Articles tagged with Commission

Showing 15 of 112 articles

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Visits NZ to Boost Trade, Open New High Commission

27 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 619 views

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath visited New Zealand for the first time since 2014, marking a milestone with the opening of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Wellington and strengthening bilateral ties. During the visit, both countries discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, education, sport, and announced plans to negotiate a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) to boost economic engagement. New Zealand officials emphasized that the TIFA will unlock new opportunities for exporters, support trade diversification, and contribute to New Zealand’s goal of doubling export value within ten years.

Tags: Winston Peters Vijitha Herath Todd McClay Sri Lanka New Zealand Foreign Minister Trade and Investment TIFA High Commission Bilateral Relations

Dallas Welch Named Chair of Remuneration Authority; Vern Walsh Reappointed and Wynand du Plessis Joins

27 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 705 views

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced Dallas Welch’s elevation to Chair of the Remuneration Authority, the reappointment of Vern Walsh for another three-year term, and the appointment of Wynand du Plessis as a new member. The Authority, an independent statutory body with three members, sets pay rates for key public office holders, and the new appointees bring extensive experience in public service leadership, remuneration, governance, and financial expertise. These appointments aim to strengthen the Authority’s role in remuneration setting, with Welch bringing nearly 40 years of public sector experience, Walsh offering deep local government and financial knowledge, and du Plessis contributing over a decade of corporate and consulting remuneration leadership.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Dallas Welch Vern Walsh Wynand du Plessis Geoffrey Summers Public Service Commission Fletcher Building Ernst and Young Mercer Consulting Mr Price Group

New Zealand Government’s Plan to Transform Infrastructure and Asset Management by 2030

21 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 654 views

The Government is implementing a comprehensive reform programme to improve New Zealand’s infrastructure asset management, focusing on long-term economic prosperity through better planning, funding, and oversight, including strengthening assurance processes and establishing the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT). A key initiative addresses poor coordination and data quality in underground asset management, with plans to enhance regulations, compliance, and potentially develop a National Underground Asset Register to reduce costs and disruptions. These foundational changes aim to ensure safer, more reliable infrastructure, better value for taxpayers, and sustained growth, with ongoing efforts to refine policies and enforcement starting July 2026.

Tags: Murray Pugh Jim Donovan Minister Stanford NZUAG Infrastructure Commission Treasury MCERT National Infrastructure Plan New Zealand Apōpō

Revolutionizing NZ Regulation: Mapping for Smarter Reform and Economic Growth

20 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 772 views

The New Zealand Government is undertaking a groundbreaking project led by the Ministry for Regulation to map the country’s complex regulatory environment, which has grown increasingly fragmented and inefficient over the past two decades, hindering economic productivity and wage growth. This mapping reveals a vast network of 259 regulators and overlapping regulatory systems, exemplified by the complicated dog control system involving multiple ministries and laws, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated reform and simplification. Leveraging data and AI, the Ministry aims to identify redundancies and promote continuous regulatory review, encouraging public sector leaders to collaborate on consolidating regulations to improve efficiency, accountability, and New Zealand’s economic competitiveness.

Tags: Paul Conway Grainne Moss Ministry for Regulation New Zealand Government Regulatory reform Ministry for Cities Environment Regions and Transport MCERT Dog Control Act Public Service Commission Reserve Bank

Government Funds Memorials and Support for Survivors of Abuse in Care Royal Commission

19 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 680 views

The New Zealand Government is funding seven local authorities and 68 non-government organisations through the Survivor Support and Recognition Fund (SSRF) to memorialise at least 4,000 unmarked graves linked to psychiatric and psychopaedic sites and to support survivors of abuse in care. Since its establishment after the 2024 public apology, the SSRF has allocated over $4.9 million in two funding rounds to create memorials, provide survivor services such as peer support and therapy, and conduct research on burial sites. These initiatives aim to acknowledge the long-term impact of abuse and neglect in care, fulfilling key recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Tags: Erica Stanford Auckland Council Christchurch City Council Dunedin City Council Nelson City Council Porirua City Council Rangitikei District Council Whanganui District Council Lake Alice Abuse in Care Royal Commission

Raveen Jaduram Appointed Chair of Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board

19 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 661 views

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has appointed Mr. Raveen Jaduram as the new Chair of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board, succeeding Rebecca Keoghan MNZM. Mr. Jaduram brings extensive experience in infrastructure governance, financial oversight, and strategic leadership, which will support the Board's accountability and investment management in emergency services. Keoghan was thanked for her leadership during the organisation's post-amalgamation phase, where she strengthened structure and advanced workplace culture and integrity.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Raveen Jaduram Rebecca Keoghan Fire and Emergency New Zealand New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Water Services Authority Auckland Transport Internal Affairs Minister Crown entity Chair public utility chief executive

Budget 2026: Transforming New Zealand’s Public Service for a More Affordable Future

19 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 856 views

The Government Budget 2026 focuses on addressing New Zealand’s economic challenges through durable reforms aimed at affordability, fiscal responsibility, and improved public services rather than short-term spending. Key initiatives include streamlining government agencies, embracing digital and AI technologies, and reducing public service numbers to enhance efficiency and redirect savings toward health, education, infrastructure, and security. This strategic approach seeks to create a modern, productive public service, maintain balanced books, and build a resilient economy for a better and more affordable future.

Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Carney Labour New Zealand Prime Minister Business North Harbour Kainga Ora Public Service Commission Ministry of Cities Government Budget

NZ Minister Matt Doocey Leads HealthTech Delegation at Digital Health Festival 2026

17 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 739 views

Minister Matt Doocey will travel to Australia to attend the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne, leading a delegation of 26 New Zealand HealthTech companies, highlighting the sector's significant $3.9 billion contribution to the economy. This marks New Zealand's largest presence at the festival, reflecting strong industry growth and innovation in digital healthcare. Additionally, he will visit Mental Health Commissions in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia to gather insights for an upcoming review of New Zealand's Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.

Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand Digital Health Festival HealthTech Mental Health Commissions Australia Queensland Victoria Western Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

Kerryn Beaton KC Appointed District Court Judge in Dunedin, Sworn In July 2026

14 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 916 views

Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has appointed Kerryn Beaton KC as a District Court Judge, with her swearing-in scheduled for 2 July 2026 in Christchurch. Ms Beaton has extensive legal experience, including roles as a Crown prosecutor, Public Defender, and barrister focusing on serious crime and public inquiries, as well as involvement in significant commissions such as the Pike River Royal Commission and the UN Khmer Rouge trials. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2021 and will be based at the Dunedin District Court.

Tags: Chris Bishop Kerryn Beaton District Court Judge Queen’s Counsel Pike River Royal Commission United Nations Khmer Rouge trials Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care Crown prosecutor Public Defender Walker Street Chambers

Tribute to Sir Kenneth Keith: New Zealand’s Esteemed Jurist and Legal Pioneer

13 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 1019 views

Attorney-General Chris Bishop honored the late Rt Hon Sir Kenneth Keith as one of New Zealand’s most distinguished jurists and legal scholars, whose six-decade career significantly impacted national and international law, legal education, and law reform. Sir Kenneth served at the highest judicial levels, including the Supreme Court and International Court of Justice, and contributed to major law reforms and New Zealand’s global legal presence. His legacy includes shaping key legal institutions with humility and dedication, earning him prestigious honors and lasting respect within the legal community.

Tags: Chris Bishop Kenneth Keith New Zealand Supreme Court International Court of Justice Law Commission Judicial Committee of the Privy Council legal scholar public servant

Michelle Findlater Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026

05 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 785 views

Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds has appointed Michelle Findlater to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for a three-year term starting May 2026. Michelle, with extensive experience in the automotive industry and work-based training, has been recognized for her contributions and potential, including receiving the Janet Lane Scholarship from MITO. Her expertise is expected to support the TEC’s focus on enhancing access, participation, and achievement in tertiary education to build the workforce New Zealand needs.

Tags: Penny Simmonds Michelle Findlater Bharat Guha Tertiary Education Commission MITO Janet Lane Scholarship Harvard University Southland Chamber of Commerce Tertiary Education Minister automotive industry

Government Advances Child Safety with New Training and Early Childhood Protections

04 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 745 views

The Government is advancing improvements to the children’s system, implementing recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review to enhance child safety. Key initiatives include establishing an inter-agency hub for information sharing on at-risk children, rolling out foundational child protection training for workers, and strengthening early childhood education centres’ child protection policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to promote timely abuse reporting and clarify privacy laws to support information sharing for child safety.

Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Child Poverty Reduction Minister Education Review Office Ministry of Education Office of the Privacy Commissioner Cabinet ERO Poutasi Review Core Children’s Workers

New EPA Board Appointments Announced by Minister Nicola Grigg

04 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 755 views

Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg has appointed Lisa Tumahai and Professor Nicola Shadbolt to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board for three-year terms, bringing extensive governance, climate, and regulatory expertise. Lisa Tumahai, Deputy Chair of the Climate Change Commission, and Professor Shadbolt, a former Climate Change Commissioner with over 30 years of governance experience, will strengthen the board's capabilities. Additionally, Mary Anne Macleod has been reappointed for one year and will serve as Deputy Chair from July 2026, succeeding outgoing Deputy Chair Paul Connell.

Tags: Nicola Grigg Lisa Tumahai Nicola Shadbolt Mary Anne Macleod Paul Connell Environmental Protection Authority Climate Change Commission Treaty of Waitangi governance EPA board

Government Reforms Infrastructure Investment System for Better Projects and Value

22 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 764 views

The New Zealand Government is reforming its Investment Management System to improve infrastructure project selection by consolidating assurance processes, shifting project assurance responsibility from Treasury to the independent NZ Infrastructure Commission, and enhancing ministerial oversight. These changes aim to provide Ministers with clearer, expert, and actionable advice to make informed "go/no go" decisions, ensuring projects meet public needs, represent value for money, and are deliverable. The reforms also introduce standardized assessments, strengthen asset management assurance, and seek to reduce project delays and inefficiencies, ultimately delivering better infrastructure outcomes for New Zealanders.

Tags: Chris Bishop Nicola Willis New Zealand Government NZ Infrastructure Commission Treasury Infrastructure Priorities Programme Investment Management System Infrastructure Minister Finance Minister NZ Transport Agency

New Zealand’s National Infrastructure Plan: Fixing Systems for Long-Term Prosperity

22 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 837 views

The speech emphasizes New Zealand’s urgent need to fix its underperforming infrastructure system by implementing evidence-based, long-term reforms aligned with the independent National Infrastructure Plan, focusing on improving asset management, investment assurance, and bipartisan cooperation. The Government has already initiated foundational changes including a new planning system, enhanced maintenance programs, and strengthened transparency, while announcing Cabinet decisions to transfer infrastructure investment assurance to the Infrastructure Commission to ensure better oversight and value for taxpayer money. Despite challenges like aging assets, demographic shifts, and external shocks, the Government is committed to prioritizing projects effectively, improving infrastructure quality, and fostering economic prosperity for all New Zealanders.

Tags: Raveen Geoff Wayne Brown Helen Clark Minister Stanford Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Plan Treasury Auckland Council Minister of Finance