#new-zealand

The Government has introduced legislation to change New Zealand’s outdated environmental reporting regime and improve decision-making on the country’s environmental considerations. “This legislation will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of our environmental reporting, and give decision-makers and the public clearer, more useful information about the state of New Zealand’s environment,” Environment Minister Nicola Grigg says. The changes involve amending the Environmental Reporting A…

Thousands of tonnes of concrete from construction and demolition works will be diverted from landfill in Bay of Plenty and Canterbury each year following a funding boost from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF), Environment Minister Nicola Grigg announced today. National waste concrete processor Envirocon has received almost $700,000 from the Fund to process around 38,000 tonnes of additional waste concrete annually at a new Tauranga operation and an expanded Christchurch facility. “This investm…

The environmental impacts of a former mine site on conservation land in the Marlborough Sounds are being investigated for remediation, Environment Minister Nicola Grigg and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced today. “The Endeavour Inlet site was mined for antimony, a metal used in a range of industrial applications, between the 1870s and early 1900s, leaving waste rock behind in parts of the site,” Ms Grigg says. The Ministry for the Environment and Department of Conservation (DOC) are…

The Government has released its formal response to the independent National Infrastructure Plan, setting out how it will respond to the Infrastructure Commission’s sixteen recommendations. “Delivering and maintaining better infrastructure is a key part of the Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future New Zealanders both need and deserve. “The Commission’s National Infrastructure Plan, released in February, sets out a 30-year view of how New Zealand can improve the way it plans, …

More than 150 outdated and obsolete laws are likely to be repealed as part of the Government’s statutory spring clean, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says. The legislative cleanup is being run in stages led by the Parliamentary Counsel Office, alongside the Department of Internal Affairs for local Acts. To date, 152 outdated Acts have been identified for repeal. “Part of being a responsible Government focused on fixing the basics is making sure New Zealand’s laws are fit for purpose,” Mr Bishop…

Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand welcomes the announcement of the acceptance of the United States – Iran Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. “This pivotal, constructive deal is a step towards reducing tensions and promoting stability in a region that is critical to global economic security. “The disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has had serious impacts on New Zealand’s economy, as well as on our Pacific partners,” Mr Peters says. “We w…

Dargaville residents now have better access to healthcare closer to home, with new acute care and local cancer treatment available in the community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "Everyone deserves access to timely, quality healthcare, no matter where they live. These changes will make it easier for people in Dargaville and the wider Kaipara community to get the care they need closer to home," Mr Brown says. "From today, a new acute care service is operating in Dargaville from 8:00am to 8…

The Government has approved two-year extensions for five existing international New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployments, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Chris Penk announced today. “For years, New Zealand has worked with our partners to contribute to international peace and security efforts. As the global security situation continues to deteriorate, we are committed to continuing our longstanding efforts to promote stability in our region and beyond because New Zealand…

Well, a very good morning, everyone. It is wonderful to be here, and thank you so much to Simon Bridges and the Auckland Business Chamber for hosting this event. And thank you so much to everyone who is taking the time to be here. I am pleased to share today some of my perspective as the Minister for Energy, and to set out how the government is working to make New Zealand a country where electricity is abundant, affordable, and reliable. Everyone here appreciates the role reliable energy plays …

[Speech to the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance, Whangarei] Thank you to our hosts at Whangārei District Council, and to Mayor Ken Couper, Mayor Mahe Drysdale, and Chair Pita Tipene for inviting us to be with you today. Warm acknowledgments to everyone here today, including Mr Reidy from KiwiRail. Here we are with the leaders of Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Tauranga. We do have some form in your arena, having represented Hunua, Tauranga and Northland, but who’s counting. You asked f…

I move that the Appropriation (2026/27 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. E te Māngai, ngā Mema Pāremata o ngā rohe pōti me ngā Mema o ngā Rōpū Tōrangapū. Anei te Tahua Rua Mano Rua Tekau mā Ono. To the home tribes of Wellington. To the Speaker, electorate and party list MPs. The Government is responding to an increasingly uncertain world with an economic plan and sensible choices that will make New Zealanders more secure in the years ahead. The documents I have tabled in Parliamen…

I’d like to thank Murray Pugh and the team at Apōpō for hosting this event and inviting me to speak. I’d also like to acknowledge our international friends from the Global Forum for Maintenance and Asset Management, and World Partners in Asset Management including members from Japan, France, Canada, the UK, and South Africa. It’s great to be speaking with you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there in person – last minute plane changes. I remember dialling into Apōpō’s annual conference in Christchurc…

We’d like to start by acknowledging distinguished guests here today – parliamentary colleagues, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Honorary advisors to the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and the outgoing, and newly appointed board of trustees for the Asia New Zealand Foundation. It’s our pleasure to be in your company. Let’s also acknowledge the leadership of two individuals in the audience today. First, Dame Fran Wilde, who recently completed her term as Chair of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.…

Good morning to you all. It’s my pleasure to attend your cornerstone event of the year, and to do so in my capacity as the newly minted Minister for the Environment. I’d like to begin by acknowledging WasteMINZ Chair Parul, and the board, CEO Nic and team, and all the delegates here today. Since taking on the Environment portfolio a little over a month ago, I have been focused on what we need to do to ensure New Zealand’s environmental management is practical, effective, and grounded in real-wo…

Good morning, thank you for coming along. We’ve got you here to show you something that has never been done before by a New Zealand Government. What we’re going to show you goes to the heart of one of the things that has been identified as holding New Zealand back economically. I’m sure many of you will have noted the excellent speech in March by the Reserve Bank’s Chief Economist Paul Conway. I’m pleased Paul has been able to join us here today. That speech should be compulsory reading for…

Good afternoon everyone. It’s my pleasure to join Business North Harbour once again and to speak with you about this year’s Government Budget. Let me acknowledge my colleague, Paul Goldsmith, the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government. Most importantly, let me acknowledge the business leaders, employers, entrepreneurs and Kiwi battlers represented in this room today. I know you work hard for a living, that you take seriously the people who depend on you for their jobs, and t…

Good evening, everyone. Thank you to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs for the invitation to deliver this year's annual lecture. It’s a pleasure to be here. I would like to acknowledge NZIIA Patron and former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests. I would also like to acknowledge the outgoing members of the NZIIA Board, Dr James Kember and Suzannah Jessep and new board members Rosemary Banks and Dr Julia Macdonald. The NZII…

Ka nui te mihi kia koutou, and good afternoon, everyone. Today has been officially billed as a pre-Budget speech and I’ll touch on the Budget, and our priorities this year, a little later on. But, in a more volatile world, and off the back of a recent trip to Singapore, I’d like to take the opportunity to speak to you today on a bigger, broader topic, both in my capacity as Prime Minister and as National Party leader. I’d like to speak to you today about where New Zealand stands in a more vol…

The Point Mission Bay retirement village project in Aucklandhas been granted Fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. This is the 24thproject to be approved under the Fast-track process. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited, in partnership with Generus Living Group, lodged a substantive application in November 2025 to construct and operate an integrated retirement village and associated infrastructure in Mission B…

Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has announced the appointment of 4 new District Court Judges. The appointees will take up their roles in July and October, filling vacancies at the Dunedin, Timaru and Auckland Courts. Those taking up appointment to the District Court are: Mr Casey has over 25 years’ experience in Family Law, including childcare disputes, relationship property, elderly care and mental health law. His experience encompasses relationship property matters, family protections cla…

Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.“These awards, now in their second year, highlight how native planting can work alongside other productive land uses to deliver strong environmental and economic outcomes,” Mr McClay says.“Native forests and farming go hand in hand. We can farm the best land and plant natives on the most vulnerable, to stabilise hillsides and safeguard waterways. “With 67 entries, th…

The Government is supporting the next generation of young farmers, growers, and rural leaders by backing NZ Young Farmers’ national network of clubs, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. “NZ Young Farmers do a huge amount of good in rural communities. We want to support their efforts to help them do even more,” Mr McClay says. The Government is committing $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 young farmers clubs across the country. “The funding will help back the imp…

Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has confirmed four new appointments to the Game Animal Council, including a new Chair. Matthew (Matt) Clarke has been appointed Chair for a two-year term from 1 July 2026. He is a current Council member and has extensive governance and leadership experience, as well as a strong background in hunting and the outdoor sector. “Mr Clarke has already made a valuable contribution to the Council and brings strong governance capability, sector knowledge, and c…

New data out today shows tourism is continuing its positive trajectory, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. Stats NZ data out today shows 288,500 international visitors came to New Zealand in April 2026 – up 8 per cent on the same period last year, and 94 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. It also reported a record number of visitors from the United States (25,800, up 14 per cent on the same time last year), Australia (138,000, up 4 per cent) and India (8,000, up 17 per cent). …

New Zealand’s forestry sector is set to benefit from sensible regulation to help meet environmental obligations whilst lowering the cost of compliance, Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “The wood and forestry industries are important contributors to New Zealand’s economy, supporting 42,000 jobs. Last year the sector contributed $6.2 billion worth of export earnings,” Mr McClay says. “It’s prudent we set appropriate legislation and provide the tools that support the sector – and this Governme…

A partnership between the Government and the forestry and wood processing sector will result in the new ‘NZ Pine’ brand, strengthening New Zealand’s position as a premium, trusted supplier of wood products, Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “Global customers now expect more than quality timber - they want to understand where their products come from, and how they perform. “New Zealand timber is traded from sustainably managed forests to global markets. Trust adds value, and NZ Pine will deli…

New Zealand's small businesses are getting a boost of AI-powered support to unlock new growth opportunities with new Government funding announced today, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Cameron Brewer says. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and every one of them has untapped potential to grow. That's why I'm delighted to allocate and announce this funding today," Mr Brewer says. "This is about giving them the same smart, data-driven insight the big players have al…

A partnership between Government and industry will help turn New Zealand strong wool into high-value cutting-edge products and boost returns for growers, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson announced at Fieldays today. Through the Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF), the Government is contributing $8 million to the $20 million project led by Wool Source Manufacturing Limited to scale up production of wool-derived particles, powders and pigments for u…