Articles tagged with Ero

Showing 15 of 76 articles

2026 NZ Minister for Manufacturing Awards Celebrate Innovation and Excellence

27 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 712 views

The second annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards in New Zealand celebrated businesses and individuals driving innovation, growth, and resilience in the manufacturing sector, which contributes $22 billion annually and 60% of goods exports to the economy. Winners included Architectural Glass Products for process innovation and manufacturing excellence, Devin Gibson as Apprentice of the Year, Oliver Hunt for healthcare remanufacturing leadership, and Jeff Douglas for his transformative legacy in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The awards highlight the sector's commitment to innovation, skills development, sustainable practices, and global competitiveness amid ongoing challenges.

Tags: Cameron Brewer Devin Gibson Oliver Hunt Deanne Holdsworth Jeff Douglas Architectural Glass Products Medsalv PACT Group Arotec Diagnostics Douglas Pharmaceuticals

New Zealand Extends Copyright Protection for Iconic Songs and Kiwi Artists

26 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 690 views

The New Zealand Government is extending copyright protection for music recordings from 50 to 70 years after publication to support Kiwi artists and align with international standards. This change, prioritized during New Zealand Music Month, ensures artists can continue earning from their work and protects both iconic classics and future creations. The updates, part of trade agreements with the UK and EU, must be implemented by May 2028, with further Copyright Act changes to be announced soon.

Tags: Paul Goldsmith Cameron Brewer New Zealand Copyright Act Kiwi artists New Zealand Music Month I See Red April Sun in Cuba Gutter Black music recordings

New Zealand Launches Free Business Resilience Training for Small Enterprises

21 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 618 views

The New Zealand government has launched a fully funded training initiative through the Regional Business Partner Network to help small and medium enterprises improve business resilience, continuity planning, and preparedness for disruption. This program, available nationwide from May to August via workshops, webinars, and online content, aims to equip businesses with practical tools to manage change and strengthen performance without cost barriers. The initiative complements existing support and emphasizes the importance of resilience in ensuring long-term business success amid uncertainty.

Tags: Cameron Brewer Small Business Regional Business Partner Network Business Continuity Resilience Training New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Business Continuity & Resilience Awareness Week Small and Medium Enterprises Business Resilience

Government Enhances Plant Variety Rights to Boost NZ Exports and Growers' Income

15 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 694 views

The New Zealand Government is strengthening the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 to better protect investments in high-value horticulture, support growers, and boost export returns, particularly for kiwifruit and apples. Key changes include extending the PVR term by five years and restoring provisional protection to allow breeders immediate legal action against exploitation during the application process. These measures aim to encourage innovation, secure jobs, and enhance New Zealand’s competitiveness in global markets.

Tags: Todd McClay Cameron Brewer New Zealand Plant Variety Rights Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit horticulture Biosecurity Science Institute kiwifruit industry

Kiwi Space Activator Funds $1.48M to Boost NZ Space Innovation Projects

14 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 752 views

Space Minister Chris Penk announced the first recipients of the Kiwi Space Activator pilot programme, awarding $1.48 million to Dawn Aerospace, the University of Canterbury, and the University of Auckland for innovative space technology projects. These initiatives address government-identified challenges, enhance New Zealand’s space innovation reputation, and include educational components to inspire future innovators. The programme aims to reduce barriers for testing new space technologies, with funding increased to $2.08 million for rounds one and two, and applications for round two closing on May 25, 2026.

Tags: Chris Penk Dawn Aerospace University of Canterbury University of Auckland Kiwi Space Activator Hōpara MBIE New Zealand space innovation

Government Advances Child Safety with New Training and Early Childhood Protections

04 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 745 views

The Government is advancing improvements to the children’s system, implementing recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review to enhance child safety. Key initiatives include establishing an inter-agency hub for information sharing on at-risk children, rolling out foundational child protection training for workers, and strengthening early childhood education centres’ child protection policies. Additionally, efforts are underway to promote timely abuse reporting and clarify privacy laws to support information sharing for child safety.

Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Child Poverty Reduction Minister Education Review Office Ministry of Education Office of the Privacy Commissioner Cabinet ERO Poutasi Review Core Children’s Workers

FMA Chair Craig Stobo Resigns After Independent Review into Conduct

04 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 819 views

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer has accepted the resignation of Financial Markets Authority (FMA) Chair Craig Stobo following an independent review that found no evidence of inappropriate relationships but noted lapses in political neutrality and delayed governance disclosures. The review emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence in the FMA’s independence and integrity as it continues its regulatory role in New Zealand’s financial markets. Steven Bardy will serve as Acting Chair while a permanent replacement is sought, with the government reaffirming its commitment to a strong and independent financial markets regulator.

Tags: Cameron Brewer Craig Stobo Wendy Aldred Steven Bardy Financial Markets Authority FMA New Zealand Commerce and Consumer Affairs financial markets regulator independent review

New Appointments to New Zealand Health Research Council Board Announced

30 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 730 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown has appointed Dr Margaret Whilsher, Dr Colin McArthur, and Paul Foster-Bell to the Health Research Council (HRC) Board for three-year terms, while reappointing Professor Lester Levy as Chair and Jeroen Douwes as Deputy Chair. The HRC is responsible for managing government investment in health research, advising on policy, administering funds, and promoting research findings. These appointments aim to ensure a strong, stable Board to provide effective governance amid significant science sector reforms.

Tags: Simeon Brown Margaret Whilsher Colin McArthur Lester Levy Jeroen Douwes Cameron Grant Brett Cowan James MacLaurin Frances Hughes

2026 Minister for Manufacturing Awards Finalists Celebrate NZ Industry Innovation

28 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 743 views

Minister Cameron Brewer announced the finalists for the 2026 Minister for Manufacturing Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector that employs 250,000 people and contributes significantly to the economy and exports. The awards introduce three new categories, including one for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, reflecting the sector’s diversity and importance. The government is committed to supporting manufacturers through skills development and technology adoption, with winners to be announced at the EMEX 2026 event in Auckland.

Tags: Cameron Brewer Minister for Manufacturing New Zealand Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa EMEX 2026 Minister of Small Business Manufacturing Awards Auckland Showgrounds New Zealand Manufacturing Manufacturing Industry

Whangārei Hospital Opens Upgraded Rooftop Helipad for Faster Emergency Care

22 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 822 views

Whangārei Hospital has opened a new rooftop helipad after a $2.2 million upgrade, enabling helicopters to land directly beside emergency and surgical services, which will save precious time in critical patient transfers. The new 18.3 x 18.3 meter helipad replaces the old, smaller deck and is designed to support modern rescue helicopters up to 6.8 tonnes, meeting current aviation and safety standards. This upgrade strengthens the hospital’s role as Northland’s key emergency hub, ensuring faster, safer patient handovers and better outcomes for the community.

Tags: Whangārei Hospital rooftop helipad emergency care Health Minister Simeon Brown Northland helicopter operations aeromedical services patient transfers hospital upgrade rescue helicopters

New Zealand Sees 5,580 More People Move from Benefits to Work by March 2026

16 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 878 views

Minister Louise Upston highlights that more New Zealanders moved from benefits into work over the year to March 2026, despite challenging economic conditions, with 5,580 more people exiting benefits compared to the previous year. The number of people receiving Jobseeker Support and working-age main benefits decreased significantly, reflecting the impact of the Government’s welfare reset and initiatives like the Traffic Light System and Kōrero Mahi seminars. These measures aim to make jobseekers more proactive and work-ready, providing practical support to help them secure sustainable employment.

Tags: Louise Upston Minister for Social Development and Employment New Zealand Jobseeker Support MSD Kōrero Mahi Traffic Light System welfare reset employment support main benefit

David Boyle Appointed New Retirement Commissioner to Enhance KiwiSaver and Retirement Savings

13 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 743 views

David Boyle has been appointed as New Zealand's Retirement Commissioner for a three-year term starting May 18, announced by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer. Boyle brings extensive experience in retirement savings, having played a key role in establishing KiwiSaver and previously worked on financial wellbeing initiatives and education programs at the Retirement Commission. Brewer also thanked outgoing commissioner Jane Wrightson for her six years of leadership in improving financial capability and retirement outcomes.

Tags: David Boyle Cameron Brewer Jane Wrightson KiwiSaver Retirement Commissioner Fisher Funds Stand Tū Māia Ngāi Tahu Whai Rawa Funds Play it Strange

New Alcohol Laws Allow Hospitality to Trade Normally on Easter and Anzac Days

01 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 1604 views

A new member’s bill reforming alcohol laws, effective from midnight tonight, allows hospitality businesses in New Zealand to operate under normal licence conditions on restricted trading days such as Anzac Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day, removing outdated meal order requirements and midnight closing rules. The amendment, including a key change by ACT MP Cameron Luxton, ensures bars and pubs can remain open past midnight, benefiting events like the opening of Christchurch’s Te Kaha Stadium and improving public safety by preventing large crowds from leaving venues simultaneously. This reform provides clarity and regulatory relief for the hospitality sector, enabling businesses to operate confidently during important holidays while restoring consumer choice.

Tags: Nicole McKee Kieran McAnulty Cameron Luxton Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Ministry of Justice ACT Party Te Kaha Stadium New Zealand Parliament hospitality sector alcohol laws reform

New Zealand Transport Funding, Road User Charges & Road Safety Updates 2024

26 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1041 views

The speech addresses New Zealand's current transport funding challenges amid a global fuel supply shock, emphasizing targeted government support for affected families and the need for sustainable funding through road user charges (RUC) rather than broad fuel tax cuts. It outlines reforms to modernize the transport funding system, including transitioning to distance- and weight-based charges for all vehicles, enhanced tolling measures, and congestion management tools like time-of-use charging. Additionally, the speech highlights ongoing efforts to improve road safety through increased enforcement, expanded roadside drug testing, investment in safer infrastructure, and promoting effective interventions such as alcohol interlocks for repeat offenders.

Tags: Brett Flintoff Desley Simpson Nadine Tereroa Nicola Willis Paul Goldsmith New Zealand Ministry of Transport AA Chief Executive Deputy Mayor Road Safety

Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome Upgraded with $10M Grant to Boost Safety and Economy

18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 985 views

Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome has undergone significant upgrades, including runway improvements, new hangar sites, and enhanced infrastructure, funded by a $10 million government grant and additional local co-funding. These enhancements improve safety, meet Civil Aviation Authority certification, and support a range of aviation activities, boosting the region’s economic development and tourism potential. Additionally, $954,000 from the Regional Infrastructure Fund was used to strengthen flood protection and erosion control around the aerodrome, contributing to broader regional resilience efforts.

Tags: Mark Patterson Hood Aerodrome Masterton Wairarapa Associate Regional Development Minister Masterton District Council Civil Aviation Authority Regional Infrastructure Fund government grant aviation sector