Articles tagged with Collins
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Top of the South Land Returned to Māori Descendants with Public Access Secured
16 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1138 viewsApproximately 7,583 acres of Top of the South land will be returned to descendants of its original Te Tauihu Māori owners following a private litigation dating back to the 1840s, with the Crown acknowledging its legal duty and agreeing to a $420 million payment. Despite the land transfer, public access to key areas like the Abel Tasman Coast Track and Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve will continue uninterrupted under a 25-year agreement, ensuring ongoing use by visitors, schools, and local communities. This resolution differs from Treaty settlements as it involves returning land to rightful owners based on private property law, balancing legal ownership with current public and conservation uses.
Tags: Judith Collins Tama Potaka Rore Stafford Te Tauihu Māori Crown New Zealand Company Abel Tasman Great Walk Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve Supreme Court High CourtNew Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) Launches in NZ
15 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1232 viewsThe Government has established the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) by merging four agencies to streamline housing, transport, urban development, and environmental reforms. MCERT aims to address New Zealand’s economic and environmental challenges through integrated planning, clearer accountability, and coordinated policy advice, improving outcomes for local government and communities. The new Ministry will be fully operational by July 2026, with a Chief Executive appointed earlier that year, enhancing efficiency and supporting ambitious reform agendas.
Tags: Chris Bishop Judith Collins Simon Watts Penny Simmonds Ministry of Cities Environment Regions and Transport New Zealand government housing reform urban development local government climate changeNew Zealand Government Launches Digital Agency to Boost Efficiency and Cut IT Costs
15 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1259 viewsThe New Zealand Government is modernising digital services by simplifying and coordinating IT systems through logical groupings of agencies sharing common platforms to reduce duplication and improve efficiency. A new Government Digital Delivery Agency will be established under the Public Service Commission to centralise digital investment and procurement, potentially saving $3.9 billion over five years. These reforms aim to make government services simpler, faster, and more cost-effective, supporting fiscal discipline, productivity, and sustainable economic growth.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Government Digital Services Public Service Commission Government Digital Delivery Agency Government Chief Digital Officer IT Systems Digital Investment Public Sector Efficiency Technology SpendKiwi Space Activator Launches $1.8M Pilot to Boost NZ Space Innovation
11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1282 viewsNew Zealand's Space Minister Judith Collins launched a $1.8 million Kiwi Space Activator pilot program to help local companies and universities develop space technologies for future national missions. The program, administered by the New Zealand Space Agency, offers up to $600,000 per project over two funding rounds, supporting innovations aligned with government challenges like maritime security and ecosystem health. Open to New Zealand-based organizations, the initiative aims to advance space technology readiness and maintain the country's leadership in global space innovation, with applications closing on March 1, 2026.
Tags: Judith Collins Kiwi Space Activator New Zealand Space Agency space technology national space mission satellite technology space innovation maritime security biosecurity ecosystem healthNew Govt.nz App Launches for Secure, Easy Access to NZ Government Services
09 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 911 viewsThe Government has launched the Govt. nz app to provide secure, convenient access to trusted government information and services via mobile phones. Initially offering customizable dashboards and emergency warnings, the app will soon include features like secure messaging and a digital wallet for identity credentials. Participation is optional, aiming to enhance a customer-focused, efficient, and future-ready digital public service while maintaining high safety standards.
Tags: Government app digital public service Judith Collins Govt. nz app National Emergency Management Agency NEMA Fire and Emergency New Zealand secure messagingNew Zealand Pledges $15M to NATO-US Initiative Supporting Ukraine Defense
03 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 813 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins announced New Zealand's $15 million contribution to the NATO and US-led Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) to supply Ukraine with critical weapons and equipment. They emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine’s defense for both European and Indo-Pacific security amid ongoing Russian aggression. New Zealand’s aid aligns with its international obligations and complements its broader diplomatic, military, humanitarian, and economic support efforts for Ukraine.
Tags: Winston Peters Judith Collins Ukraine NATO United States New Zealand Australia Russia PURL Armed Forces of UkraineNew Zealand Extends Defence Liaison Officer Deployment to Israel for Gaza Peace Efforts
28 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 859 viewsNew Zealand has extended the deployment of a Defence Force liaison officer to Israel for an additional eight weeks to enhance understanding of coordination efforts on the ground. The deployment aims to gather information to better assess future options for supporting sustained peace in Gaza. The liaison officer continues to operate within the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre, with no decisions made beyond this extension.
Tags: New Zealand Defence Force Israel Judith Collins Gaza Defence Minister liaison officer Civil Military Coordination Centre deployment peace governmentPublic Inquiry Announced into Disappearance of Phillips Children
26 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 929 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced a Public Inquiry into whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the Phillips children during their nearly four-year disappearance. The Inquiry, led by Justice Simon Moore KC, will be conducted privately to protect the children's welfare and will exclude findings on judicial decisions. A final report with recommendations is expected by 21 July 2026.
Tags: Judith Collins Phillips children Simon Moore Public Inquiry High Court Electoral Commission Auckland judicial decisions Terms of ReferenceNew Zealand’s Advanced Aviation Rules Slash Red Tape and Boost Innovation
26 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 953 viewsNew Zealand has introduced a pioneering advanced aviation rule enabling regulatory sandboxes for rapid, safe testing of new technologies without frequent Civil Aviation Authority approvals, benefiting innovators and the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre. Updated drone regulations simplify rules by clarifying permitted low-risk uses like surveying under Part 101 and transferring some higher-risk activities to clearer frameworks, reducing red tape while maintaining safety. These changes, effective December 22, 2025, aim to foster growth in the advanced aviation sector by balancing innovation with strong safeguards and responsiveness to technological advancements.
Tags: Judith Collins James Meager Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre Civil Aviation Authority advanced aviation drone rules Part 101 Part 102 Part 107 New ZealandDefence Minister Opens $58M Burnham Army Maintenance Facility and Logistics Hub
24 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 881 viewsDefence Minister Judith Collins inaugurated a $58 million Army maintenance support facility at Burnham Military Camp, enhancing equipment repair capacity and safety, delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. Construction also began on an $82.7 million multi-functional regional supply facility at Burnham, which will serve as a modern logistics hub and provide around 600 jobs during its development. Both facilities are part of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Consolidated Logistics Project, aimed at upgrading logistics infrastructure across Burnham and Linton Military Camps to support operational readiness and personnel.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force Burnham Military Camp Linton Military Camp Defence Capability Plan Consolidated Logistics Project Regional Logistics Centre Army maintenance support facility Defence Minister Defence logisticsFour New Judicial Appointments Announced for Supreme, Appeal, and High Courts
20 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1258 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced four judicial appointments effective late 2025 and early 2026: Justice Francis Cooke to the Supreme Court, Justice Rebecca Edwards to the Court of Appeal, and Michael Arthur and Amokura Kawharu to the High Court. Each appointee has extensive legal backgrounds, with Cooke and Edwards previously serving as High Court judges, Arthur specializing in commercial litigation, and Kawharu noted for her academic contributions and leadership at the Law Commission. These appointments reflect a blend of legal expertise across public law, commercial litigation, arbitration, and judicial experience.
Tags: Judith Collins Francis Cooke Rebecca Edwards Michael Arthur Amokura Kawharu Victoria University of Wellington University of Auckland Cambridge University Court of Appeal High CourtNew Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 920 viewsThe Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnelPrime Minister’s Space Prizes 2025: Dawn Aerospace CEO & Student Honored
17 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1047 viewsStefan Powell, co-founder and CEO of Dawn Aerospace, and Southland student Sophie Ineson are the 2025 recipients of the Prime Minister’s Space Prizes, recognized for their innovation and contributions to New Zealand’s growing space industry. The space sector has seen significant growth, with revenue increasing 53% to $2.68 billion and supporting 17,000 skilled jobs, highlighting its economic importance and potential. Both winners will receive financial awards to support their work and education, underscoring New Zealand’s commitment to fostering talent and leadership in the global space industry.
Tags: Stefan Powell Sophie Ineson Dawn Aerospace Prime Minister’s Space Prizes Christopher Luxon Megan Whelan Collins New Zealand space industry space exploration advanced aviation sector space sector growthNew Zealand Launches Secure Digital Credential Platform for Government Agencies
17 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1064 viewsNew Zealand company MATTR will develop a shared digital credential platform managed by the Department of Internal Affairs to enable government agencies to issue secure digital identities through a Government App. This initiative aims to simplify identity verification, reduce paperwork, enhance privacy and security, and improve convenience for users, with agencies like MBIE trialing the system for business credentials. By standardizing digital identity services across agencies, the government expects cost savings, greater efficiency, and a more consistent experience for citizens.
Tags: Judith Collins MATTR Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government App digital credentials digital identity services New Zealand Business Number public sectorGovernment Implements Strong Oversight Measures for New Zealand Police
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 936 viewsThe New Zealand Government is responding to a critical report on the Police's handling of complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming by establishing strong oversight through an Inspector-General of Police. The report highlighted serious issues within the former Police executive, leading to concerns about integrity and culture. The Government and Police are accepting and implementing recommendations to strengthen oversight, integrity processes, and code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the Police force.
Tags: Government New Zealand Police Jevon McSkimming Judith Collins Mark Mitchell Independent Police Conduct Authority Public Service Commission probity checking Police oversight