Articles tagged with New Zealanders
Restoring Customary Marine Title: Government's Legislation Update
7 hours ago | 49 viewsThe Government is moving forward with legislation to restore Parliament's original test for Customary Marine Title, following the Supreme Court's determination that previous rulings were incorrect. The legislation aims to uphold the high test set in 2011 before granting Customary Marine Title, ensuring a balance between Māori customary rights and the interests of all New Zealanders in the marine and coastal area. The Government has allocated additional funding to assist with re-hearing applications, with the intention to pass the legislation by the end of October 2025.
Tags: Government legislation Customary Marine Title Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith Supreme Court Parliament Māori customary rights New Zealanders coastal watersNew Zealand Bans Surcharges to Save Millions: Commerce Minister's Decision
1 week ago | 388 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced the axing of surcharges to benefit New Zealanders financially. The move aims to eliminate the hassle and unexpected costs shoppers face at the checkout. By banning surcharges for in-store payments by May 2026, consumers can shop confidently without being penalized for their payment method choice.
Tags: surcharges money Kiwis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson New Zealanders ban payments fees Commerce CommissionNew Zealand Farmers' Confidence Soars: Leading the Charge to Double Export Value
1 week ago | 243 viewsFarmer confidence in New Zealand has reached an eight-year high, indicating the resilience of the sector and progress towards doubling export value. The shift in sentiment is evident from the latest Federated Farmers Confidence Survey, showing a significant increase in confidence levels. This positive trend is attributed to the hard work of rural New Zealanders and government support, with key improvements in profitability, productivity, and mental health reported.
Tags: Farmer confidence Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay New Zealand export value Federated Farmers Confidence Survey rural New Zealanders Labour government profitability mental healthNew Zealand Bolsters Cybercrime Protection with Budapest Convention Passage
1 week ago | 294 viewsNew Zealand passes legislation to enhance protection against cybercrime, with 11% of citizens falling victim to online threats in 2024, resulting in significant emotional and financial harm. Joining the Budapest Convention will enable cooperation with other countries in criminal investigations and align domestic laws with international standards. Provisions in the Bill include new preservation directions, amendments to enhance mutual assistance in criminal matters, and updates to the Crimes Act to address cybercrime comprehensively.
Tags: New Zealanders cybercrime legislation Paul Goldsmith fraud National Cyber Security Centre Budapest Convention Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime law enforcement agencies criminal investigationsGovernment Invests $24 Million in AI and Biotech Research for Healthier Living and Sustainable Food Industries
1 week ago | 223 viewsThe Government of New Zealand is investing $24 million in research programs with Singapore to advance AI tools for healthy aging and biotechnology for sustainable food production, aiming for practical applications and economic growth. The AI program focuses on enhancing health outcomes for older adults through AI-assisted assessments and cognitive health monitoring, while the biotechnology program aims to develop scalable food solutions like algae-based foods and bio-fermented functional foods. These collaborations will deepen research ties, build capabilities in AI and biotechnology, and address global challenges with New Zealand science leading the way.
Tags: Shane Reti AI biotechnology Singapore science innovation technology New Zealanders Catalyst Fund artificial intelligenceGovernment-backed Gumboot Friday Provides Vital Mental Health Support for Young New Zealanders
1 week ago | 191 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey supports Gumboot Friday, an initiative aiding youth mental health. Government funding has enabled over 30,000 counseling sessions for 10,000 young New Zealanders. The initiative plans to expand, with 700 counselors registered and aims to reach 15,000 youth with 40,000 sessions in 2025/26.
Tags: Matt Doocey Government funding Gumboot Friday young people mental health support counselling sessions New Zealanders counsellors I Am Hope partnershipPharmac’s New Consumer Working Group: Resetting the Patient-Pharmac Relationship for Better Health Outcomes
2 weeks ago | 286 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac's new consumer working group to improve its collaboration with health consumers, emphasizing the importance of patient input in decision-making processes. The working group, led by Dr. Malcolm Mulholland, includes members representing various health conditions, aiming to reset the relationship between Pharmac and the consumer community. The government's support includes increased funding for Pharmac to negotiate better deals for medicine and enhance access for patients and their families.
Tags: David Seymour Malcolm Mulholland Pharmac Consumer working group Patient advocacy Patient engagement Health consumers Medicines Patient Voice Aotearoa New ZealandersPharmac Innovations: Driving Access to Life-saving Medicines for Kiwis
2 weeks ago | 310 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has outlined clear expectations for Pharmac to enhance innovation and optimize services for better healthcare delivery to New Zealanders. Pharmac has made improvements in consultation processes, funding criteria adjustments, and appointed new leadership to drive positive change. The focus is on modernizing Pharmac, adopting AI technologies, engaging stakeholders proactively, and increasing transparency to ensure timely access to medicines and medical devices for all Kiwis.
Tags: David Seymour Natalie McMurtry Pharmac Kiwis New Zealanders Government AI Stakeholders Regulatory systemFinance Minister Nicola Willis: Inflation Under Control as Govt Focuses on Economic Growth
2 weeks ago | 232 viewsNew data released by Stats NZ today shows inflation at 2.7 per cent for the 12 months to the June 2025 quarter, remaining within the Reserve Bank's target range, according to Finance Minister Nicola Willis. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of inflation being within the target range, contrasting with previous higher rates under the previous government. Local authority rates and payments were noted as the largest contributor to annual inflation, prompting the government to call for better management to keep rates under control and ensure economic growth for job creation and public services funding.
Tags: inflation Finance Minister Nicola Willis Stats NZ Consumers Price Index Reserve Bank New Zealanders council rates local authority rates economic growth New ZealandOver 80,700 People Transition from Benefit to Work in Past Year, Reveals Social Development Minister
2 weeks ago | 196 viewsOver 80,700 individuals transitioned from benefits to employment in the past year, reflecting the government's focus on facilitating job opportunities despite economic challenges. While the total number of beneficiaries has increased, particularly in Jobseeker Support, this aligns with seasonal trends and the government's efforts to provide enhanced support services for job seekers. Initiatives such as increased case management, community job coaching, and regular work seminars aim to assist individuals in securing and maintaining employment, with a focus on transitioning people off welfare and into work during the economic recovery period.
Tags: Louise Upston MSD benefit job seekers employment New Zealanders main benefit Social Development economic conditions case managementMajor Upgrades Begin on SH76 Brougham Street in Christchurch to Enhance Safety and Economic Growth
2 weeks ago | 171 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced that major upgrades to State Highway 76 (SH76) Brougham Street in Christchurch will commence to enhance economic growth and improve safety and mobility in the city. The project, funded by the Government, aims to address congestion and safety concerns on one of Christchurch's busiest streets, accommodating over 45,000 vehicles daily and serving as a key freight route to Lyttelton Port. The first stage will focus on constructing a pedestrian and cycle bridge to improve accessibility for school children and individuals with mobility challenges, with subsequent stages including traffic signal improvements, T2 lanes, crossings, and a shared path.
Tags: Chris Bishop Christchurch SH76 Brougham Street Transport Minister Fulton Hogan Lyttelton New Zealanders NZTA Budget 2024 Crown fundingTransforming New Zealand's Planning System for Economic Growth: A Ministerial Address
2 weeks ago | 359 viewsThe speaker acknowledges the challenges faced by local government in New Zealand, particularly concerning restrictive planning rules, infrastructure funding, and coordination issues with central government. The focus is on the need for reform in the housing market and resource management, with a three-pillar approach to housing growth and significant changes planned for the replacement of the Resource Management Act. The government aims to simplify planning processes, reduce costs, and foster a culture of saying 'yes' to enable economic growth and development while safeguarding the environment.
Tags: Christchurch Sam Susan Simon Watts Local Government Housing Transport Infrastructure RMA Reform New ZealandersPharmac Improves Access to Asthma Inhalers and Contraceptives | Minister Seymour's Welcome
3 weeks ago | 421 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025. “For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,” Mr Seymour says.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac asthma inhalers contraceptives budesonide eformoterol Mirena Jaydess Kiwis New ZealandersGovernment Reforms to AML/CFT Act Ease Property Transactions for Kiwi Families
4 weeks ago | 170 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Government is continuing to cut through unnecessary bureaucracy with reforms to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, which will make life easier for hard-working Kiwi families managing property through family trusts. “For thousands of New Zealanders, setting up a family trust is part of securing their financial future, especially when it comes to their home. But under the current AML regime, selling a house held in a trust triggers a burdensome level of document verification and compliance checks that has little to do with actual risk,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister Family Trusts Real Estate Agents New Zealanders Financial Future Compliance Checks Property ManagementSimplified Process: New Reforms Make Opening Bank Accounts for Children Easier
4 weeks ago | 462 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is making changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act that will make it easier for parents to open bank accounts for their children. “Opening a bank account for children should be a simple and positive step toward teaching them the value of saving. Unfortunately, regulations designed to prevent serious crimes can make the process unnecessarily difficult,” says Mrs McKee.
Tags: Nicole McKee Minister bank accounts children regulations reforms banks New Zealanders red tape