Articles tagged with Tia
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Government Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Target to 1.4 Million Homes
30 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1015 viewsThe Government will introduce legislation to amend the Resource Management Act, reducing Auckland Council’s Plan Change 120 minimum housing capacity from 2 million to 1.4 million homes while still supporting significant growth through upzoning and infrastructure-aligned development. The legislation also resolves transitional issues for developers affected by previous rule changes and aims to enable further housing opportunities, particularly around transit corridors and the City Rail Link. Auckland Council will revise the plan based on guiding principles, and the updated process will allow public input before final decisions are made.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Plan Change 120 Resource Management Act Housing and RMA Reform Auckland housing National Policy Statement on Urban Development City Rail Link Medium Density Residential Standards Auckland Unitary PlanNew Government Framework to Regulate Residential Property Managers for Better Rental Outcomes
24 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 923 viewsThe Government is introducing a new regulatory framework for residential property managers to improve accountability, consistency, and trust in the rental sector. This regime will establish a public register, set clear standards for financial management and conduct, and create a formal complaints and disciplinary process supported by dedicated authorities. The changes aim to protect client funds, ensure proper training and eligibility, and foster a stable housing market benefiting both landlords and tenants.
Tags: Tama Potaka residential property managers landlords tenants registration system complaints process financial management rental market housing stabilityGovt.nz App Update: New Digital Wallet and Secure Messaging Features Coming Soon
19 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 963 viewsThe Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.
Tags: Govt. nz app Judith Collins digital identity digital wallet Government Credential Issuance Platform Hospitality New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Kiwi Access Card New Zealand government servicesTerm 4 School Attendance Hits Highest Rate Since 2022, Showing Steady Growth
18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 863 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour highlights that Term 4 2025 saw the highest regular school attendance rates since 2022, with 57.3% of students attending at least 90% of the term, reflecting a steady upward trend driven by government initiatives and increased parental involvement. Regional attendance rates were highest in Central and East Auckland at 62.6%, and schools are now required to implement attendance management plans with escalating interventions for absences, supported by improved frontline services and $140 million in additional funding over four years. Seymour emphasizes that regular attendance is crucial for positive educational and life outcomes, and early Term 1 data indicates the positive trend is continuing.
Tags: David Seymour Term 4 attendance school attendance New Zealand education attendance rates attendance initiatives attendance management plan student attendance Education Minister attendance dataNew Zealand and Ireland Strengthen Partnership on Agricultural Climate Research
18 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 939 viewsNew Zealand and Ireland have signed a joint ministerial statement to advance agricultural climate research, building on a successful $34.5 million Joint Research Initiative launched in 2022. Both countries aim to develop tools that help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions without lowering production, focusing on pasture-based farming. Additionally, they launched the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases to enhance scientific research, collaboration, and resource mobilization worldwide.
Tags: Todd McClay Noel Grealish New Zealand Ireland Agricultural Climate Research Joint Research Initiative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ministry for Primary Industries Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Global Research AllianceNew Zealand Invests $25M to Boost Hospital Capacity and Care This Winter
16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 905 viewsHealth New Zealand is investing an additional $25 million to increase hospital capacity, staffing, and preparedness for higher winter demand, including adding up to 378 full-time staff, 71 extra hospital beds, and 567 short stay beds in aged care facilities. The comprehensive winter plan focuses on prevention, strengthening primary care, improving hospital flow, and supporting timely discharges to manage increased pressure on emergency departments and frontline staff. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes early planning and expanded resources to ensure timely patient care despite rising demand and challenges during the winter months.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand hospital capacity winter demand emergency department aged residential care vaccination primary care frontline staffScott Haines Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026
11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 875 viewsMinister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds has appointed Scott Haines JP, Principal of Burnside High School, to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Board for a three-year term starting July 1, 2026. Haines brings extensive school leadership experience and national contributions, including roles with SPANZ and NCEA advisory groups, which will support TEC’s role in connecting schools, employers, and tertiary organizations. His expertise will help implement the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy focused on access, participation, and workforce development.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Scott Haines Yvonne Browning Burnside High School Motueka High School Waimea College Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand NCEA NZQA Tertiary Education CommissionGovernment Appoints Crown Review Team to Investigate Moa Point Wastewater Failure
11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 956 viewsThe Government has established the Crown Review Team, led by Raveen Jaduram and supported by legal and engineering experts, to investigate the catastrophic failure at Moa Point wastewater treatment plant and ensure it does not recur. The team will conduct a coordinated investigation for both Wellington City Council and Wellington Water Ltd, delivering interim and final reports by August 2026, with findings expected before the transfer of water assets to Tiaki Wai Limited. Local Government Minister Simon Watts emphasized transparency, coordination with Greater Wellington Regional Council’s regulatory activities, and the public release of findings while managing legal and enforcement risks.
Tags: Simon Watts Raveen Jaduram Helen Atkins Michael Weatherall Garry Macdonald Wellington City Council Wellington Water Ltd Tiaki Wai Limited Greater Wellington Regional Council WatercareGovernment Responds to Health Committee Report on Aged Care for Neurological Disorders
10 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 957 viewsThe Government has welcomed the Health Committee’s report on aged care support for people with neurological cognitive disorders, following an inquiry launched in 2024 that gathered extensive input and made 14 recommendations. The Government’s response acknowledges these recommendations and will consider them through ongoing aged care reforms, including work by the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group. Committed to improving access and quality of care, the Government aims to ensure timely support for older people, particularly those with neurological cognitive conditions.
Tags: Casey Costello Health Committee New Zealand First National coalition Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group Government neurological cognitive disorders dementia aged care ParliamentMore Choice and Control for Disabled People’s Flexible Funding from April 2026
09 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 946 viewsFrom April 2026, disabled people will have greater choice and control over their flexible funding without changes to their current budget allocations, as purchasing rules will be removed while still requiring spending to align with individual plans. These changes follow successful efforts since 2024 to stabilize the disability support system, including strengthened financial controls, improved needs assessments, and significant new funding to ensure sustainability and consistency. Support will be provided to help individuals manage their budgets, with some high-cost or specific purchases requiring pre-approval, reflecting feedback from the disability community and recommendations from the 2024 Independent Review.
Tags: Louise Upston disability support flexible funding Independent Review 2024 DSS NASCs Enabling Good Lives Budget 2025 residential care carersNew Chatham Islands Supply Vessel Contract Signed for 2027 Delivery
03 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 932 viewsThe procurement of a new 77-metre supply vessel for the Chatham Islands has reached a key milestone with the signing of a ship delivery agreement, ensuring its completion by the end of 2027 before the current Southern Tiare retires. The vessel, funded partly by a $24.3 million government contribution and contracted to 44 South Shipping Limited Partnership, will enhance freight capacity and service reliability, supporting local sectors like fishing, farming, and tourism. This agreement secures long-term, affordable shipping services between the Chatham Islands and mainland New Zealand, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustaining the remote community’s economic and social needs.
Tags: James Meager Chatham Islands Southern Tiare 44 South Shipping Limited Partnership McCallum Bros Ltd Nova Marine Carriers Associate Transport Minister New Zealand procurement supply vesselNew Collective Agreements Boost Salaries and Support for NZ Public Health Nurses
01 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1044 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Public Service Association Public Health Nurses Mental Health Nurses Health New Zealand Nurse Practitioners APEX pharmacy APEX psychologists APEX dietitiansNew Collective Agreement Secures Salary Increase for Health NZ Dietitians
26 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1072 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for Health New Zealand dietitians, resulting from a successful APEX vote. The 24-month agreement includes salary increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second, along with enhanced professional membership contributions and improved terms. This agreement follows recent approvals for other health sector workforce agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in settling employment conditions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand dietitians Association of Professional and Executive Employees APEX collective agreement salary increase workforce agreements public health union representativesFast-Track Approval for Arataki Subdivision to Deliver 200 New Homes in Hawke’s Bay
24 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 991 viewsThe Arataki subdivision in Havelock North has received Fast-track approval to deliver up to 200 new homes, generating an estimated $78 million investment and creating approximately 629 jobs over five years. This development aims to address Hawke’s Bay’s housing affordability crisis, where prices have surged significantly, by increasing housing supply for locals and temporary workers. Arataki is the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track process, which accelerates infrastructure and housing developments across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop CDL Land NZ Limited Arataki subdivision Hawke’s Bay Havelock North housing affordability infrastructure residential development expert panelsGovernment Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Requirement to 1.6 Million Homes
18 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1090 viewsThe Government will amend the Resource Management Act to reduce Auckland Council’s minimum housing capacity requirement under Plan Change 120 from over 2 million to 1.6 million homes, allowing more targeted growth around the city centre, rapid transit stations, and metropolitan centres. This change provides Auckland Council greater flexibility to respond to public feedback and focus development where infrastructure supports it, while still meeting national urban development policies. Additionally, the Government will investigate and potentially adjust planning controls in Auckland’s CBD to unlock further housing and business potential, ensuring growth aligns with economic and liveability goals.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Resource Management Act Plan Change 120 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link Auckland Unitary Plan National Policy Statement on Urban Development Eden Park New Zealand Government