Articles tagged with Wellington
Wellington Heritage Planning Review: RMA Reform to Boost Housing and Jobs
6 days ago | 163 viewsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has released a report and initiated consultation on modifying Wellington’s heritage planning rules for five key sites, following concerns from the Wellington City Council that current provisions hinder economic growth and development. The report suggests that removing or altering these heritage controls could enable around 770 new apartments, generate $280 million in construction activity, and support 300 jobs, with public and stakeholder feedback now being sought before any regulatory changes. The affected sites include the Courtenay Place Heritage Area, Karori Tunnel, Kelburn Viaduct, former General Headquarters Building, and Miramar oil tank, with consultation open to relevant authorities, iwi groups, and the public.
Tags: Chris Bishop Wellington City Council Karori Tunnel Kelburn Viaduct George A Hart Courtenay Place Heritage Area Miramar oil tank Resource Management Act Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga New Zealand Defense ForceGovernment Invests $3.9M to Expand Predator Free Dunedin and Protect Otago Wildlife
1 week ago | 130 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $3.9 million to expand Predator Free 2050 efforts in Otago, building on previous funding for Wellington and Auckland to support successful predator elimination projects. The funding will target the removal of stoats, feral cats, and possums across key areas while enhancing biosecurity and monitoring to protect native wildlife and biodiversity. Additionally, the project will trial advanced technologies such as AI-enabled traps and rapid-response systems to improve predator detection and control.
Tags: Otago Predator Free 2050 Dunedin Tama Potaka Wellington Auckland Port Chalmers Orokonui Ecosanctuary Aramoana Peninsula Blueskin BayAuckland Launches Third Mental Health Co-Response Team to Improve Crisis Support
1 week ago | 173 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey launched Auckland's third mental health co-response team to provide timely, appropriate support for people in mental distress, reducing reliance on criminal justice responses. These teams, comprising police and mental health workers, operate during peak demand times and have already shown positive outcomes, including fewer emergency department referrals and increased wraparound support. Funded by a $28 million Budget 2025 investment, the initiative aims to roll out 10 such teams nationwide to improve crisis response for 111 mental health calls.
Tags: Matt Doocey Auckland Police Station Mental Health Minister Counties Manukau Waitematā Middlemore Hospital Wellington New Zealand Government Budget 2025 Mental Health ActEmpowering Pacific Women Parliamentarians to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
1 week ago | 141 viewsThe speech emphasizes New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Pacific parliamentary cooperation, democratic governance, and regional collaboration through face-to-face dialogue and shared values. It highlights the critical and challenging role of elected representatives, particularly women, in addressing regional issues like security and development, while encouraging increased female participation in politics. Finally, it underscores the significance of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and New Zealand’s role in chairing it, calling for inclusive input to advance shared Pacific priorities.
Tags: New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Wellington Pacific cooperation women parliamentarians Pacific leaders Palau parliamentary cooperation regionalism democratic governanceNew Advanced LINAC Machine Enhances Cancer Treatment at Wellington Hospital
1 week ago | 144 viewsWellington Regional Hospital has introduced a new advanced radiation therapy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine, enhancing precise cancer treatment for patients across the region as part of a $12.6 million investment to modernize oncology services. This latest generation LINAC uses camera-based surface guidance for accurate patient positioning, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue, and supports clinical innovation and staff training. The upgrade ensures continued high-quality care during installation, with a second LINAC replacement planned, contributing to a nationwide effort to expand and improve cancer treatment capacity.
Tags: Simeon Brown Wellington Regional Hospital LINAC radiation therapy cancer treatment Capital Coast Hutt Valley New Zealand Hawke's Bay Cancer Centre AucklandNew Canterbury Mental Health Co-Response Team Shows Positive Early Results
3 weeks ago | 244 viewsA new mental health co-response team in Canterbury, combining mental health professionals and Police, has supported 35 people since May, showing positive early outcomes. This initiative addresses previous shortcomings where mental health distress calls received a criminal justice response, aiming to provide more appropriate and compassionate care. The model, proven effective in Wellington, reduces emergency department visits and police interventions, improving crisis support for those in mental distress.
Tags: Canterbury mental health Matt Doocey Police New Zealand crisis response Specialist Mental Health Services Mental Health Act WellingtonNew Zealand Expands Mental Health Co-Response Teams to Six More Regions
1 month ago | 366 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced six new locations for mental health co-response teams, expanding New Zealand's crisis response to prioritize mental health support over criminal justice intervention. Funded by Budget 2025, this expansion will triple the number of teams from five to fifteen, with a focus on serving both urban and rural communities based on data-driven need. The government aims to ensure faster, tailored mental health support nationwide, addressing previous funding cuts and building on positive outcomes from existing teams.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Budget 2025 rural communities crisis response emergency services Mental Health Act Wellington evaluationBig Sing Funding Secured to Support 9,000+ Students and 280 Choirs in NZ
2 months ago | 489 viewsThe Big Sing, New Zealand’s largest choral event with over 9,000 students and 280 choirs, has secured funding through one-off grants of $150,000 each to the New Zealand Choral Federation and Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand. Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the importance of music in building learning foundations, confidence, and engagement, alongside the $5.6 million allocated in Budget 26 for school music kits. The funding supports the continuation of these events, which promote mental health, leadership, and showcase New Zealand music, and is sourced from the Ministry of Education’s baseline.
Tags: Erica Stanford The Big Sing New Zealand Choral Federation Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand New Zealand Secondary Students Choir Ministry of Education Budget 26 Auckland Wellington CanterburyNew Tauranga Mental Health Co-Response Team Enhances Crisis Support
2 months ago | 503 viewsTauranga has launched a new mental health co-response team combining Police and mental health workers to better support people in crisis, replacing the traditional criminal justice response to 111 calls. This initiative, part of a $28 million Budget 2025 investment, aims to reduce distress caused by Police-only responses and improve outcomes by providing specialized mental health support. The program builds on successful models like Wellington’s, addressing high regional demand and correcting previous funding cuts under the former government.
Tags: Matt Doocey Tauranga Mental Health Minister New Zealand Police Mental Health Act Bay of Plenty Wellington Labour Government National PartyGovernment Commits $1.18B to KiwiRail Network and Metro Rail Renewals 2027-2030
2 months ago | 473 viewsThe New Zealand Government has committed $1.075 billion for KiwiRail’s network investments from 2027-2030 and $106.9 million to continue critical renewals on Auckland and Wellington metropolitan rail networks, aiming to improve reliability and address historic under-investment. This funding supports a fully funded three-year Rail Network Investment Programme, emphasizing maintenance, renewals, and efficient operations to enhance rail freight performance and passenger services. Additionally, fiscal responsibility guides the government’s approach to maintaining transport assets, ensuring value for money and sustainable, reliable rail infrastructure for New Zealanders.
Tags: Winston Peters Chris Bishop KiwiRail New Zealand Government Rail Network Investment Programme Auckland Wellington Hillside Workshops Rail infrastructure Transport MinisterGovernment Investigates Wellington and Hamilton Planning Rules Impacting Housing and Growth
2 months ago | 540 viewsAn investigation has been launched under the Resource Management Act to assess whether planning rules in Wellington and Hamilton are hindering housing growth, infrastructure development, and economic progress. Key concerns include restrictive heritage provisions in Wellington limiting building heights and costly upgrade requirements, as well as Hamilton’s regulations on electric vehicle infrastructure and planting rules that increase development costs and reduce usable space. The Ministry for the Environment will review these issues and may recommend changes to facilitate growth while balancing heritage protection, with decisions expected by year-end.
Tags: Chris Bishop Wellington City Council Hamilton Resource Management Act Eden Park Courtenay Place Karori Tunnel Kelburn Viaduct Weta FX Wingnut FilmsNew $5.3M Porirua Facility Boosts Construction Waste Reduction and Sustainability
2 months ago | 510 viewsA new $5.3 million construction and demolition waste processing facility has opened in Porirua, supported by government and local councils to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainability. Environment Minister Nicola Grigg highlighted the project as a collaborative effort that will divert waste, lower emissions, and strengthen the local economy. The initiative exemplifies the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that improves waste management and supports environmental and economic goals.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Porirua Wellington Waste Minimisation Fund Ministry for the Environment Porirua City Council Hutt City Council Kāpiti Coast District Council Waste Co construction and demolition wasteWellington Airport Seawall Renewal Project Approved to Protect Assets and Create Jobs
2 months ago | 541 viewsFast-track approval has been granted for the $100 million Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal project, which will upgrade 400 metres of the ageing seawall to enhance resilience against coastal and weather challenges. The project will also create two protected kororā (little penguin) colonies with purpose-built habitats and generate 114 jobs annually during construction, delivering significant economic benefits with an estimated cost-benefit ratio of 2.6. This initiative aims to safeguard the airport’s long-term operations, supporting the region’s economy that relies heavily on the airport’s activities.
Tags: James Meager Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal kororā infrastructure project coastal resilience job creation economic benefits airport operationsNgauranga to Petone Shared Path Opens: Safe Coastal Route for Wellington Commuters
2 months ago | 4915 viewsThe Ngauraunga to Petone Shared Path (Te Ara Tupua), a 4.5 km coastal walking and cycling route, officially opens tomorrow, providing a safe connection between Wellington and Lower Hutt while protecting critical infrastructure from severe weather. The project, costing $348.7 million and involving extensive coastal defenses, has been developed through long-term planning, community engagement, and partnership with mana whenua. It is expected to significantly increase active transport trips and serve as an emergency lifeline, enhancing regional resilience and mobility.
Tags: Chris Bishop Ngauranga to Petone Te Ara Tupua NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Downer HEB Construction Tonkin+Taylor Wellington City Council Greater Wellington Regional CouncilGovernment Grants $150K to Mayoral Relief Funds for Lower North Island Flood Recovery
3 months ago | 571 viewsThe Government is contributing $150,000 to Mayoral Relief Funds to assist communities in the lower North Island affected by recent flooding, with $100,000 allocated to Wellington City and $50,000 to Ruapehu District Council. Minister Mark Mitchell emphasized the importance of this support for clean-up efforts and acknowledged the contributions of emergency responders and community members. These funds aim to quickly address immediate needs but do not replace insurance or other agency support.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Philip Sutton Wellington City Ruapehu District Mayoral Relief Funds Government Emergency Management Civil Defence Ministry of Social Development Ministry for Primary Industries