Articles tagged with Uri
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New $7.5M Funding Boost Ensures Future of NZ’s Iconic Great Rides
20 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 876 viewsThe New Zealand Government is allocating $7.5 million over three years to maintain and manage the country’s 23 iconic Great Rides, supporting their economic, recreational, and environmental benefits. These trails attract over 2 million users annually and contribute $1.28 billion to local economies, creating jobs and boosting related businesses. The funding includes dedicated trail managers and maintenance improvements, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth of the cycle trail network.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Great Rides Ngā Haerenga John Key Tourism Cycle Trail Fund Ruapehu DunedinNew Zealand Passes New Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1046 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to strengthen protections against deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign interference. The legislation creates new offences criminalizing foreign interference and updates espionage-related laws to safeguard national security. While encouraging transparent diplomatic and lobbying activities, the law aims to hold accountable those engaging in covert or harmful foreign influence.
Tags: New Zealand Paul Goldsmith foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage government information security defenceNew Zealand Passes Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 889 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to better protect the country from deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign activities aimed at manipulating society. The legislation creates new offences specifically criminalizing foreign interference and updates existing laws related to espionage and wrongful communication of government information. While normal diplomatic and transparent engagements remain unaffected, the government emphasizes that foreign interference will no longer be tolerated.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith New Zealand foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage criminal law government securityNew Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 920 viewsThe Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnelNew Zealand’s Great Rides Boost Local Economy by $1.28 Billion in 2025
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1072 viewsNew Zealand’s 23 Great Rides contribute $1.28 billion annually to local economies, with visitor spending rising 35% from 2021 to 2025, according to the latest evaluation report. Visitor nights and trail usage have also increased significantly, boosting accommodation and hospitality sectors and supporting regional jobs. The Government invests $8 million yearly from the International Visitor Levy and additional funds into trail infrastructure to sustain growth and economic benefits.
Tags: Louise Upston Sir John Key New Zealand Great Rides Tourism Hospitality Ruapehu Dunedin International Visitor LevyNew 10-Year Strategy to Strengthen and Promote New Zealand Sign Language
17 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 850 viewsNew Zealand has launched a 10-year NZSL Strategy 2026-2036 to strengthen and promote New Zealand Sign Language, making it a more visible and valued part of everyday life. The strategy focuses on increasing NZSL fluency among Deaf people, especially children in hearing families, and improving understanding and acceptance of NZSL among non-users to reduce access barriers. It emphasizes integration across government, business, media, and communities, celebrating NZSL milestones and encouraging everyone to support its use daily.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Sign Language NZSL Board Te Rōpū Kaitiaki Turi Māori Deaf community NZSL Week NZSL users NZSL translationGovernment Invests $2M to Expand Dunedin Tunnels Trail, Boosting Tourism and Local Economy
14 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 995 viewsThe Government is investing $2 million to extend the Dunedin Tunnels Trail, aiming to boost tourism in the Otago region and support local businesses while creating job opportunities. The project will expand the trail to Fairfield, Abbotsford, Green Island, Kaikorai Valley, and Caversham Tunnel, forming a 15-kilometre route between Mosgiel and Dunedin. This initiative is part of the Government's Major Events and Tourism Package and is expected to enhance the cycling network and tourism sector in the region.
Tags: Louise Upston Government Dunedin Tunnels Trail Tourism Otago region Cycling destination New Zealand Great Rides Major Events Economic impactClassic NZ Wine Trail Shines: Major Boost for Wellington and Partner Regions
13 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 993 viewsWellingtonNZ and partner regions are promoting the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail internationally with a $991,000 campaign funded by the government. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston highlights the importance of showcasing Wellington, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, and Marlborough to attract more visitors to experience their wine, food, and unique attractions. The campaign aims to encourage travelers to explore beyond popular destinations and discover the diverse flavors and experiences offered along the trail.
Tags: WellingtonNZ partner regions Classic New Zealand Wine Trail Louise Upston Tourism and Hospitality Minister Wellington Wairarapa Hawke’s Bay Marlborough Lonely PlanetDiscover the Southern Way: $393K Campaign to Showcase Authentic Hospitality in Lower South Island
13 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1019 viewsTourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced that Great South will receive $393,000 to launch a campaign promoting the Southern Way and the region's hospitality to international visitors. The investment aims to showcase the lower South Island's unique experiences, wild beauty, rich flavors, and warm hospitality to new audiences. Led by Great South and regional partners, the campaign will target Australian travelers, particularly those from the Gold Coast, encouraging them to explore iconic destinations like Milford Sound, the Catlins coastline, and Dunedin, while highlighting the region's local events and genuine southern hospitality.
Tags: Great South campaign Southern Way international visitors Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston lower South Island regional partners Australian travellers Gold CoastRotoruaNZ Receives $4.5M Boost for International Campaigns
13 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 1008 viewsRotoruaNZ will receive over $4.5 million for two campaigns promoting the region's geothermal wonders, Māori culture, and hospitality to international visitors. The "North Island x Ctrip" campaign targets travelers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, while the "Kiwi North" campaign focuses on attracting visitors from Australia's eastern seaboard. These initiatives aim to showcase the diverse experiences across the North Island, support local businesses, and enhance the region's reputation as a must-visit destination, funded by the Regional Tourism Boost as part of the Government's Major Events and Tourism Package.
Tags: RotoruaNZ Louise Upston Tourism Hospitality Minister North Island Ctrip China Japan South Korea AustraliaRegional New Zealand Boosted by $5.9M Investment to Attract International Visitors in 2026
13 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 999 viewsThe Government's Regional Tourism Boost will invest $5.9 million to attract more international visitors to regional New Zealand in 2026, aiming to showcase diverse experiences and boost regional economies. Three Regional Tourism Organisations will launch campaigns targeting visitors from Australia and East Asia, featuring tailored offers and fresh itineraries to highlight unique attractions. The campaigns will focus on promoting regional hospitality, encouraging longer stays, and fostering lasting connections with international travelers, as part of a broader effort to support New Zealand's tourism industry.
Tags: Louise Upston Regional Tourism Boost New Zealand Tourism Hospitality RotoruaNZ WellingtonNZ Great South Australia East AsiaNew Zealand Tourism Soars: Record International Visitor Arrivals in 2025
13 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 2079 viewsTourism Minister Louise Upston is pleased with the growth in New Zealand's overseas visitor numbers, particularly from Australia, which saw a 12% increase in arrivals in September 2025 compared to the previous year. Overall, New Zealand welcomed 248,600 international visitors in September 2025, with significant increases also seen from the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. The government's efforts to attract more international visitors and boost the tourism industry are reflected in the record-high arrivals in Queenstown and Christchurch, as well as the initiatives such as the Tourism Boost package and the $70 million events and tourism investment package.
Tags: Louise Upston Tourism Minister Australia New Zealand Overseas visitors Stats NZ International visitors Tourism industry Everyone Must Go campaignBoosting 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 Welcomes Michelin Guide, Showcasing Culinary Excellence and Boosting Tourism Growth
05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 989 viewsNew Zealand is excited to welcome the Michelin Guide for the first time, showcasing the country's food and wine to an international audience and expecting an increase in visitor numbers and economic growth, according to Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston. Michelin Guide inspectors are already dining anonymously in top New Zealand restaurants, with the first selections and potential star ratings expected next year. The arrival of Michelin is seen as a prestigious accolade that will boost tourism, with an estimated 36,000 more international visitors expected and a focus on promoting New Zealand's culinary excellence on a global stage.
Tags: New Zealand Michelin Guide Tourism Hospitality Minister Louise Upston Oceania Cuisine International visitors Culinary centers Hospitality sectorHon. Justice Timothy Brewer Appointed as New Inspector-General of Defence, Natalie Pierce as Deputy
05 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1026 viewsThe House has approved the appointment of High Court Judge Hon Justice Timothy Brewer as the next Inspector-General of Defence and barrister Natalie Pierce as the Deputy. Justice Brewer, a former Brigadier in the NZ Army, will retire on November 15 and assume the IGD role on December 1. Ms. Pierce, with expertise in criminal law and human rights, will start her role on November 10. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith also acknowledged the contributions of Brendan Horsley, who held the IGD role concurrently with his role as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, in establishing the office and providing oversight.
Tags: High Court Judge Justice Timothy Brewer Natalie Pierce Deputy Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Barrister Brendan Horsley Intelligence and Security