Articles tagged with Simpson
New Zealand Shortlists Five AI Concepts for $70M National Research Platform
1 week ago | 98 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
2 weeks ago | 96 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
2 weeks ago | 135 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 weeks ago | 162 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 weeks ago | 151 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 weeks ago | 173 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 weeks ago | 155 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
1 month ago | 151 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
1 month ago | 178 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
1 month ago | 204 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 systemNew Zealand Hikes Penalties for Misleading Advertising to Protect Consumers
1 month ago | 176 viewsThe Government plans to significantly increase penalties for breaches of the Fair Trading Act, raising maximum fines to the greater of $5 million, three times the commercial gain, or the transaction value, to better deter misleading advertising and unfair business practices. The reforms will shift most breaches from criminal to civil liability, allowing the Commerce Commission to act on a lower standard of proof, while serious offenses remain criminal, aiming to create a fairer marketplace and protect consumers. These changes follow rising complaints and aim to align New Zealand’s laws with international standards, with legislation expected to pass next year after public consultation.
Tags: Nicola Willis Scott Simpson Government Fair Trading Act Commerce Commission Consumer NZ Pak’nSave Woolworths misleading advertising penaltiesGovernment Accepts Banking Competition Recommendations for Increased Innovation and Consumer Benefits
1 month ago | 158 viewsThe Government has accepted or partially accepted all recommendations from the Finance and Expenditure Committee's inquiry into banking competition, focusing on business, rural banking, and lending to Māori entities. The findings highlighted concerns about high banking profitability, market concentration, barriers to entry, and regulatory settings, aligning with the Commerce Commission's report. Actions include allowing Kiwibank's parent company to raise capital, emphasizing banking competition in policies, encouraging standardization of financial information, disclosing account profitability, expanding regulatory sandbox trials, developing a licensing model for innovation, and coordinating monitoring through the Treasury.
Tags: Government Finance and Expenditure Committee Nicola Willis Commerce Commission Kiwibank Reserve Bank Scott Simpson Financial Markets Authority Treasury Māori.Minister Scott Simpson Strengthens Trans-Tasman Partnerships in Canberra and Sydney
1 month ago | 222 viewsMinister Scott Simpson is traveling to Canberra and Sydney to enhance New Zealand's partnerships with Australia, focusing on regulatory approaches, financial competition, and consumer protection. In Canberra, he will meet with Australian government officials to deepen cooperation and explore ways to promote fairer markets and economic growth. The Minister's agenda also includes engagements with the National Anti-Scam Centre, the Australian Banking Association, and Google to advance anti-scam initiatives and strengthen consumer protections in digital environments.
Tags: Scott Simpson Minister of Commerce Consumer Affairs Canberra Sydney New Zealand Australia Federal Government State Government ACCNew Zealand Government Eases Climate Reporting Burden for Businesses to Boost Market Growth
2 months ago | 287 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announces changes to support business growth and capital markets in New Zealand. The Government is adjusting climate reporting regulations to reduce costs and encourage listings on the NZX. Changes include raising the reporting threshold, adjusting liability settings, and excluding managed investment schemes. These adjustments aim to ensure robust reporting, maintain market competitiveness, and provide clearer information on investments for KiwiSaver and managed funds.
Tags: Government business growth capital markets climate reporting compliance costs Scott Simpson market capitalisation climate disclosures KiwiSaver investment Financial Markets Conduct Amendment BillJan Dawson Appointed as Chair of ACC Board by Minister Scott Simpson
2 months ago | 290 viewsJan Dawson has been appointed as the new Chair of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Board by Minister Scott Simpson due to her strong leadership and governance experience. Minister Simpson emphasizes the need for improved outcomes at ACC, highlighting the importance of prioritizing clients and delivering efficient rehabilitation services. Dawson's extensive background in governance and track record of driving results make her well-suited to lead the turnaround efforts at ACC, focusing on enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for injured New Zealanders.
Tags: Scott Simpson Jan Dawson ACC Board New Zealanders ACC scheme Port of Auckland Serko Mitre 10 KPMG New Zealand David Hunt