The Government is making it easier for growers of smaller-scale crops to use the agricultural chemicals they need to control pests and weeds, says Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard. Agricultural chemicals are subject to risk-based maximum residue levels (MRLs). Until now, growers of minor crops such as strawberries or leafy greens have often had to rely on low default MRLs where no specific New Zealand limit has been set. “These growers now have a pathway to use internationally agreed, risk-based MRLs, helping them get better value from available herbicides and insecticides. Codex, th…

Cancer patients across the Wellington region will benefit from more precise and advanced treatment with a new radiation therapy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine now treating patients at Wellington Regional Hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "This new machine means patients across the region can access more advanced, highly targeted cancer treatment closer to home," Mr Brown says. "This latest generation LINAC replaces a machine that had reached the end of its working life, and is the first of two replacement LINACs being delivered through a $12.6 million investment to modernise r…

Four new appointments and two reappointments have been made to the Medical Council of New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The four new members of the Council are Dr Derek Sherwood, Dr Manoja Kalupahana, Dr Roderick Mulgan, and Andie Cook, Mr Brown says. Dr Kenneth Clark and Dr Hinamaha Lutui have been reappointed as health practitioner members. “I acknowledge outgoing members Dr Rachelle Love, David Ivory, Simon Watt, and Dr Charles Hornabrook, and thank them for their contribution to the Council,” Mr Brown says. “I also recognise Dr Clark’s ongoing contribution since he was el…

The opening of the new SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road flyover bridge is an important milestone for the Takitimu North Link Stage 1 Road of National Significance project, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is a significant investment in the western Bay of Plenty. The new 6.8km four-lane expressway will support economic growth and productivity by providing a more reliable, resilient and safer connection for road users and freight operators between Tauranga and Te Puna,” Mr Bishop says. “The flyover bridge opening to traffic today is part of the major interchange …

Gisborne's rugby community celebrated the completion of the John Heikell Grandstand at Rugby Park redevelopment today, marking the return of one of East Coast Tairāwhiti's most iconic sporting venues and a significant achievement for the region. Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson joined Gisborne locals today to celebrate the reopening of the revitalised facility. “Since opening in 1955, Rugby Park is one of New Zealand's historic provincial rugby grounds. It has hosted legendary touring sides including the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions, and the ground has been …

The Government is developing and testing a new AI tool to modernise the import health standard process while maintaining New Zealand's world-class biosecurity protections, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. "Import health standards set the biosecurity rules goods must meet before entering New Zealand. They manage risks from plant, animal, and biological products." "The way we develop these standards has not kept pace with modern trade and innovation. We are improving the system so it can move safely and faster, without compromising biosecurity." That work includes designing and testi…