Articles tagged with Ero
Showing 15 of 76 articles
Mandatory Asbestos Testing Proposed for Children's Toys and Craft Sand Products in NZ
03 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 142 viewsThe New Zealand government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer, is proposing mandatory pre-sale asbestos testing for children's toys and craft products containing sand to enhance consumer safety. This follows the recall of around 46,000 asbestos-contaminated products, highlighting gaps in current product safety protections. The proposed unsafe goods notice aims to prevent untested products from reaching the market, while officials also consider long-term comprehensive safety regulations.
Tags: asbestos testing children's toys craft products sand contamination Cameron Brewer New Zealand product safety unsafe goods notice product recalls MBIENew Zealand Lifejacket Law: Mandatory Wear on Recreational Boats from 2024
02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 154 viewsNew Zealand has passed new legislation requiring everyone on recreational boats six metres or less to wear properly fitted lifejackets while underway, aiming to reduce preventable drownings. In 2025, 17 people died in recreational boating incidents, with 12 not wearing lifejackets, highlighting the urgent need for this safety measure. The law will take effect 28 days after Royal Assent, just in time for the summer season, supported by coordinated public information efforts from Maritime NZ and partners.
Tags: James Meager Shane Reti Cameron Brewer lifejacket legislation Maritime Transport Amendment Bill New Zealand waters recreational craft safety boating safety drowning prevention Maritime NZKiwiSaver Changes Help Farm Workers Buy First Homes and Farms in NZ
01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 150 viewsNew legislation will allow farm workers to use their KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home, addressing rules that previously excluded rural workers from first-home withdrawals. The bill also permits first-time farm buyers to use KiwiSaver funds for farms owned through companies, trusts, or partnerships they control, reflecting how farm ownership typically operates. These changes aim to make homeownership fairer and reduce debt for rural workers, enabling them to own property alongside their work.
Tags: Nicola Willis Cameron Brewer Suze Redmayne KiwiSaver Farm workers First home New Zealand Rangitīkei Commerce and Consumer Affairs Finance MinisterFarm Workers Can Now Use KiwiSaver Savings to Buy Their First Home
01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 159 viewsNew legislation allows farm workers to use their KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home, addressing previous rules that excluded rural workers required to live on-site. The KiwiSaver (First Home or Farm) Amendment Bill also permits first-time farm buyers to use their savings when purchasing a farm through a majority-owned company, trust, or partnership, reflecting how farm ownership typically operates. This change aims to make farm ownership more accessible, reducing debt for new owners and recognizing the contributions of rural workers.
Tags: Nicola Willis Cameron Brewer Suze Redmayne KiwiSaver Farm workers First Home New Zealand Rangitīkei Commerce and Consumer Affairs Finance MinisterGovernment Imposes Tougher Regulation on Tiaki Wai to Ensure Water Service Accountability in Wellington
28 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 222 viewsThe New Zealand Government will impose a 10-year performance requirement regulation on Wellington's water services provider, Tiaki Wai, following a Commerce Commission recommendation to ensure stronger accountability and transparency. This regulation grants the Commission the power to set binding performance standards, prioritizing critical projects and ensuring the $25 billion investment over 30 years is effectively managed and delivers promised infrastructure improvements. Ministers emphasize that this independent scrutiny aims to restore public confidence by guaranteeing that water charges are transparently used for necessary network upgrades rather than being hidden within general rates.
Tags: Simon Watts Cameron Brewer Tiaki Wai Wellingtonians Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Commerce Commission water services provider New Zealand Local Water Done WellNew Zealand Sees 20% Drop in Tobacco Sales as Smoking Rates Decline
20 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 271 viewsNew Zealand has seen a significant decline in tobacco sales, dropping over 20% in 2025 and more than halving in the past decade, though concerns remain about illegal cigarette availability. The government is addressing smoking harm through increased enforcement of tobacco and vape laws, youth prevention programs like Smokefreerockquest, and enhanced support for smokers to quit, including updated clinical guidelines and funded vape kits. Despite progress, efforts continue to focus on reducing smoking-related harm, emphasizing vaping as a less harmful cessation tool.
Tags: Casey Costello Health New Zealand Smokefreerockquest Smokefree Tangata Beats Ministry of Health Customs Police GPs Smokefree Enforcement Officers Health NZNew Zealand Targets Electricity Network Reforms to Lower Power Bills and Boost Efficiency
19 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 297 viewsNew Zealand’s rising electricity bills are largely driven by electricity distribution network costs, prompting the government to seek reforms for greater affordability, reliability, and efficiency in the sector. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has released a discussion document proposing actions to enhance collaboration among Electricity Distribution Businesses (EDBs), improve economic regulation, and strengthen governance to support increased electrification and innovation. The government is inviting public feedback on these potential reforms to ensure investments deliver value for consumers and help moderate future power costs.
Tags: Simeon Brown Cameron Brewer Electricity Distribution Businesses Commerce Commission MBIE New Zealand Energy Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Frontier Review Energy PackageGovernment Funds Additional Growth Advisor to Support Hawke's Bay Businesses Through 2027
18 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 250 viewsThe Government is funding an additional Growth Advisor at the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce through June 2027 to provide hands-on support for local business owners recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle. This advisor will offer practical guidance on planning, growth opportunities, and decision-making, helping businesses navigate ongoing challenges and access regional resources. The initiative aims to strengthen Hawke's Bay's productive economy by ensuring small businesses receive timely, local expertise to rebuild and succeed.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Karla Lee Katie Nimon Catherine Wedd Hawke's Bay Cyclone Gabrielle Growth Advisor Regional Business Partner Network Small Business Hawke's Bay Chamber of CommerceKiwi Businesses Save Time Accessing $400M Government Grants with New Funding Explorer
06 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 308 viewsThe upgraded Funding Explorer, launched by the New Zealand government, consolidates 15 funding opportunities from seven agencies into a single searchable platform, enabling businesses to quickly find relevant grants and support. This tool addresses previous fragmentation and navigation difficulties, allowing businesses to search by sector or objective, such as commercializing ideas or boosting productivity. The initiative, praised by industry leaders, aims to reduce time spent on government paperwork, fostering more investment, job creation, and stronger exports.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Catherine Lye Funding Explorer Small Business Manufacturing business grants government agencies Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa business funding business.govt.nzJames Miller Appointed Chair of New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority
05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 351 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce Minister Cameron Brewer announced James Miller as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) for a five-year term starting August 6, highlighting his extensive experience in capital markets and governance. The government aims to reform New Zealand's capital markets by reducing costs and complexity to encourage local listings and strengthen KiwiSaver balances, with the FMA now overseeing consumer credit regulation as a single financial markets conduct regulator. Additionally, Trevor Janes was appointed to the FMA board for two years, both bringing significant expertise to support the FMA's role in promoting fair, efficient, and transparent financial markets.
Tags: Nicola Willis Cameron Brewer James Miller Trevor Janes Steven Bardy Financial Markets Authority NZX KiwiSaver New Zealand Order of Merit NZ RegCoEarn as You Learn Expands to Train Young Kiwis for Manufacturing Careers
03 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 323 viewsThe Earn as You Learn programme, which combines paid workplace learning with formal training and industry mentoring, is expanding into the Hutt Valley, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch, and Auckland to address the manufacturing sector's skilled workforce shortage. Developed by manufacturers and supported by Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, the programme has proven successful in the Waikato pilot, with most participants securing full-time jobs after completing their training. The government is committed to expanding vocational pathways alongside this initiative, aiming to grow the skilled manufacturing workforce essential for New Zealand's economic recovery and future innovation.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Catherine Lye Earn as You Learn Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Wintec New Zealand Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Waikato Youth Guarantee Trades AcademyMBIE Biometric Project Cost Overruns Spark Independent Audit and Inquiry
29 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 377 viewsThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) ceased the seven-year Biometric Capability Upgrade project in December 2025, initially reporting $33 million in costs written off. Subsequent reviews revealed discrepancies in MBIE’s financial reporting, leading to the identification of an additional $6 million in project costs and prompting the commissioning of an independent financial audit. The matter has been referred to the Michael Heron inquiry and the Public Service Commissioner to investigate MBIE’s financial controls and potentially expand the inquiry’s scope.
Tags: Biometric Capability Upgrade Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Greg James Education and Workforce Committee Nicola Willis Michael Heron Public Service Commissioner financial audit Cabinet scrutinyKiwi School Attendance Hits Highest Term 2 Rate Since 2016 Despite Fuel Costs
22 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 433 viewsProvisional data for Term 2 2026 shows school attendance rates reached 64.2%, the highest since 2016 and a 5.8% increase from 2025, despite high fuel prices. The government’s focused attendance initiatives, including mandatory school attendance management plans and increased funding of $140 million over four years, have improved support and accountability for managing absences. Regional attendance gains were notable, and ongoing reforms aim to sustain this upward trend, emphasizing the link between regular attendance and positive educational and life outcomes.
Tags: David Seymour Associate Education Minister Ministry of Education ERO Bay of Plenty Tāmaki Herenga Waka Budget 2025 Attendance Service Provider Education CountsNew Zealand Sees Significant Rise in Benefit Exits as More Move Into Work
16 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 445 viewsNew Zealand has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of people moving off benefits into work, with 86,544 exits recorded in the year ending June 2026, reflecting positive job market trends despite economic challenges. The Ministry of Social Development supports jobseekers through initiatives like the Traffic Light System, Kōrero Mahi seminars, and partnerships with businesses such as Ventia and SkyCity to connect candidates with employment opportunities. These efforts aim to foster workforce development, reduce reliance on temporary labor, and promote economic independence for New Zealanders.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand MSD Ventia ChamberWorks Kōrero Mahi Ara Jobs and Skills Hub SkyCity Northern Jobs and Skills Hub New Zealand International Convention CentreGovernment Seeks Feedback on Capital Market Reforms to Boost Kiwi Business Growth
14 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 398 viewsThe Government is seeking feedback on the next phase of capital market reforms aimed at lowering the cost of raising capital for Kiwi businesses and improving returns for investors, with a focus on modernizing rules to keep pace with innovation and maintain investor protections. This phase follows last year’s reforms that reduced compliance costs and barriers to listing on the NZX, and now targets eight specific areas including product disclosure, director liability, crowdfunding limits, and broker activity. The consultation, open for six weeks, invites input from businesses, investors, and financial advisers to help create dynamic, competitive markets that support economic growth.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister KiwiSaver MBIE NZX New Zealand Government capital market reforms economic growth crowdfunding