Articles tagged with Minister
Showing 15 of 965 articles
Government Tightens Welfare Eligibility to Support Sustainability and Target Need
14 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 831 viewsThe Government has introduced the Social Security Amendment Bill to improve fiscal sustainability by tightening eligibility for Jobseeker Support for 18- and 19-year-olds and adjusting the Accommodation Supplement calculation for homeowners. The Bill requires young beneficiaries to meet the Parental Assistance Test unless they have dependent children, aiming to reduce long-term benefit dependency and better target assistance to those most in need. Additionally, the Accommodation Supplement changes, the first in 33 years, focus support on vulnerable groups by requiring homeowners to contribute a higher share of income toward housing costs before receiving subsidies.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Development Employment Minister Jobseeker Support Accommodation Supplement Welfare system Budget 2025 Parental Assistance Test New Zealand Government Social Security Amendment BillNew Legislation Empowers Police with Move-On Orders to Tackle Disorderly Behaviour
14 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 767 viewsThe Government has introduced legislation granting Police the power to issue move-on orders to address disorderly behaviour in public places, aiming to improve safety in central cities. These orders target disruptive actions such as threatening behaviour, obstructing access to businesses, begging, and rough sleeping, requiring individuals aged 14 or older to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours. The move-on orders are not criminal charges themselves, but breaching them can lead to prosecution, with the goal of reclaiming public spaces for residents, workers, and visitors.
Tags: Police disorderly behaviour legislation Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith public places law and order prosecution begging rough sleepingNew ED Pharmacist Role at Dunedin Hospital Speeds Patient Care and Supports Doctors
13 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 627 viewsA new pharmacist role in Dunedin Hospital’s Emergency Department has improved patient flow and safety by taking medication histories, reviewing medicines, and identifying issues early, saving doctors up to 20 minutes per patient. This role enables faster, more accurate clinical decisions and allows doctors to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork, enhancing efficiency across the hospital. Positive feedback from ED doctors highlights the role as a game changer, particularly for patients with complex medication needs, demonstrating the benefits of targeted workforce initiatives.
Tags: pharmacist Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department Health Minister Simeon Brown patient flow medication histories clinical efficiency patient safety healthcare system frontline staffNew Zealand Boosts Specialist Paediatric Palliative Care for Seriously Ill Children
13 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 710 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $15.5 million over four years to establish nationally consistent specialist paediatric palliative care teams across both islands, improving access to compassionate care for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families closer to home. These teams, including various healthcare specialists, will support and train local providers to deliver care in communities, reducing hospital stays and easing emotional, physical, and financial burdens. The new services will begin rolling out from mid-2027, with interim funding provided to existing services like Rei Kōtuku to maintain support during the transition.
Tags: Simeon Brown Rei Kōtuku Health Minister paediatric palliative care New Zealand Starship Children’s Hospital Health New Zealand clinical nurse specialists nurse practitioners clinical psychologistsGovernment Streamlines Food Safety Verification for Multi-Site Businesses Nationwide
13 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 704 viewsThe Government is standardizing food safety verification for multi-site food businesses by implementing consistent site-sampling guidelines, reducing costs, and ensuring all sites are verified over time based on risk levels and performance. Recent measures have saved money for small food businesses through free training, relaxed testing for meat processors, eased requirements for home-based bakers, and simplified export rules. Future plans aim to further cut regulatory costs, simplify processes, and create a fairer, more efficient food safety system responsive to industry needs.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Food Safety Minister Government food businesses food safety National Programmes Food Control Plan food exporters regulatory costsJudge Jonathan Moses Appointed as First Chief Community Magistrate
12 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 710 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has appointed District Court Judge Jonathan Moses as the first Chief Community Magistrate. Judge Moses, admitted to the bar in 1985 and a former UN senior trial attorney, was previously the Executive Judge of the Manukau District Court and a founding solicitor of the Mangere Community Law Centre. He will assume the role after a ceremonial sitting on May 27 at the Manukau District Court, highlighting the increasing significance of Community Magistrates.
Tags: Nicole McKee Jonathan Moses Associate Justice Minister Chief Community Magistrate District Court Judge Manukau District Court United Nations Tanzania Mangere Community Law Centre Community MagistratesNew Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick Takes Key Roles in NZ Primary Sector
12 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 904 viewsAgriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick will oversee the organics sector, water security and storage, the arable sector, Māori agribusiness, and catchment groups. Butterick, a sheep and beef farmer from Wairarapa, brings practical farming experience and will support efforts to reduce red tape and boost productivity in rural communities. Meanwhile, McClay has taken on responsibility for horticulture matters, strengthening the government’s focus on New Zealand’s primary sector.
Tags: Todd McClay Mike Butterick Agriculture Minister Associate Agriculture Minister organics sector water security arable sector Māori agribusiness sheep and beef farmer WairarapaDefence Minister Honors NZ Businesses Boosting National Security and Innovation
11 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 716 viewsDefence Minister Chris Penk highlighted the vital role New Zealand businesses play in supporting national security by providing essential equipment, services, and infrastructure to the Defence Force. This year’s award recipients contribute to regional growth, innovation, and the Defence Capability Plan’s goals, which include doubling defence spending by 2025. Additionally, the Defence Industry Advisory Council has been revitalized with updated membership and terms to better align with government defence and economic priorities.
Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand Defence Force Ministry of Defence Defence Industry Advisory Council Defence Capability Plan Burnham Military Camp Minister of Defence Awards Defence spending Defence procurement Defence IndustryNew Zealand Launches Assurance Role to Boost Voluntary Nature and Carbon Markets
10 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 812 viewsAssociate Minister Andrew Hoggard announced a government-backed assurance role to boost New Zealand's voluntary nature and carbon markets, providing confidence to investors and landowners through quality signals rather than guarantees. The initiative recognizes high-quality international schemes and introduces a domestic endorsement pathway assessed against internationally aligned principles, enabling private funding for environmental restoration projects. Additionally, the package opens public conservation land to privately funded projects that complement Crown efforts, with applications opening later this year following pilot partnerships with key market participants.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Trees That Count Sanctuary Mountain Pāmu Associate Minister for the Environment Ministry for the Environment carbon markets nature restoration True NatureSouth Island Needle Exchange Programme Launches to Reduce Substance Harm
08 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 719 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey officially opened the South Island Needle Exchange Programme, New Zealand’s first harm reduction initiative aimed at preventing substance-related harm and reducing blood-borne infections like HIV and hepatitis C. The programme, delivered by the Te Waipounamu Collective, provides not only clean equipment but also health information, overdose prevention, and referral services to support people at all stages of addiction. This initiative complements broader government efforts, including increased investment in substance harm prevention, workforce expansion, and community-based support services, resulting in improved health outcomes and reduced addiction-related harms.
Tags: Matt Doocey South Island Needle Exchange Programme Te Waipounamu Collective Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Trust He Waka Tapu Poutini Waiora Te Piki Oranga Mental Health Minister HIV preventionRyans Road Industrial Development Approved in Christchurch with 126 Lots
07 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 685 viewsThe Ryans Road Industrial Development in Christchurch, approved through the Fast-track process, will create 126 industrial lots over 57.6 hectares near the airport, supporting infrastructure and generating approximately 755 construction jobs and $259 million in GDP. This project, lodged by Carter Group Limited in April 2025, is the 21st approved under Fast-track and aims to meet demand for industrial land benefiting logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing businesses. Fast-track has approved 21 projects so far, with 44 currently progressing, streamlining infrastructure and housing developments across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Carter Group Limited Ryans Road Christchurch Canterbury Harewood Infrastructure Minister Industrial Development Construction SectorStreamlining Solar Panel Installation in New Zealand to Save Kiwis $1,000+ Annually
07 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 725 viewsNew Zealand is conducting a Sector Review to simplify and speed up the residential solar panel installation process, which currently involves excessive regulation and multiple site visits, causing delays and higher costs. Compared to Australia, where solar installation is streamlined and widely adopted, only 3-4 percent of New Zealand households have solar despite potential savings of over $1,000 annually and a payback period of about 10 years. The Ministry for Regulation aims to reduce red tape by aligning rules with the low risk of solar installations, making solar energy more accessible and affordable for Kiwis.
Tags: David Seymour New Zealand solar panels solar installation Regulation Minister Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Australia Victoria red tape residential solarAmbassador Clare Kelly Appointed Chair of WTO General Council, Boosting NZ Trade Impact
06 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 783 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has welcomed Ambassador Clare Kelly's appointment as Chair of the WTO General Council, marking only the second time a New Zealander has held this top position. Ms. Kelly, with extensive trade and foreign policy experience, will focus on advancing WTO reforms and extending the ban on tariffs for digital trade following disappointing outcomes at the 14th Ministerial Conference. She has served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the WTO since 2022 and will hold the chair position for one year, succeeding Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel.
Tags: Todd McClay Clare Kelly World Trade Organisation WTO Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel New Zealand Geneva Trade and Investment Minister Ambassador Ministry of Foreign Affairs and TradeHealth Minister Welcomes New Agreement for Senior Medical Officers in NZ
06 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 743 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 5,500 senior doctors represented by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). He emphasized the critical role senior doctors play in the healthcare system and their contribution to achieving government health targets. The agreement follows similar approvals for other health sector groups and reflects constructive engagement between ASMS and Health New Zealand to ensure continued patient care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Association of Salaried Medical Specialists ASMS Senior Medical Officers Health Minister APEX pharmacy PSA Allied Public Health STONZ Resident Medical Officers Health New Zealand collective agreementNew Zealand Introduces Bill to Close Overseas Adoption Loopholes and Protect Children
06 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 794 viewsThe Government is introducing the Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill to permanently close loopholes that previously allowed unsafe overseas adoptions into New Zealand, replacing last year’s temporary measures. The Bill clarifies recognition of overseas adoptions, citizenship pathways, and immigration processes, ensuring child safety through stricter safeguards and two main pathways for citizenship under the Hague Convention or New Zealand Family Court. It will be reviewed by the Justice Select Committee for public input, with the aim to pass before the current temporary laws expire in July 2027.
Tags: Nicole McKee Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill Associate Justice Minister Adoption Amendment Act 2025 New Zealand Hague Convention Justice Select Committee international adoption child safety immigration pathways