Articles tagged with Service
Showing 15 of 192 articles
New Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill Advances: Key Features and Future Considerations
21 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 992 viewsThe Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill passed its first reading, focusing on recognizing abuse in care experiences and providing redress through financial payments, apologies, access to care records, and counseling services. The Bill introduces a framework for independent consideration of financial redress for survivors who have committed serious offenses, aiming to prevent the scheme from being brought into disrepute. The Bill has been referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for further review, encouraging input from survivors, advocates, and other stakeholders.
Tags: Erica Stanford Redress System Abuse in Care Bill State redress scheme Financial payment Apology Care records Counselling Wellbeing services Independent decision makerWaitaki District Council to Receive Crown Facilitator for Water Service Plan Amendment
21 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1100 viewsA Crown facilitator will assist Waitaki District Council in amending and resubmitting its water service delivery plan under the Local Water Done Well legislation, as requested by the Secretary for Local Government. The focus is on including an assessment of the condition, lifespan, and value of the district's water networks to ensure fair and transparent costs for infrastructure upgrades. The Council must conduct an asset condition assessment and update its plan by June 30, 2026, with the appointment of a Crown facilitator expected by mid-November to provide expertise and tools for this process.
Tags: Waitaki District Council Local Water Done Well Simon Watts Crown facilitator water service delivery plan financial sustainability asset condition assessment infrastructure upgrades ratepayers delivery modelsRemembering the Legacy of Jim Bolger: New Zealand's Former Prime Minister
15 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 998 viewsFormer New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and reform that shaped the nation. Born in Taranaki to Irish immigrant parents, his values of hard work and determination defined his character and leadership style. Bolger served in Parliament for over three decades, leading the country through economic modernization and electoral reforms during his time as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997.
Tags: Jim Bolger New Zealand Prime Minister leader legacy politician reformer democracy service passingSolicitor-General Una Jagose to Step Down After 10 Years of Service: Attorney-General Collins Expresses Gratitude
13 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1031 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced Solicitor-General Una Jagose KC will resign in February after 10 years, praising her service. Jagose, who took office in 2016 after a distinguished 35-year public service career, received recognition for her efforts. The Solicitor-General serves as the Junior Law Officer of the Crown and Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office, with the Public Service Commission overseeing the selection of a successor.
Tags: Judith Collins Una Jagose KC Public Service Commission Crown Law Office Junior Law Officer appointment process lawyer leader public service.Government Saves $915 Million on Consultants, Boosts Frontline Roles
08 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1034 viewsIn the past two years, the New Zealand government has reduced spending on contractors and consultants by $915 million, exceeding their savings target of $400 million. This reduction has been accompanied by a decrease in the size of the public service by nearly 5%, with a focus on increasing frontline roles while cutting back-office positions. The emphasis has shifted towards prioritizing savings in back-office functions to protect and enhance frontline services, resulting in 1533 redundancies and $80.4 million in redundancy payments in the past year.
Tags: Public Service Minister Judith Collins frontline roles public service contractors consultants savings Government redundancies New Zealanders restructureMinister Celebrates Peer Support Workers in Dunedin Hospital to Enhance Mental Health Crisis Care
07 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1055 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey visited Dunedin Hospital to celebrate the addition of peer support workers in the Emergency Department, emphasizing the benefits of having individuals with lived experience to support those in mental health crisis. The service, already implemented in five other major hospitals, aims to provide individuals with a sense of connection, support, and improved access to ongoing care. The expansion of peer support services across New Zealand is part of the government's commitment to strengthening the mental health workforce and improving crisis response for individuals seeking help.
Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey peer support workers Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department Life Matters Suicide Trust mental health crisis peer support specialist community services mental health systemTransforming School Attendance Services for Better Student Engagement and Support
06 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1081 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has revamped the Government's school attendance services contracting system to enhance support for chronically absent students. Budget 2025 allocated $140 million over four years, with $123 million designated for frontline services, leading to the awarding of 83 contracts to Attendance Service Providers (ASPs) nationwide. The new model emphasizes reaching more absent students, understanding their reasons for non-attendance, collaborating with families and schools, addressing students' basic needs, and escalating cases of chronic non-attendance, with a goal to achieve 80% student attendance by 2030.
Tags: David Seymour Ministry ERO Attendance Service Providers Budget 2025 School attendance Education Minister Contracts Students ServicesNew 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 peopleNational Mental Health and Addiction Services Performance in Review: Positive Progress and Targets Exceeded
30 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 964 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey mental health addiction services Kiwis Whanganui district Central region South Island Southern district HNZ regional leaders Health NZEmpowering Sexual Harassment Complainants in Public Service: Strengthened Support and Dignity Standards Released by Minister Judith Collins
25 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 997 viewsPublic Service Minister Judith Collins announces strengthened standards to support sexual harassment complainants in the public service, emphasizing dignity and rights. The new guidelines, titled "Your Complaint, Your Rights," outline the support and rights available to complainants when reporting harassment. The improvements aim to enhance the handling of complaints and ensure that individuals who come forward are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, drawing on feedback from the Public Service Commission and the recent Public Service Census.
Tags: sexual harassment public service standards Judith Collins complainants dignity support bullying discrimination speaking upGovernment’s Centralized Digital Investment Strategy to Save Billions and Enhance Public Services
21 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1215 viewsThe Government announced a shift in digital investment and procurement in the public sector, aiming to save up to $3.9 billion in the next five years. The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) will lead decision-making for digital investments, potentially saving 30% of the projected $13 billion technology spend. The goal is to transition to a citizen-focused, digital-first public service model, improving efficiency and providing better digital services while maintaining traditional service options.
Tags: Judith Collins Government Chief Digital Officer digital investment procurement public sector New Zealanders technology spend taxpayer money public servicesGovernment's $100 Million Investment to Upgrade NZ Hospitals for Better Healthcare
21 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1048 viewsThe Government is investing $100 million to upgrade hospital facilities in New Zealand, focusing on modernizing and expanding clinical spaces to improve healthcare quality and access. The funding, part of Budget 2025, aims to address neglected infrastructure and ensure timely, quality care for all citizens. The program includes local projects nationwide and remediation efforts to strengthen essential hospital infrastructure, creating jobs and supporting frontline staff while enhancing patient care and hospital resilience.
Tags: Government investment hospital facilities Health Minister Simeon Brown Budget 2025 public services healthcare clinical spaces infrastructure New ZealandersMinister of Internal Affairs Achieves Shortest Citizenship Wait Times in Five Years
20 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1218 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden highlights significant improvements in citizenship application processing, with wait times reduced from 180 to 69 days, the shortest in five years. The Department of Internal Affairs prioritized clearing the backlog, resulting in a 70% decrease in the number of people waiting for a decision. Van Velden emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of those applying for citizenship, acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by new Kiwis.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Minister of Internal Affairs citizenship government services efficiency Labour Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand economy cultureNew Bill Bans Surcharges on Foreign and Commercial Cards for Easier Payments: Impact on Businesses and Consumers
16 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1212 viewsThe Government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, is expanding the surcharge ban to include foreign-issued cards and commercial cards, aiming to simplify transactions for businesses and consumers. The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading, prohibiting surcharges on in-store EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard payments. The ban, set to be implemented within a month of passing the Bill, aims to save businesses up to $90 million annually and prevent surprise costs for Kiwi shoppers at payment terminals.
Tags: Government payment pain point surcharge ban foreign cards Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Retail Payment System Amendment Bill Commerce Commission banking fees merchant service fees interchange feesNew Zealand's 24/7 Digital Health Service: 21,000+ Consultations Delivered, Fast Access to Care
09 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1273 viewsThe Government's new 24/7 digital health service, launched in July, has provided over 21,000 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand. It is most commonly used when timely GP appointments are unavailable and has successfully treated 83.5% of patients without requiring an in-person GP follow-up. The service has made healthcare more accessible, especially for working-age adults and parents, reaching people in all communities and making a significant impact on daily lives by providing timely and quality care.
Tags: consultations digital health service Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealanders GP appointment emergency departments healthcare parents digital service