Articles tagged with Services
Showing 15 of 119 articles
$640K Loan Boosts Stewart Island Air Connectivity and Regional Services
07 Sep 2026 | 1 day ago | 56 viewsA $640,000 loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been granted to South East Air to refurbish an aircraft, increasing Stewart Island Flights' fleet from four to five planes. This funding aims to enhance regional air connectivity, support essential services like healthcare and education, and boost tourism and business on Stewart Island. The loan is part of a broader $30 million initiative to sustain vulnerable regional air services and help airlines manage costs amid rising fuel prices.
Tags: Stewart Island Mark Patterson South East Air Stewart Island Flights Regional Infrastructure Fund regional air services aviation sector regional airlines Regional Development Minister Regional Infrastructure Fund loanNew $27M Ngā Moana e Rua Mental Health Facility Opens in Greymouth
07 Sep 2026 | 2 days ago | 80 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey officially opened Ngā Moana e Rua, a new $27 million acute mental health facility at Te Nīkau Hospital in Greymouth, designed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment with modern amenities for inpatient care. This facility is part of the Mental Health Infrastructure Programme and reflects a shift towards faster access, improved frontline support, and better crisis response, with input from clinical teams, people with lived experience, and the community. West Coast mental health services are among the best-performing in the country, and the new unit aims to further enhance care while supporting earlier intervention to prevent inpatient admissions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Ngā Moana e Rua Te Nīkau Hospital Greymouth Mental Health Infrastructure Programme West Coast mental health services inpatient support frontline teams Government mental health planNew Disability Support Services Legislation Passed to Enhance Support in NZ
01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 152 viewsDisability Support Services legislation has passed its final reading in New Zealand Parliament, establishing a legal framework to improve support for disabled people and their families without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The legislation incorporates feedback from the disability community, clarifies the government's role in supporting families, ensures stronger consultation with disabled representatives, and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles. The government has also committed $2.1 billion in additional funding and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance consistency, fairness, and sustainability in disability support.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services New Zealand Social Services and Community Select Committee United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Independent Review 2024 Government disabled people carers’ packageNew Disability Support Services Legislation Passes to Enhance Support and Choice
01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 165 viewsDisability Support Services legislation, reflecting input from the disability community, was passed to provide a clearer, stronger legal framework that supports disabled people and their families while emphasizing choice, safety, and dignity. The law mandates formal consultation with disabled representatives, aligns with UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives principles, and maintains current eligibility and entitlements without introducing new income or asset tests. The government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding, improved service consistency and sustainability, and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance support.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services New Zealand Social Services and Community Select Committee United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Independent Review 2024 Minister for Disability Issues disabled people carers’ packageGovernment Imposes Tougher Regulation on Tiaki Wai to Ensure Water Service Accountability in Wellington
28 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 222 viewsThe New Zealand Government will impose a 10-year performance requirement regulation on Wellington's water services provider, Tiaki Wai, following a Commerce Commission recommendation to ensure stronger accountability and transparency. This regulation grants the Commission the power to set binding performance standards, prioritizing critical projects and ensuring the $25 billion investment over 30 years is effectively managed and delivers promised infrastructure improvements. Ministers emphasize that this independent scrutiny aims to restore public confidence by guaranteeing that water charges are transparently used for necessary network upgrades rather than being hidden within general rates.
Tags: Simon Watts Cameron Brewer Tiaki Wai Wellingtonians Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Commerce Commission water services provider New Zealand Local Water Done WellNew Zealand’s Final AML Reform Bill Introduces Targeted Anti-Money Laundering Measures
28 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 154 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing the AML/CFT (Omnibus) Amendment Bill, marking the most significant reform of anti-money laundering laws since 2009, aiming to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens on ordinary citizens and businesses by focusing on actual risks. The Bill enhances tools to address suspicious activities, including temporary freezing of high-risk transactions, and introduces powers to regulate cash payments in remittance services and virtual assets, with planned consultations to ensure practical implementation. These reforms complete a broader overhaul that simplifies customer verification, centralizes regulation under the Department of Internal Affairs, and promotes proportionate, risk-based regulation to safeguard against money laundering and terrorist financing.
Tags: Nicole McKee New Zealand Ministry of Justice Department of Internal Affairs Justice of the Peace Cryptocurrency Regulation Remittance Services Government ReformNew Zealand's Aged Care Reform: Expert Report Guides Future Policy and Funding
17 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 313 viewsThe Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) has released an independent report with 40 recommendations to reform New Zealand’s aged care system, aiming for an integrated, sustainable, and fair model that better meets future needs. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the outdated funding model and the government’s commitment to carefully consider the report’s advice to improve policy and funding decisions. The government has already invested $446 million over the past three years to support the sector’s sustainability and operational improvements while further reforms are developed.
Tags: Ministerial Advisory Group aged care Casey Costello New Zealand Government Ministry of Health aged care reform funding model health services population agingNZ Government Reviews Ministerial Advisory Group Report to Reform Aged Care System
17 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 279 viewsThe Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) has released an independent report with 40 recommendations to reform New Zealand's aged care system, addressing outdated funding models and aiming for an integrated, sustainable, and accessible system. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the government's commitment to carefully consider these recommendations to improve care quality, funding sustainability, and system navigation as the population ages. The government has already increased sector funding by $446 million over three years and directed the Ministry of Health to develop advice supporting future policy and funding decisions.
Tags: Ministerial Advisory Group Casey Costello aged care New Zealand Government Ministry of Health funding model aged care reform health services population agingNZ Government Boosts Funding and Extends Contracts for Community Mental Health NGOs
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 321 viewsThe New Zealand Government is providing over $34 million in additional annual funding from July 2026 to support community mental health and addiction organisations, recognizing their vital role. To ensure greater stability, most providers are being moved from one-year to three-year contracts, allowing them to invest confidently in their workforce and services. This approach aims to improve access to mental health support, strengthen frontline services, and enhance crisis response for vulnerable New Zealanders.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand community organisations mental health addiction services NGOs Health New Zealand funding uplift frontline workersNew Zealand Boosts Community Mental Health Funding with Longer Contracts
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 303 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced over $34 million in additional annual funding from July 2026 for community mental health and addiction providers, along with a 3.16% funding uplift for most eligible NGOs. The government is increasing contract certainty by shifting around 83% of providers onto three-year contracts, replacing the previous predominance of one-year agreements to enable better workforce investment and service delivery. These measures aim to support frontline organizations that serve over 82,000 people annually, ensuring faster access to mental health services and a stronger crisis response across New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand community organisations mental health addiction services NGOs Health New Zealand funding uplift frontline workersGovernment Supports 400+ Young Kiwis with Youth Development After Severe Weather
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 321 viewsThe Government has invested $315,000 to support over 400 young Kiwis affected by severe weather events through six tailored youth development programmes across various regions. These initiatives focus on practical skills like forest restoration, safety training, employment readiness, and emotional wellbeing, helping young people re-engage with education and their communities. By providing safe spaces and targeted support, the programmes aim to build resilience, leadership, and positive pathways for youth recovery and future success.
Tags: James Meager Youth Minister Ngātiwai Trust Board Ngāti Maru Ki Hauraki Whitianga Community Services Te Awanui a Rua Charitable Trust Ignite Sport Trust Whenua Iti Trust New Zealand Government Youth Development ProgramsDisability Support Services Bill Updated with Key Amendments Reflecting Community Feedback
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 295 viewsThe Social Services and Community Select Committee’s report on the Disability Support Services Bill includes amendments reflecting feedback from over 3,000 submitters, clarifying the Bill’s intent, reinforcing support for families, and ensuring disabled people have a stronger voice in decisions. The revised Bill aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles, providing a clear legal framework for Disability Support Services without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The Government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding to improve consistency, fairness, and sustainability of services, with ongoing consultations planned for further improvements such as a carers’ package.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Services and Community Select Committee Disability Support Services Bill United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Disability Issues Minister DSS Supreme Court Child Development Services Independent ReviewACC Restores Specialist Traumatic Brain Injury Rehab in Canterbury and West Coast
12 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 263 viewsACC has reestablished specialist Traumatic Brain Injury Residential Rehabilitation services in Canterbury and West Coast, ending a gap since 2020 that forced patients to travel far for care. Hauora Ability Services will deliver these services at The Granada Rehabilitation Centre in Christchurch starting July 2026, improving accessibility and client outcomes. This investment enables smoother recovery transitions, allowing clients to receive timely support close to home and maintain connections with family, community, and employment.
Tags: ACC Scott Simpson Nicola Grigg Canterbury West Coast Traumatic Brain Injury Hauora Ability Services The Granada Rehabilitation Centre Christchurch TBIRRGovernment Approves Kāinga Ora Arlington Reset to Deliver 104 New Social Homes in Wellington
12 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 269 viewsThe Government has approved a reset of the Kāinga Ora Arlington development to deliver 104 new social homes in central Wellington, with construction expected between 2027 and 2029, and will provide up to $6 million to Wellington City Council to support housing services for vulnerable people. The redesigned project replaces a previously paused, costly plan of 301 apartments, aiming for a more cost-effective approach with a mix of one-, two-, and four-bedroom homes, funded through Kāinga Ora’s renewals programme. Additionally, part of the Arlington site may be returned to the Council for further housing development, maximizing the use of the site and supporting community housing initiatives.
Tags: Chris Bishop Andrew Little Kāinga Ora Wellington City Council Arlington development social housing New Zealand government Mount Cook housing services Cabinet approvalHawke’s Bay Gets New Air Ambulance Helicopter Boosting Emergency Care
12 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 284 viewsNew Zealand is upgrading its emergency helicopter fleet, replacing aging aircraft with 16 new helicopters by 2025 to improve safety, reliability, and performance, especially in remote and regional areas. The latest addition, an Airbus H145 D3 in Hawke’s Bay, enhances automation, patient care, and operation in challenging conditions, supporting critical medical transport and inter-hospital transfers. This $27.3 million investment aims to strengthen air ambulance services nationwide, ensuring better outcomes for patients and recognizing the vital work of air ambulance personnel.
Tags: Casey Costello Hawkes Bay New Zealand Airbus H145 D3 Search and Rescue Services Limited air ambulance helicopter upgrade coalition government North Island Christchurch