From today, the starting age for free bowel screening is being lowered to 56 for thousands of New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
"As part of Budget 2026, the Government announced it would take the next step towards matching Australia by lowering the bowel screening age from 58 to 56," Mr Brown says.
"That $45.6 million investment is funding hundreds of thousands of additional screening kits
The Planning Act and Natural Environment Act have received Royal assent and are now law, marking the beginning of New Zealand’s transition to a new and fundamentally different planning system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
“The replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991 represents a significant shift in
Auckland’s new transport governance, planning and delivery arrangements will be in effect from tomorrow, restoring democratic accountability and resetting how transport decisions are made in Auckland, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.
“These reforms deliver on the Government’s commitment to restore democratic
More than one million train rides have been recorded on Auckland’s rail network in the first two weeks since the City Rail Link (CRL) opened, with early data showing Aucklanders are embracing new routes and changing the way they travel across the city, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.
“More than 506,000 train boardings were recorded in the second week of the CRL, taking
People in need of mental health and addiction support in Hawke’s Bay will have another place to turn, with the new Hawke’s Bay Crisis Recovery Café opening this week and peer support soon available in the Emergency Department, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
“We have seen strong growth in the peer support and lived experience workforce under this
A proposed reduction to flight passenger security levies will generate millions of dollars in annual savings for the aviation sector and meets the Government’s commitment to reduce levies once the sector’s regulator had stabilised post-Covid, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is consulting on a proposed 5% reduction to domestic
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed deep sadness at the death of former Labour MP and Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe.
“Adrian was one of those Members of Parliament with huge mana,” Mr Luxon says.
“He was a highly respected Speaker, and his fairness and calmness meant colleagues from all sides of the House held him in the highest regard.
“Adrian was a warm and humble man, and I felt his great kindness personally.
“My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his loss, and also celebrate his life and contribution to New Zealand and his community,” Mr Luxon says.
Rail Minister Winston Peters welcomed State Owned Enterprise KiwiRail’s annual result today and issued congratulations to every rail worker, including Board Chair Suzanne Tindal, the newest apprentices, and everyone in between.
“KiwiRail reported a $162 million operating surplus and an 11 percent growth in rail freight
Tougher penalties and new offences agreed by Cabinet will help tackle the illicit tobacco trade, Associate Minister of Health Costello says.
“Cheap illegal cigarettes are connected to organised crime; they hit legitimate businesses and tax revenue – and they undermine our efforts to stop people smoking,” Ms Costello says.
“The current regulatory regime stretches across various agencies and doesn’t recognise the
Today’s pre-election update forecasts healthy economic growth and a distinct improvement in the government’s books, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
“I’m pleased that New Zealanders’ hard work, resilience and adaptability through tough economic times is bearing fruit.
“Today’s numbers show that the deficit in the year ending July this year was $3.4 billion
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed a significant milestone on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Papakura to Drury Road of Regional Significance, with southbound traffic now using a new motorway alignment and bridge.
“The Southern Motorway carries about 80,000 vehicles each day and is critical to Auckland and the upper North Island’s economy. The Papakura to Drury project will improve safety,
Families across the country can now access free, trusted parenting information through Tākai, the national parenting platform, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
“Raising children is one of the most important jobs any of us will do, and it’s important that parents can easily get useful, timely information they can trust,” Louise Upston says.
“Tākai provides evidence-based, accessible information for parents, grandparents and
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed news that a contract has now been signed for strengthening work the State Highway 50 (SH50) Ngaruroro River Bridge, south of Fernhill, to help improve the resilience of Hawke’s Bay’s transport network and unlock a vital connection for local communities and freight.
“Carrying nearly 7,000 vehicles per day, around 5 per cent of that heavy vehicles, the
Construction is set to begin on the first new specialist school in Drury the first to be built in New Zealand in 50 years while the region is also getting land for a future primary school, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.
The school located in Drury is one of three new specialist schools being delivered, alongside
The Government is making a further investment in Rotorua’s well-known Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, recognising its importance to the city and the region, and its historical significance, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.
Mr Jones joined other dignitaries, stakeholders and the community at an event in Rotorua
The Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme near Wānaka has been granted Fast-track approval, bringing 250 new homes, a childcare centre and two recreational reserves to the 5.98-hectare site, says Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.
This is the 35th project approved through the Fast-track process.
Mt Iron Junction Limited lodged its application in February this year, with approval being
The Coalition Government continues to back regional air services with an investment in Bay of Plenty-based Sunair, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Transport Minister James Meager say.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) loan of $2.08 million to Sunair will go towards the potential acquisition of two new aircraft, essential fleet maintenance, and the refinancing of existing debt.
“Airlines such as Sunair are a critical part of the economic and social fabric of our regions,”
GP clinics that immunise more children, screen more women, and support more smokers to quit will receive extra funding from this year, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
"GPs do vital work keeping New Zealanders well, and this funding recognises the clinics getting results for their patients," Mr Brown says.
"Our Government has invested more than $296 million in general practice over the past two
PortConnect NZ Port Community System integrates with CargoWise to provide container level event data and connectivity help derisk quay-landside movements.
Container level data and connectivity help derisk quay-landside movements
WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC)
AUCKLAND, NSW, NEW ZEALAND, October 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC), a leading developer of logistics execution software and supply chain technology, and PortConnect, New Zealand’s first comprehensive online port community system, announced a direct data
Funding of $1.7 million for three projects to reduce food waste across the country has been announced today by Environment Minister Nicola Grigg.
“Reducing food waste is one of the most practical ways of reducing methane emissions, and supporting wider emissions reduction objectives,” Ms Grigg says.
“Funding from the National Food Waste Reduction Programme will support three initiatives
