Articles tagged with Government
Showing 15 of 508 articles
Government Boosts Mental Health Workforce, Reduces Wait Times in New Zealand
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 916 viewsOne year after launching New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan, the Government has increased the frontline workforce by around 10%, reduced vacancy rates and wait times, and expanded training and new roles in key areas. Budget 2025 boosted funding for psychology internships and psychiatry registrar positions, surpassing targets and enhancing clinical training capacity. The updated plan, released alongside a $30 million investment to combat meth harm, focuses on faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a stronger crisis response to ensure timely help for those in need.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Addiction Workforce Health NZ Psychology Internships Psychiatry Registrars Addiction Leadership Day Meth Harm Government Budget 2025New Zealand Passes New Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1046 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to strengthen protections against deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign interference. The legislation creates new offences criminalizing foreign interference and updates espionage-related laws to safeguard national security. While encouraging transparent diplomatic and lobbying activities, the law aims to hold accountable those engaging in covert or harmful foreign influence.
Tags: New Zealand Paul Goldsmith foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage government information security defenceNew Zealand Passes Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 889 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to better protect the country from deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign activities aimed at manipulating society. The legislation creates new offences specifically criminalizing foreign interference and updates existing laws related to espionage and wrongful communication of government information. While normal diplomatic and transparent engagements remain unaffected, the government emphasizes that foreign interference will no longer be tolerated.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith New Zealand foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage criminal law government securityNZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Visit Vietnam, Thailand, and China Next Week
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1060 viewsMinister Winston Peters will visit Viet Nam, Thailand, and China next week to strengthen New Zealand's key relationships in Southeast Asia and discuss regional challenges with senior leaders. He will also attend an event in Guangzhou marking New Zealand’s purchase of two interisland ferries, highlighting the strong trade ties with China. This visit underscores the Coalition Government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with both Southeast Asia and China.
Tags: Winston Peters New Zealand Viet Nam Thailand China Southeast Asia Guangzhou Ha Noi Bangkok Coalition GovernmentNew Zealand's Infrastructure Pipeline Hits $275 Billion with 12,000 Projects
17 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1157 viewsThe New Zealand Infrastructure Commission's latest update reveals nearly 12,000 infrastructure projects worth $275 billion, showing significant growth from $237 billion in June, with $181 billion now having full or partial funding. The Pipeline, covering projects across government and private sectors in areas like transport, water, and education, provides a comprehensive view to support better planning, economic growth, and workforce confidence. This update will guide the National Infrastructure Plan by highlighting funded and unfunded initiatives, improving decision-making and system performance nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline infrastructure projects infrastructure planning construction sector government agencies National Infrastructure Plan infrastructure investment infrastructure fundingNew Zealand Launches Secure Digital Credential Platform for Government Agencies
17 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1064 viewsNew Zealand company MATTR will develop a shared digital credential platform managed by the Department of Internal Affairs to enable government agencies to issue secure digital identities through a Government App. This initiative aims to simplify identity verification, reduce paperwork, enhance privacy and security, and improve convenience for users, with agencies like MBIE trialing the system for business credentials. By standardizing digital identity services across agencies, the government expects cost savings, greater efficiency, and a more consistent experience for citizens.
Tags: Judith Collins MATTR Department of Internal Affairs Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment New Zealand Government App digital credentials digital identity services New Zealand Business Number public sectorNew Zealand Hikes Penalties for Misleading Advertising to Protect Consumers
16 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 980 viewsThe Government plans to significantly increase penalties for breaches of the Fair Trading Act, raising maximum fines to the greater of $5 million, three times the commercial gain, or the transaction value, to better deter misleading advertising and unfair business practices. The reforms will shift most breaches from criminal to civil liability, allowing the Commerce Commission to act on a lower standard of proof, while serious offenses remain criminal, aiming to create a fairer marketplace and protect consumers. These changes follow rising complaints and aim to align New Zealand’s laws with international standards, with legislation expected to pass next year after public consultation.
Tags: Nicola Willis Scott Simpson Government Fair Trading Act Commerce Commission Consumer NZ Pak’nSave Woolworths misleading advertising penaltiesGovernment Invests $2M to Expand Dunedin Tunnels Trail, Boosting Tourism and Local Economy
14 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 995 viewsThe Government is investing $2 million to extend the Dunedin Tunnels Trail, aiming to boost tourism in the Otago region and support local businesses while creating job opportunities. The project will expand the trail to Fairfield, Abbotsford, Green Island, Kaikorai Valley, and Caversham Tunnel, forming a 15-kilometre route between Mosgiel and Dunedin. This initiative is part of the Government's Major Events and Tourism Package and is expected to enhance the cycling network and tourism sector in the region.
Tags: Louise Upston Government Dunedin Tunnels Trail Tourism Otago region Cycling destination New Zealand Great Rides Major Events Economic impactGovernment Introduces Land Transport Bill for Fairer Funding System
12 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 959 viewsThe Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill aims to create a fairer and more modern transport funding system by implementing changes to road user charges and tolling frameworks. Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlights the importance of fairness in road user contributions and the need for a stronger tolling system to support major road projects. The Bill also focuses on modernizing the outdated Road User Charges (RUC) system by introducing new payment models and in-vehicle technology, with plans to transition light petrol vehicles to RUC in the future.
Tags: Government Land Transport Revenue Amendment Bill Transport Minister Chris Bishop tolling system Roads of National Significance RUC system New ZealandGovernment Accepts Banking Competition Recommendations for Increased Innovation and Consumer Benefits
12 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 941 viewsThe Government has accepted or partially accepted all recommendations from the Finance and Expenditure Committee's inquiry into banking competition, focusing on business, rural banking, and lending to Māori entities. The findings highlighted concerns about high banking profitability, market concentration, barriers to entry, and regulatory settings, aligning with the Commerce Commission's report. Actions include allowing Kiwibank's parent company to raise capital, emphasizing banking competition in policies, encouraging standardization of financial information, disclosing account profitability, expanding regulatory sandbox trials, developing a licensing model for innovation, and coordinating monitoring through the Treasury.
Tags: Government Finance and Expenditure Committee Nicola Willis Commerce Commission Kiwibank Reserve Bank Scott Simpson Financial Markets Authority Treasury Māori.Government Marks Anniversary of Apology to Abuse Survivors: Acknowledgment, Remembrance, and Support
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 969 viewsThe Government marks one year since apologizing to survivors of abuse and neglect in care, acknowledging their suffering and emphasizing the need for remembrance and support. Survivor communities across New Zealand held events supported by the National Day of Reflection Fund, promoting healing and awareness. An additional $2.7 million is allocated for the Survivor Support and Recognition Fund to provide ongoing support services and efforts to prevent future abuse in care.
Tags: Government survivors abuse neglect care Prime Minister Leader of the Opposition Erica Stanford New Zealanders survivors communityEducation Reform: Enhancing Student Achievement, Attendance, and Freedom of Expression with New Bill
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1026 viewsThe Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) has passed its third reading in Parliament, focusing on lifting student achievement, improving education workforce governance, and upholding freedom of expression in universities. Key changes include prioritizing educational achievement for school boards, extending notice period for strike action, implementing attendance management plans, strengthening teacher education requirements, and requiring universities to develop freedom of expression statements. The legislation aims to improve outcomes for young people, enhance academic freedom, and promote critical thinking and diversity in universities.
Tags: Government schools student achievement attendance education workforce governance freedom of expression Education and Training Amendment Bill Erica Stanford unions universitiesGovernment Implements Strong Oversight Measures for New Zealand Police
11 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 936 viewsThe New Zealand Government is responding to a critical report on the Police's handling of complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming by establishing strong oversight through an Inspector-General of Police. The report highlighted serious issues within the former Police executive, leading to concerns about integrity and culture. The Government and Police are accepting and implementing recommendations to strengthen oversight, integrity processes, and code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the Police force.
Tags: Government New Zealand Police Jevon McSkimming Judith Collins Mark Mitchell Independent Police Conduct Authority Public Service Commission probity checking Police oversightNew Zealand to Introduce Tougher Drug Testing for Drivers: Key Drugs and Procedures Revealed
10 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1070 viewsNew Zealand is implementing tougher enforcement against drug-impaired drivers by introducing roadside drug testing for THC, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine using oral-fluid devices. The initiative aims to reduce the 30% of road deaths involving impairing drugs and improve road safety. Police will conduct quick roadside screening tests, followed by laboratory analysis for positive results, leading to driving prohibitions and infringement notices for non-compliance.
Tags: New Zealand Roads Government Transport Minister Chris Bishop Police Minister Mark Mitchell Road Safety Roadside Drug Testing THC MethamphetamineNew Zealand Launches Primary Care Pathway for Graduate Doctors
10 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1001 viewsExpressions of interest are now open for graduate doctors in New Zealand to gain hands-on experience in general practice and community-based settings, aiming to address the shortage of family doctors and increase GP numbers. The Primary Care Tactical Action Plan, funded by the Government, will allocate $23.3 million over four years to support up to 50 graduate doctors annually, with a focus on primary care placements to provide valuable community-based experience. This initiative aims to encourage early-career doctors to consider primary care as a long-term career, ultimately strengthening the health workforce and improving access to quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.
Tags: graduate doctors general practice New Zealand Health Minister Simeon Brown primary care GP numbers Government Budget 2025 primary care pathway