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Minister’s Plan For Tertiary Sector A Backwards Step
Friday, 20 December 2024, 2:01 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“Te Pukenga was set up because it was increasingly difficult for polytechnics and Institutes of Technology to survive alone,” Labour’s tertiary education spokesperson Deborah Russell said. More >>
PM Appoints Business Leader To APEC Business Advisory Council
Friday, 20 December 2024, 1:36 pm | New Zealand Government
Sarah commences her term on 1 January. The two other New Zealand members of ABAC are Anna Curzon and Brett O’Riley. More >>
New Housing Developments Able To Progress More Quickly
Friday, 20 December 2024, 1:22 pm | New Zealand Government
Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are a key part of the building development process and are required before settlement can occur. Delays in processing these applications can put entire housing developments on hold, contributing to increased ... More >>
Actions To Speed Up Air Travel Delivering Results
Friday, 20 December 2024, 1:08 pm | New Zealand Government
“Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable travel journey,” Mr Brown says. More >>
Vocational Education And Training Decisions Support Return To Regions
Friday, 20 December 2024, 12:13 pm | New Zealand Government
“The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that are financially sustainable,” Ms Simmonds says. More >>
Reducing The Environmental Impact Of Synthetic Refrigerants
Friday, 20 December 2024, 10:20 am | New Zealand Government
“Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. More >>
National Buries 1019 Planned Homes
Friday, 20 December 2024, 10:19 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Officials have confirmed the need for housing hasn’t reduced, so it’s clear this could result in more homelessness. More >>
Ngāruawāhia Section Of Waikato Expressway Back To 4 Lanes For Christmas
Friday, 20 December 2024, 10:12 am | New Zealand Government
“NZTA contractors have been working for more than two years to bring this section of expressway up to the same standard as neighbouring expressway sections which have been built to allow for a speed limit of 110km/h. More >>
Rule-Czar Bill A Right-wing Power Grab
Friday, 20 December 2024, 9:36 am | New Zealand Labour Party
“The bill is another concession from Christopher Luxon to the ACT Party and would see far right thinking baked into our constitution,” Labour regulation spokesperson Duncan Webb said. More >>
Why Not Both? Luxon Shuns Waitangi Celebrations
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 3:37 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Christopher Luxon could easily do both – go up to Waitangi and join in some of the celebrations in the lead up to Waitangi Day and be part of the pōwhiri, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. More >>
Collaboration With Private Sector To Combat Text Scams
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 3:34 pm | New Zealand Government
Text messages reported to the Department are shared with telecommunications companies and any weblinks in the texts are shared with internet service providers so they can be blocked. More >>
Govt’s ‘free Speech’ Legislation Stokes Fear, Not Freedom
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 3:15 pm | Green Party
Freedom of speech is fundamental, but it is not a licence to harm. It is imperative universities are trusted to ensure the balance is struck between academic freedom and a duty of care, Green Party’s spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Fransico ... More >>
Appointments To The ENZ Board
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 3:07 pm | New Zealand Government
Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. Current board member, Mr Tony Gray MNZM JP, has been appointed to the position of Deputy Chair until 31 October 2027. More >>
Government To Celebrate Waitangi Day Around NZ
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 2:33 pm | New Zealand Government
Waitangi Day is of national importance, and I am keen to join New Zealanders celebrating it in other regions, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. More >>
More Gangs Added To Gangs Act List
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 2:00 pm | New Zealand Government
Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the gangs known as the “TwoEight Brotherhood” and the “Bloods” will be added to the Gangs Act list, bringing the total number of “Identified Gangs” in the Gangs Act to 37. More >>
More Cancer Drugs Announced - National Delivers Again
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:56 pm | New Zealand National Party
National campaigned on delivering a game changer for cancer meds and we have delivered. In government, National is very proud of the work Pharmac is doing, and the way our announcements are helping make a real difference for Kiwis facing the biggest battle ... More >>
Judicial Appointment Announced
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:53 pm | New Zealand Government
Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on 31 July 2025. More >>
Citizenship Application Backlog Down 14 Percent, New Dashboard To Track Progress
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:48 pm | New Zealand Government
The Department of Internal Affairs has made great progress in steadily reducing the backlog in citizenship applications so new New Zealanders can receive their citizenship by grant faster, says Ms van Velden. More >>
GDP Data Highlights Importance Of Growth
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:18 pm | New Zealand Government
Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. New Zealanders have now experienced eight quarters of negative growth on a per head basis. More >>
ACT Responds To GDP Data
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:06 pm | ACT New Zealand
To rise out of these economic doldrums we need to unleash the ambition and creativity of New Zealanders so families can generate for wealth for themselves and their loved ones, ACT Leader David Seymour says. More >>
Strengthening Free Speech In Universities
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:02 pm | New Zealand Government
The proposed changes to the Education and Training Act 2020 will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will adopt a freedom of speech statement consistent with these expectations. More >>
Nicola Willis Spirals Country Deeper Into Recession
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 11:49 am | New Zealand Labour Party
“Nicola’ Willis’ cuts and austerity has fed the recessionary fire, and today’s GDP figures show this, recording the weakest 6-month period since 1991, excluding COVID-19,” said Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. More >>
Launch Of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 11:46 am | New Zealand Government
The Public Safety Network solutions including Cellular Roaming and Priority, along with the new digital Land Mobile Radio network, are about ensuring reliable, secure worldclass communications so our frontline responders can do their jobs quickly and ... More >>
Government Boosts Support For Avian Influenza Response
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 11:27 am | New Zealand Government
The Biosecurity Act enables Biosecurity New Zealand to instruct a farmer to depopulate a shed or farm, or to impose controls on their operations to prevent the spread of an unwanted organism. More >>
More Support On The Way For New Mums
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 5:38 pm | New Zealand National Party
“The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill, which will entitle women to 72 hours of funded inpatient postnatal care, received support from all parties when it was read in the House for the first time today,” says Tukituki ... More >>
Levelling The Playing Field For Media Advertising
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 4:44 pm | New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s media sector has been calling for this change for a long time, and this Government is listening. More >>
Fire And Emergency New Zealand Final Levy Rates Confirmed
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 4:10 pm | New Zealand Government
The Fire and Emergency levy is included on most insurance contracts that cover property, including vehicles, homes and contents, and non-residential property. More >>
Severing Contact Between Prisoners And Victims
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 3:55 pm | New Zealand National Party
Victims have a right to feel safe from their perpetrators. My Bill ensures that Corrections is obliged to inform victims and recipients of prisoner correspondence about how they can refuse contact from offenders in prison under their supervision. More >>
Inspector-General Of Defence Appointed
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 3:27 pm | New Zealand Government
Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. More >>
More AML Relief On The Way For Kiwi Businesses
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 3:23 pm | New Zealand Government
“The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that makes amendments to improve the AML/CFT Act,” Associate Justice Minister ... More >>
Hikes For Company Directors But Not Ordinary Kiwis
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 3:08 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“Under National, New Zealand’s lowest paid workers get a real-terms pay cut while government directors have had their pay hiked,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. More >>
Wide Ranging Legislation To Make Justice System More Efficient
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 3:01 pm | New Zealand Government
The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the Justice system: the courts, occupational regulation, and tribunals, making amendments across 24 different Acts. More >>
Government Seeks Partnerships To Plant Trees On Crown-owned-land
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 2:58 pm | New Zealand Government
“Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood for domestic processing and over time, boost the value of exports,” Mr McClay says More >>
Diverse Skills In Community Trust Appointments
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 1:46 pm | New Zealand Government
“The 12 community trusts of New Zealand are the custodians of more than $3.5 billion of investments and together grant around $100m into thousands of organisations throughout the country each year,” Mr Jones says. More >>
ECE No Place To Cut Corners
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 1:28 pm | Green Party
This report neglects the importance of the work being done by ECE kaiako, who are already under immense pressure due to high workloads, poor ratios, and lack of investment into their pay, training, and wellbeing. More >>
Torture Redress For Survivors Of The Lake Alice Unit
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 1:23 pm | New Zealand Government
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). More >>
Strengthening Justice Services For New Zealanders
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:57 am | New Zealand Labour Party
“The proposed Bill aims to ensure that all New Zealanders have access to consistent, high-quality, and timely JP services, while supporting the recruitment, retention, and professional development of JPs. More >>
A Busy Year In The House
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:48 am | New Zealand Government
“This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this year in the House has shown we’re doing exactly that,” Mr Bishop says. More >>
Building Consent Processing Times Improve
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:43 am | New Zealand Government
“In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies so we can get Kiwi families into quality, affordable homes, more quickly,” Mr Penk says. More >>
Consultation Opens On Working With Engineered Stone
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:26 am | New Zealand Government
“While efforts have been made by WorkSafe to educate the industry of the health risks, and enforce current health and safety obligations, I am concerned that WorkSafe inspections have found that risk management practices remain inconsistent. More >>
Consultation Opens On Working With Engineered Stone
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:15 am | New Zealand Government
WorkSafe currently leads a range of education and enforcement activity to ensure businesses control the risks from working with engineered stone. More >>
Greater Reporting On Treaty Settlement Commitments
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 10:43 am | New Zealand Government
Compiled together for the first time in over 30 years of Treaty settlements, the Whole of System (Core Crown) Report on Treaty Settlement Delivery outlines how 26 core Crown agencies have assessed their progress in meeting their Treaty settlement ... More >>
New Appointments To The Charities Registration Board
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 10:01 am | New Zealand Government
“The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity to make balanced and timely decisions, ensuring it can continue to operate effectively,” Ms Upston says. More >>
Faster Access To Support Through Innovation Fund
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 9:23 am | New Zealand Government
“This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in grassroots initiatives through non-governmental and community organisations that deliver mental health and addiction support to New Zealanders,” Mr Doocey says. More >>
New Zealand To Assist Vanuatu On Earthquake Response
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 8:20 am | New Zealand Government
"We are also offering to send an urban search and rescue team and relief supplies to Vanuatu later today, once the airport in Port Vila has re-opened. New Zealand emergency medical, civil defence, consular and humanitarian officials will also deploy ... More >>
Government Takes Steps To Reduce Card Fees For Kiwis
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 8:16 am | New Zealand Government
“The Retail Payment System Act stipulates that businesses must only charge customers the cost of processing a payment, meaning businesses are obligated to pass this saving on to consumers." More >>
Will Party Leaders Let MPs Think For Themselves On Easter Trading?
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 8:08 am | ACT New Zealand
Modernising Easter Trading has support from Kiwis across the political spectrum, and the bill ensures that businesses can serve customers over Easter while extending existing protections for workers who choose not to work. More >>
Review Recommends ECE Regulation Shakeup
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 5:34 am | New Zealand Government
The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care and education. More >>
Offshore Renewable Energy Bill Passes First Reading
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 5:27 am | New Zealand Government
Offshore wind is one of our country’s great untapped sources of renewable electricity. This legislation is a key part of helping to unlock its potential, and to support the Government’s goals of doubling renewable energy and ensuring New Zealand has ... More >>
Local Government (Water Services) Bill Passes First Reading
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 5:25 am | New Zealand Government
Our Government is now delivering the enduring components for water services through our Local Water Done Well plan, giving local government the clarity it needs to invest in infrastructure while delivering economic regulation to minimise costs for ratepayers. More >>
NZ A Step Closer To Being A Superpower In Agricultural Genetics
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 8:42 pm | ACT New Zealand
New Zealand should be a superpower in agricultural and horticultural genetics. But current restrictions have led to absurd outcomes, says ACT’s Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar. More >>
PM’s Space Prizes Highlight Talent And Innovation
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 8:39 pm | New Zealand Government
“The Government established these prizes to recognise and encourage innovative expertise and rising talent in the industry,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. More >>
Gene Technology Bill Passes First Reading
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 8:34 pm | New Zealand Government
“This legislation will end New Zealand’s near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is a major milestone in modernising our laws to unlock the potential of science,” Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. More >>
ACT Welcomes Bill To Restore Flexibility To Local Housing Development
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 7:57 pm | ACT New Zealand
“Progress on this legislation means local communities, who deserve a say in their planning laws, can breathe easy. Elected councils up and down the country have opposed MDRS, and now we’re making it entirely their choice,” says ACT Leader and MP ... More >>
New Zealand Ratifies AANZFTA Upgrade
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 7:16 pm | New Zealand Government
The upgrade addresses trade barriers and creates more streamlined and efficient processing of goods across borders and improves conditions for trade in services and e-commerce,” Minister for Trade Todd McClay says. More >>
Labour Will Continue Fight Against Destructive Projects
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 6:24 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
This is deeply flawed legislation that prioritises short-term profit over the long-term sustainable management of New Zealand’s environment, and locks communities out of decision-making, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. More >>
One-stop Shop Fast-track Bill Passes Third Reading
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 6:22 pm | New Zealand Government
The Fast-track Approvals Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today. Applications for projects to be considered using the new Fast Track regime will be accepted from 7 February. More >>
Green Government Will Revoke Dodgy Fast-track Projects
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 6:20 pm | Green Party
“This legislation has been shrouded in smoke and mirrors from the start and covered in controversy from the outset. A Green Govt will put people & planet before profit & revoke consents that exploit our environment under the fast track,” says Green ... More >>
Antarctica New Zealand Board Appointment
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 5:00 pm | New Zealand Government
The appointment is effective from 18 December 2024 for a three-year term and brings the Board to its full capacity of seven members. More >>
Govt For The Wealthy Keeps Pushing Austerity
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 4:02 pm | Green Party
“Christopher Luxon’s Government wants to play Monopoly when what we need is a responsible Government. It would pay for them to learn that the game was designed to educate children about the pitfalls of an economy premised on land speculation ... More >>
