Further changes to a Bill aimed at strengthening the Local Government Act to support councils’ focus on core services and improving systems have been introduced to the House today, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. Progress will this week be made through the House on the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill. Several amendments are being made, including to support council-controlled water organisation borrowing and ensure a smoother transition to the new system for council codes of conduct and standing orders. “This will give councils increased ability to invest in…

The Government will change the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill to ensure councils can set appropriate development contributions that reflect the growth-related infrastructure costs associated with Fast-track projects, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say. “Fast-track is helping desperately needed housing, infrastructure, energy and investment projects move through the consenting system without being bogged down in unnecessary red tape,” Mr Bishop says. “Fast-track approval does not give developers a free pass to …

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Transport Minister Chris Bishop today announced $3.5 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to replace Albert Burn Bridge on State Highway 6 (SH6) in Otago. Mr Jones says reliable infrastructure is essential to Otago's economy. “Regional economies cannot grow without dependable infrastructure. Businesses need to get their goods to market, visitors need to reach their destinations, and communities need connections they can count on,” Mr Jones says. “The Regional Infrastructure Fund is about backing the infrastructure that makes regio…

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has today announced the appointment of Susan O’Regan as Chair of the QEII National Trust Board. Queen Elizabeth II National Trustis an independent charitable trust which works alongside private landowners to protect open spaces of special significance through establishing and monitoring covenants. It plays a critical role in supporting landowners and protecting conservation values, encouraging private entities to protect nature for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand’s people and biodiversity. “I believe Susan will provide sound leadership to the Board and …

The fight to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet in Auckland is entering a critical phase as warmer weather increases the risk of any surviving queens emerging from winter, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. The response has already destroyed 77 queens and 132 nests, with no hornets seen since April. “That’s encouraging, but we are not out of the woods yet. “If any mated queens survived winter, they may start emerging in the coming weeks to build new nests. “That is why we need Aucklanders to stay alert. If you think you have seen a yellow-legged hornet or nest, take a photo if it is…

Patients at Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital are getting home faster, with better planning freeing up more than 1,500 bed nights over the past year, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "When a patient is well enough to leave, every extra night they spend on a ward is a night away from their family and their own routine. It also means that bed is not available for someone else who needs it," Mr Brown says. A bed night is a single night in a single hospital bed, so each one freed up is a night that bed was available for another patient. "Staff at Hawke's Bay have reduced the numb…

New Zealand tourism numbers are continuing to strengthen, with international visitor arrivals for July exceeding 2019 levels, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. Figures released today by Statistics New Zealand show 256,600 overseas visitor arrivals in July 2026, up 8.5 percent on July 2025 and surpassing July 2019 numbers. “As we work to grow our second-largest export, today’s data shows that international tourism is continuing to build momentum. More visitors are choosing New Zealand as a destination and that is helping drive economic growth across the country,” Louise Ups…

The Government is confirming its clear and ambitious course for the future of te reo Māori with the refresh of the Maihi Karauna strategy, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “Te reo Māori is a taonga and a defining part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity. This refreshed strategy is about ensuring the language is visible, valued and voiced.” The Maihi Karauna is the Crown’s strategy for Māori language revitalisation across government and wider society, working alongside the Maihi Māori to support whānau and communities. The refreshed strategy builds on the progress made since 2…

Investment of $1 million is set to enhance Northland's Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail, improving the visitor experience, upgrading visitor facilities, and creating new cultural and tourism experiences, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “This investment will help the trail attract more domestic and international visitors to the region while supporting local businesses and jobs,” Louise Upston says. “Funding will enable improved trail infrastructure, better connections to the Bay of Islands, upgraded visitor amenities, and improvements to accessibility so that more p…

Up to $580,000 in one-off Government funding will help New Plymouth’s Roderique Hope Trust and the YMCA Taranaki to support people experiencing homelessness into stable housing across the Taranaki region, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The funding will enable Roderique Hope Trust to lead the Taranaki Housing Pathways Initiative across New Plymouth and South Taranaki, with YMCA Taranaki delivering targeted outreach in New Plymouth. “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Our Government is delivering more homes while backing the frontline services that help people reach and…

Waitlists for scans, colonoscopies, and heart tests have fallen sharply over the past year, with Health New Zealand exceeding the Government's delivery target for additional procedures to address long wait lists, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. Last year, the Government confirmed that it would deliver an additional 75,000 procedures across radiology, colonoscopy, cardiac, and colposcopy services. The results for that period are: "This is what happens when we set clear targets and accountability. These results represent thousands of New Zealanders receiving the tests they need sooner than …

The Government will help improve the visitors’ experience to Kaikōura and support future tourism growth through an investment funded by the International Visitor Levy. The $835,000 investment will improve facilities and arrival experiences for cruise visitors, enhance public spaces used by both visitors and locals, and create a more welcoming gateway into the township, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “Kaikōura is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive visitor destinations, attracting people from around the world for its wildlife, natural beauty and outdoor experiences. “…

Regulation Minister David Seymour and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee have today announced the next steps in the implementation of the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review. “If we are going to unlock New Zealand’s potential, we need to let Kiwi businesses get on with business,” Mr Seymour says. “The average lifespan of a café or restaurant is less than two years. The Review went straight to the source to find out why. The review received 247 written submissions, met directly with 13 sector representative groups, members of 27 District Licensing Committees (DLCs), 12 te…

Work is officially underway on the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment, with the sod turned today on the site of the new acute services building and 158-bed ward tower, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "Today marks a major milestone for Northland, as the Government continues to invest in the infrastructure Northlanders need to access timely, quality healthcare now and into the future," Mr Brown says. "Much of Whangārei Hospital dates back to the 1950s and is no longer equipped to meet the needs of a growing population. We need facilities that support modern models of care and provide greater …

Whangārei Hospital's new Child Health Centre was officially opened today, giving children, young people, and their families across Northland a purpose-built home for outpatient and community child health services, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "Children and young people in Northland deserve to receive care in facilities that are built for them," Mr Brown says. "This $35 million centre replaces an ageing children's clinic with a modern, welcoming space designed around the needs of children and their families." The centre provides medical and non-medical outpatient and community services…

Thank you all for joining us here today. Can I acknowledge the Prime Minister, the Minister for Rail, the Mayor of Auckland, my Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and Councillors – and those of you who have held those roles in the past. I want to especially recognise today the thousandsof tunnellers, engineers, electricians, specialists and planners, without who this project would not have been possible. The apprentices who came onto this project as school leavers and will walk off it as qualified tradespeople – who will go out into the world, or stay here at home, and use those…

[11 September 2026, Te Waihorotiu Station, City Rail Link Official Opening] Welcome to the tunnel, and in the words of Johnny Cash: Thank you for the invitation to join you underground today in the brand-new City Rail Link. A special welcome to the new French Ambassador Francois Decoster, who presented his credentials on Wednesday. Now, we are here as Minister for Rail – the word “for” is deliberate. We are for rail. Our record is proof of that. Since 2019, the taxpayer has invested $2.4 billion on top of its share of this tunnel in Auckland’s rail network. We are responsible for the vast…

Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have confirmed appointments to the newly established Auckland Regional Transport Committee (ARTC), an important step in strengthening Auckland’s transport governance. “The ARTC will play a critical role in aligning central and local government priorities and ensuring Auckland has a transport system that meets the needs of a growing city,” says Mr Bishop. “For too long, Auckland’s transport system has suffered from fragmented decision-making and a lack of clear long-term direction. “These reforms are about putting in place strong…

New Zealand's manufacturing sector has now expanded for 14 months in a row, with new data showing growth spreading across more of the industry, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says. The BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) came in at 53.1 for August, above the survey's long-term average of 52.5. A reading above 50.0 shows the sector is expanding. While the index eased from 54.3 in July, BNZ Senior Economist Doug Steel said the three-month average continues to rise, showing the industry is 'performing well through monthly volatility'. The three-mo…

The Government is strengthening support for New Zealand’s treasured backcountry hut and track network through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Backcountry Trust, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced. “For nearly ten years, the Backcountry Trust has partnered with DOC to restore and maintain hundreds of huts and thousands of kilometres of tracks across the country — demonstrating what can be achieved when government, community, and passionate volunteers work together,” Mr Potaka says. “Our Government has dem…