Articles tagged with Government

Showing 15 of 509 articles

Government Expands Digital Manufacturing Light Program to Boost NZ Manufacturers

23 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 980 views

The New Zealand Government is expanding the University of Auckland’s Digital Manufacturing Light programme to help at least 180 small and medium-sized manufacturers in key regions adopt affordable digital technologies, boosting productivity and workforce skills. The programme provides tailored assessments, installation support, and training to integrate low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies without major capital investment, enabling manufacturers to modernize operations and gain real-time insights. This initiative aims to enhance competitiveness, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to the national economy, with potential GDP growth of $8.6 billion from faster digital adoption.

Tags: Chris Penk University of Auckland Auckland Council Xero New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Institute for Manufacturing University of Cambridge Digital Manufacturing Light Small Business and Manufacturing Minister New Zealand Government

New Zealand Strengthens Pacific Partnerships at US Pacific Agenda Summit

22 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1007 views

Customs Minister Casey Costello will attend the US-hosted Pacific Agenda Summit in Honolulu to strengthen partnerships supporting the Pacific’s long-term prosperity and resilience. The Summit aims to enhance economic connections, infrastructure, and investment by bringing together Pacific leaders, US officials, and private investors to reduce barriers and accelerate project readiness. New Zealand views this initiative as vital for regional cooperation and economic development, aligning with strategies like PACER Plus to foster sustainable growth and shared well-being in the Pacific.

Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand United States Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Agenda Summit PACER Plus Blue Pacific Continent United States Government Pacific leaders Pacific investment

Government to Invest $200M in Genesis Energy to Boost NZ Energy Security

22 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1005 views

The Government will invest up to $200 million in new Genesis Energy shares to support secure, affordable energy and maintain a 51% Crown ownership. This investment aims to enhance energy security by enabling Genesis to increase flexible capacity and strengthen the long-term value of the state-owned asset. It is part of a broader Government initiative to improve energy reliability and reduce living costs for New Zealanders.

Tags: Nicola Willis Simeon Brown Simon Watts Genesis Energy Government Finance Minister State Owned Enterprises Minister Energy Minister New Zealand Crown investment

New Zealand Government Empowers Police with Move-On Orders to Curb Public Disorder

21 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1014 views

The New Zealand Government is amending the Summary Offences Act to grant police the power to issue move-on orders to individuals exhibiting disorderly or disruptive behavior, obstructing access to businesses, begging, or rough sleeping in public places. These orders will require individuals aged 14 or older to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours and move a reasonable distance away, aiming to enhance public safety and reduce disturbances in city centers. Police will assess each situation individually and collaborate with social and housing services to provide support where necessary.

Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell New Zealand Government police powers Summary Offences Act public safety disorderly behaviour law and order police enforcement

New Police Move-On Powers Boost Safety in Auckland City Centre

21 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1008 views

The Government has introduced new move-on powers for Police as part of its Auckland city centre action plan to address antisocial behaviour and enhance safety, making the CBD a welcoming place for residents, workers, and visitors. Progress includes housing 146 people through the Housing First initiative, a significant drop in crime victimisations, improved police presence, and infrastructure upgrades like better lighting and cameras. With major developments like the International Convention Centre and City Rail Link underway, the Government emphasizes a balanced approach of support and accountability to ensure Auckland’s city centre remains safe and vibrant.

Tags: Simeon Brown Auckland Police Housing First Auckland Council City Rail Link International Convention Centre Government CBD Tourism

Government Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Requirement to 1.6 Million Homes

18 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1096 views

The Government will amend the Resource Management Act to reduce Auckland Council’s minimum housing capacity requirement under Plan Change 120 from over 2 million to 1.6 million homes, allowing more targeted growth around the city centre, rapid transit stations, and metropolitan centres. This change provides Auckland Council greater flexibility to respond to public feedback and focus development where infrastructure supports it, while still meeting national urban development policies. Additionally, the Government will investigate and potentially adjust planning controls in Auckland’s CBD to unlock further housing and business potential, ensuring growth aligns with economic and liveability goals.

Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Resource Management Act Plan Change 120 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link Auckland Unitary Plan National Policy Statement on Urban Development Eden Park New Zealand Government

New Zealand Invests $80M in Critical Minerals to Boost Regional Growth and Jobs

18 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 966 views

The New Zealand Government has allocated $80 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to develop and process domestic critical minerals, aiming to boost jobs, investment, and regional economic recovery. Critical minerals are vital for modern technologies and global supply chains, and New Zealand seeks to position itself as a reliable source while fostering advanced processing and international partnerships. The funding supports projects aligned with the Minerals Strategy, with applications accepted and successful initiatives to be announced after evaluation.

Tags: Winston Peters Shane Jones Regional Infrastructure Fund Critical Minerals Minerals Strategy New Zealand Government Regional Development Economic Recovery Supply Chain Rare Earths

Pharmac Proposes Funding New Combination Therapies for CLL Blood Cancer in NZ

17 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 993 views

Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) starting May 2026. These treatments aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy, and offering more convenient pill-based options, including availability in private clinics to minimize patient disruption. The Government’s broader commitment includes investing $604 million to fund new blood cancer medicines, expanding stem cell transplant services, and enhancing cancer care access and timeliness across New Zealand.

Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac venetoclax ibrutinib obinutuzumab chronic lymphocytic leukaemia blood cancer New Zealand Government cancer treatment

Government Introduces Bill to Clarify ACC Payments Impact on Welfare Entitlement

17 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1071 views

The Government is introducing the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill to clarify how ACC payments affect welfare entitlements and ensure fair treatment between different recipient groups. The bill aims to align the law with longstanding policy by authorizing MSD to retrospectively adjust benefits when backdated ACC payments reduce welfare to zero and to prevent inequities where some recipients receive dual income support for the same need. This legislation responds to court rulings and will not apply retrospectively to cases filed before the bill’s introduction, promoting fairness and certainty in the welfare system.

Tags: Louise Upston Government MSD Social Security ACC Social Development and Employment Social Services and Community Select Committee Social Security Appeal Authority High Court Winter Energy Payment

Independent Crown Review Launched into Wellington's Moa Point Sewage Plant Failure

16 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 972 views

An independent Crown Review Team will investigate the failure of Wellington Water’s Moa Point sewage plant to determine its causes and recommend actionable steps to prevent recurrence. The team, comprising experts in engineering, governance, commercial, and legal fields, will be appointed by both Wellington City Council and Wellington Water Ltd to ensure a thorough and transparent review. This investigation is urgent due to the upcoming transfer of water service management to the new council-controlled organization Tiaki Wai Ltd, emphasizing the need for wise investment in water infrastructure.

Tags: Simon Watts Andrew Little Wellington Water Moa Point Wellington City Council Tiaki Wai Ltd Local Government Minister wastewater infrastructure water services Crown Review Team

Eden Park to Host More Major Events with New Government Planning Rule Changes

15 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1102 views

The New Zealand Government is reforming outdated planning rules to enable Eden Park, Auckland’s largest stadium, to host more and diverse major events, boosting local and national economic growth. Changes include increasing permitted concerts from 12 to 32 annually, allowing longer event durations, removing restrictions on night sports games, and enabling various community and cultural events without resource consent. These reforms, expected by April 2026, leverage new powers under the Resource Management Act to modernize Eden Park’s operations, supporting job creation, tourism, and Auckland’s status as a world-class destination.

Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston Simeon Brown Eden Park Auckland New Zealand Resource Management Act RMA Reform major events government planning

Government Urges North Island Residents to Prioritize Safety Amid Severe Weather Warnings

14 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1045 views

The Government is urging North Island communities to prioritize safety amid severe weather warnings and recent flooding that has already caused a fatality. Emergency services and agencies, including the NZDF and local Civil Defence, are actively supporting response efforts and have resources pre-positioned in vulnerable areas. Authorities advise avoiding floodwaters, non-essential travel, and staying alert to landslide risks while following updates from official channels for safety guidance.

Tags: Government North Island Cyclone Gabrielle Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Civil Defence NZDF Severe Weather Flooding South Waikato

Government Allocates Land for New Kumeū Secondary School in North-West Auckland

13 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1173 views

The Government is prioritizing land for a new secondary school in Kumeū, North-West Auckland, to support the rapidly growing community, with the Notice of Requirement now lodged with Auckland Council. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlighted the government's efforts to deliver more school property efficiently, including halving classroom construction costs, funding new schools, and investing heavily in maintenance. Local MP Chris Penk welcomed the move as a vital step for families, and further school property announcements are expected this year to meet future educational needs.

Tags: Erica Stanford Chris Penk Kumeū Huapai District School Kaipara ki Mahurangi Education Minister Government Resource Management Act 1991 Auckland Council

New Zealand Tourism Surges in 2025 with Strong Growth from China and Australia

13 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1204 views

New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals surpassed 3.5 million in the year to December 2025, driven by strong growth from China and Australia, marking significant progress toward pre-COVID tourism levels. The Government supports this recovery through initiatives like promoting New Zealand as a year-round destination, streamlining travel processes, and introducing the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for easier access, which has notably encouraged Chinese and Pacific visitors. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston emphasizes that these efforts are boosting economic growth, supporting jobs, and establishing New Zealand as a preferred holiday destination.

Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand China Australia Stats NZ NZeTA Pacific Island Forum Tourism Government Hospitality

Transmission Gully Speed Limit Raised to 110 km/h from February 2026

11 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1213 views

Transmission Gully will have its speed limit raised to 110 km/h starting 16 February 2026, following strong public support and safety assessments confirming the road’s suitability. This change applies to the 27-kilometre section between Linden and Paekākāriki, while heavy vehicles and trailers remain limited to 90 km/h, and the Raumati Straights section will retain a lower limit due to safety and design constraints. The government emphasizes ongoing safety enforcement, monitoring, and potential future upgrades for sections not meeting the higher speed standard.

Tags: Chris Bishop Transmission Gully Wellington Kāpiti Coast NZTA New Zealand Police Raumati Straights State Highway 1 National Government Kāpiti Expressway