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  • line 1006, column 2: Missing atom:link with rel="self" [help]

      </channel>
      ^

Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/rss.xml

  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
  2. <rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0" xml:base="https://www.beehive.govt.nz/">
  3.  <channel>
  4.    <title>Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government</title>
  5.    <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/</link>
  6.    <description/>
  7.    <language>en</language>
  8.    
  9.    <item>
  10.  <title>Backing Pasifika youth to lead, create and succeed</title>
  11.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/backing-pasifika-youth-lead-create-and-succeed</link>
  12.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Pasifika youth across New Zealand will have new opportunities to gain practical skills, explore future careers, and build employment pathways through a new Government partnership, Youth Minister James Meager and Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith say.&lt;/p&gt;
  13. &lt;p&gt;The Government is investing $125,000 to support Pasifika Festivals Aotearoa to deliver the Pasifika Youth Producers Programme, with Creative New Zealand matching the investment dollar-for-dollar.&lt;/p&gt;
  14. &lt;p&gt;Mr Meager says the programme reflects the Government’s focus on investing in initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes for young people.&lt;/p&gt;
  15. &lt;p&gt;“By combining culture, creativity and practical experience, this programme will help young Pasifika people build the skills and confidence they need to take the next step into employment, education and training,” Mr Meager says.&lt;/p&gt;
  16. &lt;p&gt;The 16-week employment-focused programme will support 32 young people through two pathways.&lt;/p&gt;
  17. &lt;p&gt;The first will see young adults aged 18 to 24 participate in paid festival placements, industry mentoring, and employability training. The second, for those aged 12 to 17, will focus on leadership skill workshops and building positive engagement in education.&lt;/p&gt;
  18. &lt;p&gt;“This programme turns those environments into launchpads for future careers, helping young people develop practical skills while staying connected to their culture and communities,” Mr Meager says.&lt;/p&gt;
  19. &lt;p&gt;“Participants will gain hands-on experience in areas such as event production, digital media, communications, logistics and entrepreneurship through placements at festivals and events across New Zealand.&lt;/p&gt;
  20. &lt;p&gt;“We want to see more young people engaged in education, developing valuable skills and moving into meaningful employment. Partnerships like this help open doors, create opportunities, and support the next generation of Pasifika leaders to thrive.”&lt;/p&gt;
  21. &lt;p&gt;“Our Pacific population is one of the youngest and fastest-growing population groups in New Zealand, so it’s important we invest in Pacific youth, who are a key part of New Zealand’s future workforce,” Mr Goldsmith says.&lt;/p&gt;
  22. &lt;p&gt;“Programmes such as this help Pacific youth realise their aspirations and reach their potential. The Pasifika Youth Producers Programme is a positive step towards growing the talent New Zealand needs, while strengthening the contribution Pacific communities make to our economy, our communities and our country's future.&lt;/p&gt;
  23. &lt;p&gt;“Strong Pacific communities help build a stronger New Zealand.”&lt;/p&gt;
  24. </description>
  25.  <pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +1200</pubDate>
  26.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  27.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128169</guid>
  28.    </item>
  29. <item>
  30.  <title>CER Trade Ministers strengthen Single Economic Market agenda</title>
  31.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/cer-trade-ministers-strengthen-single-economic-market-agenda</link>
  32.  <description>&lt;p&gt;New Zealand and Australia have accelerated work towards a more ambitious Single Economic Market (SEM), as Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell concluded the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Auckland today.&lt;/p&gt;
  33. &lt;p&gt;Ministers welcomed the implementation of SEM Strengthening Initiatives including:&lt;/p&gt;
  34.  
  35. Deepening economic integration by launching a new programme of Trans-Tasman business-government collaboration to implement the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum’s proposals to reduce the cost of doing business between New Zealand and Australia, focussing on regulatory coherence and common standards, supply chains, climate adaptation, defence industry collaboration, space, innovation and technology.
  36. Advancing regulatory and standards alignment through a 30 percent increase in Joint Trans-Tasman Standards, enabled by a new Standards Development and Distribution Agreement and Statement of Operating Procedures signed by Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia.
  37. Coordinating regional and global trade engagement including CPTPP, RCEP, PACER Plus, AANZFTA.
  38.  
  39. &lt;p&gt;“We have taken on board feedback from the trans-Tasman business community and look forward to working with the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum to implement their proposals,” says Mr McClay.&lt;/p&gt;
  40. &lt;p&gt;Also announced was a Trade Mission to Brisbane to ensure that New Zealand businesses take advantage of the procurement opportunities presented by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with an estimated A$15 billion programme of investment and expenditure.&lt;/p&gt;
  41. &lt;p&gt;A joint statement was released following the Trade Ministers’ Meeting.&lt;/p&gt;
  42. </description>
  43.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:41:12 +1200</pubDate>
  44.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  45.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128168</guid>
  46.    </item>
  47. <item>
  48.  <title>New funding for Whangamarino wetland, insect heavyweight </title>
  49.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-funding-whangamarino-wetland-insect-heavyweight</link>
  50.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced two new International Visitor Levy (IVL) investments while in the Waikato, today — funding to protect the Whangamarino wetland, and further work to maximise breeding opportunities for the Māhoenui giant wētā at Otorohanga Kiwi House.&lt;/p&gt;
  51. &lt;p&gt;“We are serious about protecting and restoring New Zealand’s taonga sites and taonga species now, and for future generations,” Mr Potaka says.&lt;/p&gt;
  52. &lt;p&gt;“This is why we are committing $2 million over two years to kickstart work on the Whangamarino Action Plan and help restore the habitat as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site).&lt;/p&gt;
  53. &lt;p&gt;“Whangamarino is a under significant pressure due to a history of drainage and frequent flood events. Working with Iwi and stakeholders, the aim is to improve water level management for biodiversity conservation and improved water quality, and to recognising the role of the wetland in natural flood management.&lt;/p&gt;
  54. &lt;p&gt;“Additionally, we are granting the Māhoenui giant wētā captive breeding work at Otorohanga Kiwi House, which is carried in partnership with Te Whare o Mōkau ki Runga (Ngāti Maniapoto), $75,000 from the IVL.&lt;/p&gt;
  55. &lt;p&gt;“Wētā are a unique breed of insect only found in New Zealand, and our giant wētā, particularly the Māhoenui variety, hold a very special place in the insect kingdom.&lt;/p&gt;
  56. &lt;p&gt;“They’re one of the heaviest and toughest insect species in the world, but also one of the most endangered.&lt;/p&gt;
  57. &lt;p&gt;“Otorohanga Kiwi House has been doing fantastic work to breed giant wētā for release. With this IVL support — and what will hopefully be a successful breeding season — we hope to see more wētā in the wild.”&lt;/p&gt;
  58. &lt;p&gt;Whangamarino Wetlands&lt;/p&gt;
  59.  
  60. Whangamarino is an internationally significant Ramsar wetland in north Waikato.
  61. Without urgent intervention, the deteriorating state of Whangamarino will decline further.
  62. IVL investment will enable work at Whangamarino on ecological restoration through the development of critical infrastructure to improve the management of water levels, improve water quality, and reduce the presence of pest koi carp.
  63.  
  64. &lt;p&gt;Otorohanga Kiwi House captive Māhoenui giant wētā breeding programme&lt;/p&gt;
  65.  
  66. IVL funding will boost Otorohanga Kiwi House’s captive breeding programme, which is essential for restoring population of the wētā in the wild.
  67. The programme, which is delivered in partnership with Te Whare o Mōkau ki Runga, has successfully bred over 300 Māhoenui giant wētā in captivity since 2021, helping secure the future of one of New Zealand’s most threatened invertebrate species.
  68.  
  69. He pūtea hou mō Whangamarino me tētahi ngāngara matarahi
  70. &lt;p&gt;Nō te rangi tonu nei ka pānui atu te Minita Whāomoomo a Tama Potaka i ētahi haumitanga hou nō te International Visitor Levy (te IVL) nōna i Waikato — he pūtea tēnei hei whakahaumaru i te kūkūwai o Whangamarino, hei tautoko hoki i te mahi whakawhānui ake i ngā āheitanga whakatupu mō te wētā punga Māhoenui ki te Whare Kiwi o Ōtorohanga.&lt;/p&gt;
  71. &lt;p&gt;“E aro kau ana mātou ki te whakahaumaru, ki te tāmata hoki i ngā wāhi taonga o Aotearoa me ngā momo taonga hoki, mō tēnei wā, mō ngā reanga o muri hoki,” hei tā Potaka.&lt;/p&gt;
  72. &lt;p&gt;“Koinā mātou e whakarite nei i te 2 miriona tāra mō ngā tau e rua e tū mai nei, hei tīmata i te mahi whakatinana i te Whangamarino Action Plan, hei āwhina hoki ki te tāmata i te taiao kia noho ai te kūkūwai hei Wetland of International Importance (hei Ramsar Site).&lt;/p&gt;
  73. &lt;p&gt;“E tāmia kinotia ana a Whangamarino nā runga i te kaha whakaawatia o te kūkūwai i roto i ngā tau, nā te nui hoki o ngā waipuke. Mā te mahi tahi me ngā iwi me ngā kiripānga, ko te whāinga ko te whakapai ake i te whakahaere i te nui o te wai mō te whāomoomo rerenga rauropi te take me te whakapiki i te kounga o te wai, ko te whakamārama atu hoki i tō te kūkūwai wāhanga i te whakahaere ā-taiao i ngā waipuke.&lt;/p&gt;
  74. &lt;p&gt;“Hei tāpiri, ka utua hoki te mahi whakatupu i ngā wētā punga Māhoenui e noho ana ki te Whare Kiwi o Ōtorohanga, e whakahaere tahitia ana tēnei kaupapa ki te taha o Te Whare o Mōkau ki Runga (Ngāti Maniapoto), ki te 75,000 tāra nō te IVL.&lt;/p&gt;
  75. &lt;p&gt;“He momo ngāngara motuhake te Wētā e kitea ana ki Aotearoa anake, ka mutu ko te wētā punga, inarā ko te momo Māhoenui, he wāhanga whakahirahira tō tēnei momo ki roto i te mātāmuatanga ngārara.&lt;/p&gt;
  76. &lt;p&gt;“Ko ngā wētā ētahi o ngā momo ngārara taumaha rawa, pūioio rawa i tēnei ao, engari ko ēnei hoki ētahi o ngā mea whakaraerae rawa.&lt;/p&gt;
  77. &lt;p&gt;“Inā te pai rawa atu o tā te Whare Kiwi ki Ōtorohanga mahi ki te whakatupu i ngā wētā punga kia rite ai ēnei ngārara mō te ngahere. Mā te tautoko a te IVL — mā te pahawatanga hoki o tētahi wā whakatupu whaihua — ko te manako ia ka nui ake ngā wētā ka kitea rā ki roto i te ngahere.”&lt;/p&gt;
  78. &lt;p&gt;He kupu mā ngā ētita:&lt;/p&gt;
  79. &lt;p&gt;Ngā Kūkūwai ki Whangamarino&lt;/p&gt;
  80.  
  81. Ko Whangamarino tētahi kūkūwai kei te raki o Waikato, he kūkūwai whakahirahira ā-tāwāhi nei, ā-Ramsar nei hoki.
  82. Ki te kore he hāpaiora kōhukihuki, ka hē kē atu te tauheketanga o te waiora ki Whangamarino.
  83. Mā te pūtea o IVL ka āhei te mahi tāmata hauropi ki Whangamarino mā roto mai i te waihanga i te tūāhanga whai tikanga hei whakakaha ake i te whakahaere i te nui o te wai, hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te wai, hei aukati hoki i te nōhanga a ngā kīrearea koi ki tēnei wāhi.
  84.  
  85. &lt;p&gt;Tā te Whare Kiwi ki Ōtorohanga kaupapa whakatupu i ngā wētā punga Māhoenui&lt;/p&gt;
  86.  
  87. Mā te haumitanga o IVL ka whakakahangia ake tā te Whare Kiwi ki Ōtorohanga kaupapa whakatupu, he nui te wāhanga o tēnei kaupapa i te mahi whakaora i te taupori o ngā wētā e noho mohoao ana.
  88.  
  89. &lt;p&gt;E 300 ngā wētā punga Māhoenui i whānau mai ki roto i te whare nei, nā tēnei kaupapa i pēnei ai, ā, he mea whakahaere ngātahi tēnei kaupapa ki te taha o Te Whare o Mōkau ki Runga, nā runga i tēnā, kua kaha kē atu te whakaū i te anamata o tētahi o ngā momo ngāngara whakaraerae rawa atu ki Aotearoa nei.&lt;/p&gt;
  90. </description>
  91.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:49:27 +1200</pubDate>
  92.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  93.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128167</guid>
  94.    </item>
  95. <item>
  96.  <title>MDF investments strengthen Māori enterprise, build lasting prosperity  </title>
  97.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/mdf-investments-strengthen-m%C4%81ori-enterprise-build-lasting-prosperity</link>
  98.  <description>&lt;p&gt;More than $3.4 million of Government investment through the Māori Development Fund is helping three Māori enterprises create jobs, grow exports and build lasting prosperity, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.&lt;/p&gt;
  99. &lt;p&gt;The investments reach from green hydrogen at Mōkai and an export apple orchard in Raupunga to premium New Zealand wine being sold across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
  100. &lt;p&gt;“Prosperity does not stop at a business balance sheet. It means whānau in skilled work, local suppliers winning contracts, stronger regions and Māori businesses earning income from around the world,” Mr Potaka says.&lt;/p&gt;
  101. &lt;p&gt;At Mōkai, $865,000 is helping Halcyon Power, a joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust and Japan’s Obayashi Corporation, pursue green hydrogen exports using renewable geothermal energy. Halcyon has already completed a successful hydrogen shipment to Fiji and is now working toward the Singapore market.&lt;/p&gt;
  102. &lt;p&gt;In Raupunga, $2.1 million is helping Ngāti Pāhauwera transform 30 hectares of whenua into an export apple orchard. More than 23,000 trees have been planted, 19 new employees have joined its horticulture operations and more than $400,000 has been paid to local contractors.&lt;/p&gt;
  103. &lt;p&gt;In Marlborough, $100,000 has helped Māori-owned, B Corp-certified wine producer Tiraki strengthen its brand in the United States. Tiraki now exports to more than 30 markets and has expanded from eight US states into 12, securing another container order.&lt;/p&gt;
  104. &lt;p&gt;“Our role is to back Māori ambition, not constrain it. Māori are leading these projects, and Government investment is helping them go further and faster.&lt;/p&gt;
  105. &lt;p&gt;“These businesses are creating real opportunities for their people and regions while helping New Zealand earn more from the world.&lt;/p&gt;
  106. &lt;p&gt;“The package builds on our Government’s wider investment through the Māori Development Fund to back Māori ambition and help good businesses overcome barriers to growth. It is about turning Māori assets and ideas into productive businesses, secure incomes and wealth that can be passed on to future generations.&lt;/p&gt;
  107. &lt;p&gt;“When Māori enterprise succeeds, whānau and regions prosper, and New Zealand’s economy becomes stronger. Māori prosperity is New Zealand prosperity.”&lt;/p&gt;
  108. &lt;p&gt;Notes to editor:&lt;/p&gt;
  109.  
  110. The Māori Development Fund is administered by Te Puni Kōkiri and supports the Government’s Going for Growth with Māori | Tōnui Māori economic growth plan.
  111. The fund primarily provides Government co-investment for projects that improve the productivity and value of iwi and Māori assets, support infrastructure development and increase Māori export revenue.
  112.  
  113. &lt;p&gt;Budget 2026 provided $38.21 million annually for the fund from 1 July 2026. Its current priorities are improving the productivity of iwi and Māori assets and increasing Māori export revenue.&lt;/p&gt;
  114. Whakapakarihia ana te hinonga Māori e ngā haumi o MDF, e hanga ana i te tōnuitanga tonutanga
  115. &lt;p&gt;E āwhina ana neke atu i te $3.4 miriona o te haumi Kāwanatanga mā te Tahua Whanaketanga Māori i ngā hinonga Māori ki te waihanga mahi, whakatipu hokotai me te hanga i te tōnuitanga haere ake nei, e kī ana te Minita Whanaketanga Māori a Tama Potaka.&lt;/p&gt;
  116. &lt;p&gt;Ko te whānuitanga o ngā haumi mai i te hauwai kākāriki i Mōkai me tētahi uru huarākau āporo hokotai i Raupunga ki tētahi wāina tino pārekareka o Aotearoa e hokona ana puta noa i Te Hononga o Amerika.&lt;/p&gt;
  117. &lt;p&gt;“Ehara i te mea ka mutu te tōnuitanga i te rau tapeke pākihi. Ko te hua ko ngā whānau e whiwhi mahi whai pūkenga ana, ko ngā kaiwhakarato paetata e wini kirimana ana, ko ngā rohe pakari ake me ngā pakihi Māori e whiwhi pūtea ana huri noa i te ao,” te kī a Minita Potaka.&lt;/p&gt;
  118. &lt;p&gt;Ki Mōkai, e āwhina ana te $865,000 i Halcyon Power, he ohu i waenga i te Taratī o Tūaropaki me te Kaporeihana Obayashi o Hapani ki te whai i ngā hokotai hauwai kākāriki mā te whakamahinga o te pūngao ngāwhā whakamōhou. Kua tutuki kē i Halcyon tētahi tukunga momoho ki Whītī, kei te whakarite tukunga ināianei mō te mākete o Hingapoa.&lt;/p&gt;
  119. &lt;p&gt;I Rapunga, e āwhina ana te $2.1 miriona i Ngāti Pāhauwera ki te panoni i te 30 heketea o te whenua ki tētahi uru huarākau āporo hokotai. Kua whakatōngia neke atu i 23,000 rākau, kua tīmata te 19 kaimahi hou ki te taha ahumāra, ā, kua oti kē hoki te utu i neke atu i te $400,000 ki ngā kaikirimana paetata.&lt;/p&gt;
  120. &lt;p&gt;I Te Tauihu, kua āwhina te $100,000 i te kaiwhakaputa wāina Tiraki, he kamupene Māori whai tiwhikete-B whai tiwhikete ki te whakapakari ake i tōna waitohu huri noa i Te Hononga ki Amerika. E hokotai ana a Tiraki ki ngā mākete 30 neke atu, kua whakawhānuitia ake hoki mai i ngā wahanga e waru o Te Hononga o Amerika ki te 12, e whakatutuki anō ana i tētahi tono ipu nui.&lt;/p&gt;
  121. &lt;p&gt;“Ko tā mātou ko te noho hei taituarā mō te hao nui a te Māori, kaua mō te aukati atu. E whakahaeretia ana ēnei kaupapa e te Māori, ka mutu, nā te haumi o te Kāwanatanga i āwhina kia whānui ake, kia tere ake anō hoki ngā kaupapa.&lt;/p&gt;
  122. &lt;p&gt;“E whakarite ana ēnei pakihi i ngā arawātea tūturu mā ō rātou iwi, rohe hoki me te āwhina i Aotearoa kia nui ake te whiwhinga pūtea mai i te ao.&lt;/p&gt;
  123. &lt;p&gt;“E ahu mai ana te mōkī, te haumi whānui ake a te Kāwanatanga mā te Tahua Whanaketanga Māori ki te tautoko i te hao nui a te Māori me te āwhina i ngā pakihi pai ki te kake ake i ngā ārai e aukatia ana te tipuranga. Ko te tikanga mō te tahuri i ngā rawa me ngā whakaaro Māori ki roto i tētahi pakihi whai hua, ki ngā whiwhinga pūtea haumaru me te whairawa e taea ai te tuku ki ngā whakatipuranga e whai ake nei.&lt;/p&gt;
  124. &lt;p&gt;“Kia momoho ai te hinonga Māori, ka pakari ake hoki ko ngā whānau, ngā rohe, me te ōhanga o Aotearoa. E rua, e rua, ko te tōnuitanga o te Māori, ko te tōnuitanga o Aotearoa."&lt;/p&gt;
  125. &lt;p&gt;He taipitopito ki te ētita:&lt;/p&gt;
  126.  
  127. Ka whakahaeretia te Tahua Whanaketanga Māori e Te Puni Kōkiri, e tautoko ana hoki i te mahere a te Kāwanatanga te Tōnui Māori whakatipuranga ōhanga.
  128. Ko te mahi matua a te tahua he whakarato i te haumi-ngātahi a te Kāwanatanga mō ngā kaupapa whakapiki i te whakaputanga me te uara o ngā rawa iwi, o ngā rawa Māori anō hoki, te tautoko i te whanaketanga o te hanganga me te whakapiki i te whiwhinga pūtea hokotai a te Māori.
  129.  
  130. &lt;p&gt;I whakaritea e te Tahua 2026 te $38.21 miriona mō te tahua mai i te 1 Hōngongoi 2026. Ko āna paearu o nāianei ko te whakapai ake i te whakaputanga o ngā rawa iwi, Māori hoki me te whakapiki i te whiwhinga hokotai a te Māori.&lt;/p&gt;
  131. </description>
  132.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:38:45 +1200</pubDate>
  133.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  134.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128166</guid>
  135.    </item>
  136. <item>
  137.  <title>North-West Rapid Transit project fast-tracked</title>
  138.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/north-west-rapid-transit-project-fast-tracked</link>
  139.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The North-West Rapid Transit project, a major new rapid bus transit route alongside State Highway 16 in Auckland, has been granted fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.&lt;/p&gt;
  140. &lt;p&gt;This is the 33rd project approved through the Fast-track process.&lt;/p&gt;
  141. &lt;p&gt;The project includes a busway alongside State Highway 16 between Brigham Creek and Auckland City Centre, seven rapid transit stations and one Park and Ride facility at Brigham Creek Rarawaru. It will also include connections to the local bus and road network.&lt;/p&gt;
  142. &lt;p&gt;The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) lodged its application in December 2025, with approval taking less than five months from the appointment of the independent expert panel.&lt;/p&gt;
  143. &lt;p&gt;“This project will provide faster, more frequent and reliable public transport for Aucklanders living in the north-west, one of the city’s fastest-growing areas,” Mr Bishop says.&lt;/p&gt;
  144. &lt;p&gt;“By 2051, roughly 100,000 more people are expected to call the north-west home. Once completed, the project will have the ability to move up to 9,000 passengers per hour in each direction and provide a reliable 25-minute journey from Brigham Creek to Auckland City Centre.&lt;/p&gt;
  145. &lt;p&gt;“The recently opened Westgate Station has been designed to build on the success of Auckland Transport’s Western Express (WX1) service, which has experienced high demand since its introduction – growing faster than the Northern Busway at launch.&lt;/p&gt;
  146. &lt;p&gt;“The strong demand for public transport in the north-west is already clear. The WX1 has recorded more than 1.1 million passenger trips in the 12 months to May 2026, exceeding forecasts by around 40 per cent.&lt;/p&gt;
  147. &lt;p&gt;“Once fully completed, the Northwest Busway will be a transformational piece of infrastructure for northwest Auckland and, combined with the opening of the City Rail Link, shows this Government’s commitment to improving transport infrastructure across the city.&lt;/p&gt;
  148. &lt;p&gt;“It will provide a reliable 25-minute journey time from Brigham Creek to Auckland city centre, supporting Auckland’s continued growth and economic productivity for decades to come, and I look forward to further stages being delivered in the years ahead.”&lt;/p&gt;
  149. &lt;p&gt;Notes to editor&lt;/p&gt;
  150. &lt;p&gt;More information about the project:&amp;nbsp;North West Rapid Transit&lt;/p&gt;
  151. &lt;p&gt;Fast-track by the numbers:&lt;/p&gt;
  152.  
  153. 33 projects approved by expert panels.
  154. 18 projects with expert panels appointed.
  155. 68 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track process. 35 active substantive and 31 referral applications.
  156. 68 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure&amp;nbsp;
  157. 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
  158. On average, it has taken 118 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.
  159.  
  160. &lt;p&gt;Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:&lt;/p&gt;
  161.  
  162. Arataki [Housing/Land]
  163. Ashbourne [Housing/Land]
  164. Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure]
  165. Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
  166. Delmore [Housing/Land]
  167. Downtown Carpark Site Development [Housing/Land]
  168. Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
  169. Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
  170. Foxton Solar Farm [Renewable Energy]
  171. Green Steel [Infrastructure]
  172. Haldon Solar [Renewable energy]
  173. Hananui Aquaculture [Aquaculture]
  174. Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
  175. Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme [Renewable energy]
  176. Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
  177. Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works [Renewable energy]
  178. Māhinerangi Wind Farm [Renewable energy]
  179. Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
  180. Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
  181. North West Rapid Transit [Infrastructure]
  182. Pound Road [Housing/Land]
  183. Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]
  184. Ryans Road [Housing/Land]
  185. Southland Wind Farm Project [Renewable energy]
  186. State Highway 1 North Canterbury - Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) [Infrastructure]
  187. Sunfield [Housing/Land]
  188. Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
  189. Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
  190. The Point Mission Bay [Housing/Land]
  191. Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
  192. Waitaha Hydro [Renewable energy]
  193. Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure]
  194. Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal [Infrastructure]
  195.  
  196. &lt;p&gt;Expert panels have been appointed for:&lt;/p&gt;
  197.  
  198. 188 Beaumont Street
  199. Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills
  200. Auckland Prison Capacity Increase
  201. Auckland Surf Park Community – Stage 2
  202. Barrytown Minerals Project
  203. Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
  204. Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
  205. Central and Southern Block Mining Project
  206. Hunua Quarry Development
  207. Mt Iron Junction
  208. Mt Welcome, Pukerua Bay, Porirua
  209. Ōhoka Residential Subdivision
  210. Remarkables Ski Area Upgrades and Doolans Expansion Project
  211. Stella Passage Development
  212. Southern Link Inland Port
  213. The Point Solar Farm
  214. Twizel Solar Farm
  215. Waikanae North Development
  216.  
  217. </description>
  218.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:23:00 +1200</pubDate>
  219.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  220.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128165</guid>
  221.    </item>
  222. <item>
  223.  <title>District Court Judge appointed</title>
  224.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/district-court-judge-appointed-28</link>
  225.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has announced the appointment of Christopher Morris as a District Court Judge.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  226. &lt;p&gt;Mr Morris is a sole practitioner in Auckland, having previously been a partner at Cook Morris Quinn between 2006 and 2024.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  227. &lt;p&gt;The early part of his career was spent with Bell Gully Buddle Weir and Meredith Connell (both in Auckland) and as Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office in Wellington.&amp;nbsp; His experience spans both criminal, regulatory and civil jurisdictions, and in the past several years he has acted in lengthy high-profile criminal and civil regulatory trials. Mr Morris has appeared many times in the Court of Appeal as crown counsel, defence counsel, and for civil appellants and respondents. He has also appeared in the Supreme Court and the Privy Council.&lt;/p&gt;
  228. &lt;p&gt;Judge Morris will be based at the Auckland District Court and is due to be sworn in on 22 October 2026, in Auckland.&lt;/p&gt;
  229. </description>
  230.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:38:57 +1200</pubDate>
  231.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  232.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128164</guid>
  233.    </item>
  234. <item>
  235.  <title>Registered counsellor appointed to Minister’s Arms Advisory Group</title>
  236.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/registered-counsellor-appointed-minister%E2%80%99s-arms-advisory-group</link>
  237.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed the appointment of Southland-based registered counsellor Kathryn Wright to the Minister’s Arms Advisory Group (MAAG).&lt;/p&gt;
  238. &lt;p&gt;“Kathryn will bring valuable practical experience to the Advisory Group through both her work as a registered counsellor and rural mental health practitioner, and her service on the board of Mental Hunts,” says Mrs McKee.&lt;/p&gt;
  239. &lt;p&gt;“Mental Hunts is a national mental health charity that works closely with firearms users, particularly in rural communities. Kathryn’s experience on its board means she understands both the mental health challenges people can face and the importance of engaging constructively with the firearms community.&lt;/p&gt;
  240. &lt;p&gt;“That practical perspective will be valuable as we continue building a firearms system that keeps New Zealanders safe while treating licenced firearms owners fairly and with respect.&lt;/p&gt;
  241. &lt;p&gt;“The Minister’s Arms Advisory Group plays an important role providing advice on firearms legislation, regulation, safety, and the operation of New Zealand’s firearms system.&lt;/p&gt;
  242. &lt;p&gt;Ms Wright lives in Te Anau and holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology, a Bachelor of Social Services (Counselling), and a Master of Professional Practice (Counselling). She is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago and a registered counsellor with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.&lt;/p&gt;
  243. &lt;p&gt;The MAAG consists of a Chair and up to eight members and is required under the Arms Act 2026 to include a balance of people from firearm-owning and non-firearm-owning communities. Ms Wright does not hold a firearms licence.&lt;/p&gt;
  244. &lt;p&gt;Ms Wright replaces Michelle (Mitch) Roderick-Hall and Dr Catherine Stephenson, non-firearm-owning members who resigned from the Advisory Group in June.&lt;/p&gt;
  245. &lt;p&gt;“I thank Mitch and Catherine for the time and expertise they contributed to the Advisory Group,” says Mrs McKee.&lt;/p&gt;
  246. &lt;p&gt;Ms Wright has been appointed by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith for a three-year term commencing 12 August 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
  247. &lt;p&gt;More information about the Minister’s Arms Advisory Group is available on the Ministry of Justice website.&lt;/p&gt;
  248. </description>
  249.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:40:51 +1200</pubDate>
  250.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  251.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128163</guid>
  252.    </item>
  253. <item>
  254.  <title>International education exports surge past pre-Covid levels</title>
  255.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/international-education-exports-surge-past-pre-covid-levels</link>
  256.  <description>&lt;p&gt;New Zealand’s international education export earnings have surged to nearly $5 billion, surpassing 2019 pre-Covid levels and delivering a major boost to the New Zealand economy.&lt;/p&gt;
  257. &lt;p&gt;Education Minister Erica Stanford said the result confirms international education is once again one of New Zealand’s most valuable export sectors.&lt;/p&gt;
  258. &lt;p&gt;“In the year to June 2019, international education generated $4.4 billion in export earnings. Today, that figure has climbed to $4.98 billion,” Ms Stanford says.&lt;/p&gt;
  259. &lt;p&gt;“That is a significant milestone for a sector that was hit harder than almost any other by the COVID-19 border closures.”&lt;/p&gt;
  260. &lt;p&gt;“International education brings billions of dollars into New Zealand, supports jobs and businesses, strengthens our universities and schools, and drives economic activity in communities right across the country.”&lt;/p&gt;
  261. &lt;p&gt;“That is additional money flowing directly into our communities. It means more customers in local cafés and restaurants, more spending in shops and supermarkets, more demand for accommodation and transport, and more visitors travelling around our regions.”&lt;/p&gt;
  262. &lt;p&gt;“That means more jobs, stronger local businesses and more money going into communities across New Zealand.”&lt;/p&gt;
  263. &lt;p&gt;“This is exactly the kind of growth our Government is focused on as we build the future. We want more high-value exports, more investment, more skilled people and a stronger, more productive economy.”&lt;/p&gt;
  264. &lt;p&gt;International education export earnings have risen from $3.5 billion in the year to June 2024 to $4.3 billion in the year to June 2025, and now to nearly $5 billion in the year to June 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
  265. &lt;p&gt;“That is strong growth in just two years and puts us well ahead of schedule towards our ambition of growing international education export earnings to $7.2 billion by 2034.”&lt;/p&gt;
  266. &lt;p&gt;“We have been deliberate about getting our immigration settings right so New Zealand can compete internationally for students while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system.”&lt;/p&gt;
  267. &lt;p&gt;“We want New Zealand to be the destination of choice for international students looking for a world-class education and an outstanding experience.”&lt;/p&gt;
  268. &lt;p&gt;In 2025 there were 92,580 international student enrolments.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  269. &lt;p&gt;This is up from 69,140 in 2023. While enrolments are still lower than the 115,705 recorded in 2019, New Zealand is on track to reach 99,000 international students in 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
  270. &lt;p&gt;“It is encouraging that we are generating more value of international education with fewer students. In 2019 around 116,000 students contributed $4.4 billion to New Zealand. This year we are on track for around 99,000 students with them continuing nearly $5 billion with three months to go.”&lt;/p&gt;
  271. &lt;p&gt;University enrolments increased 14 percent compared with the same period last year, while school enrolments increased nine percent, including a 22 percent increase in primary school enrolments.&lt;/p&gt;
  272. &lt;p&gt;“Our job now is to keep that momentum going.”&lt;/p&gt;
  273. &lt;p&gt;“That means backing our education providers to grow, making sure our immigration settings are internationally competitive, and promoting New Zealand in the markets where we see the greatest opportunities.”&lt;/p&gt;
  274. &lt;p&gt;“We have world-leading education, safe and welcoming communities, and an extraordinary country to offer international students.”&lt;/p&gt;
  275. &lt;p&gt;“By getting the settings right and backing our providers to compete, we can attract more students, support more Kiwi jobs and businesses, grow our exports and build a stronger economy for the future.”&lt;/p&gt;
  276. &lt;p&gt;Notes:&lt;/p&gt;
  277.  
  278. International education export earnings were $4.403 billion in the year to June 2019.
  279. Earnings were $3.533 billion in the year to June 2024 and $4.295 billion in the year to June 2025.
  280. Export earnings for the year to June 2026 are $4.98 billion.
  281. Separate data from Education New Zealand shows an international student spends on average around $45,776 a year in New Zealand, excluding tuition fees.
  282. The International Education Going for Growth Plan sets a target of 105,000 international student enrolments by 2027 and an ambition to grow export earnings to $7.2 billion by 2034.
  283. Education New Zealand continues to promote New Zealand’s education offering in priority markets and work with providers and government agencies to support sustainable international education growth.
  284.  
  285. </description>
  286.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:31:10 +1200</pubDate>
  287.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  288.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128162</guid>
  289.    </item>
  290. <item>
  291.  <title>Medsafe approves new innovative PTSD treatment </title>
  292.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/medsafe-approves-new-innovative-ptsd-treatment</link>
  293.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Medsafe’s approval of two psychiatrists to prescribe pharmaceutical grade MDMA to eligible patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).&lt;/p&gt;
  294. &lt;p&gt;“PTSD ruins lives and is difficult to treat. MDMA can be very effective at treating it through psychedelic-assisted therapy,” Mr Seymour says.&lt;/p&gt;
  295. &lt;p&gt;“Recent changes have put New Zealand’s settings in line with Australia, where authorised prescribers have been providing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in clinical settings for some time.&lt;/p&gt;
  296. &lt;p&gt;“MDMA remains an unapproved medicine, but two experienced psychiatrists have already been granted authority to prescribe it to patients with PTSD.&lt;/p&gt;
  297. &lt;p&gt;“This is very good news for their patients, who will have been suffering for some time.&lt;/p&gt;
  298. &lt;p&gt;“There are a number of safeguards in place to ensure MDMA is prescribed safely and appropriately, as part of a psychedelic-assisted therapy approach.&lt;/p&gt;
  299. &lt;p&gt;“The clinicians will follow their therapeutic protocols and make decisions about whether treatment is appropriate for a patient following a comprehensive clinical assessment. Treatment with MDMA occurs as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and occurs in the prescriber’s clinic. Patients don't get dispensed MDMA to take home.&lt;/p&gt;
  300. &lt;p&gt;“Practitioners must also meet a series of requirements to gain approval, including demonstrating expertise in the area and providing a detailed proposal of how they will administer the treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
  301. &lt;p&gt;“We’re committed to ensuring that the regulatory system for medicines is not unreasonably holding back access to emerging innovative treatments. It will lead to more Kiwis being able to access the medicines they need to live a fulfilling life.”&lt;/p&gt;
  302. &lt;p&gt;This decision does not approve a specific MDMA medicine, but the clinicians have provided information to Medsafe about the pharmaceutical grade product they propose to use. The decision is specific to the two psychiatrists, meaning no other clinician can prescribe MDMA. For another clinician to prescribe they would need specific approval from Medsafe.&lt;/p&gt;
  303. </description>
  304.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:43:10 +1200</pubDate>
  305.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  306.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128161</guid>
  307.    </item>
  308. <item>
  309.  <title>New Zealand begins Pacific leadership role</title>
  310.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-begins-pacific-leadership-role</link>
  311.  <description>&lt;p&gt;New Zealand has joined the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Troika, taking on an expanded leadership role ahead of hosting the Forum in Auckland in 2027.&lt;/p&gt;
  312. &lt;p&gt;“New Zealand is serious about delivering on Pacific priorities. That is why we are here in Palau, to engage with other members openly on the challenges that face our region,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.&lt;/p&gt;
  313. &lt;p&gt;New Zealand will work alongside current and previous Chairs Palau and Solomon Islands on the Forum Troika to provide political oversight and strategic guidance on key regional priorities.&lt;/p&gt;
  314. &lt;p&gt;“New Zealand’s place on the Forum Troika puts us at the centre of regional decision-making for the first time in more than a decade,” Mr Luxon says.&lt;/p&gt;
  315. &lt;p&gt;Our approach will be guided by Pacific priorities and PIF centrality. We want to drive progress on economic prosperity, regional security, and Pacific resilience.”&lt;/p&gt;
  316. &lt;p&gt;Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says seeing other Pacific leaders face to face in Palau was beneficial, as New Zealand takes on greater responsibilities.&lt;/p&gt;
  317. &lt;p&gt;“I have been listening intently throughout the discussions. We are committed to ensuring the 2027 Leaders Meeting and our Troika membership delivers concrete benefits to our region,” Mr Peters says.&lt;/p&gt;
  318. &lt;p&gt;“As we take on this responsibility, we are showing that New Zealand steps up when it matters, working with Pacific partners to tackle shared challenges and build a stronger, more secure Pacific region,” Mr Peters says.&lt;/p&gt;
  319. &lt;p&gt;Mr Luxon had discussions with all leaders at the Forum, including a bi-lateral with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.&lt;/p&gt;
  320. &lt;p&gt;“PNG will resume direct flights from Port Moresby to Auckland in November – a service that last ran 26 years ago. This move reflects the ongoing and growing closeness of the relationship between the people of our two countries.&lt;/p&gt;
  321. &lt;p&gt;“Our two countries have never been closer,” Mr Luxon says.&lt;/p&gt;
  322. &lt;p&gt;Mr Peters met with a range of Leaders and partners.&lt;/p&gt;
  323. </description>
  324.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:34:11 +1200</pubDate>
  325.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  326.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128160</guid>
  327.    </item>
  328. <item>
  329.  <title>Stronger safety measures for children’s sand products </title>
  330.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/stronger-safety-measures-children%E2%80%99s-sand-products</link>
  331.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Proposed mandatory asbestos testing for children's toys and craft products containing sand will better protect Kiwi consumers, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer.&lt;/p&gt;
  332. &lt;p&gt;"Many New Zealanders have been understandably concerned about the discovery of asbestos in certain consumer sand products. Families should be able to buy a product off the shelf, or online, and trust that it is safe, particularly when it comes to items used by children," Mr Brewer says.&lt;/p&gt;
  333. &lt;p&gt;"Since this issue first emerged, government agencies have worked closely with businesses to support the recall of affected products and provide information to consumers. There have been 23 recalls covering around 46,000 products, and every product identified to MBIE as testing positive has been recalled. However, these products should never have entered our market in the first place.&lt;/p&gt;
  334. &lt;p&gt;"New Zealand has a range of product safety protections in place, but it's clear additional measures are needed to keep asbestos-contaminated sand products off our shelves and out of our homes, schools and early childhood centres.&lt;/p&gt;
  335. &lt;p&gt;"That's why this Government is proposing an unsafe goods notice requiring mandatory pre-sale testing of all toys containing sand, and decorative, art and craft products containing sand. It would apply whether the sand is accessible or sealed inside the toy, to address potential exposure through broken or misused products.&lt;/p&gt;
  336. &lt;p&gt;"An unsafe goods notice is a practical way to prohibit the sale of untested products in the short term. At the same time, I have also asked officials to explore comprehensive product safety regulation to address asbestos testing in the long term.&lt;/p&gt;
  337. &lt;p&gt;"It is vital that Kiwi parents, caregivers and teachers can have confidence that products available in New Zealand are safe, and this is an important step forward," Mr Brewer says.&lt;/p&gt;
  338. </description>
  339.  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:00:58 +1200</pubDate>
  340.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  341.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128159</guid>
  342.    </item>
  343. <item>
  344.  <title>  Crown settles with Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana </title>
  345.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/crown-settles-ng%C4%81ti-ruapani-mai-waikaremoana</link>
  346.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The Crown has settled historic Treaty settlement claims with Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana as legislation passes its final reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.&lt;/p&gt;
  347. &lt;p&gt;“Today marks an important milestone for Ngāti Ruapani and their longstanding connection to Waikaremoana and Te Urewera. We recognise the historical grievances suffered by Ngāti Ruapani, and acknowledge the generations of uri who have worked to secure today’s outcome.&lt;/p&gt;
  348. &lt;p&gt;“This settlement resolves historical claims relating to Crown actions in the Waikaremoana district, including the use of a scorched earth policy against Ngāti Ruapani kāinga, the acquisition of four southern blocks under threat of confiscation and the use of aggressive tactics to acquire the Waikaremoana block.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  349. &lt;p&gt;“It recognises the enduring aspiration of Ngāti Ruapani for their uri to return home, and the deep responsibility they hold as kaitiaki of Waikaremoana, supporting their vision for future prosperity, cultural revitalisation, and the shared stewardship of Te Urewera.&lt;/p&gt;
  350. &lt;p&gt;“We hope this lays the foundation for future economic, cultural and social development while strengthening the iwi connection to their ancestral lands.”&lt;/p&gt;
  351. &lt;p&gt;The redress package includes:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  352.  
  353. The addition of approximately 12,000 hectares to Te Urewera.
  354. The return of several cultural redress properties.
  355. A financial and commercial redress package of $24 million.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
  356.  
  357. &lt;p&gt;Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana is centred around Lake Waikaremoana in the central North Island.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  358. &lt;p&gt;The Ngāti Ruapanim mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill gives effect to the Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Deed of Settlement – signed on 25 February 2026 in Tūwai, near the shores of Lake Waikaremoana. A copy of the deed of settlement is available at Te Tari Whakatau - Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  359. </description>
  360.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:43:29 +1200</pubDate>
  361.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  362.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128156</guid>
  363.    </item>
  364. <item>
  365.  <title>Speech to Constructive 2026 </title>
  366.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-constructive-2026</link>
  367.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Good morning, everyone.&lt;/p&gt;
  368. &lt;p&gt;It’s absolutely fantastic to be here today at Constructive 2026.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  369. &lt;p&gt;I’d like to thank Ankit Sharma, Phil Brosnan and their team at Master Builders for hosting this event.&lt;/p&gt;
  370. &lt;p&gt;I’d also like to acknowledge my colleagues Leader of the Opposition, Chris Hipkins and MP Arena Williams.&lt;/p&gt;
  371. &lt;p&gt;Being Housing minister is interesting because it spans so many different domains.&lt;/p&gt;
  372. &lt;p&gt;It’s the housing theory of everything – which essentially boils down to the idea that restricting urban land and housing cascades into a wide range of national problems.&lt;/p&gt;
  373. &lt;p&gt;That’s why I’ve been convinced for some time that fixing the fundamentals of our housing system is one of the best things we can do to address so many of New Zealand’s intractable economic, social, and generational challenges.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  374. &lt;p&gt;I’m really proud of the massive progress we’ve made over the past three years, and I want to reflect on that with all of you today.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  375. &lt;p&gt;To finish, I’ll talk to you about what’s next and what you can expect from a second term with a National-led government.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  376. &lt;p&gt;Achievements and highlights&lt;/p&gt;
  377. &lt;p&gt;So, let’s take it back to the start.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  378. &lt;p&gt;Three years ago, I had the enormous privilege of being appointed Minister of Housing.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  379. &lt;p&gt;From my time in Opposition, where I’d deliberately consulted widely and worked hard, I knew there was an incredible amount to do.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  380. &lt;p&gt;From the early-2000s to 2023, research from the Productivity Commission, Auckland University, Motu, Treasury, the Reserve Bank, the New Zealand Initiative, Statistics New Zealand, the International Monetary Fund, the OECD, and many more showed that New Zealand was creating one of the most unaffordable housing markets in the world.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  381. &lt;p&gt;Between 1998 and 2022, inflation adjusted house prices rose by more than 250 per cent – close to four times the OECD average and more than double that of Britian. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  382. &lt;p&gt;For over two decades, our housing market has slowly eroded social and economic outcomes.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  383. &lt;p&gt;Economically, housing eats up disposable income, meaning less can go toward goods, services, and investment. It ties up wealth and displaces productive investment.&lt;/p&gt;
  384. &lt;p&gt;A lack of housing in the right place also leaves productivity and agglomeration benefits on the table.&lt;/p&gt;
  385. &lt;p&gt;Socially, housing plays a large factor in young kiwis deciding to leave New Zealand to find better opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;
  386. &lt;p&gt;Unaffordable housing also tips more people into situations where they need support.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  387. &lt;p&gt;Currently, there are around 19,00 families on the social housing waitlist.&lt;/p&gt;
  388. &lt;p&gt;Various governments of different stripes have put housing in the too hard basket and failed to make the tough calls required.&lt;/p&gt;
  389. &lt;p&gt;Not this Government. We are up for the challenge because the future benefits of getting it right are worth it. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  390. &lt;p&gt;I am determined to fix housing for three reasons.&lt;/p&gt;
  391.  
  392. Boost the economy
  393. Help get the books back in order
  394. Close the intergenerational gap
  395.  
  396. &lt;p&gt;Boost the economy&lt;/p&gt;
  397. &lt;p&gt;The first reason to fix housing is to boost the economy.&lt;/p&gt;
  398. &lt;p&gt;Achieving genuine economic prosperity is the driving ambition of this Government.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  399. &lt;p&gt;The only way to do this is to address our decades-long productivity disease.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  400. &lt;p&gt;As Paul Krugman so famously observed, “Productivity isn't everything, but in the long run, it's almost everything.”&lt;/p&gt;
  401. &lt;p&gt;Productivity is what drives peoples’ standard of living and our prosperity as a country.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  402. &lt;p&gt;And even though New Zealand is blessed with extraordinary competitive advantages like our natural resources, an abundance of land, and relatively cheap renewable energy – we have fallen behind.&lt;/p&gt;
  403. &lt;p&gt;We used to make the most of our advantages.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  404. &lt;p&gt;In 1900, New Zealand had the highest number of patent applications per capita in the world, and in the 1950s and ‘60s we built innovative, world-leading infrastructure.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  405. &lt;p&gt;In the early ‘60s, our productivity was well above Australia’s, but somewhere in the ‘70s our productivity dropped, and the gap kept widening.&lt;/p&gt;
  406. &lt;p&gt;Now, our productivity is closer to places like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic than it is to Australia and other western European countries we like to compare ourselves to.&lt;/p&gt;
  407. &lt;p&gt;In other words, our productivity rates are on par with countries that endured 40 years of communism.&lt;/p&gt;
  408. &lt;p&gt;The hope or assumption that New Zealand’s advantages will automatically confer prosperity is wrong.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  409. &lt;p&gt;Complacency is a blight on progress.&lt;/p&gt;
  410. &lt;p&gt;It will take sustained effort and difficult trade-offs over many years to really get productivity going again.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  411. &lt;p&gt;It isn’t going to be easy.&lt;/p&gt;
  412. &lt;p&gt;But a good place to start is housing.&lt;/p&gt;
  413. &lt;p&gt;There is now a mountain of economic evidence that cities are engines of productivity, and the evidence shows bigger is better.&lt;/p&gt;
  414. &lt;p&gt;In New Zealand, it is estimated that doubling a city’s population could increase output by 3.5 per cent. And, on average, workers in cities earn one third more than their non-urban counterparts.&lt;/p&gt;
  415. &lt;p&gt;Throughout history, cities have also been the hub of innovation. Think 15th&amp;nbsp;century Florence, 17th&amp;nbsp;century Amsterdam, 18th&amp;nbsp;century London, and arguably Houston today.&lt;/p&gt;
  416. &lt;p&gt;Competitive housing and land markets that deliver thriving cities, growing productivity, and super-charged industry will do more to create a better future for everyone in this room – and for everyone in New Zealand – than just about anything else we can do.&lt;/p&gt;
  417. &lt;p&gt;New Zealand can simply raise our productivity by allowing our towns and cities to grow up and out. We need bigger, denser cities and we need more houses.&lt;/p&gt;
  418. &lt;p&gt;Books back in order&lt;/p&gt;
  419. &lt;p&gt;The second reason to fix housing is to help get the government’s books back in order.&lt;/p&gt;
  420. &lt;p&gt;Central government spent over $5 billion last year alone on housing assistance in many different forms.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  421. &lt;p&gt;That includes the accommodation supplement, subsidies for income-related rents for people in social housing, emergency housing grants, transitional housing, and initiatives to address homelessness.&lt;/p&gt;
  422. &lt;p&gt;Each new government programme has begat another government programme; and they have grown like mushrooms.&lt;/p&gt;
  423. &lt;p&gt;The system is complicated, confusing, and often duplicative. Most importantly, it is extremely expensive.&lt;/p&gt;
  424. &lt;p&gt;If that $5 billion stays flat over the five-year forecast period, the Government will spend over $25 billion on helping people to be housed. That’s 17 Transmission Gully motorways, four-and-a-half City Rail Links, or around 10 New Dunedin Hospitals – an astonishing amount of money to spend every five years.&lt;/p&gt;
  425. &lt;p&gt;Every dollar spent on subsidising rents is money that can’t be spent improving education or on fixing our health system.&lt;/p&gt;
  426. &lt;p&gt;There will always be some people who require housing support no matter how affordable the general market is.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  427. &lt;p&gt;But my wider point is that improving housing affordability will mean more people can afford housing without government support and that we can invest that money elsewhere, including on the people who really need it.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  428. &lt;p&gt;Close the intergenerational gap&lt;/p&gt;
  429. &lt;p&gt;The third reason to fix housing is the intergenerational gap.&lt;/p&gt;
  430. &lt;p&gt;I’m so proud to say that under this Government we have seen first home buyers dominating the housing market. In July this year, had a new monthly high of 29 per cent market share, the highest in more than 20 years.&lt;/p&gt;
  431. &lt;p&gt;But even accounting for this good progress, young people just don’t have the same opportunity to get into the housing market as their parents or grandparents did.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  432. &lt;p&gt;Something has gone wrong when the average age of a first home buyer is 36 and when homeownership rates are near record-lows.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  433. &lt;p&gt;I think many of us – but not enough – have woken up and realised that we have a generation of young people ready to leave a country that did not make room for them.&lt;/p&gt;
  434. &lt;p&gt;This costs all of us. Fundamentally it is an issue of intergenerational inequity.&lt;/p&gt;
  435. &lt;p&gt;So – economic, fiscal, and intergenerational – that’s the case for changing housing in New Zealand.&lt;/p&gt;
  436. &lt;p&gt;But no one had a credible long-term plan to fix the fundamentals.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  437. &lt;p&gt;This is not what Kiwis deserve from government, and it is my strong view that we need to do better.&lt;/p&gt;
  438. &lt;p&gt;I had five priorities coming to office:&lt;/p&gt;
  439.  
  440. Our Going for Housing Growth policy.
  441. Reform of the Resource Management Act.
  442. Improvements to the rental market to make it easier to be a landlord, and easier to be a tenant.
  443. Building and construction changes to improve competition and lower building costs.
  444. Better social housing to better look after those who need support.
  445.  
  446. &lt;p&gt;I’m proud we’ve made significant progress on all of these priorities.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  447. &lt;p&gt;An enormous amount of work has been done in just three years.&lt;/p&gt;
  448. &lt;p&gt;But before I get into those six, I just want to touch on a few highlights. Since we came into Government –&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  449. &lt;p&gt;Rents have been flat to falling.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  450. &lt;p&gt;Both housing deposits and mortgage serviceability are more affordable.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  451. &lt;p&gt;First home purchases have been at record highs.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  452. &lt;p&gt;The social housing waitlist is down by over 6,300 applicants.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  453. &lt;p&gt;We have delivered 8,500 net new social homes.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  454. &lt;p&gt;And, we have successfully turned Kāinga Ora (KO) around. Through strong governance by the new Board and financial discipline, KO has reduced its peak debt by $10 billion so far – all while lowering their build costs and increasing tenancy satisfaction.&lt;/p&gt;
  455. &lt;p&gt;Just on build costs, when we came into Government, KO were building state homes for up to eight, nine, ten thousand per square metre. In late 2023, the average cost per square metre was about $3,400.&lt;/p&gt;
  456. &lt;p&gt;In the year to June 2026, the average cost had fallen to around $2,700 per square metre, and KO tells me that they are now contracting for as low as $2,600 per square metre.&lt;/p&gt;
  457. &lt;p&gt;This reduction in cost means that Government can provide and renew more social homes for those in need within the same funding envelope.&lt;/p&gt;
  458. &lt;p&gt;That is the power of value for money – it gives us the ability to do more with what we have.&lt;/p&gt;
  459. &lt;p&gt;Those are some of my highlights, now let’s get into the five housing priorities I started with in 2023.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  460. &lt;p&gt;Five housing priorities delivered&lt;/p&gt;
  461. &lt;p&gt;Going For Housing Growth&lt;/p&gt;
  462. &lt;p&gt;The first is Going for Housing Growth.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  463. &lt;p&gt;This policy is about fixing the fundamentals and is focused on three pillars:&lt;/p&gt;
  464.  
  465. Pillar One:&amp;nbsp;Freeing up land for urban development, including removing unnecessary planning barriers.
  466. Pillar Two:&amp;nbsp;Improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth.
  467. Pillar Three:&amp;nbsp;Providing incentives for communities and councils to support growth.
  468.  
  469. &lt;p&gt;I’ll quickly run through where we are at on each.&lt;/p&gt;
  470. &lt;p&gt;Pillar One is being implemented through the Resource Management Act reforms. The key components are the goal of competitive urban land markets, an independent Urban Land Market Officer, and strong National Policy Direction on Housing and Development.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  471. &lt;p&gt;Our new planning system will deliver the most significant pro-housing reforms in a generation.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  472. &lt;p&gt;A specific goal of the new Planning Bill is for the system to “enable competitive urban land markets by making land available to create abundant&amp;nbsp;development opportunities for residential and business use.”&lt;/p&gt;
  473. &lt;p&gt;This creates a statutory obligation on councils to ensure that the supply of urban land is responsive to demand such that land prices do not materially or persistently reflect scarcity premiums.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  474. &lt;p&gt;In other words, councils will be put on notice. They will need to be conscious that their planning rules do not create an artificial scarcity of developable land, which in turn pushes up land prices.&lt;/p&gt;
  475. &lt;p&gt;To ensure councils actually do this, Cabinet has agreed to establish a new Urban Land Market Officer – an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  476. &lt;p&gt;I want to get out of the business of watching councils like a hawk and let the experts do the work. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  477. &lt;p&gt;I want the Officer to tell government whether councils have competitive urban land markets or not. And if not, how bad is it? &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  478. &lt;p&gt;The Officer will focus on monitoring and advising on urban land market competitiveness.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  479. &lt;p&gt;If the Officer makes a determination that a local authority’s actions under the Planning Act have contributed to a non-competitive urban land market, then the local authority will need to take action to address this, such as by progressing a plan change to enable more capacity for housing.&lt;/p&gt;
  480. &lt;p&gt;Monitoring in other markets that have monopolistic characteristics drives better outcomes for New Zealanders – like the Commerce Commission and regulated utilities.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  481. &lt;p&gt;Urban land markets are similar as a council effectively controls the supply of urban land and development capacity in an urban market.&lt;/p&gt;
  482. &lt;p&gt;The Independent Officer is what gives Pillar One teeth. It is a strong mechanism that will ensure that every council is zoning abundant land for housing.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  483. &lt;p&gt;Pillar One also includes polices that make it easier for our cities to grow up and out:&lt;/p&gt;
  484.  
  485. a requirement for Housing Growth Targets, which will set a requirement for councils to live-zone 30 years of feasible development capacity,
  486. the abolition of urban growth boundaries and/or requirements for development to be connected to existing urban areas,
  487. a requirement for intensification in city centres, metropolitan areas, town centres, and around rapid transit,
  488. new standardised zones which will provide for a mix of uses across urban areas and not allow for minimum floor areas or balcony requirements.&amp;nbsp;
  489.  
  490. &lt;p&gt;The first three are already reflected in the recently released Illustrative National Direction.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  491. &lt;p&gt;The work on standardised zones will be done through National Standards and tie into Regional Spatial Plans.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  492. &lt;p&gt;I have thrown the kitchen sink at sorting out the fundamentals of housing supply.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  493. &lt;p&gt;It’s been suggested to be that we are the first country in the world to have an independent referee for competitive urban land markets.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  494. &lt;p&gt;Similar to how we were the first country in the world to adopt an explicit inflation-targeting regime backed by an operationally independent central bank.&lt;/p&gt;
  495. &lt;p&gt;I am incredibly proud of the work officials, urban nerds, and others have done to achieve this. It will make a huge difference for the prosperity of New Zealand.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  496. &lt;p&gt;Resource Management Act Reform&lt;/p&gt;
  497. &lt;p&gt;Just taking a step back, the biggest improvement the Government is making to housing is reforming the RMA.&lt;/p&gt;
  498. &lt;p&gt;We are not just improving but are fundamentally transforming the consenting framework&amp;nbsp;by replacing the RMA with two new pieces of legislation: The Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  499. &lt;p&gt;Both Bills have now been through the Committee of the Whole House and will soon become law.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  500. &lt;p&gt;Our new system will be effects-based, embrace standardised zoning backed by Regional Spatial Plans, and will be far more permissive and enabling while also protecting the environment.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  501. &lt;p&gt;I know that many people in this room are deeply frustrated with the culture of “no” and pervasive micromanagement that has festered under the RMA.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  502. &lt;p&gt;But under the New planning system there are a range of out-of-scope effects including internal site matters, visual appearance, business competition, project finances, and subjective character.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  503. &lt;p&gt;There will be no more litigating which way the door faces.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  504. &lt;p&gt;No more four-month argument with the council about why you picked a particular design for your garage.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  505. &lt;p&gt;No more discussion on the internal configuration of living rooms and where the TV goes.&lt;/p&gt;
  506. &lt;p&gt;No more delaying social housing builds because the “grass colour is too similar to the footpath colour”.&lt;/p&gt;
  507. &lt;p&gt;And no more saying no to 11-storey, wooden office buildings on gravel pits right next to a multi-billion-dollar public transport investment just because of: “scale”&amp;nbsp;and bad vibes.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  508. &lt;p&gt;That’s enough on Pillar One. Let’s move onto Pillar Two.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  509. &lt;p&gt;When it comes to infrastructure funding and financing to support housing growth, we have also pulled multiple levers.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  510. &lt;p&gt;In July,&amp;nbsp;the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Amendment Bill passed into law, making it easier for developers, councils, and other infrastructure providers to use the Act to deliver projects free from local authority funding and financing constraints.&lt;/p&gt;
  511. &lt;p&gt;The updated IFF Act now also allows New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to use Levies to fund projects like highways and rapid transit.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  512. &lt;p&gt;We have also made significant progress replacing the broken Development Contributions regime with Development Levies, which is a new flexible funding and financing tool to match our new flexible planning system.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  513. &lt;p&gt;Councils will be far better enabled to recover the costs of growth, no matter where it occurs.&lt;/p&gt;
  514. &lt;p&gt;To ensure they use this new flexibility appropriately, the Government has also agreed to the Commerce Commission becoming the regulator for Development Levies.&lt;/p&gt;
  515. &lt;p&gt;I’ve spent a lot of time on Development Levies, because it is both fiendishly complicated and incredibly important. We need to get it right. Decision on this will be announce shortly.&lt;/p&gt;
  516. &lt;p&gt;On Pillar Three, in Budget 2026 we set up the $400 million Incentives for Growth Fund. Under the Fund all councils are rewarded for every single home consented.&lt;/p&gt;
  517. &lt;p&gt;The aim of the fund is to help change the political economy of housing by&amp;nbsp;providing direct financial incentives to local councils and communities that welcome new housing development.&lt;/p&gt;
  518. &lt;p&gt;Payments will commence from 1 April 2027 for consents granted in the year to January 31, 2027.&lt;/p&gt;
  519. &lt;p&gt;Auckland is expected to get $32.4 million.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  520. &lt;p&gt;Christchurch City is expected to get $9.1 million&lt;/p&gt;
  521. &lt;p&gt;Selwyn District is expected to get $8.4 million&lt;/p&gt;
  522. &lt;p&gt;Waimakariri District is expected to get $1.8 million.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  523. &lt;p&gt;Councils have been asking for new funding and financing tools for a long time, and we have delivered improved IFF Act Levies, the Incentives for Growth Fund, and – shortly – Development Levies.&lt;/p&gt;
  524. &lt;p&gt;Improvements to the rental market&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  525. &lt;p&gt;That brings me to improvements to the rental market.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  526. &lt;p&gt;The previous Government’s war on landlords caused worse outcomes for tenants. Rents went up $180 per week from 2017 to 2023, the social housing waitlist increased by about 20,000 households, and thousands of families were living in emergency housing motels.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  527. &lt;p&gt;In 2024, we introduced a suite of sensible pro-tenant and pro-landlord changes.&lt;/p&gt;
  528. &lt;p&gt;This included reintroducing 90-day notice ‘no cause’ terminations for periodic tenancies, reducing landlords’ notice periods for ending a periodic tenancy to 42 days in specific circumstances, reducing tenants’ notice periods for ending a periodic tenancy from 28 to 21 days, and allowing landlords to require a pet bond alongside the introduction of new pet consent and damage liability rules.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  529. &lt;p&gt;We also fully restored interest deductibility for residential property – and I can promise you that we won’t be changing that!&lt;/p&gt;
  530. &lt;p&gt;Together, these changes have been giving landlords confidence to re-enter the market and tenants more ability to secure a rental home, including for their beloved household pet.&lt;/p&gt;
  531. &lt;p&gt;In fact, around 12,500 pet bonds have been lodged to date, which is fantastic!&lt;/p&gt;
  532. &lt;p&gt;Since coming into Government, rents for new tenancies have been flat, and even falling in some places.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  533. &lt;p&gt;The latest CPI data release also shows rents for new and existing tenancies rose at their slowest rate in 25 years.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  534. &lt;p&gt;To further improve the rental market, we also passed the Overseas Investment (Build to Rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Bill, which facilitates increased foreign investment in the Build to Rent housing sector.&lt;/p&gt;
  535. &lt;p&gt;We signalled to the world that we are open for business and open for Build to Rent investment.&lt;/p&gt;
  536. &lt;p&gt;Research from Property Council New Zealand indicates that, with supportive legislation, developers could deliver 25,000 Build to Rent homes in the next decade.&lt;/p&gt;
  537. &lt;p&gt;And, using their tracker, you can see there are now around 2,500 units in the country with 1,400 under construction and a further 4,400 in the pipeline.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  538. &lt;p&gt;Building and construction changes&lt;/p&gt;
  539. &lt;p&gt;Now, this isn’t in my area, but I think it’s really important to touch on the building and construction changes we progressed this term.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  540. &lt;p&gt;We can’t build houses and we can’t rebuild the economy without our builders.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  541. &lt;p&gt;Right now, it’s around 50per cent more expensive to build a house here than in Australia, so we have taken action to save builders time, money, and hassle. This includes:&lt;/p&gt;
  542.  
  543. Right-sizing the wealth destructive earthquake-prone building rules.
  544. Making it much easier for Kiwis to build a simple granny flat by removing the need for both building and resource consents in most cases for units up to 70 square metres, provided they meet clear national standards.
  545. Trusting skilled plumbers, drainlayers and builders to sign off on their own work.
  546. Increasing the use of remote inspections to speed the process up.
  547. Allowing builders and homeowners to swap out similar products without needing another consent.
  548. Tackling joint and several liability.&amp;nbsp;
  549. Making it easier for up to 250,000 overseas building products to come into New Zealand.
  550. And, of course, providing Investment Boost – a 20per cent deduction off the cost of your new gear, on top of regular depreciation.
  551.  
  552. &lt;p&gt;These changes will make a huge difference in reducing costs and cutting red tape.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  553. &lt;p&gt;It’s incredibly promising to see that more than 41,000 new homes were consented in the year to July 2026, up 21per cent on the last year.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  554. &lt;p&gt;This is a significant turnaround for a sector that has faced some challenging conditions over recent years following a decline in building activity that began in 2022.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  555. &lt;p&gt;More consents mean more building, more jobs and more opportunities for economic growth. Fantastic.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  556. &lt;p&gt;Better social housing&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  557. &lt;p&gt;Now, we are onto the last of my five priorities: better social housing.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  558. &lt;p&gt;As a Minister, there are some things I don’t like to do, and there are many long hours and late nights away from home.&lt;/p&gt;
  559. &lt;p&gt;But one of the best parts of my job is attending openings of life changing homes across the country and meeting the people who are receiving support – seeing the difference it makes.&lt;/p&gt;
  560. &lt;p&gt;You’ve heard me say this before: the Government backs affordable housing and social housing.&lt;/p&gt;
  561. &lt;p&gt;But – like many New Zealanders – we also think the current system is broken.&lt;/p&gt;
  562. &lt;p&gt;The Government can do a much better job at supporting those in most need and being more ambitious for people.&lt;/p&gt;
  563. &lt;p&gt;That’s why we’re creating an entirely new Housing Investment System centred on three principles: building the right types of homes, in the right places, for the right people.&lt;/p&gt;
  564. &lt;p&gt;We’re also progressing a broader Review of the Social Housing (ROSH), which I’m not pretending will be easy, but I believe is the right thing to do.&lt;/p&gt;
  565. &lt;p&gt;I’ll just quickly go over our investment in social housing, the new Flexible Fund, and the new Housing Investment Plans.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  566. &lt;p&gt;Across Budgets 24, 25, and 26 we have built a genuine, long-term social housing and affordable housing pipeline of opportunities for the CHP sector and other providers.&lt;/p&gt;
  567. &lt;p&gt;This is something that the sector has been asking for, and that no government has really delivered – until now.&lt;/p&gt;
  568. &lt;p&gt;I’ll break down the pipeline.&lt;/p&gt;
  569. &lt;p&gt;In Budgets 24 and 25, we funded at least 2,050 places to be delivered by June 2027. Doe to better value for money we have got that up to 2,200 places.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  570. &lt;p&gt;Of these places, 85 per cent will be one or two bedrooms. These smaller homes are what the vast majority of people on the waitlist actually need.&lt;/p&gt;
  571. &lt;p&gt;In Budget 2025, the Government also established the Flexible Fund, which funded 820 places for delivery from July 2027 to the end of 2029 through its first tranche of investment.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  572. &lt;p&gt;The Flexible Fund collapses and combines previous housing programmes.&lt;/p&gt;
  573. &lt;p&gt;Until recently, the status quo was a confusing alphabet soup of tightly defined, duplicative programmes where providers are forced to mould their models to rigid criteria or be left out.&lt;/p&gt;
  574. &lt;p&gt;We aren’t doing that anymore.&lt;/p&gt;
  575. &lt;p&gt;We are moving to a future state with one flexible pot of money that can be deployed to all types of interventions – including affordable rentals and new, innovative solutions – that best meet housing need and represent good value for money.&lt;/p&gt;
  576. &lt;p&gt;Budget 2026 then topped up the Flexible Fund to support the delivery of an additional 1,800 to 2,250 homes over three years starting from July 2028.&lt;/p&gt;
  577. &lt;p&gt;I’m really proud of building a credible, deliverable, and long-term pipeline of around 5,000 social and affordable homes.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  578. &lt;p&gt;I don’t want to get ahead of the Budget process, but my intention is to keep topping up the Flexible Fund and building the long-term pipeline.&lt;/p&gt;
  579. &lt;p&gt;Now, a key differentiating factor of the Flexible Fund is how places are allocated.&lt;/p&gt;
  580. &lt;p&gt;In the past, governments have invested in social housing without a clear understanding of what is needed, where it is needed, and who is best placed to deliver it.&lt;/p&gt;
  581. &lt;p&gt;But now we have a Housing Investment Plan, which will be updated every year and/or funding round.&lt;/p&gt;
  582. &lt;p&gt;The first Plan was published in 2025 and uses detailed data and local insights to identify where housing need is highest and which types of homes are required.&lt;/p&gt;
  583. &lt;p&gt;In other words, we want to ensure future investment reflects the real-world needs of communities.&lt;/p&gt;
  584. &lt;p&gt;The first Plan had a large focus of need in locations – like Far North, South Auckland, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hastings, and the main centres. That’s where those 820 Flexible Fund places funded in Budget 2025 are going!&lt;/p&gt;
  585. &lt;p&gt;This is a good first step.&lt;/p&gt;
  586. &lt;p&gt;But my vision is for the Housing Investment Plan to use high-quality data to identify and target investment into priority cohorts.&lt;/p&gt;
  587. &lt;p&gt;Cohorts that, if we invested in them, would deliver the greatest benefits to households, to government, and to society.&lt;/p&gt;
  588. &lt;p&gt;A real social investment approach.&lt;/p&gt;
  589. &lt;p&gt;I have a hypothesis that some of these cohorts are recently released prisoners, families doing it tough with young children, and kiwis with mental health challenges or disabilities.&lt;/p&gt;
  590. &lt;p&gt;Here’s one statistic that has stuck with me – NZ longitudinal research following people post release shows a 4.6 times higher reimprisonment risk for those with unstable housing.&lt;/p&gt;
  591. &lt;p&gt;On a more personal note, I have been exercised about stories of people falling through the cracks.&lt;/p&gt;
  592. &lt;p&gt;Now, I don’t want to guess what the cohorts are, I want to get it right.&lt;/p&gt;
  593. &lt;p&gt;That’s why I’ve asked the Social Investment Agency to do the analysis with the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions, and Transport; and the Ministry of Social Development using IDI and other rich data.&lt;/p&gt;
  594. &lt;p&gt;This analysis will get more sophisticated overtime and will feed into future Housing Investment Plans.&lt;/p&gt;
  595. &lt;p&gt;I could keep on going… including on ROSH.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  596. &lt;p&gt;But I think to sum up – I have a clear vision. I want to provide the right house, in the right place, for the people who need it most.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  597. &lt;p&gt;There’s a long way to go but we are making progress.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  598. &lt;p&gt;Now all of this work in housing from social housing to intensification&amp;nbsp;has required difficult trade-offs and tough choices.&lt;/p&gt;
  599. &lt;p&gt;However, these are the choices that will set New Zealand up for years and years of prosperity into the 2030s and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;
  600. &lt;p&gt;If that’s my legacy as Minister of Housing, I’ll be happy.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  601. &lt;p&gt;However, I am hungry to do more for New Zealand.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  602. &lt;p&gt;What’s next&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  603. &lt;p&gt;To finish, I’ll talk to you about what you can expect from a second term with a National-led government.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  604. &lt;p&gt;First things first – what is in train is significant.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  605. &lt;p&gt;We need to keep doing what we are doing:&lt;/p&gt;
  606.  
  607. Replacing the Development Contributions regime with a more flexible Development Levies system&amp;nbsp;
  608. Working on the four priority growth areas in the Auckland Deal – particularly the Maungawhau to Morningside corridor
  609. Finishing off the Auckland City Centre Investigation&amp;nbsp;
  610. Seeing PC120 finished
  611. Supercharging the CHP sector, getting KO back on track, and building on the social housing pipeline&amp;nbsp;
  612. Reforming the social housing system&amp;nbsp;
  613. Setting the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions, and Transport (MCERT) up for success
  614. Finishing off the job we started on fixing our planning system including national standards.
  615.  
  616. &lt;p&gt;There’s also so much more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  617. &lt;p&gt;If I can impress anything on you all here today, it’s that these work programmes are critical to achieving genuine prosperity in New Zealand.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  618. &lt;p&gt;National will keep the momentum going.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  619. &lt;p&gt;Conclusion&lt;/p&gt;
  620. &lt;p&gt;I’d like to thank all of you in this room for coming along the journey with me for the past three years as Housing Minister.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  621. &lt;p&gt;Housing is my great passion.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  622. &lt;p&gt;If we can fix housing there is nothing, nothing that we can’t fix together as a country.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  623. &lt;p&gt;My dream is of a market which is affordable for people to rent, but most importantly is affordable for young kiwis to get into a home they can call their own.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  624. &lt;p&gt;I also want Kiwis to be free, ambitious, and have access to abundant opportunities – knowing they are backed by an equally enterprising nation.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  625. &lt;p&gt;If we make good, bold choices, we can all enjoy better lives.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  626. &lt;p&gt;Our country, at the bottom of the world, can choose to be wealthy, and modern, and prosperous.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  627. &lt;p&gt;That’s why I’m in politics.&lt;/p&gt;
  628. &lt;p&gt;Thank you.&lt;/p&gt;
  629. </description>
  630.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:28:28 +1200</pubDate>
  631.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  632.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128155</guid>
  633.    </item>
  634. <item>
  635.  <title>Single point of contact simplifies State redress for survivors</title>
  636.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/single-point-contact-simplifies-state-redress-survivors</link>
  637.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Survivors can now go to a single place for information about State redress, to make a new claim, or to find out what happens next, Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford announced today.&lt;/p&gt;
  638. &lt;p&gt;The new State Redress Service operates on behalf of all State redress agencies, creating one point of contact regardless of which agency was responsible for a survivor’s care.&lt;/p&gt;
  639. &lt;p&gt;Survivors seeking information, wanting to make a new claim, or wanting to understand what happens next can now visit&amp;nbsp;www.redress.govt.nz.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  640. &lt;p&gt;“The new service is designed to make State redress easier to access, easier to understand, and provide a more consistent approach across agencies,” Ms Stanford says.&lt;/p&gt;
  641. &lt;p&gt;“For too long, some survivors have had to navigate many agencies to understand where to go for information, support or progress multiple claims for redress.&lt;/p&gt;
  642. &lt;p&gt;“Survivors have also had to retell deeply personal experiences multiple times while trying to access information, support and redress. That is not acceptable.&lt;/p&gt;
  643. &lt;p&gt;“The State Redress Service provides a single place for survivors to start, while helping agencies work together to provide a more consistent experience.”&lt;/p&gt;
  644. &lt;p&gt;The new service is part of the Government’s suite of changes in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.&lt;/p&gt;
  645. &lt;p&gt;“For survivors with claims across multiple agencies, those claims will now be managed by one case manager. This will make the redress process simpler for survivors, particularly where their experiences involve more than one care setting or government agency,” Ms Stanford says.&lt;/p&gt;
  646. &lt;p&gt;Notes to editors:&lt;/p&gt;
  647.  
  648. Visit or contact the State Redress Service:&amp;nbsp;
  649.  
  650. Website:&amp;nbsp;www.redress.govt.nz&amp;nbsp;
  651. Phone: 0800 110 886&amp;nbsp;
  652. Phone from overseas: +64 4 910 9886&amp;nbsp;
  653. Email:&amp;nbsp;contact@info.redress.govt.nz&amp;nbsp;
  654. Post:&lt;br&gt;State Redress Service&lt;br&gt;State Redress NZ&lt;br&gt;PO Box 1556&lt;br&gt;Wellington 6140&amp;nbsp;
  655.  
  656.  
  657. The introduction of the State Redress Service does not affect existing claims. Survivors who already have a redress claim do not need to start the process again. The agency currently managing their claim will continue to do so.&amp;nbsp;
  658. The State Redress Service does not change which agency is responsible for assessing and responding to claims. Agencies remain responsible for assessing claims, making redress decisions, and providing redress.&amp;nbsp;
  659. The State redress system includes government agencies that respond to people seeking redress for abuse or neglect experienced while in State care. These agencies include:&amp;nbsp;
  660.  
  661. Ministry of Social Development&amp;nbsp;
  662. Oranga Tamariki&amp;nbsp;
  663. Ministry of Education&amp;nbsp;
  664. Ministry of Health&amp;nbsp;
  665. Health New Zealand&amp;nbsp;
  666. Te Puni Kōkiri&amp;nbsp;
  667. Department of Corrections&amp;nbsp;
  668.  
  669.  
  670.  
  671. &lt;p&gt;Media contact: Vikki Carter +64 21 819 246&lt;/p&gt;
  672. </description>
  673.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:21:48 +1200</pubDate>
  674.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  675.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128154</guid>
  676.    </item>
  677. <item>
  678.  <title>Community trust board members appointed</title>
  679.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/community-trust-board-members-appointed</link>
  680.  <description>&lt;p&gt;A total of 25 appointments and reappointments have been made to nine of the 12 community trusts around the country, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says.&lt;/p&gt;
  681. &lt;p&gt;They are:&lt;/p&gt;
  682.  
  683. Waikato Community Trust: Blair Currie, Christine Hall, Andrew Peckham and Chris Williams have been appointed.
  684. Eastern and Central Community Trust: Catriona McKay and Jared Pullar have been appointed.
  685. Toi Foundation: Ryan Eagar, Bali Haque and Chris Ussher have been reappointed.
  686. Wellington Community Fund: Sir Peter Boshier and Lloyd Percival have been appointed.
  687. West Coast Community Trust: Simon Bastion has been reappointed. Pavel Bares, Ivan Iraia and Jack O’Connor have been appointed.
  688. Rātā Foundation: Peter Floris, Pat McEvedy, Lynette Rayner and Erin Reeve have been appointed.
  689. Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury: Janine Holland has been reappointed. Cara Gregan and Michelle Thompson have been appointed.
  690. Otago Community Trust: Phil Hunt and Mary Jane Kivalu have been appointed.
  691. Community Trust South: Erin Moogan has been appointed.
  692.  
  693. &lt;p&gt;“These individuals will help the trusts serve their communities by bringing varied expertise including education, business, healthcare, community services, marketing, sports, governance, law, environmental protection, grant allocation, and community development,” Mr Jones says.&lt;/p&gt;
  694. &lt;p&gt;“I believe the trust and their communities will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, and community links the appointees bring, Mr Jones says.&lt;/p&gt;
  695. &lt;p&gt;“The 12 Community Trusts of New Zealand are the custodians of more than $3.5 billion of investments, and collectively grant about $100 million back into thousands of organisations throughout New Zealand each year.&lt;/p&gt;
  696. &lt;p&gt;“The work done by these trusts helps to grow and build strong and empowered communities.”&lt;/p&gt;
  697. &lt;p&gt;Editors’ note&lt;/p&gt;
  698. &lt;p&gt;Terms for appointees are for up to four years. Community trusts are governed by the Community Trusts Act 1999. They manage large investment portfolios and distribute grants for charitable, cultural, philanthropic and recreational purposes within their respective boundaries.&lt;/p&gt;
  699. </description>
  700.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:25:59 +1200</pubDate>
  701.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  702.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128153</guid>
  703.    </item>
  704. <item>
  705.  <title>Faster access to addiction support now available</title>
  706.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/faster-access-addiction-support-now-available</link>
  707.  <description>&lt;p&gt;More people in communities hardest hit by meth are now getting faster access to treatment and recovery support, with new services rolled out across the country, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.&lt;/p&gt;
  708. &lt;p&gt;“We are clear that drugs destroy lives and put enormous pressure on families and communities. That is why we announced a $30.6 million health-led plan for areas experiencing some of the greatest harm,” Mr Doocey says.&lt;/p&gt;
  709. &lt;p&gt;“The package includes new and expanded treatment and recovery services, more frontline workers, peer and family support, screening and early intervention, and drug prevention programmes.&lt;/p&gt;
  710. &lt;p&gt;“Since announcing the package last year, new and expanded services have started being rolled out in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Wairoa and Invercargill.&lt;/p&gt;
  711. &lt;p&gt;“In Kaitaia, Te Hiku Hauora has established Te Puarangi, a new drug harm reduction service providing community-based treatment and support.&lt;/p&gt;
  712. &lt;p&gt;“People in Kaitaia and Kaikohe can also access new peer-led recovery support, while navigation services are helping people in Kaitaia and Wairoa connect with treatment and other community support.&lt;/p&gt;
  713. &lt;p&gt;“In Invercargill, Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu has expanded its intensive treatment services and workforce, giving more people access to methamphetamine-related support.&lt;/p&gt;
  714. &lt;p&gt;“Screening and brief intervention for alcohol and other drugs has also started at Kaitaia Hospital, helping identify people earlier and connect them with support.&lt;/p&gt;
  715. &lt;p&gt;“We have also extended the Tūturu school-based prevention programme into Northland, Rotorua and Tairāwhiti, helping young people understand the risks of drugs.&lt;/p&gt;
  716. &lt;p&gt;“An additional 10.6 full-time workers have now been employed as part of the frontline response, alongside increased access to peer support, recovery groups and counselling for families.&lt;/p&gt;
  717. &lt;p&gt;“Family Drug Support is also receiving increased funding to provide more free counselling and support nationwide for families affected by meth.&lt;/p&gt;
  718. &lt;p&gt;“There is only the start. Clinical treatment services planned for Kaikohe and Wairoa are expected to be in place in the coming months, with further peer support, treatment and family services also being established in Rotorua, Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.&lt;/p&gt;
  719. &lt;p&gt;“Six of the seven additional screening and brief intervention services are also expected to be operational in the next couple of months.&lt;/p&gt;
  720. &lt;p&gt;“This is about fixing the basics and building the future so people can get faster access to addiction support, get help earlier, and have the support they need to stay on track in recovery.”&lt;/p&gt;
  721. </description>
  722.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:03:08 +1200</pubDate>
  723.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  724.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128152</guid>
  725.    </item>
  726. <item>
  727.  <title>Crown settles with Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui  </title>
  728.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/crown-settles-ng%C4%81-hap%C5%AB-o-te-iwi-o-whanganui</link>
  729.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The Crown has concluded nine years of negotiations with Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui as legislation passes its final reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  730. &lt;p&gt;"Today represents the culmination of many years of determination, commitment and perseverance by Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui. This settlement acknowledges historical injustices and reflect the efforts of iwi, hapū and whānau across generations.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  731. &lt;p&gt;“Over many decades, Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui suffered from loss of their tikanga, their reo, and their resources. Socioeconomic deprivation and the impact of native land laws contributed to the erosion of hapū foundations within Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  732. &lt;p&gt;“This legislation concludes nine years of negotiations and settles historical grievances including warfare, the transaction of the Whanganui block and extensive land loss to public works.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  733. &lt;p&gt;“The impacts of this were profound, and it is my hope that this settlement acknowledges and addresses these historical grievances.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  734. &lt;p&gt;The settlement includes:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  735.  
  736. $30 million in financial and commercial redress.&amp;nbsp;
  737. $15.5 million in cultural revitalisation funding.&amp;nbsp;
  738. The vesting of 27 culturally significant sites.&amp;nbsp;
  739.  
  740. &lt;p&gt;Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui is centred on Whanganui City. They are the last of the four large natural groups in the Whanganui region to settle their historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  741. &lt;p&gt;The Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill gives effect to He Rau Tukutuku – the Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Deed of Settlement – signed on 2 May 2026 at Kaiwhaiki Pā, Whanganui. A copy of the deed of settlement is available at Te Tari Whakatau - Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  742. </description>
  743.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:10:02 +1200</pubDate>
  744.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  745.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128151</guid>
  746.    </item>
  747. <item>
  748.  <title>New board member appointed to Maritime NZ</title>
  749.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-board-member-appointed-maritime-nz</link>
  750.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed the appointment of a new board member to Maritime New Zealand (Maritime NZ).&lt;/p&gt;
  751. &lt;p&gt;Jonathan Moore begins his one-year term this week, joining five other board members.&lt;/p&gt;
  752. &lt;p&gt;“Mr Moore brings a wealth of maritime knowledge and experience to the Maritime NZ. He has extensive maritime industry experience, as both a senior leader and master mariner,” Mr Meager says.&lt;/p&gt;
  753. &lt;p&gt;“After starting his career in the merchant navy, Mr Moore worked around the world in the regulatory, port and freight sector, along with several years as a marine consultant to the offshore industry.&lt;/p&gt;
  754. &lt;p&gt;“Since moving to New Zealand, he has had management roles within the stevedoring and port industry, including harbourmaster roles in the Bay of Plenty and Western Australia. For the last 19 years, he was the Chief Executive of Northport.&lt;/p&gt;
  755. &lt;p&gt;“Mr Moore will be a valuable addition to Maritime NZ. His maritime knowledge, senior leadership experience, and understanding of port operations will strengthen Maritime NZ’s oversight of maritime safety, security and environmental protection.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  756. &lt;p&gt;“These skills and experience will also provide Maritime NZ with additional operational perspective and sector insight, while complementing the board’s current balance of governance, regulatory and public sector expertise.”&lt;/p&gt;
  757. </description>
  758.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:22:07 +1200</pubDate>
  759.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  760.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128149</guid>
  761.    </item>
  762. <item>
  763.  <title>Industry roadmap to help hospitality succeed </title>
  764.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/industry-roadmap-help-hospitality-succeed</link>
  765.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston is welcoming an industry report outlining practical steps to support the long-term success of New Zealand's hospitality sector.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  766. &lt;p&gt;"Our hospitality sector plays a vital role in New Zealand's economy – it supports jobs, local communities and the experiences of domestic and international visitors across the country,” Louise Upston says.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  767. &lt;p&gt;"I am pleased to see that the report acknowledges the progress that has already been&amp;nbsp;made since the inaugural Hospitality Summit in 2024. Many of the recommendations are either completed or progressing through work by the Government and industry."&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  768. &lt;p&gt;The report, Hospitality Summit Report: Serving Success 2026 Revision, was prepared by Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  769. &lt;p&gt;"The Government has worked closely with the sector over recent years – that includes through the Hospitality Regulatory Review, the introduction of the Michelin Guide, the Tourism Policy Statement, and various initiatives to strengthen New Zealand's tourism and hospitality offering.&lt;/p&gt;
  770. &lt;p&gt;"The Hospitality Summit has become an important forum for bringing government and industry together to discuss challenges, opportunities and practical ways to strengthen the sector.&lt;/p&gt;
  771. &lt;p&gt;"As several of the recommendations highlight, hospitality issues often span multiple portfolios and agencies. That is why I will develop a Hospitality Action Plan to provide a coordinated framework for priority hospitality initiatives across government.&lt;/p&gt;
  772. &lt;p&gt;"The Hospitality Action Plan will help bring together work already underway, consider relevant recommendations from this report and the upcoming regulatory review, and improve visibility and coordination across the government's hospitality programme.&lt;/p&gt;
  773. &lt;p&gt;"I intend to continue working in partnership with the sector to remove barriers to growth, support businesses and workers, and ensure hospitality can thrive as part of a growing New Zealand economy.&lt;/p&gt;
  774. &lt;p&gt;"I thank Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association for their leadership and the significant work that has gone into this report. I look forward to continuing our collaboration as we develop the Hospitality Action Plan and progress initiatives that support the future of the sector."&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  775. &lt;p&gt;Notes to editor:&lt;/p&gt;
  776.  
  777. The 2026 Hospitality Summit was hosted by Hospitality New Zealand and the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and brought together industry leaders and government representatives to discuss opportunities for the sector.&amp;nbsp;
  778. The report contains 48 recommendations across five subject areas: employment and immigration, alcohol policy, tourism and hospitality, data and regulatory compliance, and skills and training. The recommendations were developed through engagement with hospitality businesses, industry leaders and government agencies.
  779. The Government is developing a Hospitality Action Plan to provide a coordinated framework for priority hospitality initiatives across Government. The Action Plan is intended to consider relevant recommendations from the report alongside other Government work programmes.&amp;nbsp;
  780.  
  781. </description>
  782.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:18:33 +1200</pubDate>
  783.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  784.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128148</guid>
  785.    </item>
  786. <item>
  787.  <title>Fighting organised crime and people trafficking</title>
  788.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fighting-organised-crime-and-people-trafficking</link>
  789.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The Government is establishing a multi-agency Chief Executive Board on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) to drive a stronger, more coordinated response, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello announced today.&lt;/p&gt;
  790. &lt;p&gt;“TSOC groups are increasingly targeting New Zealand and the wider Pacific region, causing significant harm to our communities and our economies, including through drug and people trafficking and money laundering,” Ms Costello says.&lt;/p&gt;
  791. &lt;p&gt;“We see daily reports of the work and success of our enforcement agencies in combatting this activity, but organised crime is sophisticated, well-networked and constantly looking for vulnerabilities in our system and opportunities to make money. Essentially, we need better organised government to fight organised crime, and the Board will help deliver that.”&lt;/p&gt;
  792. &lt;p&gt;“Our Methamphetamine Action Plan and the new TSOC Strategy released in December show the range of agencies involved and the initiatives being undertaken to fight organised crime. What the CEB provides is enhanced oversight and coordination of this work and it will provide the mechanism for focusing on system issues such as information sharing.&lt;/p&gt;
  793. &lt;p&gt;“In its report last year, the Ministerial Advisory Group on TSOC identified a need for clearer governance and stronger accountability across the system with a Ministerial lead and cabinet has endorsed that approach.”&lt;/p&gt;
  794. &lt;p&gt;Established for a two-year period, the CEB will be co-chaired by the Comptroller of Customs and the Commissioner of Police. Ministerial responsibility for the TSOC CEB has been designated to Minister Costello by the Prime Minister.&lt;/p&gt;
  795. &lt;p&gt;This week, Cabinet has also agreed to a standalone Trafficking in Persons Action Plan to strengthen protections and improve support for victims.&lt;/p&gt;
  796. &lt;p&gt;"Many New Zealanders assume trafficking only happens overseas, Ms Costello says. “The reality is that it does occur here and can take many forms, including forced labour, forced criminality, sexual exploitation, forced marriage and domestic servitude. The fact it is often hidden from public view, can make it difficult to address.”&lt;/p&gt;
  797. &lt;p&gt;The Plan focuses on strengthening prevention, victim identification and support, coordination across agencies, enforcement, and protection measures. It will build on the ongoing operational work of law enforcement and regulatory agencies and provide a framework for coordinated action across government agencies and community partners.&lt;/p&gt;
  798. &lt;p&gt;"Victims and survivors are at the heart of this work,” Ms Costello says. “We want people experiencing exploitation to be identified earlier, supported appropriately, and protected from further harm."&lt;/p&gt;
  799. &lt;p&gt;The Plan delivers an agreed action under the Government’s Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2030.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  800. &lt;p&gt;“This is a practical step towards protecting vulnerable people and making it harder for traffickers to operate in New Zealand,” Ms Costello says.&lt;/p&gt;
  801. &lt;p&gt;"We want to make New Zealand one of the hardest places in the world for organised criminal networks to operate and cause harm. Trafficking in persons has no place in New Zealand, and we are committed to preventing exploitation wherever it occurs."&lt;/p&gt;
  802. </description>
  803.  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:55:18 +1200</pubDate>
  804.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  805.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128147</guid>
  806.    </item>
  807. <item>
  808.  <title>New lifejacket legislation to save lives</title>
  809.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-lifejacket-legislation-save-lives</link>
  810.  <description>&lt;p&gt;New lifejacket legislation will save lives and reduce preventable harm on New Zealand waters this summer, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.&lt;/p&gt;
  811. &lt;p&gt;Mr Meager is welcoming today’s passing of Hon Dr Shane Reti’s Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill, which will require everyone on recreational craft of six metres or less to wear a properly fitted lifejacket, when underway.&lt;/p&gt;
  812. &lt;p&gt;“In 2025, 17 people died in recreational craft incidents on our waters. Sadly, 12 of those people were found not to be wearing a lifejacket,” Mr Meager says.&lt;/p&gt;
  813. &lt;p&gt;“These are tragic and preventable deaths. This legislation creates one clear, simple national rule for everyone to follow, which is a common-sense and long overdue change.&lt;/p&gt;
  814. &lt;p&gt;“Lifejackets save lives, and making sure boaties wear one while out on the water is essential if we want to reduce the number drownings in New Zealand.&lt;/p&gt;
  815. &lt;p&gt;“The changes will come into effect 28 days after the Bill receives Royal Assent, meaning the new rule will be in place for the peak summer season.&lt;/p&gt;
  816. &lt;p&gt;“Maritime NZ is leading coordinated implementation planning alongside sector partners, so people receive clear, practical and nationally consistent information about what the change means for them, their families and their time on the water.&lt;/p&gt;
  817. &lt;p&gt;“The message for anyone heading out on a boat this summer remains simple: wear a properly fitted lifejacket, carry two reliable forms of communication and check the weather forecast.&lt;/p&gt;
  818. &lt;p&gt;“This Bill has had a long history, first appearing on the Ballot in 2013 before being drawn in the name of Hon Cameron Brewer last year.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  819. &lt;p&gt;“I thank Hon Brewer, and Hon Dr Shane Reti who sponsored it through to today, as well as the safer boating communities and all submitters whose experience and commitment have helped shape this important change.”&lt;/p&gt;
  820. </description>
  821.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:00:56 +1200</pubDate>
  822.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  823.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128146</guid>
  824.    </item>
  825. <item>
  826.  <title>Increasing resilience of economy welcomed  </title>
  827.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/increasing-resilience-economy-welcomed</link>
  828.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The Reserve Bank’s assessment that the economic recovery is resuming and expected to broaden, has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.&lt;/p&gt;
  829. &lt;p&gt;Announcing a 0.25 basis point lift in the Official Cash Rate today to 2.75 per cent, the Reserve Bank said it expected the recovery to strengthen and broaden, the export sector to remain resilient and household spending to increase.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  830. &lt;p&gt;The bank also expects purchasing power to increase as inflation returns to the mid-point of its target range.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  831. &lt;p&gt;“The bank’s assessment demonstrates the economy has proved to be more resilient in the face of the Middle East conflict than many commentators thought,” Nicola Willis says.&lt;/p&gt;
  832. &lt;p&gt;“Unlike some previous upturns, this recovery is being driven by the export sector rather than rising house prices. That augurs well for the future.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  833. &lt;p&gt;“Many people are doing it tough and we still have a way to go but New Zealanders can take heart from the resilience shown by the economy.”&lt;/p&gt;
  834. </description>
  835.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:47:22 +1200</pubDate>
  836.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  837.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128145</guid>
  838.    </item>
  839. <item>
  840.  <title>CER Trade and Tourism ministers to discuss greater cooperation</title>
  841.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/cer-trade-and-tourism-ministers-discuss-greater-cooperation</link>
  842.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host the Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, in Auckland on Friday for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers meeting.&lt;/p&gt;
  843. &lt;p&gt;Minister McClay and Minister Farrell will also meet with a range of trans-Tasman businesses at an event hosted by the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum to discuss enhancing the strength and resilience of the trans-Tasman partnership.&lt;/p&gt;
  844. &lt;p&gt;“Working together is more important than ever in the face of increased global economic volatility,” Minister McClay says.&lt;/p&gt;
  845. &lt;p&gt;“As New Zealand builds and deepens our trade relationships across the world, it’s important that we don’t take our trade links with Australia for granted. Australia is typically the first export destination for New Zealand companies,” Mr McClay says.&lt;/p&gt;
  846. &lt;p&gt;In 2025, our two-way trade with Australia was worth $35 billion and involved around 25,000 trans-Tasman businesses.&lt;/p&gt;
  847. &lt;p&gt;During his visit to New Zealand, Minister Farrell will also meet with Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston to discuss opportunities to support tourism growth and strengthen connections between our two countries.&lt;/p&gt;
  848. &lt;p&gt;“Australia is our largest international visitor market, with strong tourism links supporting businesses, communities and travellers on both sides of the Tasman,” Minister Upston says.&lt;/p&gt;
  849. &lt;p&gt;“This is an opportunity to discuss our shared tourism priorities and strengthen the close relationship that already exists.”&lt;/p&gt;
  850. &lt;p&gt;Minister McClay will also host Minister Farrell in the Bay of Islands for a programme focused on Māori tourism and regional economic development.&lt;/p&gt;
  851. </description>
  852.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:42:56 +1200</pubDate>
  853.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  854.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128144</guid>
  855.    </item>
  856. <item>
  857.  <title>Restoration project to revive southern scallops</title>
  858.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/restoration-project-revive-southern-scallops</link>
  859.  <description>&lt;p&gt;A major new investment to restore a key area of the southern scallop fishery will help rebuild a valuable regional industry, restore marine habitat and create a pathway to a self-sustaining fishery, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.&lt;/p&gt;
  860. &lt;p&gt;The Government will co-invest $1.97 million through the Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF) in the seven-year Challenger scallop fishery restoration programme, alongside significant industry investment led by the Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company (CSEC).&lt;/p&gt;
  861. &lt;p&gt;“The southern scallop fishery in Tasman and Golden Bays was once New Zealand's largest commercial scallop fishery. This investment is about creating the conditions for its recovery so future generations can benefit from a healthy and productive fishery,” Mr Jones says.&lt;/p&gt;
  862. &lt;p&gt;“The project brings together science, innovation and industry expertise to rebuild the fishery.”&lt;/p&gt;
  863. &lt;p&gt;The fishery has remained closed following years of habitat degradation, sedimentation, and poor juvenile scallop survival. A feasibility study completed earlier this year confirmed traditional enhancement methods alone would not be enough to restore stocks.&lt;/p&gt;
  864. &lt;p&gt;A key component of the project will be the restoration of about 39ha of seabed, including the placement of thousands of cubic metres of mussel shell to improve habitat conditions for scallops and other marine species.&lt;/p&gt;
  865. &lt;p&gt;“This investment is about far more than scallops. It is about restoring marine habitat for scallops, improving biodiversity, and rebuilding the foundations of a fishery that supports economic, cultural, and community wellbeing,” Mr Jones says.&lt;/p&gt;
  866. &lt;p&gt;The project has strong backing from industry and iwi. CSEC's shareholders include the eight Top of the South iwi and more than 20 commercial fishing and processing businesses.&lt;/p&gt;
  867. &lt;p&gt;The total project value is $5.02m, with industry contributing more than 60 percent of overall funding through cash and in-kind support.&lt;/p&gt;
  868. &lt;p&gt;Modelling indicates the restored fishery could generate around $21m in new revenue over 20 years, delivering significant long-term benefits for the regional economy and the seafood sector.&lt;/p&gt;
  869. </description>
  870.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:21:20 +1200</pubDate>
  871.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  872.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128143</guid>
  873.    </item>
  874. <item>
  875.  <title>NZ welcomes US energy support to the Pacific</title>
  876.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-welcomes-us-energy-support-pacific</link>
  877.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the United States’ decision to provide energy support to the Pacific.&lt;/p&gt;
  878. &lt;p&gt;“Since travelling to Washington DC in April, we’ve been regularly discussing with the United States the impacts of the Middle East conflict on the Pacific, and the need for tangible support to the region,” Mr Peters says.&lt;/p&gt;
  879. &lt;p&gt;“In that context, we welcome today’s announcement by the United States to help address budget shortfalls caused by the ongoing global energy crisis.”&lt;/p&gt;
  880. &lt;p&gt;The US support, of US$60 million was announced at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.&lt;/p&gt;
  881. &lt;p&gt;“The Pacific, given its isolation and near total dependence on imported fuel, is exceptionally vulnerable to oil price shocks, especially this year.&lt;/p&gt;
  882. &lt;p&gt;“That’s why Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers have been regularly discussing how best to respond to the fuel crisis, and why New Zealand – alongside Australia, Japan the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank – has been working so hard to assist Pacific Island countries to deal with it.&lt;/p&gt;
  883. &lt;p&gt;“We are pleased to have the United States on board contributing to this vital work.&lt;/p&gt;
  884. &lt;p&gt;“New Zealand’s Pacific development programme has a strong focus on economic and energy resilience in order to help our Pacific partners reduce demand for imported fuels through increased renewable generation and improved energy efficiency,” Mr Peters says.&lt;/p&gt;
  885. </description>
  886.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:52:14 +1200</pubDate>
  887.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  888.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128142</guid>
  889.    </item>
  890. <item>
  891.  <title>A brighter future for derelict MIT sites in Ōtara</title>
  892.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/brighter-future-derelict-mit-sites-%C5%8Dtara</link>
  893.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Deteriorating and vacant buildings at two former Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) sites in Ōtara will be demolished, clearing the way for future redevelopment of more than eight hectares of Crown land, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.&lt;/p&gt;
  894. &lt;p&gt;“These buildings have been sitting largely unused for years. They are riddled with asbestos, have deteriorated significantly and have become targets for vandalism, break-ins and arson,” Mr Bishop says.&lt;/p&gt;
  895. &lt;p&gt;“Their condition has become a source of frustration and concern for the local community, and it is well past time we got on with removing them.&lt;/p&gt;
  896. &lt;p&gt;“The former MIT land in Ōtara comprised four separate sites and was acquired by the Government in 2019 through the Land for Housing Programme, which was established to repurpose vacant and underutilised Crown and private land for housing.&lt;/p&gt;
  897. &lt;p&gt;“Two of the smaller sites have subsequently been developed, but the Crown continues to hold the North and South campus sites, which together encompass approximately 8.4 hectares.&lt;/p&gt;
  898. &lt;p&gt;“These are significant sites in the heart of Ōtara, close to the town centre, public transport and existing communities. But right now, much of that valuable Crown land is occupied by buildings that are well beyond the end of their useful life.&lt;/p&gt;
  899. &lt;p&gt;“Demolition is the sensible next step. It will address the ongoing safety and security issues, reduce the cost of holding and maintaining deteriorating buildings, and clear the sites so they are ready for their next chapter.&lt;/p&gt;
  900. &lt;p&gt;“The exact scope and form of future development is still being determined. Both sites are held for housing, and a zoning change from education-related uses to housing is being sought through Plan Change 120.&lt;/p&gt;
  901. &lt;p&gt;The Government will keep the community informed as the project progresses. The next steps include appointing project management, undertaking specialist investigations, securing the necessary consents and going to market for an experienced demolition contractor.&lt;/p&gt;
  902. &lt;p&gt;“This preparatory and procurement work is expected to take around six months. Demolition and site remediation are expected to take around a further 15 months, reflecting the scale of the sites and the extensive asbestos contamination within the largest buildings.&lt;/p&gt;
  903. &lt;p&gt;“New Zealand has valuable Crown land sitting in communities where housing is needed. We need to make better use of it.&lt;/p&gt;
  904. &lt;p&gt;“Clearing these derelict buildings is a practical first step towards unlocking these sites and giving this part of Ōtara a fresh start.”&lt;/p&gt;
  905. &lt;p&gt;Notes to editors:&lt;/p&gt;
  906.  
  907. MCERT intends to engage LINZ to undertake the demolition.
  908. LINZ will prepare a market tender and issue a request for proposal for the demolition on the government procurement portal, GETS, to ensure it receives appropriately experienced contractors and competitive pricing for the work.
  909.  
  910. </description>
  911.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:20:00 +1200</pubDate>
  912.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  913.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128141</guid>
  914.    </item>
  915. <item>
  916.  <title>Independent review released into Moa Point plant failure</title>
  917.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/independent-review-released-moa-point-plant-failure</link>
  918.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The Government has today released the independent Crown Review into the failure of the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and the flooding event on 4 February 2026.&lt;/p&gt;
  919. &lt;p&gt;“The failure of the Moa Point Plant was one of the most significant wastewater infrastructure failures experienced in the Wellington region in recent decades," Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.&lt;/p&gt;
  920. &lt;p&gt;“The public deserves answers about how such a failure occurred, and more importantly, what needs to change to prevent a similar event from happening again.”&lt;/p&gt;
  921. &lt;p&gt;The independent Crown Review Team examined the wider factors that may have contributed to the failure, including governance, oversight, asset management, funding, contractual arrangements and operational practices. It did not determine legal liability or identify a single technical fault.&lt;/p&gt;
  922. &lt;p&gt;“Its purpose was to identify the systemic lessons that can strengthen the management and resilience of wastewater infrastructure in Wellington and across New Zealand,” Mr Watts says.&lt;/p&gt;
  923. &lt;p&gt;“The review found the event was not caused by a single decision or isolated failure, but by longstanding weaknesses in governance, accountability, asset management, risk management and infrastructure resilience.&lt;/p&gt;
  924. &lt;p&gt;“The review’s central finding is that preventing a similar event in the future depends on clear accountability throughout the system, supported by a strong understanding of risks and effective decision-making at every level.&lt;/p&gt;
  925. &lt;p&gt;“That is a finding that extends well beyond Moa Point.”&lt;/p&gt;
  926. &lt;p&gt;The Crown Review Team made recommendations for Wellington City Council and Tiaki Wai, including:&lt;/p&gt;
  927.  
  928. restoring compliance with resource consents
  929. improving public communication about infrastructure risks
  930. strengthening governance and accountability
  931. improving asset stewardship
  932. ensuring risk management is directly linked to investment and service delivery decisions.
  933.  
  934. &lt;p&gt;Many of these improvements are already underway, with recovery and improvement works at Moa Point expected to be completed in February 2027.&lt;/p&gt;
  935. &lt;p&gt;The report also included recommendations to the Minister of Local Government.&lt;/p&gt;
  936. &lt;p&gt;“I have accepted the recommendations directed to me and will be writing to Wellington City Council and Tiaki Wai to require a response to the report's findings. I will also work with ministerial colleagues to consider any broader regulatory and policy implications arising from the review,” Mr Watts says.&lt;/p&gt;
  937. &lt;p&gt;“The key challenge now is ensuring these lessons are acted on so communities can have confidence in wastewater systems that are safer, more resilient and better prepared for the future.&lt;/p&gt;
  938. &lt;p&gt;“The review reinforces the importance of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms. The findings highlight the consequences of weak accountability, poor visibility of infrastructure risks, and insufficient long-term planning and investment.&lt;/p&gt;
  939. &lt;p&gt;“While no system can eliminate every infrastructure failure, Local Water Done Well establishes stronger safeguards to identify risks earlier, improve oversight, support long-term investment and hold water service providers accountable for performance.&lt;/p&gt;
  940. &lt;p&gt;“As these reforms are implemented across the country, we expect to see a stronger and more resilient water sector, and a reduced likelihood of failures like Moa Point occurring in the future.”&lt;/p&gt;
  941. &lt;p&gt;The report is available on the MCERT website viathis link.&lt;/p&gt;
  942. </description>
  943.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +1200</pubDate>
  944.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  945.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128140</guid>
  946.    </item>
  947. <item>
  948.  <title>New roadmap for supporting unpaid carers</title>
  949.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-roadmap-supporting-unpaid-carers</link>
  950.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The Government has launched today a new action plan to recognise the thousands of unpaid or informal carers across the country who are at home providing care for a loved one.&lt;/p&gt;
  951. &lt;p&gt;“It’s a demanding job juggling work, family and other commitments while caring for a loved one. Yet their work is critical in helping New Zealanders to live fuller lives,” says Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Hon Penny Simmonds.&lt;/p&gt;
  952. &lt;p&gt;“Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan is about recognising all their hard work and providing a sustainable, long-term roadmap for making progress on the issues carers face.”&lt;/p&gt;
  953. &lt;p&gt;Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Development, and in partnership with the Carers Alliance and an advisory group of organisations representing carers, the whole-of-government Action Plan focuses on making progress in three key priority areas – health and wellbeing; financial security; and recognition and appreciation.&lt;/p&gt;
  954. &lt;p&gt;“The issues carers face are complex and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so it was important to work with advocacy and representative groups across all types of carers to identify key priority areas for making progress,” says Minister Simmonds.&lt;/p&gt;
  955. &lt;p&gt;“Unlike previous action plans, this one does not expire; it’s ongoing, sets realistic outcomes that will make a difference, and holds government and partners to account on achieving them.”&lt;/p&gt;
  956. &lt;p&gt;Minister Simmonds says there was a high level of interest during the plan’s development, including nearly 600 responses from the online surveys and submissions, and a high turnout across the online and community workshops.&lt;/p&gt;
  957. &lt;p&gt;“I’d like to acknowledge all the carers, and those in care, who took the time to share their insights and help build Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan,” says Minister Simmonds.&lt;/p&gt;
  958. &lt;p&gt;“Particular thanks goes to our long-term partners, the Carers Alliance, who openly shared their knowledge and expertise while representing and advocating for carers throughout the process.”&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  959. &lt;p&gt;Link to Strategy Action Plan:&lt;/p&gt;
  960. &lt;p&gt;The New Zealand Carers' Strategy - Ministry of Social Development&lt;/p&gt;
  961. </description>
  962.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:05:19 +1200</pubDate>
  963.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  964.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128139</guid>
  965.    </item>
  966. <item>
  967.  <title>Opening the farm gate to first-time buyers</title>
  968.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/opening-farm-gate-first-time-buyers</link>
  969.  <description>&lt;p&gt;Farm workers will soon be able to use their own KiwiSaver savings to buy their first home under legislation introduced this week, say Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer.&lt;/p&gt;
  970. &lt;p&gt;The KiwiSaver (First Home or Farm) Amendment Bill fixes two rules that have kept rural New Zealanders from a first-home withdrawal available to everyone else. It began as a member's bill in the name of Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne, and the Government has adopted it.&lt;/p&gt;
  971. &lt;p&gt;"If your job comes with a roof over your head, you should not be locked out of your own savings,” Nicola Willis says.&lt;/p&gt;
  972. &lt;p&gt;"Many farm workers are required to live where they work. But a first-home withdrawal requires you to move into the home you buy, so they have been paying into KiwiSaver alongside everyone else while shut out of a withdrawal every other member can make.&lt;/p&gt;
  973. &lt;p&gt;"That rule was written with a suburban street in mind, not a farm gate. Rural New Zealand has been wearing the cost of it, and we are fixing that."&lt;/p&gt;
  974. &lt;p&gt;The Bill also allows first-time farm buyers to use their KiwiSaver towards a farm bought through a company, trust or partnership they majority own and control, where the farm will be their main home. Current rules only allow it if the farm is in the buyer's own name.&lt;/p&gt;
  975. &lt;p&gt;"A farm is a business and a home at the same time, which is why almost nobody buys one in their own name. The KiwiSaver rules were never written with that in mind, and aspiring farm owners have been shut out because of it," Mr Brewer says.&lt;/p&gt;
  976. &lt;p&gt;"So a young couple who have spent a decade milking someone else's cows and saving hard have been blocked from their own KiwiSaver by a technicality about whose name is on the title. That is not fair, and it is not smart.&lt;/p&gt;
  977. &lt;p&gt;"This change recognises how farm ownership actually works in this country, and it means new farm owners start out with less debt around their necks.&lt;/p&gt;
  978. &lt;p&gt;"Since 2010, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have used their KiwiSaver to get onto the property ladder. The people who milk the cows and work the land deserve to be among them.&lt;/p&gt;
  979. &lt;p&gt;"This is the Government fixing the basics and building the future, so the people who work our land can own a piece of it," Mr Brewer says.&lt;/p&gt;
  980. </description>
  981.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:01:30 +1200</pubDate>
  982.    <dc:creator>beehive.govt.nz</dc:creator>
  983.    <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.beehive.govt.nz/128138</guid>
  984.    </item>
  985. <item>
  986.  <title>Sod turned on Nelson Hospital’s new inpatient building</title>
  987.  <link>https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/sod-turned-nelson-hospital%E2%80%99s-new-inpatient-building</link>
  988.  <description>&lt;p&gt;The sod has been turned on Nelson Hospital's new 128-bed inpatient building, marking the beginning of construction, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.&lt;/p&gt;
  989. &lt;p&gt;"We know how important the redevelopment of Nelson Hospital is for the Nelson and Marlborough communities. Today is the most significant milestone yet for the project and for the communities it will serve," Mr Brown says.&lt;/p&gt;
  990. &lt;p&gt;"Nelson Hospital is under increasing pressure from a growing and ageing population, and a shortage of beds is putting pressure on&amp;nbsp;the services delivered such as&amp;nbsp;elective treatment.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  991. &lt;p&gt;"For years the Nelson community was promised this redevelopment, but it did not progress. Our Government committed to it last year, and we are getting on and delivering it.&lt;/p&gt;
  992. &lt;p&gt;"Construction will begin with&amp;nbsp;service diversions, bulk earthworks, piling, and ground improvements to prepare the site for the new building. This phase is expected to take around 12 months, and procurement for the head contractor is progressing alongside it. From late 2027, Nelson will start to see the building rise on the site.”&lt;/p&gt;
  993. &lt;p&gt;The new inpatient building will deliver at least 41 additional adult medical and surgical beds, and will complement new models of care. It will include an Acute Assessment Unit, a patient transit lounge, a pharmacy, and assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation services, alongside back-of-house functions.&lt;/p&gt;
  994. &lt;p&gt;"These works mark the beginning of stage two of the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment, funded through Budget 2025.&lt;/p&gt;
  995. &lt;p&gt;"Progress is also visible elsewhere on the campus, with the first modules for Nelson's new 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward now arriving on site.&lt;/p&gt;
  996. &lt;p&gt;"The modules were manufactured off site over the past five months, with extensive planning and preparation undertaken to transport them safely to site. Each module weighs around 44 tonnes, and the seven modules will together form a 1,200 square metre building.&lt;/p&gt;
  997. &lt;p&gt;"Building off site while groundwork is completed on campus allows us to deliver capacity faster and with less disruption for patients and staff, to the same clinical and safety standards we expect of any permanent hospital facility.”&lt;/p&gt;
  998. &lt;p&gt;Once all the modules are installed, work will move to weatherproofing, connecting services, internal fit-out, and commissioning.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
  999. &lt;p&gt;"This is what it means to fix the basics and build the future of healthcare for the people of Nelson and Marlborough. After years of promises, this community can now see that work under way," Mr Brown says.&lt;/p&gt;
  1000. </description>
  1001.  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:39:41 +1200</pubDate>
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