A Bill that better targets financial assistance to those most in need and improves the fiscal sustainability of the welfare system has passed its third reading in Parliament.
The Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill implements two initiatives announced in Budget 2025:
People in Kaitaia who need mental health or addiction support now have another place to turn, with a new Crisis Recovery Café officially open, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced.
“Emergency departments aren’t always
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The annual Youth NZ Emerging
Joshua Irving is set to be the first young person to compete in both the Ormand Nurseries Young Viticulturist and Tonnellerie de Young Winemaker national titles in one year.
The Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology (Honours) student is a strong contender for the national titles, having already won the 2026 North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year and the 2026 North Canterbury Young Winemaker of the Year.
Joshua’s bachelor’s degree has backed him with a science and theory base, supplemented by practical lab work. He stated he “knew this would be a strength, and playing into that definitely worked.”
The Young Winemaker final will be held on the Martinborough on the 25th of August, with the Young Viticulturist finals commencing the very next day, 26th August, in Wairarapa. Winners will be announced the 27th.
We wish Joshua the best of luck for the next two days of finals.
New Zealand rhythmic gymnasts have returned from the Tamara Cup in Japan, with athletes gaining valuable international competition experience and achieving a number of podium finishes across the 14–16 August event.
Eight New Zealand gymnasts reached the podium across the junior and senior competition.
At two years old, Abel Standen liked climbing over the furniture at home – and sometimes falling off it.
His mum decided gymnastics might be a safer place for all that climbing.
Eleven years later, the 13-year-old Bay of Plenty men’s artistic gymnast is still at Argos Gymnastics, preparing
New pro-grade hub brings Starlink LTE-ready hardware, 3x faster Wi-Fi 6, and always-on coastal connectivity to sailors worldwide
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, August 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Marine weather forecaster PredictWind has launched DataHub Pro, the next generation of its pro-grade marine intelligence hub. Built for sailors, cruisers, and
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment accepts the Privileges Committee’s finding that the Ministry deliberately misled Parliament, and apologises unreservedly.
MBIE Chief Executive Nic Blakeley said the Committee's findings were extremely serious.
“Parliament must be able to trust that public service agencies will provide accurate,
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is urging Aucklanders to provide feedback on three shortlisted options being considered for a future Time of Use Charging scheme.
Engagement on the options, aimed at reducing congestion and keeping the city moving, begins in November.
"Congestion is one of Auckland's biggest challenges and we need practical solutions to
Community Job Coaching, an employment programme to get young people into work, has reached a significant milestone, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
“Community Job Coaching now has 4000 young New Zealanders enrolled. The programme
Experienced public sector leader Dr Kelvin Watson has been appointed as the first Chief Executive of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSENZ), Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced.
“Creating an independent firearms regulator is one of the most important changes under the
A further 50 of New Zealand’s historic laws have been identified for repeal as part of the Legislation Repeals Project, a once-in-a-generation review of 900 pieces of New Zealand’s oldest legislation, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says.
“While these laws once served a purpose, many of them now sit as relics of New Zealand’s
The 2026 State of the City Report shows Auckland is gaining ground as an innovation city, but needs to do more to help promising businesses stay in the city.
Auckland has the research, talent and ideas to drive economic growth, and is gaining ground as an innovation city, but needs to do more to turn that potential into businesses that grow and stay in the city, according to the latest State of the City Report.
Released on 26 August by the Committee for Auckland, at an event hosted by Waipapa
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to strengthen New Zealand’s vaccine response, including by funding the flu vaccine for children aged 6 months up to 5 years old for the 2027 flu season.
“Winter is a challenging period for many Kiwis. Strong flu strains in recent years have made
New Zealand’s gender pay gap remains at a near-record low, thanks to the work of government and employers to identify and close them, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.
Statistics New Zealand has today confirmed the gender pay gap was 5.3 percent in the June
"A thriving Auckland needs outstanding universities, and outstanding universities depend on a thriving and ambitious Auckland," said University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith.
He was speaking on 26 August at a breakfast event held in B201 at the University of
When certified renewable energy is included, direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) have
The decision has been made to support the next phase of the project, including site surveys, investigations and enabling works required ahead of construction, which is currently planned to start February 2027.
The existing facility has also recently sustained storm-related damage and may require
Council rates increases will be capped at 4 per cent as the Government moves to help keep rates affordable for households and businesses, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
“For too long, ratepayers have been hit with steep and unexpected rates increases, adding pressure to household budgets at a time many New Zealanders are already feeling the squeeze,” Mr Watts says.
“Our Government is focused on easing cost-of-living pressures and getting councils back to
A new notified petroleum prospecting application aims to improve understanding of the offshore Pegasus Basin east of the North Island, a promising but largely under-explored frontier basin, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals has today opened a three-month competitive process
A four-year funding boost of $9.7 million, announced by Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka today, will help protect New Zealand’s national parks and native ecosystems from wild goats and deer.
“When left unchecked, wild goats and deer can cause significant damage and impact
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court have launched an illustrative National Policy Direction (NPD) for the new planning system for feedback.
“NPD is what translates the goals of the
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed the appointment of the eight inaugural members of the Firearms Licensing Review Committee (the Review Committee), established under the Arms Act 2026.
“The new Arms Act is about restoring trust and confidence in firearms regulation for both
The Government will today introduce the Online Safety Bill which will ban under-16s from social media and put greater responsibilities on technology companies to protect children online.
“We simply cannot accept the harm being done to a generation of New Zealand children,”
BH-Worldwide-Auckland-New-Warehouse
B&H Worldwide logo
B&H Worldwide, a global leader in aerospace and aviation logistics, has relocated its Auckland office and warehouse operations to a new facility in Mangere, NZ.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, August 24, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- B&H Worldwide, a global leader in aerospace and aviation logistics, has relocated its Auckland office and warehouse operations to a new facility in
Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard is in China to represent New Zealand at the 11th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM).
“The FSMM is an important regional
The public’s views are being sought on whether to reopen some scallop fishing in Whangārei Harbour after a four-year closure, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.
“Fisheries New Zealand is seeking
The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT) has officially launched today in Auckland, marking a significant milestone in the reform of New Zealand's science, innovation and technology
A new 16-bed acute mental health and addiction facility has officially opened at Rotorua Hospital, providing people in the Lakes district with faster access to support and a better crisis response, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today.
“The previous inpatient unit was more
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has today published a new strategy for getting more out of Auckland's motorway network, setting out how smarter traffic management, targeted investment, and
Good morning, everyone.
It’s absolutely fantastic to be here today at Building Nations 2026.
I’d like to thank Nick Leggett, Fraser Wyllie and their team at Infrastructure New Zealand for hosting this event.
Building Nations is always one of the highlights of my year, because it brings together nearly a thousand of our smartest people to talk infrastructure policy.
Being Infrastructure Minister is an interesting one because my interests span different
WorkSafe has created a new prequalification template designed to make it easier for construction businesses to be brought on to jobs, which will be especially helpful for smaller contractors, says Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden.
Prequalification is a process for checking a contractor's health and safety practices before
The Government is making changes to freshwater farm plans to create a simpler, cheaper system focused on real risk, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.
"Farmers told us this system was too costly and too complicated for the risk involved on
The government will establish an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system, Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
An amendment paper to the Government’s Planning Bill will establish the role of an
MAHIA, New Zealand, Aug. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its Electron rocket to deploy the latest Earth-imaging satellite to space for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS).
‘The Lightning God Defends’ mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in
Electricity network costs are driving most of the increases in New Zealanders’ power bills and the sector needs to help make
The Government is backing a project to transform the blackcurrant sector into a global leader in premium, science-backed and high-value health ingredients, says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
“New Zealand blackcurrants are
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes the summary report on Pharmac’s progress against his 2025/26 Letter of Expectations.
“What we are doing is working. We’ve
The first tranche of investment through the Government’s Housing Flexible Fund is delivering more than 820 new social and affordable homes in areas where they are
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka today announced $9.2 million of Department of Conservation Community Fund (DOCCF) funding will go to 20 community groups delivering conservation projects across New Zealand.
The DOCCF is a contestable Crown fund to
The Government is making targeted changes to the new planning system to create a more practical system for food and fibre production, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
“The Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill will replace the Resource Management
The Government is taking targeted action to provide certainty for farmers and growers in the Waikato and Manawatū-Whanganui while we transition to a new planning system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.
“After 14 years of hearings and appeals, Plan Change 1 to the Waikato Regional Plan is set
Councils will lose the ability to make rules for fishing and fishery resources already managed under the Fisheries Act in changes to legislation going through Parliament, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.
The Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill which are progressing through Parliament,
Agricultural sector productivity is set to soar through common-sense reforms to drone regulations, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Associate Transport Minister James Meager have today announced.
“The Ministry for Regulation heard red-tape was getting in the way of farmers using
Set up in 2018, Te Tuna Tāone Urban Eel, gets tamariki out of the classroom to their local waterway to learn about its health and the importance of eels/tuna.
It’s one of many initiatives that’s received support from the Council’s Community
The company recorded an underlying* profit after tax of $34.0 million and handled a record
The Government is investing a further $31.3 million to create calmer, less disruptive learning spaces in more than 600 classrooms at nearly 90 schools, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.
The investment will fund practical
Developed by the five Te Wai Ora o Parirua – Porirua Harbour Accord partners, including Wellington City Council, the Action Plan turns a shared vision
All dogs are required to be registered annually with the Council, with the fee going towards maintaining its animal management services.
This includes things like animal control patrols and shelter operations, responding to
“Some of these pipes date back to 1928, others to 1958, so they need to be replaced to meet the needs of communities in this part of the city’s northwest,” says Head of Three Waters Gavin Hutchison.
Contractor Dormer Construction will be installing a large-diameter trunk main to carry
Christchurch City Council approved $4.2 million for the project, which will enhance the mall area and help it act as a welcoming gateway between the beach, the pier, local businesses and the many developments in the area.
Manager Planning and Delivery Transport Jacob Bradbury says the upgrade will be a key
To recognise his outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the city and exceptional service to the Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch City Council resolved at its meeting to appoint the 87-year-old British actor as an honorary citizen.
Sir Ian was presented his honorary citizenship by Acting Mayor Victoria Henstock
Businesses will now have certainty around their climate change obligations with legislation passing its final reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“Ongoing litigation in the High Court, where an applicant has brought civil claims against six major businesses for their greenhouse gas emissions, risks developing a new regime that
The Government’s initiative to clamp or seize cars from people not paying court fines is shifting into overdrive with a nationwide operation taking place tomorrow, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“Tomorrow every bailiff in the country will spend the day scanning number plates of parked
Te Here-ā-Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today, finalising the restoration of approximately 3000 hectares of land at the top of the South Island to its rightful owners, announced Attorney General Chris Bishop and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.
“As held by the High Court, the land, in parts of Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay, had
The countdown is officially on for New Zealand’s first-ever State of Origin match, with the historic fixture now confirmed as Game Two, 16 June 2027 at Auckland's Eden Park.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise
A mountain in Fiordland National Park has been officially named Mount Kirk in honour of former Prime Minister Rt Hon Norman Kirk.
Minister for Land Information Hon Mike
The Coalition Government has made decisions on next steps for the Waitematā Harbour Crossing project, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simon Watts have announced.
“The existing Auckland Harbour Bridge
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced $1.7 million in funding from the 2026 Department of Conservation Community Fund for two projects on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands.
“Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands is
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Penny Simmonds has announced the appointment of Steve O'Connor as permanent Chair of the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology (NZIAT).
“Steve has served as Establishment Chair
The Government has agreed to progress the recommendations in the Ministry for Regulation’s Sector Review Report (“the Report”) to make residential and small to medium scale solar panel installation in
The 1,000th rail wagon has rolled out of Dunedin’s Hillside Workshops, showing what happens when New Zealand backs practical industry, puts rail assets to work, and creates jobs for New Zealanders, Rail Minister Winston Peters says.
“Hillside is part of New Zealand’s
The Government has launched a new $1.5 million grant to help Kiwi poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in commercial poultry farms, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
“The Government is supporting Kiwi
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will make an official visit to New Zealand this week, accompanied by a delegation of leading Thai business representatives, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today.
“The visit marks 70 years of diplomatic
Emergency waste funding of $250,000 for five councils affected by severe weather events in January and February, has been announced by Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg today.
“The Government remains committed to
Construction is now underway on the permanent two-lane replacement of the Mangati Bridge on State Highway 39 (SH39), between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today.
“The replacement bridge being delivered
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown today launched a campaign encouraging Aucklanders to identify small roading issues that could be fixed quickly, as Auckland Council prepares to take charge of the city’s roads on 1 October.
The Quick Fix programme is focused on delivering early wins by providing practical
These are just some of the questions NPDC is looking for the answers to in a survey launched today to gather feedback on road layout changes being trialled on a section of Devon Street West.
NPDC has been trialling the
A solar farm near Foxton is the 32nd project and eighth renewable energy project to be granted Fast-track approval.
Genesis Energy lodged its application in February 2026, with approval taking around three and a half months since the appointment of an independent expert panel.
“The 220 MWp solar farm will generate approximately 345 GWh of renewable electricity
A new partnership is supporting The Polyfest Trust to strengthen hundreds of at-risk young people’s educational and employment pathways through leadership development and mentoring opportunities, Youth Minister James Meager says.
The Government is investing $350,000 through the Youth Development Partnership and
The Government has approved a revised National Plan of Action to strengthen the conservation and sustainable management of sharks in New Zealand, says Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka.
“Sharks are an important part of our marine ecosystems, and this plan sets a clear direction for protecting them and managing the threats they face,” Mr Potaka says.
“New Zealand waters are home to at least 113 shark species. Seven of these species are
The Government is scrapping the ‘offensive trades’ list under the 1956 Health Act (the Act), ending annual registrations for affected businesses and saving them time and money, Regulation Minister David Seymour says.
“Red tape isn’t neutral; it’s a tax on productivity and growth. When businesses spend time
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has released an investigation report and launched consultation on specific provisions in the Hamilton City Operative District Plan.
The report follows a request from Hamilton social housing developers for the Minister to exercise the regulation-making power in the Resource Management Act, which enables the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform to remove or modify provisions in district plans where they negatively impact economic growth, development capacity or employment.
“A social housing provider asked me to look at provisions relating to multi-unit residential
The Government will strengthen infrastructure funding settings to ensure the costs of growth from incoming Fast-track developments can be recovered, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.
“A key part of this Government’s plan to fix New Zealand’s economy and drive higher
New Zealand and Viet Nam are strengthening bilateral trade and cooperation, says Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay.
“Viet Nam and New Zealand have reaffirmed the strength of their bilateral relationship through new market access that will create opportunities for a range of agricultural products,”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Viet Nam’s President and Party General Secretary, To Lam, have agreed new steps to advance the New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“This visit has been about putting our partnership to work and delivering benefits for both
Farmers, growers and rural businesses are getting faster access to the products they need to protect crops, manage pests and remain competitive, Environment Minister Nicola Grigg says.
The latest Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) performance report shows good
A new petroleum mining permit will bring additional natural gas to the domestic market over the next decade and generate valuable export earnings from new oil production, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
Regulator New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) has today granted Matahio NZ
Our frontline community organisations play a vital role supporting New Zealanders every day, and we are backing them with more funding and greater certainty, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
“We are incredibly lucky to have so many fantastic community mental health and addiction
Today’s roll return data tells us what we already knew; families want schooling options that reflect the needs of their children, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.
Data released today shows that as of July 1, 2026, there were 1,732 students enrolled in 17 charter schools.
“These numbers show that diversity and choice in New Zealand’s schooling system is
The latest quarterly update from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission shows the value of projects in the National Infrastructure Pipeline has increased by $15 billion, totalling $290 billion across all initiatives, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.
“The Infrastructure Pipeline snapshot shows that the total economic value of the country’s
New Zealand's tourism recovery maintains its momentum, with international visitor arrivals for June reaching 95 per cent of 2019 levels for the same period, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
Statistics New Zealand figures released
Youth Minister James Meager says the Government has helped more than 400 young Kiwis turn tragedy into triumph through support for hands-on youth development programmes in areas impacted by recent severe weather events.
“Over the past year, several serious storms
The Social Services and Community Select Committee’s report back on the Disability Support Services Bill includes a number of amendments responding to feedback from the disability community.
“It was important this Bill went through a Select Committee process so submitters could
Hundreds of young people across Otago will turn ideas into action and build the skills they need for work, business and the future through a specialised youth enterprise programme, Youth and South Island Minister James Meager says.
More than 240 young people in the
The Government has approved a plan to reset the Kāinga Ora Arlington development, which will deliver 104 new social homes in central Wellington and provide up to $6 million to Wellington City Council to support housing services for vulnerable people, Housing Minister Chris Bishop has announced.
Following indicative Cabinet approval,
A significant ACC investment has reestablished specialist traumatic brain injury rehabilitation to Canterbury and West Coast communities, Minister for ACC Scott Simpson and Associate Minister for ACC Nicola Grigg say.
“This is fixing the basics and building the
More young children with high and complex developmental needs will receive earlier, tailored support to help them learn, grow, and thrive, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.
The announcement was made during a
