Articles tagged with Trial

Kerryn Beaton KC Appointed District Court Judge in Dunedin, Sworn In July 2026

1 month ago | 355 views

Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Kerryn Beaton KC as a District Court Judge, with her swearing-in scheduled for 2 July 2026 in Christchurch. Ms Beaton has extensive legal experience, including roles as a Crown prosecutor, Public Defender, and barrister focusing on serious crime and public inquiries, as well as involvement in significant commissions such as the Pike River Royal Commission and the UN Khmer Rouge trials. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021 and will be based at the Dunedin District Court.

Tags: Chris Bishop Kerryn Beaton District Court Judge Queen’s Counsel Pike River Royal Commission United Nations Khmer Rouge trials Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care Crown prosecutor Public Defender Walker Street Chambers

Ryans Road Industrial Development Approved in Christchurch with 126 Lots

1 month ago | 277 views

The Ryans Road Industrial Development in Christchurch, approved through the Fast-track process, will create 126 industrial lots over 57.6 hectares near the airport, supporting infrastructure and generating approximately 755 construction jobs and $259 million in GDP. This project, lodged by Carter Group Limited in April 2025, is the 21st approved under Fast-track and aims to meet demand for industrial land benefiting logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing businesses. Fast-track has approved 21 projects so far, with 44 currently progressing, streamlining infrastructure and housing developments across New Zealand.

Tags: Chris Bishop Carter Group Limited Ryans Road Christchurch Canterbury Harewood Infrastructure Minister Industrial Development Construction Sector

New Zealand Reforms Industrial Hemp Regulations to Boost Growth and Innovation

6 months ago | 639 views

Regulation Minister David Seymour announced reforms to scrap the outdated licensing regime for industrial hemp in New Zealand, replacing it with a more practical and proportionate approach that removes licenses and sets a clear THC threshold below 1%. These changes aim to reduce costs, encourage innovation, and generate significant economic benefits, while maintaining safeguards to prevent misuse and ensuring compliance with existing food safety and medicinal cannabis regulations. The Ministry of Health will lead implementation, reflecting the government's commitment to cutting red tape and improving regulatory standards for business growth.

Tags: David Seymour New Zealand industrial hemp Regulation Minister Ministry of Health Regulatory Standards Act medicinal cannabis Ministry for Regulation Parliamentary Council Office Cabinet

New Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action

7 months ago | 665 views

The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.

Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnel

Government Ministers Urge Unions to Call Off Unfair Strikes for the Sake of Students and Patients

8 months ago | 804 views

Public Service Minister Judith Collins criticizes the proposed strike as unfair, unproductive, and unnecessary, urging for its cancellation due to the negative impact on patients with canceled appointments, students missing school, and upcoming exams for NCEA-level students. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlights the government's efforts to increase salaries for teachers, emphasizing the rejection of the latest offer by the PPTA. Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the rejected offer for senior doctors, highlighting their current remuneration and proposed salary increases, while also mentioning the proposed fund for addressing workforce shortages.

Tags: strike Public Service Minister Judith Collins Education Minister Erica Stanford negotiations unions Health Minister Simeon Brown Senior Doctors Registered Nurses industrial action

Government's Vehicle Seizure Program Recovers $225K

8 months ago | 777 views

The Government is expanding its trial of clamping or seizing cars of individuals who fail to pay court fines, having already returned over $225,000 and seized 115 vehicles. The initiative aims to enforce payment of court fines effectively, with 982 people identified as having overdue fines or reparations, resulting in 278 immediate payments and 127 setting up payment arrangements. The success of the trial has led to the recovery of funds and the decision to expand the program, with plans to increase the number of number plate scanners in operation nationwide.

Tags: Government trial clamping seizing court fines Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith bailiffs number plates victims

New Legislation Enhances Defence Force Workforce Management for National Security

9 months ago | 863 views

New legislation introduced by Defence Minister Judith Collins allows the Chief of Defence Force to redeploy uniformed personnel to fill roles of striking civilian staff, ensuring national security during industrial action. The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill expands the Minister's authority to include instances where national security and core defence functions are at risk, such as security at military bases and aircraft maintenance. The bill aims to address challenges faced during previous industrial actions and will be open for public submissions when referred to a select committee in September 2025.

Tags: Chief of Defence Force CDF workforce national security industrial action Defence Minister Judith Collins Defence Act New Zealand Defence Force civilian staff

New Zealand Rail Heritage Trust Receives Boost for Restoration Efforts

9 months ago | 907 views

Rail Minister Winston Peters announced an increased annual contribution to the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand for restoring rail heritage buildings and structures. The Trust has restored various railway sites, including the Cass railway station, and aims to support more with local financial and volunteer help. KiwiRail is also repairing the historic rail footbridge at Moana and considering transferring ownership of the Mataura Railway Station to the Trust for restoration.

Tags: Rail Heritage Trust New Zealand annual contribution restoration efforts Rail Minister Winston Peters industrial heritage volunteer power engineering pride KiwiRail Sue Tindal

New Zealand's Geothermal Energy Expansion Plan for 2040: Unlocking Potential

10 months ago | 2562 views

New Zealand aims to double geothermal energy production by 2040 to tap into its rich resources, positioning the country as a global leader in sustainable geothermal development. The draft strategy, "From the Ground Up," seeks to drive innovation, resilience, and economic growth through geothermal utilization. The plan includes expanding geothermal applications beyond electricity generation, fostering innovation, and strengthening regional economies and the Māori economy.

Tags: Shane Jones geothermal energy New Zealand Resources Minister electricity generation sustainable development innovation Māori economy industrial growth consultation

Game-Changing Reservoir Project to Boost Economy and Agriculture in Wairarapa Region

11 months ago | 1824 views

A reservoir to be built near Carterton will be a game-changer for the town and wider Wairarapa region, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The 20ha reservoir, which will hold up to 1 million m3, will provide water for industry at Waingawa Industrial Park and irrigation for land. “Water resilience has been identified as a regional priority for Wairarapa.

Tags: Carterton Carterton district council Coalition government Going for growth Regional infrastructure fund Shane jones Waingawa industrial park Wairarapa

New board members appointed to the Health Quality & Safety Commission

1 year ago | 3185 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced three new board appointments to the Health Quality & Safety Commission. The Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) is a Crown entity responsible for improving quality and safety across the health and disability systems within New Zealand. “I am very pleased to welcome Dr Peter Watson, Taima Campbell, and Clare Perry to the HQSC board,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: Andrew connolly Aotearoa clinical trials trust Brownsc Campbell Cancer research trust new zealand Clare perry Clinical governance committee for Forte health ltd Hauraki health consulting ltd Health new zealand Health practitioners disciplinary tribunal Health quality & safety commission Jennifer parr Ministry of health New zealand Peter watson Simeon brown Taima campbell