08 Sep 2026
1 month ago
424 views
The Taranaki Alliance, supported by a $3 million Regional Infrastructure Fund grant, aims to help local firms secure over $100 million in contracts within three years, aiding economic diversification away from the declining oil and gas sector. The initiative, led by Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki and local partners, will coordinate collaboration among engineering, manufacturing, and technical firms to pursue large-scale national and international projects. With strong regional support and over 85 firms interested, the Alliance seeks to build a commercially sustainable model that enhances bid coordination, compliance, and regional economic representation.
12 Aug 2026
2 months ago
560 views
New Zealand is upgrading its emergency helicopter fleet, replacing aging aircraft with 16 new helicopters by 2025 to improve safety, reliability, and performance, especially in remote and regional areas. The latest addition, an Airbus H145 D3 in Hawke’s Bay, enhances automation, patient care, and operation in challenging conditions, supporting critical medical transport and inter-hospital transfers. This $27.3 million investment aims to strengthen air ambulance services nationwide, ensuring better outcomes for patients and recognizing the vital work of air ambulance personnel.
12 Aug 2026
2 months ago
612 views
The Hydrogen Hui highlights New Zealand’s potential to develop hydrogen as a key part of its energy mix, supporting economic growth, energy security, and emissions reduction through innovation across the hydrogen value chain. The government is committed to establishing clear regulatory frameworks and investing $45 million in projects like Aspiring Materials’ green hydrogen and critical minerals facility to foster regional development and technological advancement. Success relies on collaboration among industry, investors, and researchers to build a sustainable hydrogen sector, guided by the newly launched New Zealand Hydrogen Industry Road Map.
12 Aug 2026
2 months ago
599 views
The Hydrogen Hui highlights New Zealand's commitment to developing hydrogen as a key part of its energy future, emphasizing its potential for energy security, regional economic growth, and emissions reduction across various sectors. The government is working on establishing clear regulatory frameworks and investing $45 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support innovative hydrogen projects like Aspiring Materials' green hydrogen and critical minerals facility. Success will rely on collaboration among industry, researchers, and investors, guided by the newly launched New Zealand Hydrogen Industry Road Map to build a comprehensive hydrogen value chain.
29 Jul 2026
2 months ago
743 views
New Zealand has granted its first new offshore petroleum exploration permit since reversing the ban, awarding Australian company EnZed Energy a 12-year permit for a 546 sq km area east of the Kupe gas field in the Taranaki Basin. This move signals renewed investor confidence and aims to address declining natural gas reserves, which have dropped 23% to the lowest level in over two decades, emphasizing the importance of exploration for future energy security. The government highlights that natural gas remains crucial for electricity generation and industry, and exploration is essential to assess New Zealand’s remaining resource potential.
27 May 2026
5 months ago
894 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced a $100 million Budget 2026 investment to build two new court facilities in Rotorua, addressing longstanding issues like leaks, mould, and poor ventilation in existing buildings. The new courthouses will enhance safety, increase courtroom capacity with multiple new courtrooms, and improve the efficiency and timeliness of justice delivery. Planning and design are underway, with construction starting next year and the Rotorua Law Courts expected to be operational by mid-2030.
28 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1090 views
The Coalition Government is expanding the granny flat building consent exemption to enable faster construction, more homeowner choices, and inclusion of off-site building methods, while maintaining safety and quality standards. Key changes include allowing off-site construction of consent-exempt granny flats before a Project Information Memorandum (PIM) is issued and expanding exemptions to include Structural Insulated Panels with CodeMark certification. These reforms, supported by multiple ministers, aim to cut red tape, reduce costs, and boost productivity in the housing sector, with new rules expected by Q3 2026.
25 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1481 views
Hamilton Airport will receive a $6.5 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to extend its runway by 255 meters, enhancing its capacity and resilience as a key hub for domestic and international freight and passenger transport. The upgrade, including apron expansion and lighting improvements, supports Waikato’s major manufacturers and exporters and provides an alternative airport option during disruptions at other North Island airports. The project, led by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd with a $3.3 million contribution, is expected to create up to 39 local jobs and strengthen New Zealand’s national aviation network.
24 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1151 views
The Government has approved the use of an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act Levy to support the construction of around 1,500 new homes in the Te Awa Lakes development near Hamilton by funding up to $50 million in water and roading infrastructure. The IFF Act enables infrastructure costs to be financed through a Special Purpose Vehicle that charges levies to benefiting homeowners, bypassing local government borrowing constraints and allowing growth to pay for growth. Additionally, the Government is enhancing the IFF Act and supporting developments like Te Awa Lakes with the Greenfield Model to reduce financing costs and promote affordable housing growth.
25 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1255 views
Golden Bay Air will be the first airline to receive a $1.1 million loan from the $30 million Regional Infrastructure Fund to refinance aircraft debt and maintain essential regional flights. This support aims to ensure connectivity, economic resilience, and access to health care and tourism for isolated communities like Golden Bay. Additionally, the fund includes initiatives to help regional airlines integrate bookings with larger carriers, enhancing commercial sustainability and travel accessibility.
15 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1376 views
New Zealand has removed the need for building and resource consents for granny flats up to 70 square metres, simplifying the process and reducing costs by up to $5,650 and 14 weeks. This change, part of the Coalition Government’s housing reforms, aims to increase affordable and diverse housing options while boosting construction jobs and easing council workloads. Homeowners must ensure their granny flats meet Building Code standards and local council rules, with guidance and templates available from government websites.
19 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1267 views
Minister Winston Peters will visit Viet Nam, Thailand, and China next week to strengthen New Zealand's key relationships in Southeast Asia and discuss regional challenges with senior leaders. He will also attend an event in Guangzhou marking New Zealand’s purchase of two interisland ferries, highlighting the strong trade ties with China. This visit underscores the Coalition Government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with both Southeast Asia and China.
23 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1262 views
New legislation will allow Kiwis to build granny flats up to 70 square metres without a building consent, aiming to increase housing options and reduce costs. The exemption is part of a government initiative to simplify the building process and boost housing availability. The change is expected to result in more granny flats being built over the next decade, benefiting families, workers, and communities.
11 Sep 2025
1 year ago
2049 views
Community Housing Providers (CHPs) are actively delivering over 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, with a focus on allocating 1,500 social houses from Budget 2024 and 550 social homes for Auckland from Budget 2025. The government is committed to building the right homes in the right places for those in need, with a new housing investment system centered on strategic partnerships with CHPs and a Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 to drive further change in social housing. Progress is being made in improving housing for Kiwis, including reducing the social housing register, moving families out of motels into social housing, and partnering with Māori housing providers to deliver affordable rental homes across the country.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1326 views
A bill protecting marine farmers from costly consent reviews was passed, aiming to support the aquaculture industry's goal of generating $3 billion in revenue by 2035. The Resource Management Act amendments restrict council reviews of coastal permits until 2030, reducing bureaucratic barriers for industry growth. These changes aim to allow marine farmers to focus on innovation and growth rather than dealing with regulatory red tape and costs.