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New Zealand's State Highway Road Renewal Success: Enhancing Safety and Infrastructure for Better Journeys
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 4147 viewsThe Government’s focus on improving roads across the country is well on its way, with the successful completion of one of the largest state highway road renewal programmes in New Zealand history, Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed today. “We are focused on ensuring government agencies are better at looking after the infrastructure assets we already have, to ensure New Zealanders get the most from their public infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says. “That’s why we’ve invested in road maintenance and renewals through the $2 billion State Highway Pothole Prevention fund, which ensures vital work is carried out to keep our roads safe and suitable for the people that use them.
Tags: Government roads infrastructure maintenance renewal Transport Minister Chris Bishop State Highway Pothole Prevention fund road rebuilding NZ Transport Agency road usersGovernment Invests $56 Million in Rural Canterbury Water Resilience Projects for Increased Productivity and Climate Adaptation
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2450 viewsThe Government is investing more than $56 million into water resilience projects in rural Canterbury to help protect against changing weather patterns and increase productivity through higher value land use, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say. “Ease of access to water is a top priority for Canterbury’s rural communities,” Mr Jones says. “Canterbury has so far avoided the extreme drought experienced in previous years, thanks in part to high rainfall over December and January.
Tags: Shane Jones Mark Patterson Government Water resilience projects Canterbury Rural communities Regional Infrastructure Fund Opuha Dam Balmoral Water Storage Facility Waimakariri Irrigation SchemeExploring Toll Concessions for New Zealand's Road Infrastructure Development
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3955 viewsMarket soundings with international and local toll road investors, operators and financiers will begin next week as the next step in exploring how toll concessions could help fund, build and operate important road infrastructure, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is focused on improving high-quality road infrastructure to boost economic growth and ensure people and freight can travel efficiently and safely. To accelerate the delivery of vital transport projects, we’re looking into alternative funding and financing methods, including the use of toll concessions.
Tags: toll concessions road infrastructure Chris Bishop toll roads private sector involvement market sounding infrastructure funding toll collection transport projectsBoosting Employment: Minister Louise Upston Leads Regional Events to Get Kiwis Into Jobs and Grow the Economy
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2253 viewsSocial Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a strong turnout for the first in a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy. Kicking off the MSD-led series in Levin, Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 30 employers and other stakeholders, reinforcing job opportunities across the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast regions. “It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Development Employment Minister MSD Kiwis Jobseeker Benefit Horowhenua Kāpiti Coast New Zealanders GisborneBoosting Professionalisation in Residential Workforce for Safer Care Environments: Minister for Children Announces $41 Million Investment
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1952 viewsMinister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation. Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.
Tags: Minister for Children Karen Chhour residential workforce professionalisation children young peopleNew Zealand Government Launches City and Regional Deals to Drive Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development
02 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2027 viewsThe Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals (CRDs) as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say. The Government has also signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to negotiate deals with Auckland, Otago/Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty. “City and Regional Deals will be strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government to progress joint priorities including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit,” Mr Bishop says.
Tags: Government City and Regional Deals Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Local Government Minister Simon Watts New ZealandersHealthy School Lunch Programme: Positive Feedback Soars, Complaints Plummet, Taxpayer Savings of $130 Million
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2650 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is pleased to see the Healthy School Lunch Programme Term 3 menu has received positive feedback from three quarters of students, and complaints have fallen by 92 per cent, while at the same time taxpayers are saving over $130 million. “The menu for Term 3 is being tested with students across the lower North Island. The result is 73 per cent positive feedback.
Tags: David Seymour Healthy School Lunch Programme Term 3 menu students taxpayers meals feedback schools Ministry savingsScott O’Donnell Joins KiwiRail Board to Enhance Freight Expertise and Drive Growth Strategies
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1936 viewsThe appointment of Scott O’Donnell to the KiwiRail board will bolster its freight expertise Minister for Rail Winston Peters says. “Railways have no shortage of potential for New Zealand, and we expect to see sustained growth in earnings, revenue, volumes, reliability, and safety to turn this business into something great. ” Mr O’Donnell is a current director of HW Richardson Group and was its managing director from 2006 to 2015.
Tags: Scott O’Donnell KiwiRail Winston Peters HW Richardson Group Sue TindalRevolutionizing Vocational Education: New Industry Skills Boards to Shape Work-Based Learning for Economic Growth
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2039 viewsEight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will give industry a strong voice in work-based learning, ensuring the system delivers the right skills, in the right places, for a growing economy, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says. “The Government promised to disestablish Te Pūkenga and return decision-making to local providers and industry. The Industry Skills Boards are a key part of delivering on that promise,” Ms Simmonds says.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Industry Skills Boards Vocational Education Minister Te Pūkenga work-based learningHealthy School Lunch Programme Term 3 Success: 73% Positive Feedback & $130M Taxpayer Savings
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3266 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is pleased to see the Healthy School Lunch Programme Term 3 menu has received positive feedback from three quarters of students, and complaints have fallen by 92 per cent, while at the same time taxpayers are saving over $130 million. “The menu for Term 3 is being tested with students across the lower North Island. The result is 73 per cent positive feedback.
Tags: David Seymour Healthy School Lunch Programme students taxpayers meals feedback schools menu Term 3 savingsRural Health Roadshow: Minister Matt Doocey Visits Ōamaru to Improve Healthcare Services
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2000 viewsAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Ōamaru 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 Health Minister Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care Fieldays New Zealanders Rural Wellbeing FundNew Zealand Government Boosts Elective Procedures, Cutting Wait Times for Life-Changing Surgeries
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2316 viewsThousands more New Zealanders will get the procedures they need faster, with the Government today announcing 21,000 more elective procedures over the next year through its Elective Boost programme, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “With over 215,000 procedures set to go ahead over the next year – over 21,000 more than previously planned – wait times will reduce, helping more Kiwis access life-changing operations like hip and knee replacements and cataract surgeries sooner. “Our Government is focused on real delivery.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister New Zealanders Elective Boost programme proceduresGovernment Implements Stronger Penalties for Shoplifters to Restore Justice and Public Confidence
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1895 viewsThe Government is making it easier for police to punish shoplifters and is introducing stronger penalties for low-level theft, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “Public confidence in our justice system is undermined if people can steal with apparent impunity. It’s disheartening, and our government will not sit by while shoplifters rob businesses of their livelihoods,” Mr Goldsmith says.
Tags: Government Police Shoplifting Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKeeFormer Acting Governor Grant Spencer and Byron Pepper Appointed to Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board, One Vacancy Remains
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2172 viewsFormer Acting Governor Grant Spencer has been appointed to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced. Board member Byron Pepper has been reappointed. Both are on five-year terms, beginning today.
Tags: Grant Spencer Nicola Willis Byron Pepper Reserve Bank of New Zealand Financial StabilityNew Jobseeker Support Policy: Reapply Every 26 Weeks for Improved Accountability and Employment Opportunities
01 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1786 viewsFrom today, people getting Jobseeker Support will need to reapply every 26 weeks (six months), instead of just once a year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “This previously signalled change increases accountability, while also improving opportunities for jobseekers,” Louise Upston says. “Reapplying for their benefit more often makes sure people receiving Jobseeker Support engage with MSD more regularly.
Tags: Development and employment Louise upston