Articles tagged with Workforce
Government Funds $200K Agri Futures Program to Support At-Risk Youth in NZ
2 weeks ago | 200 viewsThe NZ Rural Games Trust has received $100,000 from the Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund, matched by the Trust for a total of $200,000, to run a ten-week ‘Agri Futures Pathways’ pilot program for at-risk youth aged 12 to 24 in the lower North Island. The program offers hands-on workshops in rural industry skills such as sheep shearing, quadbike safety, and horticulture, and supports participation in the national Clash of the Colleges competition. This initiative aims to engage young people with education and career opportunities in the primary sector, aligning with government goals to fund programs demonstrating successful outcomes.
Tags: James Meager NZ Rural Games Trust Youth Development Partnership Agri Futures Pathways Clash of the Colleges primary industries rural workforce agriculture horticulture Ministry of Youth DevelopmentGovernment Invests $21.7M to Expand Practical Teacher Training in New Zealand
3 weeks ago | 258 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $21.7 million over five years to expand practical, classroom-based teacher training through the School Onsite Training Programme and increase support via the Teacher Bonding Scheme, targeting schools with persistent staffing challenges. The programme, which allows trainees to spend significant time in classrooms and offers stipends, aims to improve teacher readiness and address shortages, especially in secondary subjects and rural communities, while boosting enrolments and reducing reliance on overseas recruitment. These initiatives are designed to build a stronger, sustainable teaching workforce that understands New Zealand’s curriculum and student needs, ultimately enhancing educational outcomes nationwide.
Tags: Erica Stanford New Zealand Teacher Bonding Scheme School Onsite Training Programme Education Minister Kiwi teachers Education Review Office primary teacher training secondary teacher training teaching workforceMBIE Biometric Project Cost Overruns Spark Independent Audit and Inquiry
3 weeks ago | 254 viewsThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) ceased the seven-year Biometric Capability Upgrade project in December 2025, initially reporting $33 million in costs written off. Subsequent reviews revealed discrepancies in MBIE’s financial reporting, leading to the identification of an additional $6 million in project costs and prompting the commissioning of an independent financial audit. The matter has been referred to the Michael Heron inquiry and the Public Service Commissioner to investigate MBIE’s financial controls and potentially expand the inquiry’s scope.
Tags: Biometric Capability Upgrade Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Greg James Education and Workforce Committee Nicola Willis Michael Heron Public Service Commissioner financial audit Cabinet scrutinyFirst Psychology Assistant Students Train in New Zealand to Boost Mental Health Workforce
1 month ago | 317 viewsPsychology Assistant students in New Zealand are training for a new role designed to expand the mental health workforce and improve access to support, with the first graduates entering the workforce next year. Funded by a $28.45 million investment in Budget 2026, these assistants will work under registered psychologists to provide low-intensity interventions and support, allowing psychologists to focus on more complex cases. This initiative complements efforts to nearly double clinical psychology internships by 2026, aiming to better meet the growing demand for mental health services across the country.
Tags: Psychology Assistant Mental Health Matt Doocey University of Canterbury Auckland University of Technology New Zealand Psychologists Board Budget 2026 Clinical Psychology Mental Health Workforce Health New ZealandHealth NZ to Offer 1800 Graduate Nurse Roles Nationwide in 2024
1 month ago | 284 viewsHealth New Zealand plans to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles in the coming year to strengthen the nursing workforce with locally trained professionals. Last year, 1716 offers were made, resulting in 1845 graduate nurses employed across various health sectors, including hospitals, primary care, and community services. Recruitment will continue nationwide throughout the year, covering diverse specialties and supporting nurses into frontline, primary, and community care roles.
Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown graduate nurse roles nursing workforce registered nurses enrolled nurses primary care community services emergency departments mental health servicesBudget 2026 Boosts Mental Health with $100M for Faster Support and More Workers
2 months ago | 541 viewsThe Government’s Budget 2026 allocates over $100 million across four years to enhance mental health services, focusing on faster access, increased frontline workers, and improved crisis response. Key investments include $20.18 million for maternal mental health, $28.45 million for psychology assistant roles, and $51.72 million to open 20 new inpatient beds, prioritizing regions with the highest demand. Additional initiatives support early family intervention, peer support, community-driven solutions, and expanded training pathways to strengthen the mental health workforce and better support New Zealanders in need.
Tags: Matt Doocey Budget 2026 mental health maternal mental health psychology assistant inpatient beds frontline workforce perinatal bereavement Health New Zealand NGOsSouth Island’s First Rural Training Hub to Boost Healthcare Workforce on West Coast
2 months ago | 558 viewsThe South Island’s first Rural Training Hub will be established on the West Coast to train and retain doctors, nurses, and midwives for rural New Zealand, addressing workforce shortages and improving local healthcare access. This hub, the third of four nationwide, aims to support clinical placements, strengthen training pathways, and align workforce planning with community needs. A dedicated Programme Lead will collaborate with local partners to enhance education and training opportunities, ensuring rural communities receive timely, quality care.
Tags: Matt Doocey South Island Rural Training Hub West Coast New Zealand healthcare rural communities workforce development clinical placements rural generalismNew Zealand Boosts Primary Care with Overseas-Trained Doctors Program
3 months ago | 614 viewsThe New Zealand Government is advancing a programme to integrate overseas-trained doctors already residing in the country into the primary care workforce, with nearly half of the planned placements underway. This initiative supports international doctors in gaining registration and experience in general practice, addressing the key barrier of appointment availability for Kiwis. Alongside expanded digital and after-hours services, the programme aims to strengthen healthcare access nationwide by building a sustainable future medical workforce.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand primary care workforce general practice government training programme healthcare workforce GP appointments hospital experienceThe Growing Economic Impact of Older Workers in New Zealand’s Workforce
4 months ago | 795 viewsThe latest Business of Ageing report reveals that older New Zealanders significantly contribute to the economy through paid work, self-employment, taxes, spending, and unpaid care, with unpaid work valued at over $20 billion annually. Workforce participation among those aged 65 and over is increasing, with projections showing the number of older workers will more than double in the next 50 years, necessitating new policies to harness their skills. The report emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting the economic and social roles of seniors to better adapt to an ageing population.
Tags: Casey Costello Business of Ageing New Zealand seniors older workforce unpaid work economic contribution NZIER Office for SeniorsNelson Hospital Emergency Department Expansion Boosts Care and Capacity
4 months ago | 784 viewsNelson Hospital’s emergency department has undergone a $10.6 million expansion, increasing treatment spaces from 23 to 29 and adding modern clinical areas, including fast-track zones and dedicated mental health rooms, to improve patient care and efficiency. The upgrade has enhanced patient flow, privacy, and overall experience, leading to better performance in meeting the Government’s shorter stays in ED target. Alongside infrastructure improvements, workforce capacity has been strengthened with 28 permanent full-time roles, supporting the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment to provide modern, patient-centered facilities for the community.
Tags: Nelson Hospital emergency department Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand inpatient ward clinical spaces mental health rooms workforce capacity patient careNZ Expands Cancer Infusion Services Nationwide for Faster, Local Treatment
4 months ago | 820 viewsNew Zealand is expanding community infusion services with 14 new centres and 14 expansions to provide thousands more cancer treatments closer to patients’ homes, supported by a $210 million investment from Budget 2024. This initiative responds to a 12% increase in demand, adding 218 more chair-days weekly and addressing the need for increased capacity following the introduction of 33 new cancer medicines funded by Pharmac. The government aims to improve cancer outcomes by ensuring timely, accessible treatment nationwide, while recruiting additional healthcare staff to support the expanded services through 2028.
Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac Budget 2024 New Zealand cancer treatment infusion centres community infusion services healthcare expansion cancer care medical workforceRe-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
5 months ago | 861 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentMental Health Innovation Fund Round Three Expands Access Across New Zealand
5 months ago | 767 viewsThe Mental Health and Addiction Innovation Fund in New Zealand has entered its third round with changes to increase access, including revising the requirement for an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) report to a more flexible proposal-based approach. These adjustments respond to sector feedback by lowering barriers such as matched-funding thresholds and allowing community organizations to better demonstrate outcomes while maintaining robust evaluation. With $20 million allocated over two years, the Fund aims to support grassroots initiatives that improve timely access to mental health and addiction services, protect public specialist services, and deliver scalable, evidence-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Innovation Fund Women’s Refuge Social Return on Investment Grassroots Organisations Mental Health Workforce Crisis ResponseAra Jobs and Skills Hub Celebrates 10 Years Connecting Auckland Airport to Jobs
5 months ago | 805 viewsThe Ara Jobs and Skills Hub, supported by the Ministry of Social Development for 10 years, has helped over 1,440 people into jobs and provided training to thousands within the Auckland Airport precinct. This partnership coordinates workforce planning, recruitment, and training for 800 businesses across various sectors, addressing significant workforce demands. Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in supporting job seekers and achieving the government’s goal of reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030.
Tags: Louise Upston Ara Jobs and Skills Hub Ministry of Social Development Auckland Airport job training workforce planning recruitment New Zealand government Jobseeker Support employmentHealth NZ Shifts Decision-Making Closer to Patients for Better Care from July 1
5 months ago | 886 viewsFrom 1 July, Health New Zealand will decentralize decision-making to regions and districts, granting them authority over workforce, budgets, and service delivery to improve responsiveness and patient care. The national body will retain responsibility for strategy, standards, and system-wide planning, ensuring a coordinated health system. These changes aim to reduce bureaucracy, empower frontline healthcare providers, and enhance access to care by making decisions closer to patients and communities.
Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown healthcare hospitals patients communities workforce service delivery health system reform