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Boost in Great Walks Bookings Signals Conservation Success and Economic Growth
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1783 viewsA significant boost in the number of people booking bednights along the country’s Great Walks is a good sign for conservation tourism and local businesses, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Opening day bookings for each of the Great Walks were up by over 10,000 bednights compared to last year, totalling more than 140,000 bednights and bringing in more than $9 million to the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, says Mr Potaka. “Booking system upgrades - including a new online lobby - successfully processed a peak of nearly 12,000 people waiting to book the Milford when it opened on 28 May in an hour.
Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Great Walks Conservation tourism Local businesses Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai International Visitor Levy National Parks Rakiura National Park International visitorsNew Cycle Bridge Boosts West Coast Wilderness Trail, Boosting Local Economy
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1889 viewsA new cycle bridge on the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail will bring more visitors to the region and boost the local economy. “I’m thrilled to be supporting the construction of the Totara River Rail Bridge, ensuring visitors can once again ride this popular trail from start to finish,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail is one of our Great Rides and attracts both international and domestic visitors alike, showcasing the stunning scenery of the West Coast.
Tags: Louise Upston West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail Totara River Rail Bridge Tourism Economy Infrastructure Ross Trail Investment VisitorsNew Zealand to Reform AML/CFT Laws for Small Businesses: Minister McKee Announces Overhaul
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1627 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says that small businesses will benefit from upcoming reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, as the Government moves to make compliance more proportionate and practical for low-risk operators. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced Cabinet’s approval to draft a new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Omnibus) Amendment Bill to overhaul the existing system. Under current rules, even small businesses and professionals, such as real estate agents, face complex and time-consuming checks, often regardless of how much risk they face,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister small businesses reforms compliance customer due diligence real estate agents simplified checksNew Zealand Government Strengthens AML/CFT Regime to Combat Financial Crime
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1816 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee today announced further steps in the Government’s overhaul of the AML/CFT regime, strengthening efforts to combat serious financial crime. “This Government is serious about targeting criminals, not tying up legitimate businesses in unnecessary red tape,” Mrs McKee says. “Cabinet has agreed to introduce a bill to strengthen enforcement powers for Police and regulators to crack down on those involved in money laundering.
Tags: Nicole McKee financial crime Police regulators financial sanctions crypto currencies Financial Intelligence Unit New Zealand businesses criminals.New Zealand’s Stable Economy: Government’s Fiscal Management Keeps Official Cash Rate Low
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2109 viewsThe Government’s responsible fiscal management has supported the Reserve Bank to keep the Official Cash Rate low, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand today announced it would keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 3. 25 per cent while continuing to foreshadow further reductions in the OCR.
Tags: Government fiscal management Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate Finance Minister Nicola Willis New Zealand OCR interest rates economic managementPharmac Improves Access to Asthma Inhalers and Contraceptives | Minister Seymour's Welcome
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3013 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025. “For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,” Mr Seymour says.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac asthma inhalers contraceptives budesonide eformoterol Mirena Jaydess Kiwis New ZealandersGovernment Launches Enhanced Task Force Green Program to Support Flood-Affected Tasman and Marlborough Districts
09 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1784 viewsThe Government has activated an Enhanced Task Force Green (ETFG) in response to flooding in the Tasman and Marlborough districts. “Enhanced Task Force Green funding builds on the Government’s commitment to support those impacted by this event,” Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says. “The recent flooding has been a significant and adverse event damaging farms, homes, roads and bridges.
Tags: Government Enhanced Task Force Green Louise Upston flooding farmers growers assistance support job seekersRegulation Minister Applauds BusinessNZ's Support for Regulatory Standards Bill to Cut Red Tape and Boost Business Growth in New Zealand
08 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2811 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour is welcoming BusinessNZ’s strong support for the Regulatory Standards Bill as a means to deal with red tape and regulation. “After all the misinformed opposition we’ve heard, the people who get up in the morning to make an honest buck and deliver goods and services to New Zealanders want red tape and regulation dealt to and believe this Bill will help them do that. “Submitting on the Bill at select committee today, BusinessNZ said it was an important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses by putting more scrutiny on politicians when law is made.
Tags: Regulation Minister David Seymour BusinessNZ Regulatory Standards Bill red tape select committee politicians compliance burden academicsNew Zealand's First AI Strategy Unveiled by Science Minister to Drive Economic Growth and Innovation
08 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3387 viewsScience, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched New Zealand’s first AI Strategy to boost productivity and grow a competitive economy. “AI could add $76 billion to our GDP by 2038, but we’re falling behind other small, advanced economies on AI-readiness and many businesses are still not planning for the technology,” says Dr Reti. “We must develop stronger Kiwi AI capabilities to drive economic growth, and this Strategy sends a strong signal that New Zealand supports the uptake of AI.
Tags: Shane Reti AI Strategy New Zealand GDP economic growth regulatory guidance responsible AI adoption innovation productivity technologySelwyn District Leads the Way in Water Services Reform with Launch of Selwyn Water
08 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1803 viewsSelwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The launch of Selwyn District’s water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,” Mr Watts says. “Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.
Tags: Selwyn District Simon Watts Local Government Minister Paul James Selwyn Water Water Services Delivery Plan Commerce Commission Department of Internal Affairs Sam Broughton Local Water Done WellAccelerating Economic Growth Through Efficient Conservation Land Applications Processing
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1765 viewsA targeted effort to reduce the backlog of applications for use of conservation land is accelerating economic growth without compromising conservation values, says Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. “Over the years, decision makers at the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai became wrapped and trapped in a sticky ball of red tape unnecessarily slowing the success of tourism operators, researchers, major infrastructure project developers, among many others. “The department is doing a great job delivering on my expectation to crack on with the mahi.
Tags: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai tourism applications economic growth infrastructure AI tools Kokiri Lime conservation landNew Zealand Sends Specialist Team to Support Canada's Wildfire Response
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2885 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says New Zealand is sending a seven-person specialist team to Manitoba on Wednesday 9 July to support Canada in its response to severe wildfires across the country. “Canada is dealing with an intense and escalating wildfire season, with fires raging across multiple provinces,” says Ms van Velden. “More than 20,000 people have been displaced from their homes.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs New Zealand Canada Manitoba wildfires firefighting Fire and Emergency New Zealand Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Stewart IslandsForeign Minister Winston Peters to Strengthen ASEAN Partnership During Malaysia Visit
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1785 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Malaysia this week for regional engagement with Southeast Asian partners. “The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays a central role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and has been a steadfast partner of New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. “In our 50th anniversary of Dialogue Relations with ASEAN, we will highlight the value of the deep partnership between New Zealand and South East Asia, and will engage on the strategic issues impacting the stability of our region.
Tags: Winston Peters Malaysia Southeast Asian partners ASEAN New Zealand South East Asia partnership cooperation East Asia Summit Kuala LumpurGovernment Reforms to AML/CFT Act Ease Property Transactions for Kiwi Families
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1760 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Government is continuing to cut through unnecessary bureaucracy with reforms to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, which will make life easier for hard-working Kiwi families managing property through family trusts. “For thousands of New Zealanders, setting up a family trust is part of securing their financial future, especially when it comes to their home. But under the current AML regime, selling a house held in a trust triggers a burdensome level of document verification and compliance checks that has little to do with actual risk,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister Family Trusts Real Estate Agents New Zealanders Financial Future Compliance Checks Property ManagementRural Health Roadshow: Minister Doocey Engages with Communities to Enhance Healthcare Services
07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1766 viewsAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey is in Gore today for the rural health roadshow happening across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Matt Doocey Associate Health Minister Rural Health Minister for Mental Health Gore Roadshow Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care Fieldays