AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for August 13, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Government

Chatham Islands’ connections are being strengthened through funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for critical wharf and fuel infrastructure upgrades and improving air links through the expansion of an interlining agreement, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say.

“The Chathams’ geographic isolation means reliable connections with the mainland are very important for supporting its economic sustainability, education, healthcare, tourism and businesses,” Mr Jones says.

The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) investment is made up of grants of $9.4 million for a major wharf upgrade programme, $5.6m to upgrade the islands’ fuel storage and distribution network, and $465,000 to support the interlining partnership between Air Chathams and Air New Zealand.

“The wharf programme will deliver a full replacement of Kaingaroa Wharf, repairs to Owenga and Flower Pot wharves and the Pitt Island barge ramp, improve lighting at Waitangi Wharf, and expand livestock infrastructure to improve freight handling and support marine operations,” Mr Jones says.

“The fuel infrastructure project includes the relocation and upgrade of fuel storage and distribution facilities at Waitangi Wharf and will ensure fuel infrastructure is ready to support the new government-backed Chatham Islands supply vessel,” Mr Jones says.

Crown Infrastructure Delivery deliver both infrastructure projects on behalf of local asset owners and stakeholders.

Mr Patterson has travelled to the Chathams where the local community will be marking the opening of the new terminal at Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport.

“The interlining funding will make it easier for travellers to access Chatham Islands, while connecting with destinations throughout New Zealand seamlessly from one website,” Mr Patterson says.

“The single-ticket experience across airlines will also see passengers benefitting from improved baggage handling, co-ordinated customer support and better management if travel is disrupted,” Mr Patterson says.

The interlining project is also supported by co-funding from Air Chathams and Air New Zealand.

“These are practical investments that will deliver long-term benefits for the Chatham Islands community by improving resilience, supporting economic growth, and securing the services people rely on every day,” Mr Patterson says.

The new passenger terminal at Inia William Tuuta Memorial Airport marks the completion of the Longer and Stronger project, a significant investment in the Chatham Islands’ airport infrastructure. The government has invested more than $45 million in the project since 2018, including $98,000 through the Provincial Growth Fund and $45m through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

Since 2015, the Chatham Islands have received more than $150m in government investment from funds including the Provincial Growth Fund to support regional development.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/rif-funding-boosts-chatham-islands-connections/

Source: New Zealand Government

The Regional Infrastructure Fund will provide $15 million for a new facility in Southland to produce critical minerals and hydrogen, Regional Development, Resources, and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

“The Coalition Government is supporting Aspiring Materials Limited with funding to develop a $31m commercial-scale plant that will bring its world-leading technology to market,” Mr Jones told a hydrogen sector hui in Christchurch today.

The company has developed a patented process that produces green hydrogen while separating valuable minerals from quarry waste.

“It is home-grown technology with the potential to produce green hydrogen while undertaking the business’s core task of creating value from critical minerals and essential materials that are used daily across Kiwi industries,” Mr Jones says.

‘Green’ hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, a process that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is considered ‘green’ when the electricity used is from renewable sources.

“This funding is from $80 million ringfenced in the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) for critical minerals projects. It shows the Government is pulling as many levers as it can to boost economic development. Hydrogen can be part of a broader industrial opportunity for New Zealand,” Mr Jones says.

The Government has already signalled its support for hydrogen development through the Hydrogen Action Plan. 

“New Zealand needs a range of energy solutions to support economic growth and improve resilience,” Mr Jones says.

“Hydrogen has the potential to play an important role in reducing emissions in parts of the economy where electrification isn’t the best option.

“This could be in heavy transport where the range and weight of a battery can be a problem, and heavy industry such as where specific chemical reactions or high temperatures are needed,” Mr Jones says.

The $15 million RIF investment for Aspiring Materials will be a mix of loan and equity, with details still to be finalised.

“This project combines energy innovation, advanced manufacturing and New Zealand expertise in a way that could create value across multiple sectors and support the development of new energy industries.

“This is about positioning New Zealand – and especially our regions – to take advantage of emerging opportunities to strengthen our energy sector and support new technologies and resources that will play an important role in our future economy,” Mr Jones says. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/rif-backs-critical-minerals-and-hydrogen-plant/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has set aside $30 million in the Regional Infrastructure Fund for projects that will help grow the hydrogen sector, Regional Development, Resources, and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

Mr Jones made the announcement at a hydrogen sector hui in Christchurch today.

“Hydrogen has huge potential to become a valuable part of a diversified and resilient renewable energy future for New Zealand,” Mr Jones says.

“Hydrogen could play an important role in reducing emissions in parts of the economy where electrification isn’t the best option. This could be in heavy transport where the range and weight of a battery can be a problem, and heavy industry such as where specific chemical reactions or high temperatures are needed.” 

Mr Jones says New Zealand needs a range of energy solutions to support economic growth and improve resilience. 

“Hydrogen has the potential to complement our existing renewable energy resources and create new opportunities for industry and innovation.

“Hydrogen also provides another option for improving energy security, strengthening resilience and supporting the development of new energy industries. 

“This hydrogen package will back projects that will grow New Zealand’s hydrogen sector and build capability across the wider energy sector,” Mr Jones says.

The Government has already signalled its support for hydrogen development through the Hydrogen Action Plan, as well as consulting on proposed regulatory options for the development of white and orange hydrogen in New Zealand.

White or natural hydrogen occurs naturally underground, and orange hydrogen is produced through processes that stimulate hydrogen generation within certain rocks. 

“New Zealand has the potential to participate in the emerging white and orange hydrogen industry, but investment requires clear and predictable rules. I understand the need for certainty and intend to seek in-principle Cabinet decisions on a regulatory framework in the coming weeks,” Mr Jones says.

“The hydrogen package will back innovation and create opportunities for private investment, helping position New Zealand – and especially our regions – to take advantage of emerging energy technologies to strengthen our energy sector and our future economy.” 

Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit officials will consider existing Regional Infrastructure Funding applications for support from the hydrogen package if they meet the criteria, and will consider new hydrogen applications until the package is fully allocated.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/30m-rif-package-targets-hydrogen-opportunities/

Source: New Zealand Government

The people of Hawkes Bay are the latest to benefit from a major upgrade of New Zealand’s emergency helicopters, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. 

“In 2024, New Zealand’s helicopter fleet was the oldest in the developed world and the coalition government has invested to fix that,” Ms Costello says.

“The new Airbus H145 D3 helicopter operated by Search and Rescue Services Limited in the Hawke’s Bay is the eighth new or near-new machine to come into operation since early 2024. The others have been in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Greater Wellington, Nelson/Tasman, Canterbury and the West Coast regions. 

“Our air ambulance helicopters play a vital role in saving lives around New Zealand, and this is particularly true for those living in remote, rural or regional areas. That’s why $27.3 million was invested across 2024 and 2025 to enable the country’s air ambulance helicopter services to replace ageing helicopters with 16 newer aircraft. 

“The new helicopters provide improved safety, more reliable service, a better capacity to respond in bad weather conditions, reduced maintenance costs, greater fuel efficiency and better operational performance.”

The new Hawkes Bay helicopter features enhanced automation, improved performance in challenging conditions, and superior patient care capabilities compared to the aircraft it replaces.

“The new helicopter will strengthen air ambulance response across the region, supporting patients with life-threatening conditions, those who cannot be reached by road ambulance, and critically ill patients requiring inter-hospital transfer with specialist intensive care teams,” Ms Costello says.

“By June next year, a further eight replacement helicopters will begin operating in remaining parts of the North Island and in Christchurch. 

“People working in our air ambulance service do an incredible job and the investment to upgrade our helicopter fleet is helping to ensure best outcomes for everyone.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/eight-new-emergency-helicopters-now-in-service/

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is connecting more job seekers with employers through an upgraded jobs website backed by job matching technology, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.

The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) existing jobs website, Kimi Mahi Mai – Find a Job, has been replaced by an upgraded job search site, MyMSD Jobs.  

“The Ministry’s role is to help people who can work, move into work, and make sure employers can find the right people,” Louise Upston says.

“As the economy recovers, people on JobSeeker Support and prospective employers need an MSD jobs website that is modern and fit-for-purpose. This website upgrade will better help JobSeekers move off benefit and into work, and help employers find suitable candidates for jobs.”

MSD clients looking for work have Jobseeker profiles, which now contain more information about qualifications, experience, skills and strengths. Job matching technology compares candidates and jobs across the system to connect job seekers with more potential roles across New Zealand.

As of 10 August, more than 94,000 work-obligated clients on benefit have updated their profiles and can view jobs matched to their profile.

“Job seekers may be notified they are a skills match for jobs they wouldn’t have known about or considered before – opening up new opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have had,” Louise Upston says.

Job seekers can now see potential job matches when they’re logged into MyMSD, update their new and improved Jobseeker profiles, and apply for more than 7700 positions available through the 2600 active vacancies. (One vacancy can represent multiple positions.)

This is the first phase of changes, focused on improvements for job seekers, Louise Upston says.

“In phase two, MSD will launch a dedicated portal where employers can create, edit and list their own vacancies, have those matched, and view and manage all their applicants.

“The Ministry informs me that feedback about the new system from MSD staff and clients has been positive, and there’s been a high rate of job seekers visiting the site and using the self-service tools.

“This is one part of MSD’s wider transformation programme, which is about delivering better services that make it easier for clients to know what they need to do, and enabling people to do more online so staff can spend more time working alongside those who need extra help,” Louise Upston says.

“Over time, more changes are coming so MSD can support stronger and more resilient families and communities, more people able to find and stay in work, and fewer kids growing up in benefit-dependent homes.”

Note for Editors:

MSD’s employment platform does not make use of generative AI. The system uses automation to support the job matching process which staff would otherwise do manually.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/getting-kiwis-into-work-with-website-upgrade/

Source: New Zealand Government

Education Minister Erica Stanford today released the fully updated Science and Social Sciences learning areas for Years 0 to 10, setting out a clearer, more engaging pathway for what children will learn from their first years at school through to Year 10.

“Science sparks curiosity about how the world works, while Social Sciences helps young people understand people, places, events and ideas that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider world.

“Together, these subjects give students the knowledge, skills and habits of mind they need to question, test ideas, weigh evidence, understand complex issues, and make informed decisions.

“There is now much greater clarity about what students will be taught at each year level, which will benefit all young people learning through the refreshed curriculum.”

The Social Sciences curriculum will help young people understand their place in New Zealand society, and New Zealand’s place in the world. Students will explore a wide range of topics across human history and society, including ancient civilisations, New Zealand history — including Māori, settler, and migrant experiences — and pivotal world events such as the civil rights movement and the world wars.

“I’m particularly pleased to see a strong focus on civics and financial education, so students gain the practical knowledge and confidence to participate fully in society,” Ms Stanford says.

The National Curriculum has not been fully updated for almost 20 years, and students deserve learning that reflects the world they are growing up in today.

The release follows six months of consultation, redevelopment and refinement, shaped by around 3,900 submissions on the draft curriculum.

Ms Stanford thanked the thousands of New Zealanders who participated in the consultation process.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their views. The final curriculum reflects significant feedback from the education sector and from New Zealanders across the country.

“I’m really pleased with where these learning areas have landed.”

“Approximately 180 people from the New Zealand education sector were involved in the writing of the curriculum.”

“We’ve released Science and Social Sciences earlier so teachers have more time to get familiar with the changes, plan with confidence, and prepare engaging learning for students before the updated content begins to be used from the start of 2027,” Ms Stanford says.

“Schools will have two years to fully implement the updated learning areas, and it’s important teachers have the time and support they need to do that well.”

The Ministry of Education is providing resources, professional learning and development, and engagement opportunities to help schools and kura bring the updated learning areas to life.

To support the delivery of the new science curriculum, the Government has also invested $39.9 million to roll out science and Pūtaiao kits, which will be available in every state and state-integrated school by early 2027.

“We are making sure teachers have the tools, resources and support they need to deliver exciting, high-quality learning in the classroom,” Ms Stanford says.

“We are strengthening the national curriculum, so it is knowledge-rich, internationally comparable, and grounded in the science of learning.

“Our focus is making sure every young New Zealander leaves school with strong foundations, a deeper understanding of the world, and the knowledge they need to succeed in education and beyond.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/updated-science-and-social-sciences-curriculum-prepares-students-for-a-changing-world/

Source: New Zealand Government

Introduction

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak this morning.

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the Hydrogen Hui, an event that brings together a diverse range of speakers and attendees from so many different sectors, all with an interest in unlocking New Zealand’s hydrogen opportunities.

I would like to thank Dr Linda Wright in particular, the New Zealand Hydrogen Council, Earth Sciences New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for their work in organising this event.

I’d also like to acknowledge and warmly welcome the international delegations in attendance. We have the Ambassador of Japan, the Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore, and the Charge d’Affaires from the European Union with us here. Welcome.

Nau mai haere mai.

Hydrogen could play a significant role in our energy mix

Hydrogen has captured the imagination of energy policymakers, investors, scientists and governments around the world. Not because it is a silver bullet, but because of its potential to become an important part of the mix as countries seek secure, affordable and lower-emissions sources of energy.

We are here today to talk about the spectrum of hydrogen development and its applications.

For New Zealand, hydrogen represents far more than a single fuel source. It is an opportunity that spans exploration, energy security, industrial development, regional growth, and future exports.

Whether it is renewable hydrogen produced from our abundant electricity resources, grey hydrogen produced using natural gas, blue hydrogen using methods like steam methane reformation or other emerging technologies – New Zealand has the potential to participate across the entire hydrogen value chain.

The Government sees hydrogen as one part of a broader energy future that supports economic growth, strengthens energy security, and builds on New Zealand’s natural advantages.

Hydrogen can support regional economic development by creating new investment opportunities, strengthening industrial capability, and generating high-value jobs across New Zealand’s regions.

It can also play an important role in improving energy security and resilience by diversifying our energy system and reducing reliance on imported fuels and chemical feedstocks. As global energy markets become increasingly uncertain, developing domestic energy options becomes even more important.

At the same time, hydrogen can help reduce emissions in sectors where electrification is difficult, including heavy transport, industry, aviation and marine applications. Together, these opportunities make hydrogen an important part of New Zealand’s long-term energy and economic future.

I have long believed that our natural resources, developed responsibly and sensibly, can underpin economic growth and national prosperity.

Natural and orange hydrogen may prove to be another resource opportunity capable of strengthening our energy system while creating new investment and innovation opportunities for New Zealanders.

Today I want to talk about our journey to date, where emerging research and technology is taking us, and the steps this Government is taking to help where New Zealand could go next.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the work the industry is already doing in this area. You early thinkers and pioneers are the reason this conversation is as far along as it is.

Updating regulation to keep pace with innovation

For decades, the global conversation about hydrogen development focused on production through industrial processes.

It’s only recently that our attention has turned to geological hydrogen. What was once considered a scientific curiosity is now being examined through a new lens as a potentially significant energy resource.

Here in New Zealand, interest in natural hydrogen has grown steadily. New discoveries and new research have challenged long-held assumptions about how hydrogen forms and accumulates underground.

Recent discoveries, including one of the world’s few documented hydrogen seeps in Fiordland, have helped demonstrate that New Zealand may hold real potential.

At the same time, advances in understanding orange hydrogen, produced by stimulating reactions in certain rock formations, have opened another possible pathway to hydrogen production.

But while the science has moved forward, our regulatory settings have not kept pace.

The reality is that the laws we have today were not designed with natural or orange hydrogen in mind.

Over the past two years, the Coalition Government has undertaken significant work to understand how natural and orange hydrogen should be regulated in New Zealand.

We sought public feedback on a range of options, being regulation through the Crown Minerals Act, the resource management system, and bespoke legislative approaches.

The message from consultation was clear: while views differed on the preferred model, there was strong support for greater regulatory certainty.

Industry told us uncertainty around ownership and access rights was discouraging investment, while iwi and hapū emphasised the importance of appropriate participation, environmental stewardship, and recognition of rights and interests.

That uncertainty has made it difficult for projects to proceed and difficult for us to properly assess the opportunity before us.

Providing certainty on the regulatory pathway

Throughout our history, New Zealand has prospered when we have embraced innovation and backed emerging industries.

We were early adopters of hydro-electric generation. We became world leaders in geothermal development. We built expertise in sectors where our natural advantages gave us a competitive edge.

Natural and orange hydrogen may represent another such opportunity.

I want to be clear – the commercial viability of these resources in New Zealand is not yet proven. But that is exactly why we need settings that allow exploration, investment and innovation to occur.

I understand this need for certainty.

I can tell you that I intend to seek in-principle Cabinet decisions on a regulatory framework in the coming weeks. Subject to those decisions, the Government will look to progress the necessary changes after the election.

The Government’s objective is clear – we want fit-for-purpose settings that enable the efficient, effective and responsible development of natural and orange hydrogen.

We want New Zealand to be a place where innovation can flourish, we want to provide certainty where uncertainty currently exists, and we want to better understand the potential of our natural resources.

Backing hydrogen innovation with targeted investment

Progressing enabling regulatory settings is only one way we intend to support innovation and investment.

Today I am pleased to announce Government support for a significant hydrogen and critical minerals project in Southland.

Through the Regional Infrastructure Fund, we will invest $15 million towards Aspiring Materials’ new commercial-scale production facility.

This is a $31 million project that will bring a world-leading New Zealand technology to market.

What makes this project particularly exciting is that it demonstrates the kind of innovation that can emerge when we think about hydrogen as part of a wider industrial opportunity.

Aspiring Materials has developed a patented process that produces green hydrogen while also recovering valuable critical minerals from quarry waste – it is finding value in a material that would otherwise have limited economic use, while at the same time producing a fuel that can support our future energy system.

This project shows how hydrogen can be linked to advanced manufacturing, resource development and regional economic growth.

It brings together New Zealand ingenuity, regional investment and emerging technology in a way that has the potential to create value across multiple sectors.

It also aligns closely with our goal of developing New Zealand’s critical minerals sector, which is why funding for this project is being provided from the Regional Infrastructure Fund’s critical minerals allocation.

Projects like this illustrate the broader opportunity before us.

It shows that hydrogen can be more than a standalone industry. It can support the growth of new technologies, strengthen regional economies and help position New Zealand to take advantage of emerging global markets.

Most importantly, this is a project being developed here in New Zealand, using New Zealand expertise, to create opportunities for New Zealanders.

That is exactly the type of investment and innovation this Government wants to encourage, which is why I am also announcing today that the Government has set aside $30 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for more projects that will help grow the hydrogen sector.

When we think about hydrogen, we often focus on emissions reduction. That’s certainly part of the story. But from my perspective, the bigger opportunity is what hydrogen can mean for investment, jobs, innovation, and economic development in our regions.

The purpose of this funding package is to help grow capability, support innovation, and attract private investment into projects that have the potential to create long-term economic value.

Our hydrogen package will support projects as they mature and become investment ready, helping bridge the gap between promising ideas and commercial deployment.

A number of hydrogen opportunities have been identified for potential RIF investment, and we are seeing strong interest from organisations looking to position themselves for the opportunities that hydrogen may create.

Ultimately, this is about making sure New Zealand, and particularly regional New Zealand, is well placed to benefit from emerging energy technologies.

Walk with us to unlock our hydrogen potential

Finally, let me speak directly to you as hydrogen experts and leaders – Government can unlock the gate, but it cannot walk through it for the sector.

We can provide certainty, contribute funding, create pathways and remove barriers, but the hydrogen sector must now step forward with credible plans for development, investment and deployment. Your success will depend on building a complete value chain, from discovery to production, distribution and ultimately use.

Today marks an important milestone for New Zealand’s hydrogen sector. I welcome the launch of the New Zealand Hydrogen Industry Road Map later today, which brings together the collective experience, ambition and expertise of organisations from across the hydrogen value chain.

The Road Map will set out a practical pathway for developing New Zealand’s hydrogen industry over the coming decade and highlights the role hydrogen could play in strengthening energy security, supporting regional development and creating new economic opportunities.

I congratulate the New Zealand Hydrogen Council and everyone involved in producing this important piece of work and look forward to continuing engagement with the sector as it progresses.

Conclusion

The world is moving quickly. Technology is opening doors that did not exist a decade ago.

Whether it is green hydrogen, geological hydrogen, orange hydrogen or the technologies and applications that sit alongside them, success will depend on industry, investors, researchers and innovators working together.

That’s each and every one of you here today.

Thank you, enjoy the hui, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter of New Zealand’s hydrogen story looks like.

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/speech-to-the-new-zealand-hydrogen-hui/

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Funding for a new resource recovery centre that will divert hundreds of tonnes of waste from landfill in Hāwera, has been announced today by Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg.

The South Taranaki District Council has received $260,000 from the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) to develop a new facility, and the council will contribute about $321,000 to the project.

“The new facility will reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by an estimated 75 tonnes in the first year of operation increasing to 116 tonnes a year after that,” Ms Grigg says.

“We’re collaborating with councils, communities and industry with tools that will make a lasting difference for the environment and for future generations. 

“The new centre will divert tonnes of waste from landfill, reduce the emissions associated with waste, and build a more efficient circular economy.

“We’re fixing the basics and building the future by investing in environmental tools that help councils, communities, and industry to take action where it matters most,” Ms Grigg says.

The centre will enable partnerships with local waste service providers, organisations and community groups, and is sited beside the existing Hāwera Transfer Station, making it easier for businesses and residents to drop off recycling items. The facility is expected to be completed by late 2027.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/funding-for-new-hawera-resource-recovery-centre/