AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 7, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has signed a City and Regional Deal with Otago Central Lakes councils, establishing a 10-year partnership to support housing, infrastructure and economic growth in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.

The Deal brings together the Government, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council around a 30-year vision to harness the region’s growth as New Zealand’s premier tourism destination and build a more diverse, resilient economy.

“Otago Central Lakes is growing rapidly. More people want to live here, more people want to visit, and businesses want to invest here. That creates huge opportunities, but it also puts real pressure on housing, transport, energy and essential services,” Mr Bishop says.

“City and Regional Deals are about central and local government getting around the same table, agreeing where we want to go, and making sure our planning and investment decisions line up to get us there.

“This is not a one-size-fits-all programme. Every region has different strengths, challenges and opportunities, and this Deal has been designed specifically around what Otago Central Lakes needs to support its growth over the coming decades.

“The Deal includes practical commitments across housing, transport, health, energy and economic development.

“On housing, we will build on the existing Queenstown Joint Housing Action Plan to help enable more homes and faster development, including investigating measures to support affordable housing and making better use of the tools available to unlock development.

“On transport, the Government and councils will work together to progress recommended initiatives from NZTA’s Whakatipu Strategic Network Plan, including looking at how public and private funding can be used to deliver the infrastructure the region needs.

“The Deal also recognises that growth requires reliable energy. It includes work to support the additional electricity transmission capacity expected to be needed within the next decade and creates the opportunity to explore an energy regulatory sandbox, building on the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator.”

Local Government Minister Simon Watts says the Deal also recognises the importance of ensuring essential services and the regional economy keep pace with growth.

“Otago Central Lakes is a fantastic place to live, work and visit, but sustained growth means we need to plan ahead rather than wait until infrastructure and services are under pressure,” Mr Watts says.

“The Deal supports the region’s clinical services plan so health services can respond to future growth within existing budgets, while creating a long-term framework for central and local government to work together on the needs of the region.

“We also want to build on Otago Central Lakes’ international profile and diversify its economy beyond tourism. The Deal will support opportunities in sectors including film and technology and look at how we can attract more international investment into the region.

“The region’s rural economy is also important. The Crown and Otago Central Lakes will work together to identify opportunities to develop or upgrade infrastructure that can improve water security, agricultural productivity and renewable energy supply.

“This Deal is about making growth work for the people who already live here, while creating the conditions for more investment, more homes and a stronger regional economy.”

Mr Bishop says the Otago Central Lakes Deal follows City and Regional Deals signed with Auckland and the Western Bay of Plenty.

“City and Regional Deals are about backing regions with real economic potential and creating enduring partnerships between central and local government.

“They are deliberately long-term. This Deal establishes a 10-year partnership guided by a 30-year vision, giving both central and local government a framework for making better coordinated decisions as Otago Central Lakes continues to grow.”

Delivery will be overseen through an Otago Central Lakes Deal Oversight Board, with regular engagement between Ministers, Mayors and the Otago Regional Council Chair.

An Implementation Plan will be completed within six months, setting out how initiatives will be delivered, monitored and reported over the life of the Deal.

“Otago Central Lakes has enormous potential. This Deal gives central and local government a shared plan for turning that growth into better infrastructure, more investment and greater opportunities for the people who call the region home,” Mr Bishop says.
Note to editor: 

PDF attached: The Otago Central Lakes Deal (unsigned copy).

PDF attached: The Otago Central Lakes Deal – Summary of Commitments.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/otago-central-lakes-deal-signed-to-back-growth/

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is investing in new classrooms at Wakatipu High School to address the rapidly growing demand in Queenstown for secondary education, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. 

The investment will see the New Zealand School Property Agency deliver 12 new classrooms for the school. Construction on the expansion will begin in the first half of 2027, with the classrooms opening by mid-2028. 

“Parents expect their local school to have enough space for their children to learn, but for too long communities in high-growth areas have been left waiting for infrastructure to catch up with population growth.

“Queenstown has experienced strong and sustained growth over the last decade, placing increasing pressure on local schooling capacity, and we needed to take action.”

• Funding has been provided for 12 new classrooms for Wakatipu High School.
• Eight specialist and four general classrooms will be built. 
• The expansion supports growth while planning continues for a future second Queenstown secondary school. 

The expansion will deliver a new two-storey building with four specialist spaces for food technology and arts alongside four general teaching spaces, and a separate building with four hard technology and automotive engineering classrooms. 

Rather than relying on temporary capacity measures, the Government is investing in permanent facilities that provide additional teaching space where it is needed most.

“This is about making sure teachers have the classrooms they need and students have access to high-quality learning spaces. 

“When we get the basics right, schools can focus on teaching and families can have confidence their local school will continue to meet the needs of a growing community,” Ms Stanford says. 

This builds on the Government’s wider programme of investing in school infrastructure across New Zealand. Budget 2026 included $62.5 million to build additional classrooms and upgrade learning spaces across the South Island. 

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says funding has also been set aside to purchase a site for a future new high school in Queenstown. 

“School communities can be confident that we are planning for growth and investing in areas where demand is increasing.

“As work gets underway on these new facilities and planning continues to address future student growth in Queenstown, we remain focused on delivering practical results that support students, schools and local communities. 

“In addition, funding has been secured to begin work on a pilot converting a limited number of open plan classrooms into enclosed learning spaces at Wakatipu High School, and five other Public Private Partnership (PPP) schools.”

The six schools that will benefit from classroom modifications under the PPP pilot include: 

• Avonside Girls’ High School, Christchurch 
• Haeata Community Campus, Christchurch 
• Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Auckland 
• Rolleston College, Rolleston 
• Shirley Boys’ High School, Christchurch
• Wakatipu High School, Queenstown 

“This Government is committed to ensuring classrooms help every child to focus,” Ms Stanford says. 

Note to editors: 

• Wakatipu High School is currently the only public secondary school in Queenstown.

The school has had previous projects to accommodate growth and was moved to its current larger site in 2018 before being expanded in 2023.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/govt-funds-new-classrooms-at-wakatipu-high-school/

Source: New Zealand Government

The Queenstown Cable Car project led by Southern Infrastructure Limited (SIL) has attracted $265 million in private lending through the Government’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford say.

The Queenstown Cable Car proposed by SIL would connect central Queenstown, Frankton, Queenstown Airport and Ladies Mile, providing a new rapid public transport option through some of the district’s busiest and fastest-growing areas.

SIL has reached an initial agreement with Private Capital Group (PCG) to provide around $265 million in lending towards its delivery. 

Private Capital Group is an approved fund manager under the Government’s Active Investor Plus visa, with the proposed facility drawing partly on capital invested in New Zealand through the programme.

“Queenstown is one of the fastest-growing parts of the country and its geography places some very real constraints on its transport network.

“There is only so much space for roads in Queenstown. As the district continues to grow, we need to be open to different and innovative ways of moving large numbers of people around.

“Cable cars are an effective option because they can move people frequently and reliably without needing another road corridor. They can also be built with considerably less disruption to the existing road network than many traditional transport solutions.

“The proposal would connect the town centre with Frankton, the airport and Ladies Mile, giving locals, workers and visitors another way to get around and helping take pressure off some of Queenstown’s busiest roads.

“The project is ultimately a private sector proposal and still has important design, consenting and commercial work ahead of it, but reaching agreement in principle on financing of this scale is a significant milestone.

“It is also a great example of the private sector bringing forward new ideas and new sources of capital to help solve New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges.

“Government funding alone cannot deliver every piece of infrastructure New Zealand needs. We need more private investment, more innovative funding and financing, and more projects where those who benefit help meet the cost.

“The agreement in principle with PCG is a great example of the private sector bringing forward new ideas and new sources of capital to help solve New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges.”

Ms Stanford says the proposed financing is a tangible example of what the Government wanted to achieve when it overhauled the Active Investor Plus visa.

“The Active Investor Plus visa is about attracting wealthy, experienced investors to New Zealand and getting more international capital flowing into productive parts of our economy,” Ms Stanford says.

“Investors can qualify for residence by investing significant amounts of money in New Zealand, including through approved managed funds which then put that capital to work in New Zealand businesses and projects.

“Private Capital Group is one of those approved fund managers, and this proposed lending shows what that can mean in practice. International capital attracted through our Active Investor Plus visa could ultimately help finance a major piece of infrastructure in Queenstown.

“We refreshed the Active Investor Plus visa in April 2025 to make New Zealand more competitive internationally and to encourage investors to put their money into productive investments here.

“The results have been incredibly strong. Since the changes, 949 applications have been received and 496 approved. More than $2.88 billion has been committed and transferred to New Zealand, with a further $2.26 billion in the pipeline.

“Around 70 per cent of committed capital has gone into the Growth category, which is specifically designed to encourage higher-risk, growth-oriented investment.

“We are already seeing that investment supporting New Zealand businesses and projects across sectors including technology, healthcare, horticulture and regional infrastructure.

“This is why attracting international investment matters. New Zealand has no shortage of good ideas or ambitious projects, but we are a small country with limited pools of domestic capital.

“These investors bring not only money, but experience, expertise and international networks that can help New Zealand businesses and infrastructure projects grow.”

Note to editors:

• The proposed $265 million lending facility remains subject to due diligence, credit approval and final documentation. 
• The Queenstown Cable Car project has been referred into the Fast-track approvals process and Southern Infrastructure is preparing its substantive application. Subject to approvals, construction is expected to begin later this decade.

 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/queenstown-cable-car-gets-lift-through-aip-visa/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A major Waikato transport route will receive government funding for the replacement of a nearly century-old bridge, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say.

The Piraunui Stream Bridge replacement project on State Highway 26 will receive $5 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

“SH26 is an important route for Waikato communities, businesses and freight operators. We need to ensure critical infrastructure continues to serve the region into the future,” Mr Jones says.

“Investing in resilient infrastructure is critical to the economic success of regional New Zealand. This funding is about protecting a key transport link before it becomes a problem. 

Mr Bishop says parts of Piraunui Stream Bridge are almost a century old.

“Rather than waiting until deteriorating infrastructure forces restrictions or closures, we’re investing now to replace the bridge and provide a safer, more resilient connection for road users.”

“By backing practical projects like this, we’re helping keep freight moving, supporting economic growth, and giving local communities confidence in their transport connections.”

Design and consenting work is expected to begin within the next six months, with construction anticipated from 2027, subject to necessary approvals and property requirements.

Editors’ note

The Regional Infrastructure Fund invests in infrastructure that supports economic growth, strengthens resilience, improves regional productivity, and helps unlock investment opportunities across regional New Zealand.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/resilience-investment-in-key-waikato-freight-link/

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts have today announced the Ministry for Regulation’s next Regulatory Review will be into the building and construction sector. 

“Red tape isn’t in our DNA. This review will get rid of dumb rules to let Kiwis get on with their DIY and home improvement projects,” Mr Seymour says.

“Low-risk home improvements shouldn’t be treated the same as high-risk building projects. The Review will fix that because it’s important to Kiwis. 

“Today’s housing market means space is tight and building costs are high. Things like installing new windows, building a new garage, or upgrading a bathroom are practical and affordable improvements. Kiwis should be able to get on with them without hassle. 

“The rules surrounding property development have been a real source of frustration for some time. For example, people have reported to the Ministry the need for consent to insulate the external walls of their home by an experienced professional, and that you can build a single garage up to 30m² without needing consent, but you must get consent to build a standard 36m² double garage.

“Unnecessary delays and confusing requirements cost Kiwis time, money and sanity. The review will examine whether more relatively low-risk, minor or routine building work could be carried out without a building consent and whether the current building consent exemptions can be made easier to understand and use.

“The Ministry is currently engaging with builders, homeowners, territorial authorities, industry groups, consumers, and other stakeholders affected by the regulations to understand how to best address their concerns.”

Minister for Building and Construction Simon Watts says the review will complement the significant programme of building system reforms already underway.

“We’re streamlining building and construction rules so New Zealanders can build with greater certainty and of the quality they expect. We’re making changes to build better, faster and more affordably.

“This review will help identify any further opportunities to improve clarity and consistency for homeowners, builders, and building consent authorities.

“Ultimately, it will provide more information to ensure future decision-making remains grounded in logic and enhances sensible building regulation.”

The review is expected to report back to Ministers with recommendations in early 2027.

The scope of the review includes:

• building consent exemptions (which are set out in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004), and the interface between Schedule 1 and Schedule 1A for small standalone dwellings;
• whether Schedule 1 can be expanded to exempt additional low risk building work;
• inconsistencies within the current exemption framework, including cases where relatively low-risk work requires consent while higher-risk work may be exempt; and
• opportunities to improve clarity and usability of the exemptions for homeowners, builders, and territorial authorities.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/regulation-ministry-sets-sites-on-building-sector/

Source: New Zealand Government

A 30-year strategic plan released today by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will help focus ongoing investment in Queenstown’s transport infrastructure into the right areas, at the right time and help keep people moving, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Queenstown is growing quickly, and its transport network needs to keep pace. It’s a world-class destination with strong demand from people wanting to live, visit, and do business, with peak-day population expected to grow from around 83,000 in 2025 to around 143,000 by 2055,” Mr Bishop says.

“That growth will create enormous pressure on the transport network and meeting it will require a more integrated approach than simply adding road capacity. Queenstown’s lakes, rivers, and mountains, also create real physical constraints to what we can build, so we need to invest smartly and be open to innovative options.

“The Queenstown Strategic Network Plan, released by NZTA today, sets out a staged approach to improving the network over the next 30 years, focused on three core outcomes:

• Make best use of existing infrastructure – prioritise smarter use of existing corridors through network optimisation, managing key bottlenecks, and incremental investment in capacity and bus priority.
• Move more people around in less space – maximise the existing bus network and shift to higher capacity public transport, including buses and gondolas or cable cars.
• Actively manage demand – use pricing and access management tools to reduce pressure at peak times and make better use of available capacity.

“Early priorities in the plan include improvements to the Frankton Flats intersection, capacity and bus priority improvements, Ladies Mile and Southern Corridor upgrades, town centre bus hub improvements, and better walking and cycling connections. Replacing Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point is also critical for local road network resilience.

“Over the longer term, the plan identifies projects that may include ‘offline high-capacity public transport’, such as the gondolas or cable cars, with several private sector proposals already under discussion.

“An additional crossing over the Kawarau River is also proposed in the longer term to accommodate increasing demand from people travelling between Frankton and developments south of the river.

“This sensible, long-term approach supports the Government’s focus on a more resilient and reliable transport network that enables economic growth and productivity. It also supports the direction of the National Infrastructure Plan by making better use of the infrastructure we already have, looking after it, and prioritising projects that deliver value for money.

“The Queenstown Strategic Network Plan provides a long-term strategic direction that can feed into regional and national land transport funding decisions, as well as the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s recently established Mayoral Transport Taskforce.

“The Taskforce brings together local and regional government, business, mana whenua and transport expertise to identify practical actions to improve Queenstown’s transport network, accelerate delivery where possible, and explore innovative longer-term solutions.

“This Strategic Network Plan provides an important foundation for that work, setting out where the greatest pressures are expected to emerge and the options available to address them over time.

“Importantly, work is already underway on projects to help ease some of the transport pressures Queenstown is facing now, such as the Frankton State Highway 6/6A intersection and upgraded Bus Hub. This project will better manage traffic through the intersection for all road users, while additional lanes will increase capacity.

“At the busy Howards Drive intersection with SH6/Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway, NZTA is transforming the T-intersection into a signalised intersection, making it easier and safer to get on and off SH6 and help traffic move more smoothly. A fourth leg added to the intersection will also help accommodate much-needed housing.

“Early work is also underway on the new Jims Way/Pūāhuru walking and cycling bridge that will cross a very busy SH6, connect into existing cycling and walking paths, and provide a safe crossing for locals and visitors.

“NZTA is currently in discussions with Queenstown Lakes District Council about replacing of Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point. Delivering a new bridge is a priority for the resilience of the local road network, with funding to be considered in due course.

“Queenstown needs reliable and efficient transport options so residents, visitors, and freight operators, can spend less time in traffic and more time getting to where they need to go.

“I look forward to this strategic plan feeding into upcoming regional land transport and public transport plans and being considered as part of the 2027-30 National Land Transport Programme by NZTA in due course.”

Notes to Editor: 

• PDF attached: Queenstown Strategic Network Plan.
• More about the current NZTA projects in Queenstown is at the following links: 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/strategic-plan-sets-direction-for-queenstown-transport/

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to the Recruit Wing 400 (Joe Harawira KSO) graduation.

What: Graduation of the New Zealand Police Recruit Wing 400.

Who: For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.

Why: Completion and graduation from their initial training course.

Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.

When: Thursday 8 October at 2pm – media will need to be in place by 1.45pm. How: RSVP the Police Media Centre if you’re attending: media@police.govt.nz

Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello will attend the ceremony.

The 69 new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts the week beginning Monday 19 October 2026 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.

Wing patron

For more than 45 years, Joe Harawira (Ngāti Awa, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhourangi) has advanced te ao Māori through education, performing arts, conservation and public service.

His long association with Police began in the early 1990s as a cultural advisor. He supported Police in a range of projects from translating the ‘DARE to make a Choice’ drugs education resource (Tēna Kōwhiria) into te reo Māori for implementation into total immersion Māori education, through to Treaty of Waitangi training sessions with Waikato District police staff.

Joe is currently working with the Department of Conservation, is the Kaumātua to the Governor-General of Aotearoa-New Zealand and provides advice and support to a number of government agencies.

In 2026 Joe received a Companion of the King’s Service Order in the New Year Honours for services to Māori education, arts and conservation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/06/media-advisory-sixty-nine-constables-to-graduate-this-week/