Articles tagged with National
Showing 15 of 276 articles
New Legislation Allows Kiwis to Build Granny Flats Without Consent, Boosting Housing Choices
22 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1034 viewsNew legislation will allow Kiwis to build granny flats up to 70 square metres without a building consent, aiming to increase housing options and reduce costs. The exemption is part of a government initiative to simplify the building process and boost housing availability. The change is expected to result in more granny flats being built over the next decade, benefiting families, workers, and communities.
Tags: legislation Kiwis granny flats housing Coalition Government RMA Reform Chris Bishop Building Act National Direction Shane JonesCanterbury Region Declares State of Emergency Due to Severe Weather
22 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1135 viewsMinister Mark Mitchell has declared a state of local emergency for Canterbury due to severe weather, as the mayors have not been sworn in after recent elections. The declaration grants local Civil Defence emergency powers to respond effectively. Mitchell urges residents to heed advice from local authorities, prioritize safety, and stay informed through official channels like MetService.
Tags: Minister Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Recovery Canterbury Region State of Emergency Civil Defence Weather Event National Emergency Management Agency MetService Local GovernmentGovernment Invests $1.2 Billion in Roads of National Significance Programme for Infrastructure Development and Job Creation
20 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1111 viewsThe Government's Roads of National Significance programme is advancing to the next phase with nearly $1.2 billion in combined funding, aiming to address New Zealand's infrastructure deficit and stimulate job growth. The NZ Transport Agency has endorsed investment cases for various projects, including the Northland Expressway, East West Link, Hamilton Southern Links, Petone to Grenada, and Cross Valley Link, among others. These projects will undergo design, route protection, site investigations, and property acquisition, with a focus on delivering travel time reductions, safety improvements, and economic benefits across different regions.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister Roads of National Significance NZ Transport Agency Northland Expressway East West Link Hamilton Southern Links Petone to Grenada SH1 Wellington Improvements Hope BypassCurriculum Roadshow for Leaders: Empowering School Leaders for Curriculum Change in New Zealand
20 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1021 viewsEducation Minister Erica Stanford has launched the Curriculum Roadshow for Leaders to support school leaders in leading curriculum change nationwide. The program emphasizes collaboration, leading through changes, and sharing best practices to implement a strengthened national curriculum effectively. The initiative includes expert insights, practical strategies, and resources to aid in implementing curriculum changes, with a staged release plan for different learning areas leading up to 2030's goal of 80% Year 8 students achieving at or above curriculum expectations.
Tags: Erica Stanford Curriculum Roadshow Leaders School leaders Collaboration Curriculum change National curriculum Dr Nathaniel Swain Structured teaching approaches Education MinisterUnlocking Investment and Collaboration in New Zealand's Natural Resources: Minister Shane Jones at International Conferences
18 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1009 viewsResources Minister Shane Jones is prioritizing investment and collaboration in New Zealand's natural resources at upcoming international mining and geothermal conferences. He will address the growing interest in the country's mineral sector and highlight the policy framework supporting its growth. Mr Jones aims to rebuild international investor confidence, promote geothermal energy exploration, and seek global collaboration to maximize New Zealand's geothermal potential.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand investment collaboration mining geothermal resources International Mining and Resources Conference supercritical geothermal energy Indigenous Geothermal SymposiumNew Zealand Reimposes Sanctions on Iran for Nuclear Non-compliance
17 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1026 viewsNew Zealand is reimposing UN-mandated sanctions on Iran due to concerns over Iran's nuclear non-compliance and uranium enrichment. The sanctions, effective from 18 October, include asset freezes, travel bans, and import/export restrictions on nuclear and military goods. New Zealand is also implementing a compulsory registration scheme for businesses intending to trade with Iran to ensure vigilance in dealings.
Tags: New Zealand Iran Foreign Minister Winston Peters sanctions nuclear uranium enrichment International Atomic Energy Agency United Nations Joint Comprehensive Plan of ActionNew Zealand's $1M Welfare Funding Boosts Seafarers Support at Ports
17 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1123 viewsNew Zealand allocates nearly $1 million in welfare funding to support international seafarers at 12 ports, announced by Associate Transport Minister James Meager during the opening of the South Canterbury Seafarers Welfare Centre in Timaru. The grants aim to fulfill New Zealand’s obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention by providing services like communication facilities, welfare officer visits, transportation for crew activities, financial services, and information on seafarers’ rights. The industry's funding of seafarer welfare services through levies reflects a commitment to ensuring the well-being of seafarers, recognizing their importance in enhancing productivity, safety, and environmental protection in the maritime sector.
Tags: New Zealand international seafarers welfare funding Associate Transport Minister James Meager Maritime NZ grants South Canterbury Seafarers Welfare Centre Maritime Labour Convention seafarers' rights seafarer welfare centre operations industry leviesNew Zealand Government Secures Guangzhou Shipyard for Two Ferry Builds
14 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1147 viewsThe Government has selected Guangzhou Shipyard International to build two new ferries through Ferry Holdings Limited. Rail Minister Winston Peters highlighted GSI's expertise and capabilities as a leading shipbuilding enterprise in Southern China. Negotiations are ongoing, with details to be disclosed upon completion, including agreements with CentrePort Limited and Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited, aiming for completion in 2029 with cost-effective solutions to benefit New Zealand taxpayers.
Tags: Government Ferry Holdings Limited Guangzhou Shipyard International Rail Minister Winston Peters GSI New Zealand taxpayers ferry replacement programme CentrePort Limited Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited project iReXEmpowering New Zealanders: Cyber Smart Week Recap & Future Initiatives
13 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1173 viewsCyber Smart Week, organized by the National Cyber Security Centre, aims to raise awareness about cyber security threats in New Zealand, highlighting the gap between perception and action. The initiative includes tools like How Exposed Am I? to help individuals assess and improve their online security practices. Additionally, the government's efforts, including the All of Government Digital Portfolio, focus on enhancing cybersecurity standards and efficiency across public sector agencies to build a more secure digital environment for all New Zealanders.
Tags: CyberCX Cyber Smart Week New Zealanders National Cyber Security Centre International Cyber Security Awareness Month New Zealand GCDO Digital Portfolio Public Cloud Data Centre Certification MarketplaceNew Data Reveals Strong Growth in International Tourism Industry, Boosting Confidence and Economic Recovery
13 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1056 viewsThe Government celebrates a 7.5% increase in international visitor arrivals in August, signaling a positive trend for the tourism industry's recovery post-COVID. Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the economic importance of tourism as New Zealand's second highest export earner. The Tourism Industry Association survey indicates an 86% confidence level among tourism organizations for the upcoming year, reflecting the industry's optimism and the Government's investments to promote New Zealand as a top destination.
Tags: Government data international visitor numbers tourism industry Louise Upston international tourism export earner economic recovery visitor arrivals Statistics New ZealandAccelerated Overseas Investment Decisions Boost New Zealand Business Growth and Job Creation
09 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1037 viewsAssociate Finance Minister David Seymour highlights the importance of faster overseas investment decisions for businesses to access capital and create jobs with higher wages. Changes to the Overseas Investment Act have led to significant improvements in processing times, with almost 87% of consent applications processed faster than before. The government aims to streamline the process further to attract more investment, boost economic growth, and support job creation in New Zealand.
Tags: David Seymour LINZ Overseas Investment Act New Zealanders Minister Capital Investment Processing times National Interest Test RegulationsNew Zealand Boosts Local Businesses with Procurement Rule Changes
08 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1112 viewsChanges to government procurement rules in New Zealand aim to give local businesses a better chance at winning contracts by introducing an economic benefit test, effective from 1 December. These new rules, resulting from feedback received during consultation, include simplifying processes, reducing the number of rules, and emphasizing the economic value and job creation for Kiwis. The changes are designed to make it easier for both local and international businesses to compete for government contracts while upholding international trade commitments and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer money.
Tags: New Zealand Government contracts Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis procurement rules businesses economic benefit test Kiwi businesses taxpayer money international companiesNew Zealand's Minister Chris Penk to Represent Small Business at G20 Trade Meeting in South Africa
07 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 962 viewsSmall Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk is representing New Zealand at the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting in South Africa, aiming to advance the country's interests with major global economies. New Zealand, as a guest country alongside G20 members, will discuss trade and investment matters, including upholding the international rules-based trading system. During the meeting, Mr Penk will focus on advocating for New Zealand's priorities within the World Trade Organisation while also strengthening the relationship between New Zealand and South Africa.
Tags: Chris Penk Small Business Manufacturing Minister New Zealand G20 Trade Investment South Africa WTO International TradeRevolutionizing Marine Protection in Hauraki Gulf: New Legislation Tripling Protection Areas
07 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1140 viewsThe Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act recently passed by Parliament marks a significant milestone in marine conservation efforts, as highlighted by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The legislation aims to address the long-standing ecological decline in the Gulf by nearly tripling marine protection and establishing 19 new protection areas, leading to the restoration of fish stocks, kelp forests, seabird colonies, and a thriving marine ecosystem. The Act also emphasizes a balance between community needs, environmental protection, and economic considerations, with measures such as creating High Protection Areas, restricting fishing in certain zones, and deploying a team of DOC Marine Rangers for monitoring and compliance.
Tags: Parliament marine protection Conservation Minister Tama Potaka National Aotearoa New Zealand fish stocks kelp forests seabird colonies DOC Marine RangersNew Zealand's Initiatives to Reduce Youth Benefit Dependency
05 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1324 viewsMinister Louise Upston announces two key initiatives aimed at reducing benefit dependency and encouraging young New Zealanders to stay in work. The first initiative involves removing Jobseeker payments for 18- and 19-year-olds if their parents can financially support them. The second initiative offers a $1,000 bonus payment to young people who participate in the Community Job Coaching service, secure employment, and remain off benefits for 12 months.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealanders Jobseeker payments Ministry of Social Development Community Job Coaching service Parental Assistance Test welfare benefit dependency National’s Welfare that Works policy young people