AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for September 18, 2026 – Full Text

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Emergency alerts are being added to the Govt.nz app making them more accessible for New Zealanders, Digitising Government Minister Paul Goldsmith and Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell say.

“This brings official emergency alerts and severe weather warnings together in one place. Crucially, it means people will no longer have to rely solely on mobile phone towers to receive emergency mobile alerts,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“People can now tailor alerts to where they live or work, where they are travelling, or places where family and friends live. It gives New Zealanders more choice over how and where they want to receive critical information. However, people can be assured the government does not track your activity within the app or store your personal information,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“These alerts will not be replacing existing MetService services or the Emergency Mobile Alert system, they’ll simply be complimenting them. The more channels or ways people can access emergency information, the better,” Mr Mitchell says.

“As always, it’s important to remember if you experience the natural warning signs of a tsunami, flood or landslide, then don’t wait for an alert. Trust your danger sense and evacuate immediately.

“Alerts remain available within the app after the initial notification has been dismissed. The app also provides emergency preparedness information and contact details for local Emergency Management Committees,” Mr Mitchell says.

The Govt.nz app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/more-accessible-emergency-alerts/

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is investing $880,000 from the Major Events Fund to support the World of WearableArt (WOW) Exhibition, a new visitor experience that will premiere in Wellington in 2027.

The exhibition will showcase WOW’s most iconic and award-winning garments in a high tech, immersive environment celebrating four decades of New Zealand creativity, innovation and storytelling. 

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the investment will help share New Zealand’s creative excellence with the world while delivering benefits for tourism and the economy.

“As WOW celebrates 40 years of showcasing extraordinary creativity, I’m delighted the Government is supporting an event that honours New Zealand talent while helping attract visitors and investment to our shores,” Louise Upston says.

The exhibition is expected to attract more than 1,500 international visitors and has been strategically timed alongside the annual WOW Show, the Global Wearable Art Summit and the Australian school holiday period to maximise tourism. 

The 2026 World of WearableArt event received a $400,000 investment from the Events Boost Fund to support international marketing campaigns and efforts to attract visitors and stimulate short-term economic activity.

Following its Wellington season, the exhibition is planned to tour internationally, with details to be announced next year.

“WOW is a globally recognised New Zealand success story. This investment supports a uniquely New Zealand event with global reach and helps position us as a world-leading creative nation. I can’t wait to see the exhibition come to life,” Louise Upston says.

Notes to editor:

• The investment also supports an education programme and the inaugural Global Wearable Art Summit, bringing international designers, educators and industry leaders to New Zealand and strengthening opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/government-backs-landmark-wow-exhibition/

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulation Minister David Seymour and Transport Minister Chris Bishop have today announced the next steps in the implementation of the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review. 

“Today we are deleting more stupid rules and cutting more red tape to help hospitality businesses who want to offer drop-off services to their customers,” Mr Seymour says. 

“Currently if a hospitality business accepts financial contributions towards the running costs of their transport service, or charges patrons, it triggers passenger service requirements. This means they are treated like a taxi service. We’re fixing that.

“I heard from one business who were paying about $12,000 per month to offer their customers rides home. That was coming straight out of their pocket. Not being able to cover those costs in a meaningful way prevents more venues from offering this service.  

“The Review found that whether a business accepts financial contributions or not has zero effect on how safe the ride service is. It’s just a barrier to more hospitality businesses offering this service for their customers. That’s why the Government is accepting the Ministry for Regulation’s recommendation to scrap those rules. 

“There are many places in New Zealand where traditional ride services are unavailable. If the local pub offers a ride service, people who shouldn’t be driving home have a better option.” 

Mr Bishop says this is a practical change that will make it easier for hospitality businesses to get people home safely and help reduce the risk of drink driving, particularly in our rural communities.  

“Some hospitality businesses, mainly clubs, offer transport services to their customers and members. This is often done to prevent customers or members drinking and driving to make our roads safer. 

“We want more hospitality businesses to have the means to offer them, so more Kiwis can benefit from them. That’s why we are making this change.

“These changes have been added the existing transport regulatory reform work programme, with the intention of being in force by mid-2027. 

“The Review also found the hospitality sector has experienced inconsistency in how excessive noise is dealt with by councils. The Government intends to improve standardisation of noise controls across the country under the new Planning system which will ensure greater consistency. 

“In the meantime, guidance on managing excessive noise is available through the Quality Planning website administered by MCERT, supporting councils to take a more consistent approach to assessing and responding to noise complaints.

“The Government is committed to growing New Zealand’s night-time economy, with recent decisions supporting major events at Eden Park and enabling Christchurch to promote a more vibrant city centre through improved noise controls.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/commonsense-change-to-help-people-get-home-safely/

Source: New Zealand Government

Proposals to unlock significantly more housing, jobs and economic activity in Auckland’s city centre are being put out for public consultation, building on the opening of the City Rail Link and the opportunity it creates for more growth in the heart of Auckland, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown have announced.

“City Rail Link has transformed the way Aucklanders can get into and around the central city. The next step is making sure our planning rules support Auckland to take full advantage of that investment, by allowing more people and businesses to locate close to world-class transport infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says. 

“Auckland’s city centre is already an economic powerhouse. It accounts for around eight per cent of New Zealand’s GDP and nearly six per cent of the country’s jobs. If the city centre were a region in its own right, it would be the fifth-largest economy in New Zealand.

“There is enormous potential for it to grow further. Earlier this year, we launched an investigation into whether Auckland’s city centre planning rules were holding that growth back, and that work is now complete.

“The report recommends removing several planning restrictions that constrain how the city centre can develop, including height limits, tower dimension and setback rules, and floor area ratios.”

Economic modelling indicates the recommended changes could support:

• 20.3 million m² additional theoretical floor space, with 2.75 million m² being commercially feasible
• About 17,000 additional dwellings
• About 37,200 jobs and 31,600 residents located in the city centre 
• An annual national GDP increase of about $1.87 billion, with a net present value of about $42.6 billion over 40 years. 

“These changes could be made under the new regulation-making power in the Resource Management Act, passed into law last year through the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill.

“This power was first used last year after an investigation found planning rules were unnecessarily limiting Eden Park’s ability to host major events and deliver jobs and economic growth for Auckland and the rest of the country. This resulted in plan changes enabling more events at New Zealand’s national stadium.”

“This is exactly where we should be enabling more growth – in the centre of our biggest city, close to jobs, services and billions of dollars of existing and newly opened infrastructure,” Mr Watts says. 

“The report also recommends removing non-contributing sites from the Karangāhape Road Historic Heritage Area. These are sites within the heritage area that do not themselves make a significant contribution to its recognised heritage values, often because they have already been substantially altered or redeveloped.

“This would create greater opportunities for redevelopment on sites with limited heritage value, while continuing to protect the buildings and places that give Karangāhape Road its distinctive character.”

Mayor Wayne Brown says the proposals are a practical way to make the most of what Aucklanders have already paid for, and put growth where infrastructure is.

“I’ve consistently said Auckland needs to intensify in the right places. That means enabling more homes and businesses close to rapid transit, jobs and existing infrastructure. 

“I welcome the government’s moves to unlock more housing capacity in Auckland’s city centre, get rid of heritage protections from non-heritage buildings on Karangāhape Road and remove seismic constraints. Now I look forward to the government tackling other planning controls in the future, such as fire rules.

“We have invested billions of dollars in the City Rail Link and in the roads, pipes and other infrastructure that supports the central city. Our planning rules should help us get the best possible return from that investment.

“Our job now is not just to enable capacity, but to actually ensure things get built so we can make the most of CRL and grow the city centre into a place more Aucklanders choose to visit, live and work in.”

Public consultation on the proposed changes will run from 18 September until 11.59pm on Friday 16 October 2026.

“We want Aucklanders, particularly people who live and do business in the city centre, to have their say,” Mr Bishop says.

“Following consultation, we will consider the feedback alongside the investigation findings and Auckland Council’s views before deciding whether changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan should proceed.”

Notes to editors:

• Consultation runs for 20 working days, from 18 September until 11.59pm on Friday 16 October 2026.
• Feedback can be provided through the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport website.
• The investigation was undertaken using regulation-making and investigation powers in the Resource Management Act 1991.
• The investigation itself does not change Auckland’s planning rules. Any final decision on whether provisions should be modified or removed will be made following consultation.
• No changes are proposed to remove viewshaft restrictions in Auckland. 
• Using an approach comparable to Auckland Council’s methodology for PC120, the investigation report estimates that the recommended changes would enable theoretical capacity for approximately 84,489 additional dwellings in the city centre. 
• This added housing capacity could contribute towards Auckland’s requirement under Plan Change 120 to provide for at least 1.4 million dwellings.
• City Rail Link was formally opened on 11 September 2026, with passenger services beginning on 13 September.
• Attached: Public Consultation Factsheet 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/unlocking-auckland-city-centre-after-city-rail-link/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and make building more affordable, with over 60 plumbers and drainlayers approved to self-certify their work in the first week of the scheme, Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts says. 

Since applications opened last Monday 7 September, more than 60 plumbers and drainlayers have been approved to self-certify on a wide range of work without waiting for a council inspection. 

“Trusted tradespeople want to get on with the job, but too often lengthy inspection processes can hold up building work and add unnecessary costs,” says Mr Watts.

“Self certification is estimated to save up to four days and $1,600 per build. That means less time waiting, costs saved for households and businesses and projects getting finished sooner.

“As around 40,000 new homes were consented last year, that means the scheme has the potential to deliver estimated savings of up to $64 million per year.

“Plumbing and drain laying work is part of almost every residential build, this scheme has the potential to reduce delays right across the housing sector while helping New Zealanders build faster and more affordably.

“Construction is an important part of New Zealand’s economy, and the latest quarterly GDP data shows it was the largest upward contributor to overall economic growth, increasing 2.7 per cent – its largest increase since June 2023.

“The scheme also extends beyond housing, covering a range of commercial plumbing and drainlaying work and some onsite wastewater systems commonly used in rural areas.  

“I’d like to thank Master Plumbers for working constructively with the Government to help shape the scheme. Their practical insights helped broaden the scope of eligible work, meaning more of the work plumbers and drainlayers carry out every day can be self-certified from day one. As a result, the benefits of self-certification will extend beyond residential building projects to businesses, developers and rural property owners as well. 

“Only experienced practitioners who meet strict eligibility requirements will be approved to participate in the scheme. The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board will assess applications, oversee the scheme, and have powers to audit participants and act where standards are not met. 

“This practical reform backs skilled professionals, cuts unnecessary delays while keeping strong protections in place, so homeowners can get essential work done faster and with confidence.”

Notes to the editor:  

• Applications for the plumber and drainlayer self-certification scheme opened with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board on Monday 7 September 2026, more information can be found here. 
• The scheme is voluntary, and only plumbers and drainlayers who meet strict eligibility requirements will be able to self-certify specified work. 
• Eligibility requirements include demonstrated technical competence and experience, appropriate arrangements to manage liability, and robust business quality assurance processes. 
• The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board will administer and oversee the scheme, including monitoring performance, auditing practitioners and their work, and taking disciplinary action where standards are not met. 
• The scope of the scheme was expanded following sector feedback and covers self-certification of most residential plumbing and drainlaying work, alongside a range of commercial work and some onsite wastewater systems commonly used in rural areas. 
• Further detail, including what types of work can be self-certified and what must be included in certificates of compliance, is set out in regulations – Plumbers and drainlayers self-certification scheme | Building Performance. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/self-certification-scheme-unblocks-pipeline-for-plumbers-and-drainlayers/

Source: New Zealand Government

F. Meth, the new national prevention campaign, has officially launched today as part of the Government’s bold and comprehensive action plan to combat methamphetamine harm in New Zealand, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

“Drugs destroy lives. Meth causes enormous harm to individuals, families and communities, and we know we need to do more to reduce demand by stopping people from starting in the first place,” Mr Doocey says.

“We are focused on disrupting international supply, sharpening enforcement and reducing demand.

“That’s why late last year, we announced a $30.6 million health-led package that is being rolled out as part of the action plan to expand prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support in communities experiencing some of the greatest harm.

“Additionally, $1.584 million is being funded over six months from the Proceeds of Crime Fund to roll out F. Meth across the media. Importantly, the campaign will be evaluated before it is further rolled out to make sure it is getting cut-through and making the difference it is intended to

“The campaign will run nationally across social media, online video, digital screens, posters, radio, digital audio, and community channels, with an expected reach of more than 2.5 million New Zealanders.

“A 2026 survey showed that over one-third of respondents personally know someone who has used meth. This tells us meth is present across different communities and there is a real need to reach people before drug use becomes a serious problem.

“Evidence shows well-targeted campaigns can reach people most at risk and raise awareness. A methamphetamine campaign in Los Angeles County demonstrated this, reaching nearly 70 per cent of high-risk areas, with 84 per cent of people reporting they were aware of the campaign. It’s said it was associated with greater recall of key facts, more conversations about meth harm and more people seeking help.

“F. Meth is direct about the harm meth causes. It is designed to build confidence, strength and help people to refuse meth.

“We have drawn on community and lived-experience feedback to really understand what would resonate with New Zealanders. The messages are designed to reflect the real situations and social pressures people, particularly young people, can face.

“It is right that it is being launched at Porirua ROCC, as they are a good example of what can be achieved. The campaign has been tailored to the Porirua context, demonstrating how the national campaign can be adjusted to amplify and support local prevention efforts.

“The ‘F’ is a play on words and will have a range of meanings to different people and communities, including face meth, fight meth, forget meth or be free from meth harm.

“This campaign is not the whole response to meth harm. It is one prevention tool within a much wider health response. This includes new and expanded services rolling out in communities hardest hit by meth, such as the expansion of Tūturu, a school-based prevention programme helping young people understand the risks of drugs.

“We are also supporting people to access the right help through Pou Whānau Navigators, who provide support to help people navigate the health and addiction system and connect them with treatment and other community support.

“Additionally, we are growing the frontline workforce, expanding peer and family support, screening and early intervention, and drug prevention programmes.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/17/f-meth-campaign-launched/

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