure, regulated sharing of financial data with customer consent. The new system, regulated under the Customer and Product Data Act 2025, requires major banks to implement open banking capabilities and mandates accreditation for third-party data requestors to ensure security and trust. This initiative aims to boost innovation and competition in the banking sector, benefiting consumers, small businesses, and fintech companies by providing enhanced financial tools and services.
Tags: Scott Simpson Open Banking New Zealand MBIE Customer and Product Data Act 2025 ANZ ASB BNZ Westpac KiwibankAuckland City Rail Link to Transform Public Transport with 2026 Opening
3 months ago | 709 viewsThe upgraded Auckland public transport network centered around the City Rail Link (CRL) is set to open to passengers in the second half of 2026, with construction nearing completion and extensive safety testing underway. This major infrastructure project, the largest in New Zealand’s history, aims to transform urban mobility by reducing travel times, increasing train frequency, and revitalizing the city center. Key organizations including City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport, and KiwiRail are collaborating closely to finalize construction, prepare staff, upgrade the rail network, and ensure a seamless transition for passengers.
Tags: City Rail Link Chris Bishop Simeon Brown Wayne Brown Desley Simpson Auckland Transport KiwiRail Rail Network Rebuild Henderson Station Auckland MayorNew Zealand and Australia Boost PACER Plus with $10M Support for Pacific Trade Growth
3 months ago | 410 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 regionNew Zealand Government Advances Infrastructure Funding Reforms to Boost Housing Growth
4 months ago | 410 viewsThe New Zealand Government is advancing reforms to improve infrastructure funding and financing to support housing and urban growth, focusing on land supply, infrastructure, and growth incentives through its Going for Housing Growth programme. Key initiatives include introducing the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Amendment Bill, replacing development contributions with a new development levies system, and proposing the Commerce Commission as the regulator for development levies to ensure fairness and transparency. Public consultation on these reforms runs until February 2026, aiming to create a flexible, consistent system that enables faster housing development and better infrastructure delivery.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Scott Simpson Housing Minister Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Infrastructure Funding and Financing Development Levies Commerce Commission New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Minister Scott Simpson to Attend 2025 PACER Plus Meeting in Solomon Islands
4 months ago | 388 viewsMinister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson is traveling to the Solomon Islands to attend the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, emphasizing the agreement's role in strengthening economic growth and trade in the Pacific. Since PACER Plus began, New Zealand's trade with member countries has increased by 47 percent, highlighting the success of this partnership. During his visit, Simpson will also engage with the Solomon Islands–New Zealand Business Community and regional counterparts before returning to New Zealand on 28 November.
Tags: Scott Simpson PACER Plus Solomon Islands New Zealand Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Commerce Consumer Affairs Pacific Islands Australia TradeHow New Zealand Saved $2.3B with a Smart, No-Nonsense Ferry Solution
4 months ago | 436 viewsThe speech highlights the shift from the failed, wasteful iReX ferry project to a fiscally disciplined, pragmatic approach that saves taxpayers $2.3 billion by focusing on essential infrastructure upgrades and acquiring two new ferries within a $1.7 billion budget. The new plan maintains support for rail, keeps costs low to benefit consumers, and involves collaboration with experienced industry partners, including a reputable Chinese shipbuilder, ensuring timely and efficient delivery by 2029. Emphasizing commonsense and practical expertise over costly overreach, the project is already underway with strong leadership and community support, promising a sustainable future for New Zealand’s Interislander ferry services.
Tags: Lachie Nadine Taylor Andrew Little Daran Ponter Chris Mackenzie Heather Simpson Greg Lowe Katherine Rich Iain McLeod Guangzhou Shipyard InternationalNew Zealand Introduces Safe Harbour Laws to Combat Online Scams Faster
4 months ago | 456 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing safe harbour legal protections to enable banks, telecommunications providers, and digital platforms to act swiftly and confidently in blocking suspected online scams without fear of prosecution. These protections require reasonable grounds for suspicion, proportional action, and correction of any unintended disruption, supporting a prevention-first approach against scams that caused $265 million in losses last year. Complementing this, the New Zealand Anti Scam Alliance is developing a trusted flagger system and new fraud intelligence tools to identify and freeze suspicious accounts, enhancing cross-sector collaboration to combat evolving scam threats.
Tags: Scott Simpson New Zealand Anti Scam Alliance Payments NZ New Zealand Banking Association Commerce and Consumer Affairs safe harbour fraud intelligence tool mule accounts online scams trusted flagger system