PM Edition: Top 10 Economic Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for May 19, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Government

Modern, high-quality new homes have been delivered for military families ahead of schedule and under budget, Defence Minister Chris Penk says. 

The first homes built through the Homes for Families programme were officially opened with a ribbon-cutting at Linton Military Camp in Manawatū today. 

“Just seven months after shovels hit the ground, I am delighted to join in celebrating the opening of 23 new homes for military families, including eight at Linton Military Camp, five at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea and 10 at Burnham Military Camp,” Mr Penk says. 

“Thanks to the professionalism and drive of our Defence Estate and Infrastructure team, our partners at Penny Homes and other key stakeholders, these builds have been delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, allowing us to add more projects to the construction pipeline. 
 
“This work will continue. More homes will be ready for military families in the coming months and, alongside new builds, additional homes are planned through long-term leases in Devonport, Trentham, and Whenuapai. 

“This $7.8 million development opened today is part of an ambitious programme across New Zealand Defence Force camps and bases to deliver the warm, modern, high-quality homes our personnel and their families deserve.

“Decades of underinvestment have meant many military families were residing in homes that were no longer fit for modern family life. Some dated back to the 1930s and were run-down, poorly laid-out, and insufficiently insulated. 

“The Homes for Families programme recognises that providing personnel and their whānau with a warm, safe, dry home is central to their wellbeing. It will also help ease housing affordability pressures by providing options in high-cost areas. 

“In addition to giving Defence personnel and their families modern places to thrive, the construction of these homes supports jobs in the communities which surround our military camps and bases, boosting economic activity in the regions. 

“Today’s ribbon-cutting represents an important construction milestone and reflects our commitment to improving living conditions for our sailors, soldiers and aviators, so they can give their best while serving and protecting New Zealand. 

“I look forward to these houses becoming much-loved homes for our hardworking New Zealand Defence Force personnel and their families for many years to come.”  

Notes to editors:  

• The Government intends to invest up to $600 million into the Homes for Families programme through the 2025 Defence Capability Plan (DCP). 
• Mr Penk, along with New Zealand Defence Force representatives, had turned the sod at the Linton site on 23 September 2025.  

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health Matt Doocey will today travel to Australia to attend the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne and visit mental health commissions across Australia.

“HealthTech is one of New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing technology subsectors, contributing $3.9 billion to the New Zealand economy in 2025,” Mr Doocey says.

“I’m looking forward to leading a delegation of 26 New Zealand HealthTech companies and organisations that are playing a pivotal role in developing innovative technologies to support the future of digital healthcare.

“This is the largest-ever New Zealand presence at the Digital Health Festival, with participation having grown every year, a sign of the strong momentum across the industry.”

Mr Doocey will also visit Mental Health Commissions in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia.

“The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has been an independent Crown entity in New Zealand for five years now. As a requirement, a review of the commission is to be undertaken.

“This is the first time there has been a review since establishment and it’s important that we get it right.

“This is an incredibly important role that holds any Government of the day to account. As we head into the review, I look forward to the opportunity to meet with commissions in Australia to hear directly from them about what’s working, what’s not and how they have best utilised the commission.”

Mr Doocey leaves on 18 May and will return on 23 May.