Articles tagged with Bill
Showing 15 of 132 articles
Strengthening Nordic-New Zealand Partnerships: Shared Values and Future Collaborations
28 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1158 viewsThe speech delivered to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs on October 28, 2025, highlighted the historical and current ties between New Zealand and the Nordic countries, emphasizing shared values and experiences dating back to the 18th century. The discussion focused on the strength of partnerships, shared challenges in a complex world, and the need for collaboration on international law, resilience-building, and innovation to address global issues. The importance of unity, cooperation, and principled values-based partnerships in shaping a positive global order was underscored, emphasizing the potential for small and medium nations to influence world affairs through collective action.
Tags: State Secretary Hartelius Tobias Billstrom Ambassadors Daniel Solander Hermann Sporring Ditlev Monrad Helen Lahtinen Jon Johansson Captain Cook Te PapaNew Zealand Government Eases Climate Reporting Burden for Businesses to Boost Market Growth
21 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1112 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announces changes to support business growth and capital markets in New Zealand. The Government is adjusting climate reporting regulations to reduce costs and encourage listings on the NZX. Changes include raising the reporting threshold, adjusting liability settings, and excluding managed investment schemes. These adjustments aim to ensure robust reporting, maintain market competitiveness, and provide clearer information on investments for KiwiSaver and managed funds.
Tags: Government business growth capital markets climate reporting compliance costs Scott Simpson market capitalisation climate disclosures KiwiSaver investment Financial Markets Conduct Amendment BillNew Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill Advances: Key Features and Future Considerations
21 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 992 viewsThe Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill passed its first reading, focusing on recognizing abuse in care experiences and providing redress through financial payments, apologies, access to care records, and counseling services. The Bill introduces a framework for independent consideration of financial redress for survivors who have committed serious offenses, aiming to prevent the scheme from being brought into disrepute. The Bill has been referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for further review, encouraging input from survivors, advocates, and other stakeholders.
Tags: Erica Stanford Redress System Abuse in Care Bill State redress scheme Financial payment Apology Care records Counselling Wellbeing services Independent decision makerGovernment Decisions on Pharmacy Ownership and Medical Advertising in Upcoming Bill
13 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1081 viewsCabinet papers reveal upcoming Medical Products Bill changes including the removal of pharmacy ownership restrictions to enhance access to healthcare. The bill will introduce a supervisory pharmacist role and allow advertising of unapproved medicines under certain conditions. Modernizing advertising regulations will provide better access to medical product information while ensuring consumer safety.
Tags: Casey Costello Government decisions Pharmacy ownership Medical Products Bill Advertising of medicines Supervisory pharmacist Patient safety Pharmacy standards Consumer safety Medical conferencesNew Bill Bans Surcharges on Foreign and Commercial Cards for Easier Payments: Impact on Businesses and Consumers
16 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1212 viewsThe Government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, is expanding the surcharge ban to include foreign-issued cards and commercial cards, aiming to simplify transactions for businesses and consumers. The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading, prohibiting surcharges on in-store EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard payments. The ban, set to be implemented within a month of passing the Bill, aims to save businesses up to $90 million annually and prevent surprise costs for Kiwi shoppers at payment terminals.
Tags: Government payment pain point surcharge ban foreign cards Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Retail Payment System Amendment Bill Commerce Commission banking fees merchant service fees interchange feesUnlocking New Zealand's Offshore Wind Potential: Government Amendments for Industry Growth
16 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1025 viewsThe Government is amending legislation to support New Zealand's offshore wind potential, aiming to boost economic growth and energy production. The Offshore Renewable Energy Bill is being revised to address concerns from offshore wind developers about coexisting with seabed mining activities. The amendments will create designated marine spaces for offshore wind projects, providing investment certainty while pausing new permits for seabed mining under the Crown Minerals Act.
Tags: Government legislation offshore wind potential Energy Minister Simon Watts economic growth regulatory regime Offshore Renewable Energy Bill seabed mining CabinetNew Zealand Takes Urgent Action to Suspend Unsafe International Adoptions
16 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1118 viewsThe Government, led by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, is urgently suspending recognition of unsafe international adoptions to protect children and young people. The Adoption Amendment Bill has been introduced to immediately suspend New Zealand's recognition of risky overseas adoptions, citing inadequate safeguards in current laws. The temporary suspension, effective until a specified date or July 1, 2027, aims to prevent harm to children adopted into unsafe situations, with plans for a long-term solution and exemptions for countries with safe adoption practices.
Tags: Government international adoptions children young people Nicole McKee Adoption Amendment Bill unsafe overseas adoptions Joseph Auga Matamata Family Court Ministry of JusticeNew Tax Bill Boosts New Zealand Economy and Supports Skilled Migration
26 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1430 viewsRevenue Minister Simon Watts has introduced a new tax bill in New Zealand to boost the economy, attract skilled individuals, and encourage investment. The bill aims to make the tax system fairer for migrants, digital nomads, and businesses by addressing issues like overseas income taxation and employee share schemes. These changes are designed to simplify the tax system, reduce compliance costs, and create a more conducive environment for economic growth and job creation in New Zealand.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand tax bill economy skilled migrants digital nomads employee share schemes tax compliance costs GST practices solar powerAccelerated Land Acquisition Bill Boosts Infrastructure Projects
21 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1357 viewsThe passing of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill will expedite critical infrastructure projects, aiming to address New Zealand's infrastructure deficit by streamlining land acquisition processes. The new accelerated process offers incentives and recognition payments to landowners, while also introducing a faster objections resolution mechanism. The Government plans to further modernize the Public Works Act to improve landowner engagement, disaster recovery support, and overall efficiency in delivering public infrastructure projects.
Tags: Public Works Act Amendment Bill Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Land Information Minister Chris Penk infrastructure projects critical infrastructure accelerated land acquisition process Public Works Act landowners infrastructure deficit New Zealand.Minister Brooke van Velden Appoints New Members to Employment Relations Authority for Balanced Expertise
20 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1498 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has appointed four new members to the Employment Relations Authority [ERA] and reappointed two Members to ensure a better balance of public and private sector experience among ERA members. The new members, Simon Greening, William Fussey, Alyn Higgins, and Robert Davis, bring valuable legal expertise and experience to the ERA. These appointments aim to shift the mix of experience towards 60% private and 52% public, reflecting the employment landscape in New Zealand. Additionally, policy changes in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill are underway to address issues such as poor employee behavior and clarify employment arrangements.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Simon Greening William Fussey Alyn Higgins Robert Davis Employment Relations Authority ERA Employment Relations Amendment Bill workplace relations employment lawNew Zealand's Medsafe Achieves Record Approval Speeds for Life-Saving Medicines
19 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1452 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour highlights that Medsafe has been improving its efficiency in approving new medicines, with significant reductions in evaluation timeframes for both innovative and generic medicines. The implementation of initiatives like the Rule of Two and leveraging AI technology are expected to further expedite the approval processes. The focus is on ensuring faster access to vital medications for New Zealanders, with a commitment to a regulatory system that prioritizes timely approval without compromising safety.
Tags: Medsafe David Seymour New Zealanders pharmaceuticals Rule of Two AI Medicines Amendment Bill Bleriplex medicine Omjjaro TyrukoNew Zealand's RMA Amendment Bill: Driving Economic Growth and Removing Red Tape for Progress
14 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1422 viewsThe Government's second RMA Amendment Bill has passed into law, aiming to drive economic growth and job creation by removing roadblocks and cutting red tape in various sectors, such as infrastructure, housing, farming, and emergency management. The Bill introduces changes to streamline consent processes for renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector. It is part of a broader three-phase RMA reform program, with the full replacement for the RMA expected to be in effect by 2027.
Tags: RMA Amendment Bill Chris Bishop infrastructure renewable energy housing farming primary sector emergency natural hazards Resource Management systemGovernment Acts to Prevent 'Stop Work' Order for NZ Farmers: RMA Reform Bill Update
12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1267 viewsThe Government has intervened to prevent potential stop work notices for thousands of New Zealand farmers due to water discharge rules under the RMA, affecting 2,800 Waikato farms. Various regional councils raised concerns, leading to amendments broadening permitted water discharges in the Resource Management Amendment Bill. The changes aim to support farmers, ensure water quality improvement, and avoid hindering economic recovery, with the bill set to pass into law soon.
Tags: Chris Bishop Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Government New Zealand farmers RMA Reform Minister Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Waikato Regional Council Resource Management Amendment BillMinister Brooke van Velden Welcomes Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill for Improved Department of Internal Affairs Efficiency
12 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1430 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden supports the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the Department of Internal Affairs by streamlining relevant legislation. The Bill, which has passed its first reading and will now undergo public submissions, proposes changes such as age restrictions on Lotto sales, empowering the Department to combat objectionable online content, and improving the Classification Office's operations. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of these amendments in advancing the Department's capabilities and safeguarding against harmful online materials.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill Department of Internal Affairs RealMe identity verification service Lotto product Classification Office fertility clinics objectionable content international law enforcement agenciesNew Zealand Petroleum Exploration Permits Open in September: Crown Minerals Amendment Bill Impact
31 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1866 viewsThe Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, following its third reading, will allow operators to apply for new petroleum exploration permits starting in September. The Bill removes the ban on oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki, introduces a new tier of permit for small-scale non-commercial gold mining, and aims to boost investment in Crown-owned minerals. Changes in liability for decommissioning costs and the need for clarity in regulatory burden and risk are also addressed in the Bill to enhance investor confidence and energy security.
Tags: Shane Jones petroleum exploration permits Crown Minerals Amendment Bill oil and gas exploration energy security natural gas decommissioning investment liability