Articles tagged with Ct
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New Approved Codes of Practice Enhance Farm Health and Safety from 2027
01 Oct 2026, 10:05 AM | 1 week ago | 164 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden launched two new Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) to guide the agriculture sector in meeting health and safety responsibilities ahead of amendments to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, effective 1 April 2027. The ACOPs, focusing on roles and responsibilities in agriculture and safe farm vehicle operation, provide practical, sector-specific guidance to clarify duties, manage risks, and support better safety outcomes without creating new legal obligations. Following their introduction, these ACOPs may gain safe-harbour status, offering businesses a recognized standard for compliance, with WorkSafe supporting their implementation across New Zealand farms.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 Approved Codes of Practice Roles and Responsibilities in Agriculture Safe Farm Vehicle Operation WorkSafe agriculture sector farm safety New ZealandWellington District Plan Changes to Boost Housing, Jobs, and Investment
01 Oct 2026, 6:22 AM | 1 week ago | 218 viewsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced changes to Wellington’s district plan to remove heritage listings from the Karori Tunnel, Kelburn Viaduct, and Miramar oil tank, while modifying height limits in the Courtenay Place Heritage Area to enable increased development. These changes aim to support investment, housing, and job creation, potentially allowing 550 additional apartments, generating $200 million, and creating around 1,400 jobs through construction and commercial activities. The former General Headquarters Building’s heritage listing will remain, and the reforms follow extensive investigation, consultation, and consideration of economic and heritage impacts.
Tags: Chris Bishop RMA Reform Wellington Courtenay Place Heritage Area Karori Tunnel Kelburn Viaduct Miramar oil tank General Headquarters Building Wellington City Council Resource Management Act 1991New Zealand’s New Planning and Natural Environment Acts Now Law, Driving RMA Reform
30 Sep 2026, 2:10 PM | 1 week ago | 125 viewsNew Zealand's Planning Act and Natural Environment Act have received Royal assent, replacing the Resource Management Act 1991 and establishing a new planning system aimed at simplifying development, enhancing environmental management, and providing greater certainty for communities and investors. The new system emphasizes upfront decision-making through national policy direction, consistent standards, and long-term regional spatial planning to guide growth, protection, and infrastructure over the next 30 years. Implementation will involve collaboration with councils, iwi, and stakeholders, supported by digital tools and a dedicated website, with key milestones including finalizing policy direction by 2027 and full system operation by 2030.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Planning Act Natural Environment Act Resource Management Act RMA Reform National Policy Direction Regional Spatial Plans Planning TribunalAuckland Restores Transport Governance, Enhancing Local Accountability and Planning
30 Sep 2026, 1:52 PM | 1 week ago | 161 viewsAuckland’s new transport governance reforms, effective from tomorrow, restore democratic accountability by shifting most local transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, enabling elected members to directly influence and be responsible for transport decisions. The changes also empower local boards with new responsibilities and establish the Auckland Regional Transport Committee to coordinate long-term planning between central and local government. Mayor Wayne Brown emphasizes that these reforms allow practical, accountable decision-making to improve transport efficiency and support the city’s growth, while Auckland Transport will focus on delivering public transport services.
Tags: Chris Bishop Wayne Brown Auckland Council Auckland Transport Auckland Regional Transport Committee City Rail Link Local Government Act transport governance transport planning Quick Fix campaignNew Hawke’s Bay Crisis Recovery Café Opens to Boost Mental Health Support
30 Sep 2026, 10:29 AM | 1 week ago | 116 viewsThe new Hawke’s Bay Crisis Recovery Café, Te Wāhi Poutoko Hūmārie, will offer a calm, peer-led community space for people needing mental health and addiction support, complementing upcoming peer support services in the Emergency Department. Led by Connect Community Trust and local providers, the café aims to provide faster, more compassionate access to support outside clinical settings, operating initially on weekend evenings. These initiatives build on broader government investments to enhance mental health crisis response, increase frontline workers, and expand support services in Hawke’s Bay.
Tags: Matt Doocey Hawke’s Bay Connect Community Trust Crisis Recovery Café Mental Health Minister Peers in ED Youth Mental Health and Addictions Hub Reducing Demand for Methamphetamine Programme Emergency DepartmentGovernment Proposes 5% Cut to Flight Passenger Security Levies Saving Millions
30 Sep 2026, 9:52 AM | 1 week ago | 146 viewsThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) proposes a 5% reduction in domestic and international passenger security levies due to improved financial stability and operational efficiency, potentially saving the aviation sector nearly $71 million by 2032. This reduction lowers the domestic levy from $10.91 to $10.36 and the international levy from $22.30 to $21.19 per passenger, benefiting airlines by allowing reinvestment of savings. While maintaining strong aviation security standards, the CAA will consider public feedback before finalizing the levy adjustments.
Tags: James Meager Civil Aviation Authority aviation sector passenger security levies flight passenger security levy reduction domestic passenger levy international passenger levy airfares Government commitment$1.7M Funding Boosts 3 Projects to Cut Food Waste Across New Zealand
29 Sep 2026, 4:16 PM | 1 week ago | 181 viewsThe New Zealand government has announced $1.7 million in funding for three projects aimed at reducing food waste across households, food production, hospitality, and other businesses over the next three years. These initiatives, including programs led by WasteMINZ, NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust, and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, focus on measuring, managing, and minimizing food waste to support emissions reduction and landfill diversion. This investment aligns with national priorities to tackle the estimated 1.2 million tonnes of food wasted annually, helping to expand the impact of successful waste reduction campaigns and practices.
Tags: Nicola Grigg WasteMINZ NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust Restaurant Association of New Zealand Love Food Hate Waste Kai Keepers Environment Minister National Food Waste Reduction Programme New Zealand Government methane emissionsCabinet Approves Tougher Penalties to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade
29 Sep 2026, 3:50 PM | 1 week ago | 125 viewsCabinet has approved tougher penalties and new offences to combat the illicit tobacco trade, addressing issues like unlawful packaging and increasing fines up to $200,000. These changes will support agencies such as Health New Zealand, Customs, and Police in disrupting organized crime linked to illegal tobacco, with prison terms for smuggling raised from six months to seven years. The amendments aim to protect legitimate businesses, safeguard tax revenue, and strengthen enforcement under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.
Tags: Costello Cabinet Health New Zealand Ministry of Health Customs Police Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act Customs and Excise Amendment Bill tobacco smuggling illicit tobacco tradeNew Zealand Cuts Diagnostic Waitlists by Up to 48% with 89,000+ Extra Procedures
12 Sep 2026, 8:24 AM | 4 weeks ago | 303 viewsWaitlists for scans, colonoscopies, and heart tests in New Zealand have significantly decreased over the past year, with Health New Zealand delivering 89,039 additional procedures—exceeding the government target by over 14,000—and reducing total waitlists by 21% and long waits by 43%. This improvement was achieved through the $65 million Diagnostic Improvement Plan, which expanded hospital capacity, utilized private providers, and invested in workforce training and data platforms despite a 10% rise in urgent referrals. While progress is notable, Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes the need to continue increasing diagnostic services to ensure timely access for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand APEX union Government radiology colonoscopy cardiac colposcopy CT MRIWhangārei Hospital Redevelopment Begins with New Acute Services Building and Ward Tower
11 Sep 2026, 2:50 PM | 4 weeks ago | 369 viewsWork has begun on the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment, featuring a new acute services building and a 158-bed ward tower to expand capacity and modernize healthcare facilities. The project aims to improve emergency care, increase bed availability, and support government health targets, while also laying the foundation for future expansion. Additionally, the redevelopment is a major economic boost for Northland, expected to contribute $233 million to the regional GDP and create over 2,700 jobs.
Tags: Whangārei Hospital Simeon Brown Northland acute services building ward tower Budget 2026 emergency department healthcare infrastructure hospital redevelopment New Zealand governmentWhangārei Hospital Opens $35M Child Health Centre and New Car Park Extension
11 Sep 2026, 2:48 PM | 4 weeks ago | 255 viewsWhangārei Hospital officially opened a $35 million Child Health Centre, providing modern outpatient and community services tailored for children and young people in Northland. Alongside this, an $18.5 million Car Park 14 extension was completed, adding 573 parking spaces to support the growing hospital campus. These projects are key milestones in the wider hospital redevelopment, enabling the construction of a new acute services building while maintaining effective hospital operations.
Tags: Whangārei Hospital Child Health Centre Simeon Brown Northland paediatric services hospital redevelopment Car Park 14 Dr Shane Reti healthcare infrastructure acute services buildingNew Zealand to Simplify Alcohol Licensing and Cut Red Tape for Hospitality Sector
11 Sep 2026, 12:33 PM | 4 weeks ago | 279 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced reforms to New Zealand’s alcohol licensing system following a comprehensive Hospitality Sector Review, aiming to reduce red tape and make licensing easier, more cost-effective, and proportionate. The government accepted nearly all recommendations, including simplifying application processes, reforming fees, extending renewal periods, consolidating licensing types into a risk-based framework, and improving oversight through a nationwide information system. These changes are intended to support hospitality businesses, reduce delays and costs, and ultimately unlock economic potential by enabling Kiwi businesses to operate more efficiently.
Tags: David Seymour Nicole McKee Ministry for Regulation Hospitality Sector Review alcohol licensing New Zealand District Licensing Committees regulation reform licensing fees hospitality businessesNew Zealand Manufacturing Grows 14 Months Straight with Broad Industry Expansion
11 Sep 2026, 11:09 AM | 4 weeks ago | 312 viewsNew Zealand's manufacturing sector has expanded for 14 consecutive months, with growth spreading across all main industry groups and regions, as reflected in the BNZ-BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) reading of 53.1 for August. Increased new orders and solid production indicate positive momentum, supported by government initiatives like the Investment Boost to enhance productivity. Despite global uncertainties, New Zealand manufacturers are outperforming major economies, contributing significantly to employment, GDP, and exports while receiving strong governmental support.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Doug Steel BNZ BusinessNZ New Zealand manufacturing sector Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Manufacturing Index Kiwi manufacturers Investment Boost$4.7M Upgrade Boosts Taupō Waste Recovery, Diverts 8,000 Tonnes from Landfill
11 Sep 2026, 8:25 AM | 4 weeks ago | 349 viewsA $4.7 million upgrade to Taupō's Broadlands Road Resource Recovery Centre, funded equally by the Waste Minimisation Fund and Taupō District Council, will enhance waste sorting and divert at least 8,000 tonnes of waste from landfill annually. The upgrade will enable processing of organic, construction, demolition, and recyclable materials, reducing landfill emissions and promoting sustainability. This investment supports waste reduction goals, lowers costs for residents and businesses, and creates economic opportunities through waste levy savings and material reuse.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Taupō Waste Minimisation Fund Broadlands Road Resource Recovery Centre waste diversion landfill recycling organic waste emissions reduction sustainabilityNew Zealand Sets Renewable Energy Records with Lower Electricity Prices
10 Sep 2026, 4:02 PM | 4 weeks ago | 328 viewsNew Zealand’s Government reports record renewable electricity generation and a 66% drop in wholesale prices for the June quarter, attributing success to policies like LNG import facility procurement and fast-tracking renewable projects. Despite strong renewable output, the electricity system remains vulnerable to dry years due to reliance on hydro storage and backup thermal generation, highlighting risks from past bans on oil and gas exploration. The Government emphasizes ongoing investment in renewables supported by LNG imports to ensure energy security and affordability in challenging conditions.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment Labour Government LNG import facility renewable energy geothermal generation solar generation hydro lake levels electricity prices