14 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1532 views
Foreign Minister Winston Peters reaffirmed New Zealand's dedication to Pacific regionalism at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Fiji. He stressed the importance of the region standing united and setting its own agenda amidst external pressures. Peters welcomed the report on Pacific regional architecture and offered New Zealand as a host for the 2027 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' Meeting, emphasizing the need for effective regional collaboration to address urgent challenges.
08 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2288 views
Eighteen job seekers in Tasman have begun clearing flood-damaged farms and orchards through the Enhanced Task Force Green programme funded by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston. The program received $500,000 in funding to support job seekers in the clean-up efforts following the region's first flood in late June. The job seekers, who received training, are removing debris and trees from properties to aid in the recovery of the regional economy, with the Ministry of Social Development assisting in finding other employment opportunities for interested individuals.
30 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2927 views
The Minister for Resources and Regional Development welcomes attendees to the launch of a draft strategy to unlock New Zealand's geothermal potential, highlighting the historical significance and current opportunities of geothermal resources. Geothermal energy plays a vital role in New Zealand's electricity generation and various industries, contributing to economic growth and innovation, with plans to double geothermal energy use by 2040 and explore supercritical geothermal technology for increased energy production. The government aims to establish New Zealand as a global leader in sustainable geothermal development through collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including iwi, to drive regional economies and achieve energy resilience.
30 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3303 views
New Zealand aims to double geothermal energy production by 2040 to tap into its rich resources, positioning the country as a global leader in sustainable geothermal development. The draft strategy, "From the Ground Up," seeks to drive innovation, resilience, and economic growth through geothermal utilization. The plan includes expanding geothermal applications beyond electricity generation, fostering innovation, and strengthening regional economies and the Māori economy.
23 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2954 views
Dr Shane Reti, Pacific Peoples Minister, attended the Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Suva, Fiji, reaffirming New Zealand's commitment to Pacific-led priorities and announcing new support for climate resilience and public health initiatives. The Forum focused on strengthening regional ties, addressing economic development, banking access, and labor mobility challenges. Dr Reti launched Fiji's NZ$3.2 million participation in the Pacific Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Partnership to develop climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming practices, and announced NZ$4 million in support of Fiji's response to its national HIV outbreak to reduce transmission and fight stigma.
23 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2212 views
The Government released the latest Homelessness Insights Report, addressing the issue of homelessness in New Zealand and the increasing numbers of people without shelter. Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka emphasized the need for targeted interventions and support services to combat homelessness, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the importance of engaging with frontline organizations. The Government is committed to long-term solutions, including reforms in the housing market, infrastructure funding, and social housing systems to address the root causes of homelessness and provide stable housing for all New Zealanders.
23 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3093 views
The Fast-track Approvals system, established six months ago, aims to streamline project approvals in New Zealand for economic growth. The system allows for expedited processing of project applications through expert panels, with over 50 projects applying so far. Additional projects can be referred into the process, with decisions expected on key projects by the end of the year.
20 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2035 views
Youth Minister James Meager has announced a one-time $50,000 grant to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) to mobilize young volunteers aged 12-24 to assist in response to severe weather events in Nelson Tasman. The SVA will coordinate region-wide activities for the next four-to-six weeks to provide valuable assistance to communities affected by recent flooding. The initiative aims to engage young people in disaster response, offering them a youth development opportunity while contributing to community recovery efforts.
17 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1870 views
Over 80,700 individuals transitioned from benefits to employment in the past year, reflecting the government's focus on facilitating job opportunities despite economic challenges. While the total number of beneficiaries has increased, particularly in Jobseeker Support, this aligns with seasonal trends and the government's efforts to provide enhanced support services for job seekers. Initiatives such as increased case management, community job coaching, and regular work seminars aim to assist individuals in securing and maintaining employment, with a focus on transitioning people off welfare and into work during the economic recovery period.
16 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2025 views
Minister Louise Upston highlights the Government's focus on jobseeker beneficiaries in upcoming employment programs. The Ministry of Social Development's updated strategy emphasizes the importance of prioritizing beneficiaries for job placements. Efforts include targeted support for young people to reduce long-term reliance on benefits and increase employment opportunities.
02 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2463 views
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a strong turnout for the first in a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy. Kicking off the MSD-led series in Levin, Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 30 employers and other stakeholders, reinforcing job opportunities across the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast regions. “It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.
01 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2014 views
From today, people getting Jobseeker Support will need to reapply every 26 weeks (six months), instead of just once a year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “This previously signalled change increases accountability, while also improving opportunities for jobseekers,” Louise Upston says. “Reapplying for their benefit more often makes sure people receiving Jobseeker Support engage with MSD more regularly.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2481 views
Legislation fixing the inconsistent treatment of boarder and rental payments has been passed into law in Parliament today. The Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Bill and the supporting legislation of the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Bill has addressed the inconsistent treatment of board and rent payments around housing subsidies. “This has been an unnecessarily complicated and confusing system,” says Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston.
23 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2726 views
Three solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28. 1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Energy Minister Simon Watts say. “The loans for these projects in Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Rakiura/Stewart Island will allow them to get under way this year, helping them to improve economic prosperity and resilience.
18 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2291 views
New Zealanders have an opportunity to help shape the new planning system replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) through public consultation on removing unnecessary barriers to housing growth, says Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “New Zealand’s house prices are among the most expensive in the developed world – a direct result of our current planning system making it too hard for our cities to grow up and out. “Fixing our housing crisis involves fixing the fundamentals of our housing market - freeing up land for development and removing unnecessary planning barriers, improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth, and providing incentives for communities and councils to support growth.