05 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1195 views
New Zealand's Resources Minister Shane Jones highlights the country's potential gains from the global interest in gold and minerals, emphasizing the economic opportunities presented by a significant gold discovery in Central Otago. The mining permit granted to Matakanui Gold Limited for the Rise and Shine prospect is expected to create jobs, boost local economies, and generate substantial revenues for the government through royalties and taxes. The government's commitment to utilizing mineral resources for regional development, job creation, and economic prosperity is underscored by the fast-track approval process for mining projects like Bendigo-Ophir and the financing of the Snowy River Gold Mine development by Endura Mining.
04 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1325 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.
03 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1124 views
The Government has introduced the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill to create a fast-track consent option for new supermarkets, aiming to improve grocery competition and provide better prices and choices for consumers. The Bill streamlines the approval process by allowing new supermarket developments to bypass standard resource consent processes and be referred to a fast-track expert panel for quicker decisions. The amendments aim to enhance the efficiency of the Fast-track Approvals Act, with technical changes to cut project application processing times and reduce processing and consideration times by an estimated six weeks or more.
03 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1319 views
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have approved the first renewable energy project under the Fast-track Approvals Act, with Genesis Energy's Tekapo power scheme receiving quick consent after facing delays under the standard process. The Tekapo project generates clean electricity for over 228,000 households in Canterbury and showcases the Act's ability to expedite vital infrastructure projects. The Ministers are working on legislative changes to further streamline the fast-track process and encourage more applications to boost job creation, regional prosperity, and economic growth in New Zealand.
26 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1274 views
Professor Roland N Horne, an earth science and engineering expert from Stanford University, will lead the international review panel for New Zealand's supercritical geothermal exploration project. The panel also includes experts from Iceland and the US, aiming to access supercritical geothermal fluids at extreme depths. New Zealand's government has allocated up to $60 million for the project's exploration phase, with a technical team assembled from various organizations to drive the initiative forward.
23 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1265 views
New 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.
19 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1189 views
Resources 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.
17 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1199 views
The Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
16 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1026 views
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones attended the graduation of 10 new Fishery Officers, emphasizing the importance of their work in ensuring fishers comply with regulations and protect fish stocks. The graduates unexpectedly encountered real poachers during a training exercise, highlighting the significance of their role in enforcing regulations. The Fishery Officers play a crucial role in maintaining sustainable fisheries, with over 11,000 Kiwis employed in the seafood sector and hundreds of thousands engaging in recreational fishing activities.
16 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1233 views
The Government is investing $97 million in 32 flood resilience projects across New Zealand, protecting 30,000 homes and 350,000 hectares of land. The focus is on equipping regions to bounce back from storms, with 22 projects in the South Island addressing the urgent need for infrastructure resilience. These investments aim to protect 100,000 residents in flood-prone areas and bring the total RIF commitment to nearly $200 million since August 2024, with a significant impact on preventing damages and supporting local communities.
03 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1265 views
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have approved the Milldale housing project in Wainui, Auckland, which is expected to provide 1100 residential allotments and inject $595 million into the region over three years. The project aims to address housing shortages by creating jobs and streamlining development processes through the Fast-track Approvals Act. Minister Jones is collaborating with Minister Bishop on legislative changes to expedite regional housing projects and other developments in the pipeline.
03 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1296 views
Port Otago hosted an event to celebrate the milestone of the new rail siding, with partners Dynes Transport and KiwiRail. Government ministers outlined investments in Otago's economic development and fast-track consenting steps. The rail infrastructure investments aim to boost efficiency, reduce road congestion, and support economic growth in the region.
03 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1383 views
The completion of Port Otago’s container terminal rail siding is a significant milestone for the Southern Link Logistics Park partnership, according to Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. The $13.5 million rail siding at Port Chalmers in Dunedin is crucial for the Southern Link Logistics Park inland port near Mosgiel, facilitating more efficient freight movement between the two sites. The project is expected to reduce truck trips, support regional economies, and improve productivity, with additional funding secured for further rail infrastructure development in the region.
29 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1270 views
Catch limits for Chatham Rise and southern New Zealand orange roughy will be significantly reduced to promote sustainability, alongside other changes in catch limits for various fish stocks as part of a regular review process. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones emphasizes the need for these reductions based on scientific evidence indicating pressure on the orange roughy fishery. The adjustments aim to allow stocks to recover, with additional measures planned to protect spawning areas and ensure future decision-making is well-informed.
25 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1168 views
The completion of Te Waihekeora Reservoir in Northland, managed by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust, will significantly boost horticulture and job opportunities in the region. The reservoir, opened by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, will unlock over 1000ha of land for horticulture, with potential for expansion through the Kaipara pipeline. This water infrastructure project aims to enhance water security, support horticultural development, stimulate economic growth, and supply water to key local users, contributing to the region's economic prosperity and the government's goals for sustainable growth in food and fibre exports.