PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for September 6, 2026 – Full Text

Source: Media Outreach

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: New Zealand Government

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“These businesses are creating real opportunities for their people and regions while helping New Zealand earn more from the world.

“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.

“When Māori enterprise succeeds, whānau and regions prosper, and New Zealand’s economy becomes stronger. Māori prosperity is New Zealand prosperity.”

Notes to editor:

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Whakapakarihia ana te hinonga Māori e ngā haumi o MDF, e hanga ana i te tōnuitanga tonutanga

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

He taipitopito ki te ētita:

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/04/mdf-investments-strengthen-maori-enterprise-build-lasting-prosperity/

Source: Media Outreach

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: New Zealand Government

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/04/stronger-safety-measures-for-childrens-sand-products/

Source: New Zealand Government

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.

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.

Mr Meager says the programme reflects the Government’s focus on investing in initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes for young people.

“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.

The 16-week employment-focused programme will support 32 young people through two pathways.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

“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.

“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. 

“Strong Pacific communities help build a stronger New Zealand.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/05/backing-pasifika-youth-to-lead-create-and-succeed/

Source: New Zealand Government

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.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the result confirms international education is once again one of New Zealand’s most valuable export sectors.

“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.

“That is a significant milestone for a sector that was hit harder than almost any other by the COVID-19 border closures.”

“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.”

“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.”

“That means more jobs, stronger local businesses and more money going into communities across New Zealand.”

“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.”

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.

“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.”

“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.”

“We want New Zealand to be the destination of choice for international students looking for a world-class education and an outstanding experience.”

In 2025 there were 92,580 international student enrolments. 

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.

“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.”

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.

“Our job now is to keep that momentum going.”

“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.”

“We have world-leading education, safe and welcoming communities, and an extraordinary country to offer international students.”

“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.”

Notes:

• International education export earnings were $4.403 billion in the year to June 2019.
• Earnings were $3.533 billion in the year to June 2024 and $4.295 billion in the year to June 2025.
• Export earnings for the year to June 2026 are $4.98 billion.
• Separate data from Education New Zealand shows an international student spends on average around $45,776 a year in New Zealand, excluding tuition fees.
• 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.
• 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.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/04/international-education-exports-surge-past-pre-covid-levels/

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

4 September 2026

WorkSafe New Zealand is reminding construction businesses that a prohibition notice means work must stop, after an Auckland company was sentenced and fined for allowing workers to work at height while a notice was in place.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/04/company-falls-short-after-ignoring-worksafe-notice/

MIL OSI

Source: Media Outreach

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Media Outreach

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.