Articles tagged with Zealand
Prime Minister Luxon Visits Samoa and Tonga to Strengthen Pacific Ties
21 min ago | 20 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit Samoa and Tonga to strengthen New Zealand’s ties with these key Pacific nations, reflecting the deep family connections shared by over 300,000 Samoan and Tongan New Zealanders. This trip marks New Zealand’s first full engagement with the new governments, aiming to build trust and collaborate on prosperity and security issues. Accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, and community representatives, Luxon will also celebrate cultural and economic links during the visit from March 15 to 18.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Savae Sir Michael Jones Rachel Afeaki Shane Reti Mark Mitchell Tim van de Molen Jenny Salesa Teanau Tuiono Prime Minister New ZealandNew Zealand Cuts Visitor Visa Costs for Pacific Nationals from June 2025
42 min ago | 40 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced a reduction in visitor visa fees for Pacific nationals, lowering the cost from $216 to $161 for a 12-month visa starting 1 June, to promote easier and more affordable travel to New Zealand. This update complements previous improvements such as extended visa durations to two years with multiple entries, faster processing, and a visa-free trial for Pacific travelers from Australia, aiming to strengthen Pacific-New Zealand connections. The government will review the impact of these changes in a year, with further eligibility details to be confirmed soon.
Tags: Winston Peters Erica Stanford John Tulloch Michael van der Kwast Pacific people New Zealand Immigration New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Australian visa NZeTANew Zealand Launches Digital Food Labelling Trial to Boost Consumer Choice
1 hour ago | 22 viewsThe New Zealand Government is launching a 12-month digital labelling trial for approved retailers to reduce barriers to market entry and increase consumer choice, focusing on lower-risk, pre-packaged imported foods. The trial will exempt a small number of retailers from physical labelling requirements while ensuring all safety standards and regulatory oversight remain intact. This initiative aims to test innovative technology, maintain food safety, and inform future food labelling policies in collaboration with Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Willis Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Food Act 2014 digital labelling Food Standards Australia New Zealand Economic Growth Minister Food Safety Minister Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Expression of InterestTransforming New Zealand Life Sciences: Innovation, Technology, and Future Growth
17 hours ago | 42 viewsThe Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology highlighted New Zealand’s significant reforms to its science system, including the creation of unified funding bodies, advisory councils, and major bioeconomy institutes to enhance research impact and economic resilience. Emphasizing the convergence of life sciences with advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing, the government is investing in platforms such as the Biodiscovery Platform and Infectious Diseases Research Platform to drive innovation, health security, and sustainable growth. The Minister also addressed the importance of modernizing gene technology regulations to keep pace globally, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting science that benefits New Zealand’s economy, environment, and communities.
Tags: Minister of Science Innovation and Technology BioTech NZ NZTech Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council Research Funding New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute Public Health and Forensic Science New Zealand Institute for Advanced TechnologyNew Zealand Secures Sustainable Orange Roughy Catch Limits in South Pacific Until 2028
17 hours ago | 43 viewsNew Zealand and Australia successfully secured a two-year extension of orange roughy catch limits in the South Pacific through the SPRFMO, supporting sustainable fisheries and local jobs. While a proposal to increase bycatch thresholds was rejected, New Zealand’s measures to protect seabirds and progress on binding labor standards for fishing vessel crews were adopted or advanced. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones emphasized ongoing efforts to balance environmental protection with economic benefits and to maintain access to viable fisheries in the region.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand South Pacific SPRFMO orange roughy fisheries management seabirds albatross fishing vessels labour standardsRural Resilience Workshops Help Farmers Prepare for Emergencies Across NZ
23 hours ago | 34 viewsAgriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced a series of rural resilience workshops starting next week to help farmers and growers prepare for adverse events following recent damaging floods. These practical workshops, held nationwide alongside a rural resilience roadshow on the West Coast, aim to enhance emergency preparedness in rural communities highly exposed to emergencies. Resources such as a farm emergency plan template and preparedness checklist are available on the Good Farm and MPI websites to support farmers.
Tags: Todd McClay Mark Patterson Agriculture and Forestry Minister Rural Communities Minister New Zealand Otago Blenheim Canterbury Ruapehu WaikatoGovernment Responds to Health Committee Report on Aged Care for Neurological Disorders
1 day ago | 54 viewsThe Government has welcomed the Health Committee’s report on aged care support for people with neurological cognitive disorders, following an inquiry launched in 2024 that gathered extensive input and made 14 recommendations. The Government’s response acknowledges these recommendations and will consider them through ongoing aged care reforms, including work by the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group. Committed to improving access and quality of care, the Government aims to ensure timely support for older people, particularly those with neurological cognitive conditions.
Tags: Casey Costello Health Committee New Zealand First National coalition Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group Government neurological cognitive disorders dementia aged care ParliamentRoyal Commission Report Reveals Lessons and Impact of New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response
1 day ago | 54 viewsThe Royal Commission's final report on New Zealand's COVID-19 response highlights that initial restrictions were appropriate but later extended beyond public health advice, with economic warnings ignored, leading to excessive spending and increased public debt. Auckland endured the longest lockdown, exceeding official recommendations, and vaccine mandates for under-18s did not align with expert advice, reflecting missed opportunities to balance health and economic impacts. The Government acknowledges the sacrifices made by New Zealanders and plans to respond to the report’s recommendations by July, aiming to better balance future health and economic decisions.
Tags: Simeon Brown Royal Commission New Zealand Auckland Treasury vaccine mandate lockdown economic impact public healthNew Crane Dredging Barge to Boost Access and Resilience for NZ’s Small Ports
1 day ago | 73 viewsNew Zealand is investing $8 million through the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund to co-fund a purpose-built crane dredging barge aimed at improving access to smaller ports that are often cut off during natural disasters. This new, cost-effective equipment will enable timely dredging of regional ports, ensuring essential supplies can be delivered by sea when road and rail links are disrupted. The $12.9 million barge, co-funded by Johnson Bros Limited, will be operational by late 2027 to enhance nationwide resilience and support community recovery.
Tags: James Meager New Zealand Whanganui Port Cyclone Gabrielle Greymouth Ōpōtiki Johnson Bros Limited Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund Northland Transport MinisterThree New District Court Judges Appointed for Kaikohe, Manukau, and Napier
5 days ago | 110 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges—Rohan Cochrane, Lynn Hughes, and Derek Whitehead—who will assume their roles in March at Napier, Manukau, and Kaikohe Courts respectively. Each appointee brings extensive legal experience in family and criminal law, with significant involvement in child advocacy, legal aid, and professional committees. Their diverse backgrounds and community engagement highlight their qualifications to serve in the judiciary and support the legal system across New Zealand.
Tags: Judith Collins Rohan Cochrane Lynn Hughes Derek Whitehead Family Law Specialists Ltd New Zealand Law Society Public Defence Service Legal Aid Performance Review Committee Te Hau Awhiowhio Otangarei Trust Board Sentinel ChambersNew Zealand Strengthens Ties with Brazil in Trade, Education, and Film Cooperation
5 days ago | 123 viewsNew Zealand aims to strengthen its relationship with Brazil through cooperation in agriculture, aviation, trade, education, and film, highlighted by recent agreements on audio-visual co-production and education. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized Brazil's global influence and the importance of collaboration between the two mature democracies on international issues and regional development. The visit included high-level meetings, a business showcase, and reinforced New Zealand’s commitment to Latin America as a key partner in addressing global challenges like climate resilience and food security.
Tags: New Zealand Brazil Winston Peters Mauro Vieira Celso Amorim Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Leonardo Barchini Latin America Argentina UruguayNew Zealand Boosts Economy with Faster Overseas Investment Approvals and New Visas
6 days ago | 118 viewsThe New Zealand Government has introduced a two-track system under the Overseas Investment Act to speed up investment decisions, aiming to process most applications within five to 15 working days, significantly faster than before. This reform, along with increased Active Investor Plus visa applications, is expected to bring billions in overseas capital, supporting economic growth, productivity, and high-paying jobs by providing access to international capital, expertise, and technology. The Government emphasizes that attracting foreign investment is essential for New Zealand’s future as a high-income economy and is committed to removing barriers to help businesses grow and create opportunities for Kiwis.
Tags: David Seymour Erica Stanford Overseas Investment Act New Zealand Active Investor Plus golden visa overseas investment Kiwi businesses economic growth investment applicationsNew Zealand Passes Bill for Annual Census and Timelier Population Data
6 days ago | 125 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill to transition from a five-yearly census to an annual approach using existing government data, a smaller survey, and targeted collection, starting in 2030. This change addresses rising costs, declining response rates, and disruptions, ensuring more timely and accurate population data essential for planning public services. Additionally, the legislation modifies electoral boundary reviews to occur after every second general election instead of after every census, maintaining regularity while reflecting population changes.
Tags: Shane Reti Paul Goldsmith New Zealand Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill Stats NZ census electoral boundary reviews annual census population data government legislationGame On: Empowering Pacific Youth for Careers in NZ’s $750M Gaming Industry
6 days ago | 96 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Peoples is launching Game On, a $1 million program to support up to 57 Pacific youth into the $750 million gaming industry, addressing ongoing skill shortages. Delivered in partnership with industry leaders and NGOs, Game On offers school outreach, mentoring, internships, and studio visits to help Pacific learners explore STEM careers in real studio environments. The initiative aims to create long-term opportunities for Pacific communities and build on existing efforts to improve Pacific outcomes in STEM, with the first cohort starting training in July 2026.
Tags: Shane Reti Game On The Cause Collective PikPok New Zealand Game Developers Association Ministry for Pacific Peoples Tupu Toa Toloa programme Pacific youth STEM careersBluff Oyster Season 2024 Opens with Careful Management Amid Challenges
6 days ago | 101 viewsThe Bluff oyster season has opened with a cautious approach following a pre-season survey indicating challenges such as disease and environmental pressures, but also promising growth of new oysters. Fisheries New Zealand is working closely with local fishers to manage the fishery conservatively, protecting areas with many small oysters and ensuring science-based decisions to safeguard the fishery’s future. The season runs from March to August, with ongoing monitoring planned, and a full survey report to be released later in the year.
Tags: Jenny Marcroft Fisheries New Zealand Bluff oyster Mahurangi oyster Shellfish Working Group Oceans and Fisheries oyster fishers oyster season oyster disease oyster survey