29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1270 views
Revenue Minister Simon Watts has announced a refreshed Tax and Social Policy Work Programme aimed at boosting the economy by attracting capital, talent, and small business investment. The program focuses on removing regulatory barriers, delivering a stable tax environment, and encouraging critical investment in infrastructure. Key pillars include attracting capital and talent, supporting small businesses, simplifying the tax system, and improving integrity through targeted consultations and practical reforms.
29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1254 views
Pharmac's Reset Programme, part of a five-year plan, is progressing well with the completion of the first 90-day action plan, focusing on transparency and accountability in funding decisions for pharmaceuticals. Associate Health Minister David Seymour emphasizes the importance of involving patients, families, and clinicians in decision-making processes to improve the patient-Pharmac relationship. The Consumer and Patient Working Group, chaired by Dr. Malcolm Mulholland, plays a key role in providing insight and practical advice to ensure the programme reflects consumer needs, values, and perspectives, with ongoing plans to enhance patient engagement and communication strategies.
29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1279 views
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure and tourism during his visit to Malaysia. Yinson Renewables plans to invest in New Zealand's renewable energy projects totaling around 1GW, with support from Invest New Zealand. Additionally, YTL Corporation Berhad acquired Hotel Indigo in Auckland for $160m, signaling confidence in New Zealand's tourism sector and receiving approvals from the Overseas Investment Office. Luxon also engaged in high-level talks on Indo-Pacific issues, established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, and signed a halal arrangement with Malaysia to boost exports before heading to the Republic of Korea for APEC.
29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1223 views
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston is excited about Carnival Adventure's return to homeporting in Auckland for the 2027 winter season, marking the first ship to do so since 2023. This move signifies confidence in New Zealand's tourism sector, bringing more visitors, jobs, and opportunities for local businesses. The Government's support for cruise tourism, including infrastructure development and regulatory clarity, demonstrates a commitment to fostering the sector's growth and ensuring New Zealand remains open for business.
29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1265 views
Minister Brooke van Velden introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill to address community feedback for local benefit, with a focus on problem gambling prevention. The Bill proposes an increase in the Offshore Gambling Duty to 16%, with 4% earmarked for community returns. A two-year review post-implementation will assess impacts on existing gambling forms and inform future policy adjustments.
29 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1244 views
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard highlights the importance of strengthening New Zealand's biosecurity laws to protect against invasive pests and diseases, supporting economic growth in the food and fibre sector, which contributes significantly to the country's GDP. The proposed changes aim to enhance biosecurity defenses, with penalties for failing to declare risk goods at the border, improved management of pests and diseases, and more efficient import rules to support trade while maintaining high biosecurity standards. The Minister emphasizes the need to prevent incursions to safeguard New Zealand's competitive advantage in the global food and fibre export industry, with a draft bill reflecting these changes expected to progress through Parliament in the near future.
28 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1184 views
The Government, led by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and Health Minister Simeon Brown, has announced an integrated approach to reform the aged care system, establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the outdated funding model. The focus is on improving health outcomes for the aging population, creating a sustainable and cohesive system that allows for smooth transitions between different types of care. The expert Group will provide recommendations on the funding model, cost-sharing, and integration between aged care and health services, with the goal of implementing changes by 2027 to ensure all New Zealanders have access to the care they need as they age.
28 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1351 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the release of New Zealand's new Year 1–10 curriculum, emphasizing the importance of updating the curriculum after almost 20 years to provide a clear, knowledge-rich, and fair education system. The draft curriculum is open for consultation for six months to gather feedback from educators and stakeholders, with a focus on local relevance and global standards. The curriculum includes key updates in subjects like Social Sciences, Science, Health & Physical Education, The Arts, Technology, and Learning Languages to ensure a nationally consistent framework for essential knowledge and better outcomes for all students.
28 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1050 views
Minister Scott Simpson is traveling to Canberra and Sydney to enhance New Zealand's partnerships with Australia, focusing on regulatory approaches, financial competition, and consumer protection. In Canberra, he will meet with Australian government officials to deepen cooperation and explore ways to promote fairer markets and economic growth. The Minister's agenda also includes engagements with the National Anti-Scam Centre, the Australian Banking Association, and Google to advance anti-scam initiatives and strengthen consumer protections in digital environments.
27 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1090 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announces the rollout of an AI scribe tool to 1000 doctors and frontline staff in emergency departments, aiming to reduce administrative burden and enhance patient care. The tool automatically generates clinical notes, referral letters, and follow-up summaries, allowing doctors to focus more on patients during consultations. Successful pilot results in Hawke’s Bay and Whanganui led to the nationwide implementation, demonstrating the potential of AI to improve efficiency and quality of care in the healthcare system.
26 Oct 2025
1 year 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.
26 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1236 views
The New Zealand Minister for Resources and Regional Development delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Indigenous Geothermal Symposium in Reno, Nevada, highlighting the cultural significance and future potential of geothermal energy. New Zealand, known for its geothermal electricity production, has a deep connection to geothermal resources rooted in Māori heritage. The country is investing in supercritical geothermal technology, aiming to lead in sustainable innovation and global energy transformation.
26 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1149 views
European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay adopted a joint declaration to enhance bilateral trade and reduce costs during the NZ-EU Trade Committee meeting in Queenstown. They emphasized the importance of deepening the trade relationship, addressing non-tariff barriers, and showcasing Kiwi exporters at the NZ-EU Business Summit. The discussions also touched on the EU's Deforestation Regulation, with plans to collaborate on reducing costs and ensuring fair access for exporters under the trade agreement.
24 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1129 views
Dr Shane Reti, the Universities and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister of New Zealand, will lead a delegation to promote the country's high-quality education offerings at the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education in Beijing. New Zealand is the Country of Honour at the event, which draws over 35,000 participants and highlights the strong educational partnerships between New Zealand and China. The visit aims to strengthen education links, increase the value of international education, and explore new opportunities for research cooperation between the two countries.
24 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1262 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced additional funding for Whakatāne’s Resilience Café during the Rural Health Roadshow's final stop. The funding will extend the café's hours, increase staff capacity, and support the expansion of peer support services. This initiative is part of the government's plan to enhance mental health support, including the establishment of six new Crisis Recovery Cafes by June 2026.