Latest News & Articles

Showing 15 of 2372 articles

Jonathan Moore Appointed to Maritime NZ Board with Extensive Maritime Expertise

02 Sep 2026 | 6 days ago | 156 views

Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced Jonathan Moore's appointment to the Maritime New Zealand board for a one-year term, joining five other members. Moore brings extensive maritime industry experience, including roles as a senior leader, master mariner, harbourmaster, and former Chief Executive of Northport. His expertise in maritime safety, port operations, and leadership is expected to enhance Maritime NZ’s oversight and complement the board’s existing skills.

Tags: James Meager Jonathan Moore Maritime New Zealand Northport Associate Transport Minister merchant navy marine consultant harbourmaster port industry maritime safety

NZ Tourism Minister Welcomes New Hospitality Report to Boost Sector Success

02 Sep 2026 | 6 days ago | 136 views

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston welcomes a new industry report outlining 48 practical recommendations to support New Zealand's hospitality sector, acknowledging progress made since the 2024 Hospitality Summit. The Government has collaborated closely with the sector through various initiatives and will develop a Hospitality Action Plan to coordinate priority efforts across multiple agencies and portfolios. This plan aims to remove growth barriers, support businesses and workers, and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the economy through ongoing partnership with industry stakeholders.

Tags: Louise Upston Hospitality New Zealand Restaurant Association of New Zealand Tourism Policy Statement Hospitality Summit Michelin Guide Hospitality Action Plan New Zealand Government Hospitality Regulatory Review Tourism and Hospitality

New Zealand Launches Chief Executive Board to Tackle Organised Crime and Trafficking

02 Sep 2026 | 6 days ago | 163 views

The New Zealand Government is establishing a multi-agency Chief Executive Board (CEB) on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) to enhance coordination and oversight in combating organised crime, with Minister Casey Costello designated as the lead. Alongside this, a standalone Trafficking in Persons Action Plan has been introduced to strengthen prevention, victim support, and enforcement against various forms of trafficking occurring within the country. These initiatives aim to protect vulnerable people, improve inter-agency collaboration, and make New Zealand a more difficult environment for organised crime and human trafficking networks.

Tags: Casey Costello Transnational Serious Organised Crime TSOC Methamphetamine Action Plan Chief Executive Board Trafficking in Persons New Zealand Ministerial Advisory Group Comptroller of Customs Commissioner of Police

New Zealand Lifejacket Law: Mandatory Wear on Recreational Boats from 2024

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 154 views

New Zealand has passed new legislation requiring everyone on recreational boats six metres or less to wear properly fitted lifejackets while underway, aiming to reduce preventable drownings. In 2025, 17 people died in recreational boating incidents, with 12 not wearing lifejackets, highlighting the urgent need for this safety measure. The law will take effect 28 days after Royal Assent, just in time for the summer season, supported by coordinated public information efforts from Maritime NZ and partners.

Tags: James Meager Shane Reti Cameron Brewer lifejacket legislation Maritime Transport Amendment Bill New Zealand waters recreational craft safety boating safety drowning prevention Maritime NZ

NZ Economy Shows Resilience as RBNZ Raises Cash Rate to 2.75%

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 166 views

The Reserve Bank raised the Official Cash Rate to 2.75% and expects the economic recovery to strengthen and broaden, supported by a resilient export sector and increased household spending. Inflation is anticipated to return to the mid-point of the target range, boosting purchasing power. Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the assessment, highlighting the economy's resilience amid global challenges and the export-driven nature of the recovery.

Tags: Reserve Bank Nicola Willis Official Cash Rate economic recovery Finance Minister inflation export sector household spending New Zealand economy Middle East conflict

NZ Economy Shows Resilience as Reserve Bank Raises Official Cash Rate to 2.75%

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 174 views

Finance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the Reserve Bank’s assessment that the economic recovery is resuming and expected to broaden, highlighted by a 0.25 basis point increase in the Official Cash Rate to 2.75 percent. The Reserve Bank anticipates a strengthening recovery driven by a resilient export sector, increased household spending, and rising purchasing power as inflation moves toward the target range. Willis emphasized the economy’s resilience amid global challenges and noted that this recovery is export-led rather than reliant on rising house prices, offering a positive outlook despite ongoing difficulties.

Tags: Reserve Bank Nicola Willis Official Cash Rate economic recovery Finance Minister inflation export sector household spending New Zealand Middle East conflict

Trans-Tasman Trade and Tourism Ministers Meet to Boost NZ-Australia Partnership

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 149 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Auckland for the annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers meeting and discussions with trans-Tasman businesses to strengthen economic ties. In 2025, two-way trade between New Zealand and Australia reached $35 billion, with Australia being New Zealand's largest export destination and international visitor market. The visit will also include talks on tourism growth, Māori tourism, and regional economic development to enhance collaboration between the two countries.

Tags: Todd McClay Don Farrell Louise Upston Trade Ministers Closer Economic Relations Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum tourism growth Māori tourism regional economic development

Trans-Tasman Trade and Tourism Ministers Meet to Strengthen NZ-Australia Partnership

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 201 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Auckland for the annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers meeting and discussions with trans-Tasman businesses to strengthen the partnership. Their 2025 two-way trade reached $35 billion, with Australia as New Zealand’s largest export destination and visitor market, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong economic and tourism links. Minister Farrell will also meet with Tourism Minister Louise Upston and participate in a Bay of Islands program focused on Māori tourism and regional economic development.

Tags: Todd McClay Don Farrell Louise Upston Closer Economic Relations trade ministers Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum tourism growth Māori tourism regional economic development

$1.97M Investment to Restore Southern Scallop Fishery and Boost Economy

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 184 views

The New Zealand Government is investing $1.97 million alongside industry partners in a seven-year programme to restore the southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays, aiming to rebuild the marine habitat and create a self-sustaining fishery. The project involves restoring 39 hectares of seabed by placing mussel shells to improve conditions for scallops, addressing past habitat degradation and poor juvenile survival. With strong support from iwi and industry, the $5.02 million initiative is expected to generate $21 million in revenue over 20 years, benefiting the regional economy, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.

Tags: Shane Jones Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company southern scallop fishery Primary Sector Growth Fund Tasman Bay Golden Bay New Zealand scallop restoration marine habitat Top of the South iwi

$1.97M Investment to Restore Southern Scallop Fishery and Boost Economy

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 156 views

The New Zealand Government is investing $1.97 million, alongside over 60% industry funding, in a seven-year program to restore the southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays, aiming to rebuild the fishery, marine habitat, and biodiversity. The project involves restoring 39 hectares of seabed using mussel shells to improve habitat conditions, supported by science, innovation, and collaboration with iwi and industry stakeholders. This restoration is expected to generate approximately $21 million in new revenue over 20 years, benefiting the regional economy, seafood sector, and community wellbeing.

Tags: southern scallop fishery Shane Jones Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company New Zealand Primary Sector Growth Fund marine habitat restoration Tasman Bay Golden Bay scallop restoration Top of the South iwi

US Commits $60M to Support Pacific Energy Crisis Amid Global Challenges

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 121 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the US decision to provide $60 million in energy support to the Pacific, addressing budget shortfalls caused by the global energy crisis. The Pacific Islands Forum and partners like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have been actively working to help Pacific nations manage fuel dependency and price shocks. New Zealand’s development program focuses on boosting economic and energy resilience by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in the region.

Tags: Winston Peters Christopher Landau United States Pacific Islands Forum New Zealand Australia Japan World Bank Asian Development Bank Pacific Islands

US Commits $60M to Support Pacific Energy Amid Global Crisis, Says Winston Peters

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 125 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the United States' decision to provide US$60 million in energy support to the Pacific, addressing budget shortfalls caused by the global energy crisis. The Pacific Islands Forum and partners like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have been collaborating to help Pacific Island countries manage fuel dependency and price shocks. New Zealand’s development program focuses on enhancing economic and energy resilience through renewable energy and improved efficiency to reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Tags: Winston Peters Christopher Landau United States Pacific Islands Forum New Zealand Australia Japan World Bank Asian Development Bank Pacific Islands

Government to Demolish Derelict MIT Buildings in Ōtara for Housing Redevelopment

01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 148 views

Deteriorating and asbestos-riddled buildings on two former Manukau Institute of Technology sites in Ōtara, covering over eight hectares of Crown land, will be demolished to enable future housing redevelopment. The Government acquired these sites in 2019 through the Land for Housing Programme and is seeking zoning changes to repurpose the land from education to housing use. Preparations including project management appointments and contractor procurement will take about six months, followed by approximately 15 months for demolition and site remediation, with community updates planned throughout the process.

Tags: Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Chris Bishop Housing Minister Crown land Land for Housing Programme Plan Change 120 LINZ MCERT GETS

Demolition of Derelict MIT Buildings in Ōtara to Unlock Housing Development

01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 149 views

Deteriorating and asbestos-riddled buildings at two former Manukau Institute of Technology sites in Ōtara, covering over 8 hectares of Crown land, will be demolished to address safety concerns and enable future housing development. The government acquired these sites in 2019 through the Land for Housing Programme and is seeking to rezone them from education to housing uses, with demolition and site remediation expected to take about 21 months. Preparatory work, including appointing project management and securing consents, will take around six months, with demolition contracts to be tendered through LINZ to ensure experienced contractors and competitive pricing.

Tags: Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Chris Bishop Housing Minister Crown land demolition Land for Housing Programme Plan Change 120 LINZ MCERT

Government Releases Crown Review on Moa Point Wastewater Plant Failure and Flooding

01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 184 views

The independent Crown Review into the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant failure identified longstanding systemic weaknesses in governance, accountability, asset management, and risk management as key factors behind the 2026 flooding event, rather than a single technical fault. Recommendations for Wellington City Council, Tiaki Wai, and the Minister of Local Government focus on restoring compliance, improving communication, strengthening governance, and linking risk management to investment decisions, with many improvements already underway. The review underscores the importance of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms to enhance oversight, accountability, and resilience in New Zealand’s water infrastructure to prevent similar future failures.

Tags: Simon Watts Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Wellington City Council Tiaki Wai Crown Review Team Local Government Minister Local Water Done Well wastewater infrastructure infrastructure resilience MCERT