Articles tagged with Epa
Showing 15 of 126 articles
Dunedin Hospital’s New Surgical Assessment Unit Cuts Wait Times & Speeds Care
14 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 1100 viewsDunedin Hospital’s new $2.4 million Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) is now fully operational, providing faster assessment and earlier treatment for patients with acute surgical conditions, thereby reducing emergency department wait times. The SAU, staffed by experienced nurses and supported by surgical specialists, operates 24/7 and enables prompt interventions, improving patient flow by admitting directly to surgical wards or discharging with clear plans. Since its trial in December 2025, the unit has treated over 630 patients, demonstrating significant improvements in timely care and receiving positive feedback.
Tags: Simeon Brown Dunedin Hospital Otago Southland Surgical Assessment Unit SAU emergency department appendicitis Clinical Nurse Specialists surgical nursesNelson Hospital Emergency Department Expansion Boosts Care and Capacity
13 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 853 viewsNelson Hospital’s emergency department has undergone a $10.6 million expansion, increasing treatment spaces from 23 to 29 and adding modern clinical areas, including fast-track zones and dedicated mental health rooms, to improve patient care and efficiency. The upgrade has enhanced patient flow, privacy, and overall experience, leading to better performance in meeting the Government’s shorter stays in ED target. Alongside infrastructure improvements, workforce capacity has been strengthened with 28 permanent full-time roles, supporting the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment to provide modern, patient-centered facilities for the community.
Tags: Nelson Hospital emergency department Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand inpatient ward clinical spaces mental health rooms workforce capacity patient careGovernment Health Targets Improve: Faster Care and Better Outcomes in NZ Q4 2025
23 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1036 viewsThe Government’s quarterly health results for October to December 2025 show clear year-on-year improvements across all five health targets, with more New Zealanders receiving faster care despite ongoing pressures on hospitals. Key gains include shorter emergency department stays, quicker specialist assessments and elective treatments, faster cancer treatments, and higher childhood immunisation rates. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized continued focus on improving the healthcare system and praised the dedication of health workers who delivered better outcomes amid increased demand and challenges.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Government health targets emergency departments specialist assessment elective treatment cancer treatment childhood immunisation healthcare system health system improvementsGovt.nz App Update: New Digital Wallet and Secure Messaging Features Coming Soon
19 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 963 viewsThe Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.
Tags: Govt. nz app Judith Collins digital identity digital wallet Government Credential Issuance Platform Hospitality New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Kiwi Access Card New Zealand government servicesRestoration Proposals Open for Historic Chateau Tongariro in National Park
18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 2923 viewsThe Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) opening on 19 March 2026 to find experienced operators to restore and manage the historic Chateau Tongariro and its associated buildings. The proposals must balance commercial viability with heritage conservation, respect for tangata whenua aspirations, and the cultural significance of Tongariro National Park. The selection panel will evaluate submissions to ensure the restoration supports tourism, local businesses, and aligns with the park's values, with no guarantee of concession awarded.
Tags: Chateau Tongariro Tama Potaka Tongariro National Park New Zealand Conservation Minister heritage restoration tourism tangata whenua Department of Conservation RFP 2026New Zealand and Ireland Strengthen Partnership on Agricultural Climate Research
18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 939 viewsNew Zealand and Ireland have signed a joint ministerial statement to advance agricultural climate research, building on a successful $34.5 million Joint Research Initiative launched in 2022. Both countries aim to develop tools that help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions without lowering production, focusing on pasture-based farming. Additionally, they launched the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases to enhance scientific research, collaboration, and resource mobilization worldwide.
Tags: Todd McClay Noel Grealish New Zealand Ireland Agricultural Climate Research Joint Research Initiative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ministry for Primary Industries Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Global Research AllianceNew Zealand Invests $25M to Boost Hospital Capacity and Care This Winter
16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 905 viewsHealth New Zealand is investing an additional $25 million to increase hospital capacity, staffing, and preparedness for higher winter demand, including adding up to 378 full-time staff, 71 extra hospital beds, and 567 short stay beds in aged care facilities. The comprehensive winter plan focuses on prevention, strengthening primary care, improving hospital flow, and supporting timely discharges to manage increased pressure on emergency departments and frontline staff. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes early planning and expanded resources to ensure timely patient care despite rising demand and challenges during the winter months.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand hospital capacity winter demand emergency department aged residential care vaccination primary care frontline staffTauranga Māori Health Tech Company Carepatron Expands Globally with Govt Support
04 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 913 viewsTauranga-based Māori health tech company Carepatron is expanding internationally after receiving support from the Government’s Māori Development Fund, which accelerated its AI-powered clinical support tool’s development and boosted export revenue by 50%. This growth aligns with the Government’s goals to double New Zealand exports and strengthen Māori participation in high-value sectors like technology. The investment reflects a broader strategy to enhance Māori enterprise capability, innovation, and global reach, driving economic success that benefits whānau, hapū, iwi, and regional communities.
Tags: Tama Potaka Carepatron Māori Development Fund Māori health technology Te Puni Kōkiri Tōnui Māori Māori enterprise New Zealand exports Māori Development MinisterUruguay and New Zealand Strengthen Bilateral Ties on Foreign Affairs Minister Visit
04 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1084 viewsThe Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay and New Zealand reaffirmed their strong bilateral relationship based on shared values such as multilateralism, democracy, human rights, and respect for international law, while emphasizing cooperation on global issues including environmental governance, peace, and gender equality. They committed to advancing an open, rules-based multilateral trading system, highlighted joint efforts in sustainable agriculture and investment, and supported initiatives like the Cairns Group, FIT-P, and Uruguay’s integration into digital and gender-focused trade agreements. Both countries also stressed the importance of people-to-people ties through cultural, educational, and youth exchanges, and pledged to maintain ongoing political dialogue and collaboration in international forums.
Tags: Uruguay New Zealand Montevideo Venezuela Iran Ukraine WTO Cairns Group DEPARegulatory Standards Act: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government
25 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1093 viewsThe Regulatory Standards Act, coming into law by July 1, mandates councils to publish Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) explaining the impact, costs, and benefits of new bylaws, promoting transparency and accountability in local regulation. This legislation aims to curb poor regulation that burdens ratepayers and stifles productivity by requiring councils to justify and regularly review their secondary legislation, ensuring laws are proportionate and evidence-based. The Act supports better governance by helping councils avoid kneejerk regulations, improve decision-making quality, and ultimately deliver greater value to taxpayers and communities.
Tags: Regulatory Standards Act Consistency Accountability Statement LGNZ councils local government Ministry for Regulation New Zealand ratepayers secondary legislationGovernment Drives New Energy Projects with Long-Term Power Purchase Agreements
24 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1006 viewsThe Government, led by Energy Minister Simon Watts, is using public sector energy demand to drive new energy projects through long-term Power Purchase Agreements with major public agencies. They aim to increase affordable, reliable energy supply from diverse technologies, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen, to reduce power bills and support faster project development. MBIE is conducting a feasibility study on streamlined solar procurement for government properties, with plans to issue a Request for Proposals by mid-2026 to accelerate implementation and increase energy generation.
Tags: Simon Watts Energy Minister Government Power Purchase Agreements Health New Zealand New Zealand Defence Force Department of Corrections MBIE renewable energy solar energyGovernment Invests $3.5M to Restore Tongariro National Park After Fires
20 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1008 viewsThe Government is investing $3.5 million over five years to restore over 3000 hectares of Tongariro National Park damaged by major fires, focusing on weed control, pest management, and biodiversity monitoring. This effort, supported by the International Visitor Levy, aims to protect the park’s ecological resilience and sustain the local economy and communities dependent on it. Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and the Department of Conservation are collaborating on the Maunga Ora restoration plan, integrating science and Māori knowledge to revive the sacred landscape.
Tags: Tongariro National Park Tama Potaka Ruapehu District Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro Department of Conservation Maunga Ora International Visitor Levy biodiversity pest management ecological restorationNew Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport Set to Launch in 2026
19 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1063 viewsThe Government has introduced legislation to create the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), consolidating housing, transport, urban development, and environmental functions into one agency. This involves disestablishing the Ministry for the Environment and transferring its statutory responsibilities to MCERT, which will provide integrated advice to address economic and environmental challenges. MCERT is scheduled to be established by April 2026 and operational by July 2026, with a chief executive appointment forthcoming.
Tags: Chris Bishop Penny Simmonds Ministry for Cities Environment Regions and Transport MCERT Ministry for the Environment Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Ministry of Transport Department of Internal Affairs Environment Act RMA ReformNew Zealand's AML/CFT 2026-2030 Strategy: Cutting Red Tape, Boosting Enforcement
12 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1233 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has released New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Strategy for 2026–2030, aiming to streamline compliance and strengthen enforcement against serious crime. The strategy emphasizes a risk-based approach to reduce unnecessary paperwork for low-risk transactions while enhancing focus on genuine risks, supported by a single AML/CFT supervisor under the Department of Internal Affairs from July 2024. This reform seeks to provide clearer guidance, reduce compliance costs, and deliver significant regulatory relief, building on previous efforts to simplify customer verification and improve the AML/CFT system.
Tags: Nicole McKee New Zealand Countering Financing of Terrorism Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Justice regulatory reform financial crime national strategyPalmerston North Hospital Emergency Dept Expands with $14.5M Upgrade
10 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1089 viewsConstruction is underway to expand and upgrade Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department with a $14.455 million investment aimed at increasing capacity by 40 percent and improving patient flow, safety, and privacy. This project is part of the Government’s $100 million hospital infrastructure programme funded through Budget 2025, which supports 21 local projects nationwide to enhance clinical spaces and infrastructure. The emergency department, a key regional hub, will remain operational during redevelopment, expected to finish by June 2026, ensuring continuous patient care amid growing demand.
Tags: Palmerston North Hospital Simeon Brown emergency department Health Minister hospital redevelopment Budget 2025 MidCentral district Whanganui Hospital Dannevirke Community Hospital Horowhenua Health Centre