Articles tagged with Security

Showing 15 of 117 articles

Intensive Efforts Underway to Eradicate Yellow-Legged Hornets in Auckland

04 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 953 views

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard reports intensified efforts in Auckland’s North Shore to eradicate yellow-legged hornets through increased traps, ground searches, and public awareness campaigns. A technical advisory group with international experts guides the response, which includes using electronic tracking technology to locate nests as hornet activity rises over summer. The public and beekeepers are urged to regularly check their properties for hornets and report sightings promptly to Biosecurity New Zealand to aid detection and control.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Auckland North Shore hornet eradication pest control biosecurity operations exotic pest hotline technical advisory group

New Zealand Nears Eradication of Mycoplasma bovis After Major Milestone

01 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 955 views

New Zealand is nearing eradication of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, with no infections detected after two spring calving seasons and ongoing surveillance to confirm its absence. The $870 million, 10-year eradication programme, launched in 2018, has involved farmers, officials, and the community working together to protect the dairy and beef industries from significant economic losses. The last known transmission was in September 2023, and efforts continue to achieve full eradication by June 2028, with gratitude expressed for the collective perseverance and sacrifices made.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Mycoplasma bovis Biosecurity Minister DairyNZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries OSPRI New Zealand farmers animal disease eradication community leaders

New Government Strategy Targets Harmful Caulerpa Seaweed to Protect Coastlines

28 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 821 views

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced a new government strategy to combat the harmful exotic Caulerpa seaweed, focusing on prevention, detection, removal, research, and coordination. With $31.7 million invested, efforts including ultraviolet light irradiation and chlorine enclosures have achieved up to 90% biomass reductions at key sites, prompting further research into these successes. The strategy emphasizes national collaboration among iwi, councils, fishers, and communities to protect New Zealand's coastlines through continued tool refinement, elimination trials, and strengthened surveillance.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister Caulerpa exotic seaweed biosecurity strategy New Zealand Omakiwi Cove Okupe Bay Aotea Great Barrier Island

$1.6M Grant Boosts Solar Power and Energy Security for Horeke Community

26 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 927 views

A $1.6 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support a new solar project to strengthen electricity supply for the remote Māori community of Horeke in Northland, benefiting around 100 households, five marae, and one school. The upgrade will address frequent power outages, reduce reliance on diesel and gas, and enable economic growth through eco and cultural tourism. The grant, provided to the Utakura 7 Incorporation trust, will fund construction and network improvements to enhance energy security and support essential services, especially during extreme weather events.

Tags: Shane Jones Hokianga Horeke Utakura 7 Incorporation Regional Infrastructure Fund Northland Māori community solar project energy security eco tourism

New Zealand Joins Global Minerals Security Partnership to Boost Critical Minerals Sector

25 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 987 views

New Zealand has joined the international Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to attract investment and support its Minerals Strategy, which aims to double mineral export value by 2035 and enhance sustainable global supply chains. The partnership aligns with New Zealand’s strengths in critical minerals essential for modern technologies and will help create high-paying jobs while strengthening international relationships. Several countries have benefited from MSP membership through financing commitments, and New Zealand expects similar opportunities to develop its critical minerals sector.

Tags: New Zealand Minerals Security Partnership Shane Jones Winston Peters critical minerals Minerals Strategy renewable energy international supply chains clean energy technologies minerals exports

New Zealand Passes New Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security

19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1046 views

New 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 defence

New Zealand Passes Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security

19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 889 views

New 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 security

New Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action

18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 920 views

The Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.

Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnel

Boosting New Zealand's Gas Supply: $200M Fund Expansion for Energy Security

05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1029 views

The Coalition Government has expanded the Gas Security Fund to attract investments that will increase New Zealand's gas supply in the short-, medium-, and long-term to address energy security challenges. The fund will support various projects, including drilling in existing fields, exploration, and storage initiatives, aiming to stabilize supply and manage seasonal demand. The initiative aims to mitigate perceptions of risk in the petroleum sector and promote regional procurement, with investment decisions made jointly by the Ministers for Resources and Finance.

Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop gas supply investment fund energy security petroleum sector gas exploration gas storage energy affordability New Zealand

Hon. Justice Timothy Brewer Appointed as New Inspector-General of Defence, Natalie Pierce as Deputy

05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1026 views

The House has approved the appointment of High Court Judge Hon Justice Timothy Brewer as the next Inspector-General of Defence and barrister Natalie Pierce as the Deputy. Justice Brewer, a former Brigadier in the NZ Army, will retire on November 15 and assume the IGD role on December 1. Ms. Pierce, with expertise in criminal law and human rights, will start her role on November 10. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith also acknowledged the contributions of Brendan Horsley, who held the IGD role concurrently with his role as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, in establishing the office and providing oversight.

Tags: High Court Judge Justice Timothy Brewer Natalie Pierce Deputy Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Barrister Brendan Horsley Intelligence and Security

New Zealand Unveils Comprehensive Fuel Security Plan for Resilience

03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1118 views

New Zealand has released a Fuel Security Plan to ensure reliable access to fuel in the face of global and domestic disruptions, focusing on resilience, domestic preparedness, alternative fuels, and market transitions. The plan includes measures such as requiring fuel importers to hold minimum stock levels and supporting the deployment of EV charging infrastructure. Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones emphasizes the importance of reducing dependence on global markets and investing in domestic energy resources for economic growth and self-reliance.

Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand Fuel Security Plan Energy Minister Resilience Global supply shocks Domestic resilience EV charging infrastructure Renewable diesel

Defence Minister Judith Collins Heads to ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur

29 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 880 views

Defence Minister Judith Collins is traveling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus to discuss defense and security issues, marking the 50th anniversary of New Zealand's dialogue relations with ASEAN and the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus. The forum aims to enhance Indo-Pacific defense cooperation for peace, stability, and prosperity, with Ms. Collins emphasizing the importance of international rules-based order and New Zealand's contributions. In addition to the meeting, she will engage in bilateral discussions with defense counterparts before returning to New Zealand on 3 November.

Tags: Defence Minister Judith Collins Kuala Lumpur Malaysia ASEAN New Zealand Hanoi Vietnam national security

New Zealand Biosecurity Laws Strengthened to Safeguard Economy

28 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1031 views

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard highlights the importance of strengthening New Zealand's biosecurity laws to protect against invasive pests and diseases, supporting economic growth in the food and fibre sector, which contributes significantly to the country's GDP. The proposed changes aim to enhance biosecurity defenses, with penalties for failing to declare risk goods at the border, improved management of pests and diseases, and more efficient import rules to support trade while maintaining high biosecurity standards. The Minister emphasizes the need to prevent incursions to safeguard New Zealand's competitive advantage in the global food and fibre export industry, with a draft bill reflecting these changes expected to progress through Parliament in the near future.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister New Zealand biosecurity laws invasive pests economic growth food and fibre sector GDP pests and diseases export industry

New Zealand's Wood Energy and Biogas Strategy for Sustainable Energy Future

21 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1029 views

The Government of New Zealand has shown strong support for the bioenergy sector by releasing the Wood Energy Strategy and Action Plan, as well as a Government Statement on Biogas. These initiatives aim to diversify the country's energy mix, reduce reliance on imported fuels, and cut down on emissions by promoting wood energy and biogas as sustainable alternatives. The plans include clear objectives, co-funding opportunities, and regulatory support to accelerate the growth of the bioenergy industry, create new jobs, enhance energy security, and contribute to achieving climate goals.

Tags: Government Wood Energy Strategy Action Plan Biogas New Zealand Energy Security Mr Watts Forestry Minister Todd McClay Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Renewable Energy

Minister Andrew Hoggard Represents NZ at World Dairy Summit and Visits South American Agribusinesses

18 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 987 views

New Zealand's Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard is representing the country at the World Dairy Summit in Chile, where global dairy industry stakeholders convene annually. Hoggard aims to showcase New Zealand's efficient farming practices and discuss the country's innovative, sustainable dairy products at the event. The dairy sector's crucial role in global nutrition, economic support, and New Zealand's export growth strategy is emphasized through Hoggard's participation and upcoming engagements in Argentina and Uruguay.

Tags: Biosecurity Food Safety Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard New Zealand World Dairy Summit farmers dairy products nutrition economy