Articles tagged with Shane Jones
Showing 15 of 165 articles
Ōpōtiki Harbour Complete: Boosting Bay of Plenty Aquaculture and Jobs Growth
23 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 900 viewsThe completion of the new Ōpōtiki Harbour, featuring two 350m harbour walls and dredged channels, has created safe access for marine activities and unlocked opportunities for aquaculture and regional economic growth. The project, funded by government and regional councils with significant local collaboration, generated around 200 construction jobs and supports the expanding mussel industry, which employs over 200 full-time staff. This major infrastructure investment aims to boost local incomes and contribute to the government's goal of increasing aquaculture sector sales from $750 million to $3 billion by 2035.
Tags: Shane Jones Ōpōtiki Harbour Bay of Plenty Whakatōhea Mussels Regional Development Minister New Zealand aquaculture Provincial Growth Fund Bay of Plenty Regional Council Ōpōtiki District CouncilNew Zealand and Iceland Partner to Boost Geothermal Energy Innovation and Research
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 863 viewsNew Zealand and Iceland signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in geothermal energy development through joint research, industry workshops, and academic exchanges, focusing on superhot and supercritical geothermal systems. This partnership builds on decades of shared expertise and recent collaborations, aiming to advance renewable energy innovation and support New Zealand's goals to double renewable generation by 2050 and boost geothermal production by 2040. The agreement was formalized at COP 30 and includes financial commitments, such as New Zealand allocating up to $60 million for geothermal exploration in the Taupō Volcanic Zone.
Tags: Winston Peters Shane Jones Simon Watts Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson New Zealand Iceland geothermal energy renewable energy COP 30 Taupō Volcanic ZoneNew Proposals Seek Feedback to Protect Hoiho from Commercial Fishing Risks
16 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 979 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is seeking public feedback on proposals to reduce commercial fishing risks to the northern hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) population, following an emergency three-month set-net fishing closure around Otago Peninsula. Proposed measures include extending the closure long-term, banning set-netting between Karitāne and Hampden, and implementing a Fishing-Related Mortality Limit with an escalating response framework to minimize bycatch. The consultation, open until 12 December 2025, aims to balance hoiho conservation with the interests of commercial fishers and other stakeholders.
Tags: Shane Jones hoiho Otago Peninsula Karitāne Hampden New Zealand MPI commercial fishing yellow eyed penguins Stewart IslandBoosting New Zealand's Gas Supply: $200M Fund Expansion for Energy Security
05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1029 viewsThe 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 ZealandNew Zealand's Gold Mining Boom: Economic Opportunities and Prosperity on the Horizon
05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 982 viewsNew 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.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand gold minerals mining permit Matakanui Gold Limited Santana Minerals Central Otago Endura MiningNew Zealand Unveils Comprehensive Fuel Security Plan for Resilience
03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1118 viewsNew 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 dieselFast-track Approvals Amendment Bill Boosts Grocery Competition for Kiwi Shoppers
03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 917 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Government Nicola Willis Economic Growth Minister Chris Bishop RMA Reform Shane Jones Regional Development Minister supermarket grocery competitionFast-track Approval Granted for Genesis Energy's Tekapo Power Scheme
03 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1085 viewsInfrastructure 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Genesis Energy Limited Tekapo power scheme renewable energy project infrastructure regional development New Zealand legislative changesStanford Expert to Lead New Zealand's Supercritical Geothermal Project Review Panel
26 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1055 viewsProfessor 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.
Tags: Stanford University earth science engineering Professor Roland N Horne geothermal Shane Jones New Zealand supercritical geologist Dr Omar Friðleifsson Darrell GallupNew Legislation Allows Kiwis to Build Granny Flats Without Consent, Boosting Housing Choices
22 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1031 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 JonesUnlocking 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 SymposiumRegional Infrastructure Fund Boosts Job Creation and Resilience in New Zealand
16 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 971 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Regional Infrastructure Fund resilient communities local employment opportunities Regional Development Minister Shane Jones Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston infrastructure employment construction New Zealanders projectsMinister Attends Graduation of 10 New Fishery Officers Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries
16 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 828 viewsOceans 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.
Tags: Shane Jones Fishery Officers New Zealand Fisheries Minister sustainability fish stocks poachers seafood sector fisheries management system KiwisGovernment Invests $97M in 32 Flood Resilience Projects Across New Zealand
15 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 996 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Shane Jones Government New Zealand flood resilience projects Regional Development Minister infrastructure Regional Infrastructure Fund South Island Tasman floodingMilldale Housing Project Approved: Boosting Auckland Region Development
03 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1049 viewsInfrastructure 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Milldale project housing development infrastructure deficit Auckland region resource management reforms legislative changes regional housing developments