Articles tagged with Epa

Showing 15 of 126 articles

Raukūmara Pae Maunga: $6 Million Investment Boosts Indigenous Conservation Efforts

29 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1908 views

A $6 million investment in the Raukūmara Pae Maunga restoration project aims to strengthen local employment and iwi-led conservation efforts against destructive pests, supported by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The project, a collaboration between Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, and the Department of Conservation, focuses on large-scale pest control, forest regeneration, community engagement, and species protection in the Raukūmara Range. Through innovative approaches like DNA surveying and aerial hunting, the project is enhancing conservation efforts and developing a new generation of indigenous conservation leaders, with funding secured until 2028 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

Tags: Tama Potaka Ngāti Porou Department of Conservation Raukūmara Pae Maunga Conservation Minister Dana Kirkpatrick Caleb Wharepapa Te Papa Atawhai Raukūmara Range

New Earthquake-Prone Building System: Lowering Costs and Enhancing Safety for Communities

29 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1066 views

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced a shift in the earthquake-prone building system to reduce repair costs and revitalize communities. The current system places a heavy financial burden on building owners, leading to abandoned and unsafe structures. The new risk-based system will focus on high-risk buildings in seismic zones, remove NBS ratings, and provide relief by lowering costs and allowing for extensions to remediation deadlines.

Tags: repair costs communities seismic risk building owners Chris Penk seismic zones New Building Standard remediation deadlines seismic hazard area

Attorney-General Judith Collins Appoints 12 King's Counsel for Exceptional Legal Contributions

26 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1195 views

Attorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of 12 King’s Counsel, primarily recognizing barristers sole for their career excellence or extraordinary contributions to law. Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cassie Nicholson was appointed a KC for her significant legislative drafting contributions. The newly appointed barristers sole, including Brian Dickey, Tiana Epati, and Kevin Glover, have diverse legal expertise and a strong commitment to improving access to justice through pro bono work and community involvement.

Tags: Judith Collins Cassie Nicholson Brian Dickey Tiana Epati Kevin Glover Katie Hogan Sarah Jerebine Paul Keegan Simon Ladd Richard Marchant

Health Minister Announces $20 Million Boost to Emergency Departments Nationwide

21 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1033 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced a $20 million boost for emergency departments nationwide to increase frontline staffing over the next nine months, aiming to reduce wait times and improve patient care. The investment will allow hospitals to recruit more doctors, nurses, and support staff, with a focus on hospitals facing the greatest challenges. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen healthcare services, improve workforce capacity, and enhance patient access to timely and quality care.

Tags: Emergency departments frontline staffing hospitals Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealanders doctors nurses support staff Health New Zealand patient care

Minister of Internal Affairs Achieves Shortest Citizenship Wait Times in Five Years

20 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1218 views

Minister Brooke van Velden highlights significant improvements in citizenship application processing, with wait times reduced from 180 to 69 days, the shortest in five years. The Department of Internal Affairs prioritized clearing the backlog, resulting in a 70% decrease in the number of people waiting for a decision. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of those applying for citizenship, acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by new Kiwis.

Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs citizenship government services efficiency Labour Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand economy culture

Major Nelson Hospital Redevelopment: Enhancing Care for Growing Community

19 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1063 views

Enabling works for the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment are underway, with preparations being made for major construction, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. The project, part of a $1 billion investment in hospital infrastructure, aims to provide modern facilities to meet the needs of a growing population. The redevelopment will include increasing points of care by 44, adding a new inpatient building with 128 beds, and expanding the Emergency Department to support urgent care services.

Tags: Nelson Hospital Redevelopment Health Minister Simeon Brown hospital infrastructure modern facilities inpatient building temporary inpatient unit Emergency Department expansion acute care Energy Centre refurbishment.

Commerce Minister Scott Simpson Strengthens NZ Partnerships in London

16 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 998 views

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson is traveling to London to enhance New Zealand's partnerships in insurance, emergency preparedness, and business competition. He aims to showcase New Zealand's leadership in resilience and disaster recovery and strengthen ties with global partners facing similar challenges. The Minister's itinerary includes meetings with key industry players, a briefing at the New Zealand High Commission, and participation in events highlighting the New Zealand-UK relationship, such as the Battle of Britain Service and the Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Tags: Scott Simpson London New Zealand Insurance Emergency preparedness Business competition Resilience Disaster recovery Aon Lloyd's of London

Government Invests $1.6M to Repair Tasman's Great Taste Cycle Trail, Boosting Tourism and Local Economy

11 Sep 2025 | 12 months ago | 1137 views

The Government is investing $1.6 million to repair and reopen Tasman’s Great Taste Cycle Trail, damaged by recent storms, aiming to boost tourism and support local businesses. The funding will address flood and wind damage by repairing sections, replacing infrastructure, and creating alternative routes. Reopening the trail will benefit the Nelson-Tasman region, reconnect communities, and provide opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy the outdoors.

Tags: Government investment repair trail funding tourism Louise Upston weather communities businesses

New Public Reserve Established: Watts Peninsula - Te Motu Kairangi in Wellington

10 Sep 2025 | 12 months ago | 1172 views

A public reserve named Watts Peninsula, also known as Mātai Moana, will be established on the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, with significant historical and cultural value. The reserve, promised by the government in 2011, will encompass 72 hectares of land transferred from Land Information New Zealand to the Department of Conservation. Managed by a charitable trust appointed by Wellington City Council, Taranaki Whānui, and DOC, the reserve aims to preserve ecological, historical, and cultural significance, funded by the council and Taranaki Whānui.

Tags: Miramar Peninsula Te Motu Kairangi Tama Potaka Chris Penk Watts Peninsula Mātai Moana Land Information New Zealand Department of Conservation Fort Ballance Wellington City Council

New Zealand's 24/7 Digital Health Service: 21,000+ Consultations Delivered, Fast Access to Care

09 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1273 views

The Government's new 24/7 digital health service, launched in July, has provided over 21,000 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand. It is most commonly used when timely GP appointments are unavailable and has successfully treated 83.5% of patients without requiring an in-person GP follow-up. The service has made healthcare more accessible, especially for working-age adults and parents, reaching people in all communities and making a significant impact on daily lives by providing timely and quality care.

Tags: consultations digital health service Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealanders GP appointment emergency departments healthcare parents digital service

Local Water Done Well: Councils Deliver Plans for Quality, Cost-Effective Water Services

03 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1073 views

Councils have submitted water services delivery plans under the Local Water Done Well initiative to ensure quality and cost-effective water services for ratepayers. The government aims to address water services challenges by enabling councils to collaborate on financial sustainability and infrastructure development. Plans will be reviewed and considered for acceptance, with a focus on financial sustainability to ensure safe and resilient water services for communities.

Tags: Councils Local Water Done Well Water services delivery plans Local Government Minister Simon Watts Financial sustainability Infrastructure New housing Joint arrangements Ratepayers Legislation.

Government Grants $2 Million for Tasman District Flood Recovery

29 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1139 views

The Government has allocated up to $2 million to Tasman District Council for flood recovery efforts, including waste cleanup and infrastructure repairs. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds highlights the challenges faced by the region, particularly in areas like Riwaka and along the Motueka River. The emergency waste funding aims to support councils in managing waste after emergencies and help communities like Tasman towards recovery.

Tags: Government Tasman District Council recovery flooding Environment Minister Penny Simmonds waste cleanup infrastructure repairs silt removal emergency waste funding

New Zealand–UAE Trade Agreement Brings Major Benefits and Opportunities

27 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1316 views

The New Zealand–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has come into effect, offering significant tariff savings and market access for Kiwi exporters. Key goods like dairy, red meat, and fruit will now enter the UAE duty-free, with the agreement aiming to enhance trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. The CEPA also paves the way for increased bilateral trade, job creation, and economic growth, aligning with New Zealand's export expansion goals.

Tags: New Zealand United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Todd McClay Agriculture Trade Investment Minister CEPA Kiwi exporters tariff savings

Government Progresses Major Marine Protection for Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana

21 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1282 views

The Government is progressing towards significantly increasing marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana to restore biodiversity and benefit future generations. This move aims to preserve unique wildlife habitats, support local economies, and address ecological decline in the Gulf. The Department of Conservation will lead the implementation of the new rules, focusing on education, compliance, and monitoring to protect critical habitats and balance community, environmental, and economic needs.

Tags: marine protection Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana biodiversity Conservation Minister Tama Potaka New Zealand economic value Department of Conservation DOC Marine Rangers Goat Island

2025 Conservation Board and NZCA Appointments: Strengthening Environmental Efforts in New Zealand

18 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 1209 views

The latest appointments to New Zealand's 15 Conservation Boards aim to enhance environmental efforts in the country. Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka announced a total of 145 appointments, including 21 reappointments, 37 new appointments, and 87 continuing members, focusing on diversity and community representation. Additionally, two reappointments and four new appointments were confirmed for the New Zealand Conservation Authority to provide strategic policy advice for conservation efforts in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tags: Conservation Board Conservation Authority Tama Potaka New Zealand Aotearoa Department of Conservation DOC appointments environmental efforts community interests