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Government Announces Health New Zealand Board Reestablishment for Improved Healthcare Delivery

07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2054 views

The Government is today announcing the reestablishment of the Health New Zealand Board, with new appointments to drive its priority of ensuring timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The re-established Health New Zealand Board will take over from the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners appointed last year to stabilise the organisation and set a clear direction. “Under Professor Lester Levy’s leadership as Commissioner, Health New Zealand has delivered a strong financial plan, and a clear Health Delivery Plan is now in place.

Tags: Government Health New Zealand Board Simeon Brown Professor Lester Levy Andrew Connolly Hamiora Bowkett Dr Margaret Wilsher Mark Binns James Christmas Sarah Sinclair

Simplified Process: New Reforms Make Opening Bank Accounts for Children Easier

07 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2106 views

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is making changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act that will make it easier for parents to open bank accounts for their children. “Opening a bank account for children should be a simple and positive step toward teaching them the value of saving. Unfortunately, regulations designed to prevent serious crimes can make the process unnecessarily difficult,” says Mrs McKee.

Tags: Nicole McKee Minister bank accounts children regulations reforms banks New Zealanders red tape

FamilyBoost Program Enhancements Bring Financial Relief to Thousands of Households

06 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1917 views

Tens of thousands of households will be better off thanks to changes being made to FamilyBoost to help families with the cost of living, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “From the start of this month, families will get larger FamilyBoost rebates on the early childhood education fees they pay, with rebates increasing from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of weekly fees, and those with household incomes of up to $229,000 now eligible to apply. “This means for example that a family with early childhood fees of $100 a week could have their weekly FamilyBoost payment increased from $25 a week to $40 a week, meaning their annual payments would increase from $1,300 to $2,080 over the course of a year, making them hundreds of dollars better off.

Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis FamilyBoost households families cost of living early childhood education rebates scheme Inland Revenue

Rural Health Roadshow: Minister Doocey Visits Hanmer Springs

06 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1802 views

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Hanmer Springs today as part of the rural health roadshow 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 Rural Health Mental Health Roadshow Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care Fieldays Wellbeing Fund New Zealanders

Acting Prime Minister Congratulates Hugh Jackson, 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year

05 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1941 views

The Acting Prime Minister has extended warm congratulations to Hugh Jackson on being crowned the 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year. “Last night I was lucky enough to attend the Young Farmer of the Year grand final in Invercargill. It was a brilliant event, celebrating the future of farming and showcasing their expertise, leadership, and passion for agriculture,” says Mr Seymour.

Tags: Hugh Jackson Seymour Young Farmer of the Year Invercargill Waikato Bay of Plenty Epsom New Zealand agriculture farming export revenue

Palmerston North Regional Hospital to Double Scanning Capacity with $12.7M Modular CT Unit Investment

05 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2229 views

A $12. 7 million investment in a new modular CT unit at Palmerston North Regional Hospital will double scanning capacity and significantly improve access to diagnostic services across the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This is a major step forward for Palmerston North and the surrounding communities.

Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Palmerston North Regional Hospital CT unit scanning capacity diagnostic services cancer CT scanners health outcomes modular facility

Minister Chris Bishop to Explore Urban Development Strategies in New York and Texas

04 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2024 views

Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Minister Chris Bishop will travel to New York and Texas tomorrow for a range of meetings across housing, planning, urban development and transport, including a keynote speech at the Urban Design Forum’s Global Exchange Programme. “In New York I will be holding a series of meetings with city officials and other stakeholders about their introduction of congestion pricing. The early results for New York are very promising, and with legislation allowing time of use charging schemes in New Zealand soon to report back from select committee, I look forward to bringing home lessons learned to ensure our scheme is a success from the start,” Mr Bishop says.

Tags: Chris Bishop Infrastructure Transport Housing Minister New York Texas Urban Design Forum Edward Glaeser affordable housing planning

New Zealand Air Force Reactivates No. 62 Squadron for Space Security Mission

04 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2873 views

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has established its first dedicated space unit with the reactivation of the No. 62 Squadron today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. “This reflects our commitment to protecting New Zealand’s interests and security in the rapidly evolving space domain,” Ms Collins says.

Tags: Royal New Zealand Air Force space unit No. 62 Squadron Defence Minister Judith Collins space security RNZAF Base Auckland World War II radar technology space domain awareness New Zealand Defence Force

Conservation Minister Announces $22 Million Investment for Native Species and Pest Control in National Parks

04 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1678 views

Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta me Hineahuone, Toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, Toitū te tangata. Significant investment into supporting native species and tackling invasive pests in national parks has been announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Mr Potaka visited the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust facility near Christchurch today, where he announced $22 million from the International Visitor Levy will go to restoring unique wildlife in national parks, islands and other popular visitor sites over the next three years.

Tags: Hineahuone Tangaroa Hinemoana Tama Potaka Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust Canterbury DOC IVL New Zealand

Innovative Investment Boosts New Zealand's King Salmon Feed Development for Export Growth

03 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2999 views

The Government is backing innovation to grow New Zealand’s high-value aquaculture exports, with a $455,000 investment from the new Primary Sector Growth Fund to support the development of specialised feed for King salmon, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today. The $1. 2 million project—led by global aquafeed company Skretting—will design feed tailored specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon, supporting the growth of open ocean farming and helping reduce costs for local producers.

Tags: Government innovation aquaculture exports investment Primary Sector Growth Fund Todd McClay agriculture trade King salmon

Government Strengthens Trespass Laws to Safeguard Businesses: Proposed Changes and Impact Explained

03 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2141 views

The Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They’re difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice.

Tags: Government trespass laws businesses Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee law and order community properties offenders Retail MAG

Government Launches Southern Engagement Group for New Dunedin Hospital Project

03 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2190 views

The Government is focused on the delivery of Dunedin’s new inpatient building, with the establishment of a local engagement group to support the next phase of the New Dunedin Hospital project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Work is back underway on the inpatient building at the former Cadbury site, marking a critical phase for this major health investment. I’m pleased to announce, alongside Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich, the formation of the Southern Engagement Group, which will help ensure the local community is kept well informed as this vital project progresses,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: Government Dunedin inpatient building local engagement group New Dunedin Hospital project Health Minister Simeon Brown Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich Southern Engagement Group Health New Zealand leaders community.

Major Milestone: Construction Progress on Dunedin's Innovative New Inpatient Building Accelerates

03 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2924 views

Work is back underway on Dunedin’s new inpatient building, marking a major step forward in the Government’s commitment to delivering this critical health project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “It’s great to be back in Dunedin to see physical works now underway again on the former Cadbury site. This visible progress clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering this vital project.

Tags: Dunedin inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown construction phase pile caps concrete reinforcing steel substructure base isolators IL4 foundations

New Flexible Insulation Rules to Cut Costs for Designers, Builders, and Homeowners

03 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2183 views

Overly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. “I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs. “The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation – known as the Schedule Method – doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size.

Tags: insulation rules designers builders homeowners Chris Penk energy efficiency Building Code Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Far North

Police Minister Mark Mitchell Celebrates Increased Presence of Beat Teams in New Zealand's Major Cities

02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2675 views

One year on, more Police on the beat across New Zealand’s major cities is being celebrated by Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Today I am excited to be part of welcoming the new Beat Team in Rotorua and getting some time to be out on the beat with them,” Mark Mitchell says. “Our beat officers have an important role in ensuring our retailers and members of the public feel and are safe.

Tags: Police Minister Mark Mitchell Police Beat Team Rotorua Wellington Christchurch Auckland Retailers Communities Crime