Articles tagged with Coalition Government

Showing 15 of 18 articles

Taranaki Alliance Boosted by $3M Grant to Secure $100M+ Contracts

07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 70 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.

Tags: Shane Jones Taranaki Alliance Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki Methanex New Plymouth District Council Venture Taranaki Regional Development Minister Coalition Government Regional Infrastructure Fund oil and gas sector

Hawke’s Bay Gets New Air Ambulance Helicopter Boosting Emergency Care

12 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 284 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.

Tags: Casey Costello Hawkes Bay New Zealand Airbus H145 D3 Search and Rescue Services Limited air ambulance helicopter upgrade coalition government North Island Christchurch

Unlocking New Zealand's Hydrogen Potential: Innovation, Investment, and Energy Future

11 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 297 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.

Tags: Dr Linda Wright New Zealand Hydrogen Council Ambassador of Japan Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore Charge d'Affaires European Union Aspiring Materials Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government Hydrogen Industry Road Map Coalition Government

Unlocking New Zealand’s Hydrogen Potential: Innovation, Investment, and Future Growth

11 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 302 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.

Tags: Linda Wright New Zealand Hydrogen Council Ambassador of Japan Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore Charge d'Affaires European Union Aspiring Materials Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government Hydrogen Industry Road Map Coalition Government

New Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit Granted in Taranaki Basin, NZ

28 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 407 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.

Tags: Shane Jones EnZed Energy New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals Kupe gas field Taranaki Basin Kaheru prospect Coalition Government petroleum exploration natural gas energy security

$100M Investment for New Rotorua Courthouses Boosts Justice System

26 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 624 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.

Tags: Nicole McKee Rotorua New Zealand Courts Minister Budget 2026 Rotorua Law Courts Māori Land Court justice system Coalition Government court infrastructure

Coalition Expands Granny Flat Consent Exemptions for Faster, Flexible Builds

28 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 787 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.

Tags: Chris Bishop Chris Penk Shane Jones Coalition Government granny flat building consent exemption Project Information Memorandum

Hamilton Airport Runway Extension Boosted by $6.5M Loan for Growth and Resilience

24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1223 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.

Tags: Hamilton Airport runway extension Regional Infrastructure Fund Shane Jones Waikato national aviation network Regional Development Minister Waikato Regional Airport Ltd Coalition Government airport construction jobs

Government Approves Infrastructure Levy to Build 1,500 New Homes at Te Awa Lakes

24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 881 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.

Tags: Chris Bishop Te Awa Lakes Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act Hamilton City Council New Zealand Government Housing Minister IFF Act Levy Greenfield Model National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited Coalition Government

Golden Bay Air Secures $1.1M Loan to Support Vital Regional Flights

24 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1027 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.

Tags: Golden Bay Air James Meager Maureen Pugh Regional Infrastructure Fund Kānoa Coalition Government Tākaka Heaphy Track Abel Tasman Track

New Zealand Allows Granny Flats Without Building or Resource Consents for Affordable Housing

14 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1097 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.

Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Chris Penk New Zealand Coalition Government RMA Reform Building Act National Direction Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Ministry for the Environment

NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Visit Vietnam, Thailand, and China Next Week

19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1054 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.

Tags: Winston Peters New Zealand Viet Nam Thailand China Southeast Asia Guangzhou Ha Noi Bangkok Coalition Government

New Legislation Allows Kiwis to Build Granny Flats Without Consent, Boosting Housing Choices

22 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1031 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.

Tags: legislation Kiwis granny flats housing Coalition Government RMA Reform Chris Bishop Building Act National Direction Shane Jones

Government-Funded Social Home Deliveries by Community Housing Providers: Progress Update and Future Plans

11 Sep 2025 | 12 months ago | 1782 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.

Tags: Community Housing Providers CHPs Coalition Government Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development HUD Budget 2024 Budget 2025

New Bill Boosts Aquaculture Growth Potential, Eases Regulatory Burden

02 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1101 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.

Tags: Shane Jones aquaculture industry marine farmers Resource Management Act regulatory environment Coalition Government consent reviews marine farm consent conditions coastal permits red tape