Articles tagged with Taranaki
Andy Knight Named Chair of Expert Panel for $200M Gas Security Fund
4 days ago | 77 viewsAndy Knight has been appointed chair of the expert panel advising the New Zealand Government on applications to the $200 million Gas Security Fund, which aims to enhance domestic gas supply and storage amid declining production. The panel also includes geophysicist Tim Allan and energy sector professional John Pagani, with two more members to be appointed, and will provide independent, expert advice to decision-making ministers Shane Jones and Chris Bishop. The fund, administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, supports projects with short- to long-term benefits to secure affordable and reliable gas for New Zealand’s economy.
Tags: Andy Knight Shane Jones Tim Allan John Pagani Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand Oil & Gas Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority Taranaki Iwi Holdings OMVNew Zealand to Build LNG Import Facility Boosting Energy Security and Economy
1 week ago | 161 viewsThe New Zealand Government will build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility to enhance energy security, stabilize electricity prices, and support economic growth amid declining domestic gas supply and increasing reliance on coal and diesel. This facility, expected to be operational by 2027 or 2028 in Taranaki, will provide a reliable backup fuel source, potentially saving households $50 annually and protecting around 2,000 jobs by reducing price spikes and supply risks. The project aims to foster competition, enable resource development, and support gas-dependent industries while minimizing exposure to international gas prices through strategic import management.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand LNG import facility Energy Minister Sense Partners Taranaki Government energy security renewable electricity gas supplySouth Taranaki Green Hydrogen Facility Begins Construction with $19.9M Funding
2 weeks ago | 169 viewsConstruction has begun on a sustainable green hydrogen facility in South Taranaki, supported by a $19.9 million government investment and additional co-funding, with a total project cost of up to $112.3 million. The facility will supply renewable electricity to Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Kapuni site and produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport, creating around 50 construction jobs and seven permanent roles. This project, a partnership between multiple organizations, aims to boost the regional economy by integrating wind energy, renewable electricity, and zero-carbon hydrogen fuel production at scale.
Tags: Shane Jones Hiringa Energy Parininihi ki Waitōtara Todd Regional Development Minister Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Provincial Growth Fund South Taranaki New ZealandWorld Cancer Day: Advancing Faster, Fairer Cancer Care Across New Zealand
2 weeks ago | 159 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize advancements in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered decisions and improved access to modern treatments. Over the past two years, the government has implemented initiatives such as funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, lowering bowel screening age, and investing in infrastructure and workforce to enhance early detection and treatment. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, bring care closer to home, and ensure equitable, high-quality cancer care nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown World Cancer Day New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre Pharmac breast screening bowel screening Faster Cancer Treatment Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Cancer Action PlanWorld Cancer Day: Advancing Faster, Fairer Cancer Care Across New Zealand
2 weeks ago | 144 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize progress in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered improvements such as earlier detection, faster treatment access, and modern therapies. Key initiatives include funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, establishing faster treatment targets, investing in infrastructure and workforce, and developing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, enhance treatment accessibility, and provide equitable, high-quality care nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown World Cancer Day New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre Pharmac breast screening bowel screening Faster Cancer Treatment Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Cancer Action Plan$450K Boost for Waikato Tourism: New International Autumn Travel Campaign
1 month ago | 304 viewsTourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced over $450,000 funding for the One Flight campaign to boost international tourism in the Waikato region during autumn, targeting visitors from Australia via direct flights to Hamilton Airport. The campaign, led by Hamilton & Waikato Tourism in collaboration with regional partners, offers new seasonal travel deals and themed itineraries highlighting attractions like the Waikato River Trails, Hobbiton Movie Set, and Waitomo glowworm caves. This initiative is part of a larger $3.69 million Regional Tourism Boost aiming to support local businesses, create jobs, and attract visitors to central North Island destinations in autumn and early winter 2026.
Tags: Louise Upston Waikato Hamilton Airport Hobbiton Movie Set Waitomo Len Lye Centre Hamilton & Waikato Tourism Destination Great Lake Taupō Visit Ruapehu Venture TaranakiGovernment Boosts Funding for New Plymouth Crisis Recovery Café
2 months ago | 313 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced increased government funding for New Plymouth's local crisis recovery café, run by Taranaki Retreat, to provide a calm, peer-led alternative to emergency departments for those in mental distress. This investment is part of a broader mental health plan that includes expanding peer support roles and establishing new crisis recovery cafés nationwide by June 2026. The initiative aims to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response through community-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Taranaki Retreat New Plymouth New Zealand Minister for Mental Health peer support workers crisis recovery café emergency departments mental health GovernmentFast-Track Approval Granted for Major Riverhead Housing and Retirement Project
2 months ago | 338 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has approved a Fast-track residential and retirement development in Riverhead, Auckland, by Rangitoopuni Developments Limited, which includes 208 residential allotments, a 296-unit retirement village, public amenities, and wetland protection. The project is expected to inject $708 million into Auckland’s economy and create over 7,000 jobs during its nine-year development. This marks the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track system, which has now seen 24 projects referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to address housing and infrastructure needs.
Tags: Chris Bishop Rangitoopuni Developments Limited Rangitoopuni Auckland Infrastructure Minister Drury Metropolitan Centre Sunfield Masterplanned Community Taranaki VTM Project Waitākere District CourtStratford Community Benefits from Advanced Digital X-Ray System in Health Centre
3 months ago | 392 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 healthcareTaranaki Cancer Centre: World-Class Care Closer to Home
3 months ago | 441 viewsThe Taranaki Cancer Centre, recently opened, provides world-class cancer care close to home for patients in the region, featuring a Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy. This technology allows for precise treatment targeting, improving outcomes and patient comfort. The facility also offers increased access to chemotherapy, enhancing medication availability and treatment scheduling, in addition to various amenities to support patients and families throughout their care journey.
Tags: Taranaki Cancer Centre Health Minister Simeon Brown Linear Accelerator radiation therapy chemotherapy cancer care modern facility healthcare infrastructure New ZealandersMidland Region Health Targets Hit Milestone: Faster Treatment & Shorter Waits in Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Waikato,
4 months ago | 398 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown notes improved healthcare performance in the Midland region, with focus on prioritizing patient care and achieving timely, quality services. Key improvements in the region include faster cancer treatment, increased childhood immunizations, and shorter stays in emergency departments. Despite progress, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, supported by a significant government investment in healthcare to drive better outcomes and accountability.
Tags: Gisborne Bay of Plenty Waikato Lakes Taranaki Simeon Brown healthcare patients Midland region elective proceduresNew Zealand's First Rural Training Hub Announced in South Taranaki
5 months ago | 508 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson announced the establishment of New Zealand's first Rural Training Hub in South Taranaki, aiming to strengthen rural healthcare by linking local services, universities, and training providers. The hub will facilitate the education and training of healthcare workers in rural areas, ensuring timely access to care for all New Zealanders. Four hubs will be established across Health NZ regions, with the South Taranaki Hub involving community input to coordinate placements, training pathways, and pastoral support for healthcare professionals.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mark Patterson Rural Health Rural Communities South Taranaki Health Workforce Rural Training Hub Healthcare Rural Medical Immersion Programme Rural Health StrategyPreserving Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki: Meet the Guardians Ensuring Future Generations Enjoy this Natural Beauty
6 months ago | 682 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka highlights the support from Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi to preserve Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki for future generations. The four Crown appointments to Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi include individuals with expertise in ecology, strategic advisory, cultural development, and governance leadership. These appointments aim to ensure the protection and enhancement of the area, with joint decision-making on certain concession matters between the Crown and Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi as per the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act.
Tags: New Zealanders Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Professor Bruce Clarkson Stephen Daysh Hemi Sundgren Rex Hendry Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi Te Kāhui Tupua Maori TaranakiRecord Attendance Trends in Schools Signal Positive Shifts for Education System
6 months ago | 628 viewsSince Term 1 of 2024, attendance rates in schools have consistently increased each term compared to the previous year, with Term 2 of this year seeing a notable rise to 58.4% from 53.4% in Term 2 of the previous year. Associate Education Minister David Seymour highlights improvements in attendance across all regions, with a significant decrease in chronic absence rates. Plans are underway to enforce stricter attendance measures, including mandatory school attendance management plans aligned with the STAR program by 2026, with prosecution as a last resort for parents who persistently fail to ensure their children attend school. A $140 million budget allocation in 2025 aims to enhance attendance rates over the next four years to promote positive educational outcomes and long-term benefits for students.
Tags: Term 1 2024 Attendance David Seymour Education Minister Taranaki Whanganui Manawatū STAR Prosecution Budget 2025