Date:  16 July 2026

DOC is working with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora as part of a One Health approach to prepare for the arrival and spread of the H5 strain in New Zealand.

DOC has been preparing for the arrival of bird flu for several years and has plans to mitigate risks to threatened species and public conservation land.

DOC Deputy Director-General Cat Wilson says the detection in the migratory seabird was significant but currently there is no evidence H5 bird flu is spreading in New Zealand wildlife.

“For now, we remain focussed on monitoring the situation closely and finalising our readiness plans and updating our guidance, working with iwi and conservation partners.

“Last week we began vaccinating core breeding populations of five of our most threatened birds – kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat’/tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet.

“By the end of today, 67 out of about 300 birds will have had their first vaccine, which will be followed up by a booster shot a month later. This should be complete by spring.

“We know from our research trial completed last year that the vaccination is safe and effective in these birds and will help protect them from bird flu.

“If H5 spreads here we may consider vaccinating other threatened species. It won’t be possible to vaccinate all endangered birds, but we can focus on those species where the full two doses of the vaccine can be safely given to achieve protection,” says Cat Wilson.

If H5 bird flu spreads in the wild bird population, management options will be limited. DOC’s focus will be on minimising spread on public conservation land through strong biosecurity practices and not disturbing wildlife and supporting the health and resilience of threatened bird populations through conservation work such as breeding and predator control programmes.

People who spend time outdoors – including tramping, duck hunting and bird watching – can form good habits now that will help protect wildlife if bird flu arrives here. Keep your distance from sick or dead wildlife, keep your gear clean, and know when to report.

Please report groups of three or more sick or dead birds, marine mammals or other wildlife to the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline: 0800 80 99 66.

Do not touch, handle or collect dead or dying birds to avoid spread of the virus and protect yourself.

Background information

Ministry for Primary Industries | NZ Government

Contact

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/16/doc-on-alert-after-h5-bird-flu-detection/

Date:  15 July 2026

Graham Valley Rd was badly damaged by storms in June and July last year, with six slips coming down – including one which dropped a section of the road 8 metres into the river below.

The Department of Conservation and Tasman District Council, who co-manage the road, carried out detailed planning for the repairs due to the challenging site. This included geotechnical assessments, 3D engineering designs, and specialist civil engineering expertise for river works.

Repair work started in May 2026 and was estimated to take until Spring 2026, but has been completed ahead of schedule.

DOC Acting Motueka Operations Manager Helen Otley says the road has reopened today after contractors Ferguson Earthmoving completed the complex work to a high standard, on budget, and ahead of schedule.

“We’re thrilled to have this well-used gateway to alpine experiences in Kahurangi National Park reopening to the public again.”

The road is still a steep and narrow alpine road and as always, is only suitable for 4WD vehicles in the winter months. Chains may be needed if snow and ice are present.

In the newly repaired section of road, there are currently no concrete traction strips. DOC and TDC intend to reinstate these in the future. Some sections above the repairs are due for some regular maintenance which will be carried out in the near future now access is restored.

Helen says Flora Carpark is a popular starting point for people to get out naturing.

“It can be lovely to visit during winter months, but people need to travel in an appropriate, well-equipped vehicle and be well prepared for cold conditions.

“Several of the tracks in the area had some maintenance while the road was closed and the area was quiet, so the tracks are in great condition for people to get out and enjoy.”

She says the road repair work will increase the resilience of the road against future weather events thanks to its river engineering.

“It’s really been a team effort to get the road reopened. DOC worked closely with Tasman District Council to plan the repairs, and contractors Ferguson Earthmoving have done a superb job at site. Thanks also to the NZ Transport Agency for providing the bulk of the funding for this storm recovery work.”

Flora car park provides access to popular tramps including the Tableland Circuit, Mt Arthur Summit Route, Flora Circuit and Ellis Basin Route.

These trips range in difficulty from family friendly to expert. Please pick a trip that suits your experience and make sure to take all the appropriate gear for spending time outdoors in the season and the weather.

Contact

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/15/kahurangis-graham-valley-rd-reopens-for-winter-use/

Date:  15 July 2026

Rangers recently used drones to detect purple loosestrife at Lake Papaitonga in Horowhenua. While this worked as a great detection tool, the manual sifting of data proved extremely time-consuming.

Purple loosestrife is a highly invasive plant and environmental weed that outcompetes native vegetation, disrupts and blocks water flow, and can degrade habitats for wildlife. Each plant can produce 2.5 million seeds per year, and are notoriously difficult to control once established, so keeping on top of it is critical to maintaining our wetland ecosystems.

Biodiversity Ranger Stephen Conn, working alongside the rest of the DOC Manawatū team, used open-source tools to develop and test a new process.

Together, they calibrated drone settings and used graphic software to scan hundreds of drone photos for shades of purple. The colour, contrasted within the surrounding vegetation, allowed for the automatic detection of flowering purple loosestrife plants.

“The chosen system hardware can process approximately 70 images per minute,” says Stephen. “This meant we could quickly identify areas that warranted ground inspection and control, letting us work much faster and more efficiently.”

However, finding the plants was only half the battle, as the lake was too shallow for a rowboat to reach an area identified as a significant infestation site.

Tim Gilbertson, also a Biodiversity Ranger, says the team turned to a lower-tech solution for this problem, normally suited for more casual naturing.

“We ended up using an inner tube, inflated and attached to a rope, to transport equipment and rangers across the water to reach the weeds,” says Tim. “Sometimes, modern problems need modern solutions. Other times, an inflatable tyre can save the day.”

In the first season of using this new approach, the team controlled around 950 plants across the reserve. Shifting to ground-based control, as opposed to aerial, has also reduced spray drift, minimising impacts on non-target species, and allowed flowers and seed heads to be removed before treatment, helping prevent further spread.

With plenty of room to further improve the process, the team are hopeful their work will inspire others to think outside the box.

“By combining ranger expertise, drone surveys, image-analysis software, and an old-fashioned inflatable inner tube, we’ve now got a method that makes the goal of eliminating purple loosestrife from Papaitonga Reserve feel far less daunting,” says Tim.

‘It’s no magic bullet, but the future definitely looks a lot less purple from here.”

Contact

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/15/a-purple-pain-high-tech-and-low-tech-combine-to-beat-weeds/

More people in need of forensic mental health services will receive faster access to support following a significant investment, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

“Forensic mental health services have been under pressure, which is why this Government is investing where it will make the biggest difference. It means greater safety for staff, better outcomes for patients and ultimately greater benefits for communities as people reintegrate back into the community,” Mr Doocey says.

Budget 2026 provides $35 million in additional funding. The investment will deliver:

• Four additional forensic inpatient mental health beds, including two at the Mason Clinic in Auckland and two at the Porirua forensic campus.
• Expanded prison in-reach services, including additional psychiatrists, nurses and specialist clinical staff to provide assessment and treatment for people with acute and complex mental health needs while they are in prison.
• Additional court liaison staff to help ensure people appearing before the courts with mental health, addiction or intellectual disability needs are identified early and connected with the right support.
• Six additional step-down beds to support people leaving inpatient forensic services to safely transition back into the community, improving patient flow and freeing up inpatient capacity.

“This investment will improve forensic mental health services across the country, helping ensure people receive the support they need faster and better long-term outcomes are achieved for both the community and the person.

“By increasing capacity at key points across the forensic mental health system, we can reduce delays, improve access to care, and support better rehabilitation and reintegration.

“This builds on the significant investment already made through Budget 2025, which provided almost $51 million to help people with acute mental health and addiction needs access specialist forensic services faster, including eight additional step-down beds and 10 new acute inpatient beds.

“Across the two Budgets, the Government has now funded 14 new forensic step-down beds for people leaving prison and 14 new forensic inpatient beds, alongside significant growth in frontline workers.

“This Government is focused on delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response.”

Notes to editors:

• The six additional step-down beds are expected to begin opening from January 2027. Locations are yet to be decided.
• The four new forensic inpatient beds are expected to open between January and March 2027.
• Health New Zealand is identifying the regions where additional prison in-reach services, court liaison staff and step-down beds will have the greatest impact. Recruitment will begin once these decisions are confirmed.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/15/faster-access-to-forensic-mental-health-support/

Environmental benefits of wintering barns

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/14/wintering-barns-deliver-environmental-and-animal-welfare-benefits-for-canterbury-farmers/

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/14/rewa-seawall-project-complete-shared-pathway-open/

Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has welcomed the release of new Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) guidance that will make it easier for international investors to understand and navigate New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Act (the Act), particularly in the supermarket and grocery sector. 

“New investment means more choices and lower prices at the checkout. If we want new investment, we need to stop doing things that repel it and start doing things that attract it,” Mr Seymour says. 

“That’s why we’ve issued new guidelines which roll out the red carpet for credible investors looking to open a new supermarket in NZ. The guidelines specify to investors which provisions of the Act apply to them, what tests their investment needs to meet, and how LINZ will apply those tests to their application. This will give investors more certainty when making their applications. 

“We want to make it as easy as possible for credible investors to establish or expand grocery retail operations in New Zealand. The more options there are for kiwis, the more competition there is within the market. This will lead to lower prices for Kiwis at the checkout. 

“This government has been focussed on attracting more international investment, and we’ve made a great start. For example, we’ve also reformed how applications under the Act are processed. 

“In the past financial year, LINZ have granted consent to 230 transactions with a gross investment value of approximately $23.8 billion. The second highest number of consents granted in one year was 201, in 2024/25. 

“The new law says decisions on all investments except residential land, farmland and fishing quota must be made within 15 working days, unless there is a potential national interest concern, but the target is five working days. Residential land, farmland and fishing quota will continue going through existing pathways.”

LINZ have met the target assessment timeframes for the new investment pathways. Specifically:

• Average assessment timeframes for business and production forestry investments had already halved since June 2024 and continue to reduce. Since the Amendment Act took effect, these investments are now approved in just four working days.
• Since our Government was elected, we’ve reduced the average processing time from 71 working days to 23.

“The changes to processing applications have created efficiencies across the overall regime which will free up resource for supermarket applications,” Mr Seymour says. 

“New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long. International investment is critical to ensuring economic growth. It provides access to capital and technology that grows New Zealand businesses, enhances productivity, and supports high paying jobs.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/13/guidance-to-increase-supermarket-competition-and-help-lower-prices/

A $3.5 million Government project is aimed at getting 100 people with progressive conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy, into high-performance power wheelchairs, exploring the benefits of high tech in the disability sector, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for our Disability Support Services team to work with provider Enable New Zealand on a project funded from Budget 2025,” Louise Upston says.

“In this research project, high-performance power wheelchairs are going to people aged 14 years and older, who would benefit from a power wheelchair to improve independence, participation, and quality of life.

“It’s a two-year programme, and the Government is really excited to fund meaningful research evaluating social and economic benefits for the disability community.

“I’m proud that our Government is thinking differently about how technology can improve the lives of disabled people, families and carers.  That’s why I asked DSS to consider a project like this, where technology could demonstrably improve outcomes.

“International research shows that having the right wheelchair matters for things like increased independence and mental wellbeing, and broader outcomes such as engagement in education, training, or work. This project aims to test these assumptions in the New Zealand context.

“Earlier access to high-performance power wheelchairs can reduce dependence on carers and prevent injuries and hospital admissions. While cheaper options might provide short term cost-savings, they can also drive higher long-term health and support costs, which end up costing disabled people, and New Zealand, more.

“The project will monitor and evaluate the benefits that access to the right wheelchair can provide to people with progressive conditions. Findings will inform the future provision of equipment, and will also inform future policy, funding, and investment decisions.  

“Using disability research innovation ‘activation mapping’, participants will have their experiences tracked over time to understand intervention impacts.

“Assistive technology is essential to the wellbeing and social participation of many disabled New Zealanders, and I’m committed to improving access and outcomes for disabled people,” Louise Upston says.   

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/13/power-wheelchairs-open-new-horizons-for-disabled-kiwis/

Hunter-led conservation has reached a new milestone, with Fiordland wapiti deer formally designated as New Zealand’s first Herd of Special Interest (HOSI).

Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager says the move paves the way for the game animals to be sustainably managed for their hunting values, while improving important conservation outcomes.

Mr Meager made the announcement in Te Anau alongside the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, who will lead the HOSI’s on-the-ground delivery based on annual operational plans developed with DOC, in partnership with iwi and hapū.

“This is an exciting and logical step for valued introduced species, which have significant heritage and cultural values to many Kiwis,” Mr Meager says.

“The framework enables structured, hunter-led herd management within Fiordland National Park, while continuing to protect and enhance its treasured landscape.

“It builds on the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation’s excellent long-standing work, which includes regular culling, management of the popular wapiti ballot, track and hut maintenance, and trapping to protect at-risk native species like whio/blue duck.

“I believe the designation is a win-win for all. It will help manage deer numbers to sustainable herd levels, ensure hunters pull healthy animals off the public back country to put on the family dinner table, and better protect our biodiversity.”

The management plan does not seek to increase animal numbers. A key focus will be to help native vegetation recover by reducing browsing pressure, so young plants can survive and ecosystems can regenerate over time.

Mr Meager says strong environmental oversight will be in place, with annual reporting on herd management and monitoring to be made publicly available.

“New Zealand’s responsibility to protect Fiordland’s World Heritage values remains unchanged. I retain overall authority and can amend or remove the designation, or any delegation, if required,” Mr Meager says.

The decision follows a full statutory process, including public submissions, engagement with Treaty partners, and advice from agencies and organisations. 

“I thank everyone who contributed. Your input has helped inform a balanced outcome that recognises both the value of hunting and the importance of protecting our unique natural environment,” Mr Meager says.

“This is a piece of work spanning more than a decade, with legislation supporting the creation of HOSIs passed back in 2013. I am proud to deliver on the National Party’s 2023 election promise to designate the first herds this Parliamentary term.”

Notes to Editor:

• The designation will take effect once hunting conditions for the wapiti ballot are formally set out in the New Zealand Gazette, establishing how access will be managed during the annual bugle season.
• Current access arrangements will remain in place, including the ballot system during the bugle season.
• The Herd Management Plan was created in consultation with community, hunters, conservationists, and engagement with iwi and hapu. It sets clear expectations, including ecological targets, regular monitoring, and a review at least every five years.
• Assessment of effects on Fiordland National Park’s UNESCO World Heritage values indicates HOSI management is likely to improve ecological outcomes compared to areas without active management, noting the coordinated deer management and monitoring involved with a HOSI.
• A decision on the proposed Sika Herd of Special Interest will be made by Minister Meager imminently. 

Designation Timeline:

• March 2025: Proposal received from the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and Game Animal Council.
• May – October 2025: On behalf of the Minister, DOC engages with Treaty partners and relevant agencies and organisations to assess whether the herd is of special interest to hunters and can be managed for hunting purposes, alongside development of a draft Herd Management Plan.
• November – December 2025: Public submissions on draft Herd Management Plan open.
• December 2025 – March 2026: Submissions reviewed.
• March – June 2026: Draft Herd Management Plan revised based on public submissions and Treaty partners and relevant agencies and organisations are re-engaged on changes. 
• July 2026: HOSI designation.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/13/milestone-for-hunter-led-conservation-in-nz/

Headline: Findings explore victimisation and youth harm in New Zealand

New Ministry of Justice research shines a spotlight on the victimisation and harm faced by young people in New Zealand.

The Youth Victimisation and Harm Report further explores data from the findings of the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025.

“These findings are challenging. It’s difficult to think of harm occurring to young people. These findings will be shared with agencies and groups who are working to improve the wellbeing of young people in New Zealand and will be used to inform current and future decision making”, says Rebecca Parish, Ministry of Justice General Manager Sector Insights.

Among the key findings were:

Bullying

One in four young people (26%) experienced bullying in the last year. The most common types of bullying were teasing or verbal abuse (64%) and social exclusion (51%) among those who were bullied.

“Nearly one in three young people (29%) who were bullied skipped school at least once”, Ms Parish says.

Although female and male young people experienced similar rates of bullying (27% and 25% respectively), female young people were more likely to experience exclusion (62%) and online bullying, while male young people were more likely to experience physical bullying.

Yelling and swearing

According to the findings, half of young people were yelled or sworn at by an adult in their home in the last year. A third of young people (33%) witnessed adults yelling at one another, and 29% witnessed adults yelling at another child.

Physical harm

In the last year, just over one in ten young people (11%) were exposed to physical harm by an adult in their home. Direct physical harm by an adult was the most common experience (7%) followed by seeing another child harmed (5%) or witnessing physical violence between adults (3%). Almost half of young people (49%) were hit or physically harmed by someone in the last year, with the most common perpetrator being siblings (41%), followed by another young person (23%).

Sexual harm

Around one in six young people (16%) have experienced sexual harm in their lifetime.

The most common form of sexual harm was being touched in a sexual way or being made to do sexual things they did not want to (13%), followed by harmful sexting experiences (7%). Sexual harm was higher among older age groups (20% of 15–18-year-olds), female young people (22%), rangatahi Māori (23%), young Pacific Peoples (18%), young people identified as Rainbow (29%) and disabled young people (31%). 

Victimisation and screen time

More than half of bullied young people experienced bullying online in the last year. Overall, high digital engagement among young people who had been harmed reflected exposure to unsafe online environments, and attempts to cope or escape problems.

Bullied young people also reported poorer wellbeing, lower feelings of safety, disrupted sleep, and greater disengagement from school.

“These findings support approaches focused on improving online safety”, says Ms Parish.

State care and offending

Young people either currently or previously involved with state care experienced a wide range of adverse experiences. In the last 12 months, young people involved with state care experienced high levels of bullying, physical harm and verbal harm.

Higher Police contact among victims could also suggest that offending is a response to harm, rather than an isolated behavioural issue.

“Research shows that young people who have been involved with state care, and those who have experienced substantial harm, are more likely to have later contact with the justice system. This does not mean offending is inevitable, but it does suggest that earlier experiences of abuse, neglect, and other forms of victimisation can increase risk”, Ms Parish says.

“Despite this, offending is not inevitable for these young people. Protective factors such as stable adult relationships, school engagement, and early professional support can reduce risk. These findings highlight the importance of early, coordinated support across care, education, justice, and health to help disrupt pathways from victimisation to offending and break cycles of harm”.

About the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025

The Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 was conducted between March and September 2025 by the Ministry of Social Development.

It covers a wide range of topics including wellbeing, home experiences, mental health, social media use, harmful behaviours, and victimisation.

Around 9,400 young people, aged 13 to 19, completed digital questionnaires on tablets at their education provider (e.g. secondary school, kura) across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Findings from the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 can be found here(external link)

Because this report discusses young people’s experiences with harm, the topics and findings can be distressing. MSD has compiled some helpful resources here(external link)

← Back to the news

This page was last updated: 15th June 2026

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/13/findings-explore-victimisation-and-youth-harm-in-new-zealand/

Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is visiting India this week to promote New Zealand premium strong wool and strengthen relationships at the Bharat Tex 2026 – Global Textile Expo.

“India is currently New Zealand’s second largest market for wool – it is a key market for Kiwi wool growers and exporters and there is strong potential for further growth” Mr Patterson says.

“I will be attending Bharat Tex 2026, India’s largest global textile trade expo showcasing innovation, sustainable fabrics, apparel, fashion, and global textiles, to speak at a business roundtable and champion New Zealand strong wool.

“I will also meet with key figures across India’s wool supply chain, including in India’s Textile Minister, manufacturers, and researchers.”

Mr Patterson says new demand opportunities are emerging for strong wool as consumers and brands see the sustainability benefits of natural fibres.

“The government remains fully committed to backing the long-term success of our Kiwi wool growers, and the wider wool sector, to tap into increasing global demand for innovative, premium wool products.

“We are investing more than $65 million with the wool sector in 25 projects to drive innovative and high-value opportunities and products, facilitate collaboration, and improve supply chain capability.

“Projects include innovative wool applications in acoustics, insulation, filtration, personal care and biotech ingredients such as inks, coatings, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and medical materials.”

Minister Patterson returns from India on 17 July.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/13/patterson-to-india-to-champion-new-zealand-wool/

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/flood-risk-is-real-and-its-growing/

The Government will not proceed with a blanket legislative ban on crypto ATMs, instead taking a targeted and proportionate approach to reducing the criminal misuse of virtual assets, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.

In June 2025, Cabinet agreed in principle to ban crypto ATMs, subject to further policy analysis. That analysis has now been completed and found that a more flexible approach is available.

“Banning something is a serious decision that should not be taken lightly. Cabinet has now considered the evidence and agreed that a blanket ban is not the right response at this time,” says Mrs McKee.

“Crypto ATMs present real risks, particularly where criminals use cash to move funds into virtual assets quickly and anonymously. But the analysis also found they can have legitimate uses, including for cash-reliant New Zealanders who want to access or invest in virtual assets.

“New Zealand should be a country that welcomes innovation while taking criminal misuse seriously. That is why Cabinet’s earlier decision was made in principle and subject to further analysis. If there was a less restrictive way to manage the risks, we wanted to find it.

“Instead of an outright ban, Cabinet has agreed to establish regulation-making powers that would allow the Government to place restrictions on cash transactions for virtual assets. These could include maximum transaction thresholds or, if clear evidence of harm emerges in New Zealand, prohibit cash payments for high-risk virtual assets.

“This gives the Government practical tools to respond to risk while preserving space for legitimate business, investment, and personal choice.

“These decisions form part of the Government’s wider reform of New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism system, aimed at making it easier to do business and harder to commit crime.

“Cash remains attractive to organised crime because it is difficult to trace. When cash is converted into virtual assets, such as cryptocurrencies, criminals can move funds rapidly across borders in ways that are difficult for law enforcement to detect or disrupt.

“That is why we are not ignoring the risks. We are putting practical tools in place so the Government can act quickly if the evidence justifies it, while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on lawful users.

“I have asked officials to consult with crypto providers and users on options for implementing protections that strike the right balance.”

The AML/CFT (Omnibus) Amendment Bill will be introduced later this month and will incorporate a regulation making power to give effect to this decision.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/crypto-atms-to-get-guardrails-not-the-guillotine/

New Zealand is investing $9 million, the single biggest investment ever made in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), to establish community-based hubs in Rotorua/Kawerau, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. 

“This is the first time in New Zealand there has been FASD-dedicated assessment, diagnosis and support in community settings, helping children, young people and their families access earlier care,” Mr Doocey says. 

“We know early intervention makes a real difference. By identifying children earlier and supporting families sooner, we can improve lifelong health, learning and development outcomes. 

“Last year we launched the Government’s new approach to FASD, supported by a significant funding boost of $4.6 million to prevent FASD, improve diagnosis and support, and strengthen help for affected families.

“As part of that plan, we are now establishing three community-based hubs that will provide assessment, diagnosis and ongoing support for children and young people with FASD. 

“The hubs will be operational in each location by October this year. They will provide referral and screening, comprehensive assessments, specialist support, navigation services and family support. 

“These three locations have been selected because they reflect areas of significant need. 

“This responds to longstanding barriers people have faced in accessing timely FASD assessment and diagnosis. We know limited access has created uncertainty for families and made it more difficult to receive the support they need. 

“Delays in diagnosis and assessment create stress for families, limit access to support, and contribute to poorer long-term outcomes. We know how important access to timely assessment and support is for improving outcomes for children and young people with FASD. 

“I want New Zealand to be a country where people are supported to have alcohol free pregnancies, where FASD is better understood, where our workforce is better equipped, and where people living with FASD and their families receive the support they deserve. 

“FASD is widespread and impacts thousands of families. Around 1,800 to 3,000 babies may be born with FASD each year in New Zealand, and the condition can significantly affect lifelong health, learning and development. 

“For too long, too many families have struggled to access the help they need. These new community-based hubs are an important step towards earlier diagnosis, better support and improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.” 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/faster-access-to-fasd-support/

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector has posted its strongest month of growth in nearly five years, with new data showing activity surging to its highest level since July 2021, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.

The latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) jumped to 59.7 in June, up sharply from 51.3 in May and well above the survey’s long-term average of 52.5. A reading above 50.0 shows the sector is expanding.

“This is a very strong result. Order books are filling up, production is climbing, and manufacturers are hiring again,” Mr Brewer says.

Every part of the index was firmly in expansion. New Orders led the way at 64.1, pointing to a healthy pipeline of work ahead, while Production surged to 59.4 and Employment reached 55.8, an encouraging sign for manufacturing jobs.

BNZ Head of Research Stephen Toplis said in the report that analysts were ‘staggered by the extent the Index has jumped’.

The manufacturing sector directly employs more than 220,000 people, contributes around eight per cent of GDP, and accounts for 60 per cent of New Zealand’s exports.

“Manufacturing is one of the powerhouses of our economy, and right now it’s running hot. This follows the sector being the single biggest driver of economic growth in the March quarter, so the momentum is real and it’s building,” Mr Brewer says.

“When order books fill up like this, manufacturers need to invest to keep pace, and that’s what Investment Boost is for, letting them buy the machinery and equipment that lifts productivity.

“Our manufacturers are outpacing every major economy right now, including the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and Australia.

“Kiwi manufacturers are showing what they can do when they get a Government that backs them. This is all part of the Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/manufacturing-growth-surges-to-five-year-high/

9 July 2026

This safety alert covers the importance of carrying out risk assessments and identifying instability risks before assembling structural steel beams on the ground.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/09/risk-of-serious-injury-when-assembling-structural-steel-at-ground-level/

DOC ranger Tim Groenendijk, Project Lead Heritage for the Lower North Island, has a unique role, he’s ensuring that the heritage of the region is maintained for future generations. He is one of ten specialist Heritage Ranger Project Leads across the country. 

History in the mountains 

Two days walk into the Ruahine ranges; Waterfall Hut stands as a quiet reminder of a rugged past. Built in 1961, it was one of a series of simple S70 huts used by the New Zealand Forest Service during the era of wild animal control—when hunters spent long, solitary weeks, even months, working the bush. Recognised for its heritage value, Waterfall Hut has been preserved much as it was. Part of Tim’s job is to inspect heritage assets to guide their maintenance planning. 

Historical integrity intact 

The hut remains remarkably unchanged and is one of the key representative heritage huts in the Ruahines, there are several others of different design, like Top Maropea Hut and Smiths Stream Hut. A single room shelter sleeping six, Waterfall Hut lacks modern comforts, but that is part of its appeal.  The open fireplace is now a rare feature in huts, but the cheery glow it produces makes the experience of overnighting even more historically authentic! For those willing to go into the back country, Waterfall Hut offers, arguably, a richer experience, its direct connection to the past. 

A considered approach to essential maintenance  

In May, as well as Tim’s condition assessment, DOC Rangers and keen volunteers braved the frosty weather and flew into Waterfall Hut to replace the roof and build a woodshed nearby. A sunny still day meant that several loads of materials and supplies were able to be helicoptered directly to the site. Tim was able to point out a couple of other minor maintenance jobs for the team and then left them to it. The reroofing was carefully planned to ensure that the hut’s heritage status was upheld. Funding for this work came from the National Cultural Heritage Fund. 

What’s different about work on heritage buildings? 

Tim explains that, as with any DOC managed hut, it’s important to maintain heritage huts to a high-standard, ensuring they are weatherproof, tidy and functional. A key difference though is that any new materials need to be easily identifiable so that the original fabric of the hut can be distinguished from the new. Using matching materials is key to keeping the look and feel of the hut authentic to its era, but being able to identify original features is important. Replacing the minimum amount of original material is desirable and carefully repairing an element rather than creating a new one is preferred. 

So, if you’re a keen tramper, and interested in a true taste of the past, look no further than the heritage huts of Ruahine Forest Park:

Waterfall Hut: Ruahine Forest Park, Manawatu region 

Smiths Stream Hut: Ruahine Forest Park, Hawke’s Bay region 

Top Maropea Hut: Ruahine Forest Park, Manawatu region 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/08/huts-with-history-specialist-heritage-rangers-move-projects-forward/

An application targeting frontier deepwater in the Taranaki Basin marks the fifth permit application to prospect or explore for petroleum since the removal of the exploration ban, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

Today, New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) opened a three-month competitive window for a petroleum prospecting permit application from Taranaki Energy Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Perth-based Pancontinental Energy.

The application includes a proposed two-year work programme focused on reprocessing and interpreting 2D seismic data, basin modelling, and identifying potential exploration targets to inform future investment decisions.

“New Zealand is seeing renewed momentum in petroleum exploration, with four recent applications from a mix of new and established operators already progressing through competitive processes or under assessment,” Mr Jones says.

“Alongside recent commercial activity and interest levels, this reflects growing confidence and a clear lift in interest since the removal of the exploration ban, reinforced by the Government’s clear direction regarding the sector’s role in supporting our energy security and economic resilience.”

The proposed permit area covers 9972.5 sq km in deepwater offshore Taranaki, an area long recognised as highly prospective but largely underexplored. No exploration wells have been drilled within the area to date, highlighting the potential for new discoveries as geological understanding improves.

“I welcome Pancontinental’s interest in New Zealand and in advancing our petroleum potential,” Mr Jones says.

Interested parties have until 5pm, 8 October 2026, to submit competing applications. At the close of the period of competition, NZP&M will determine the order in which to process applications in accordance with the provisions of the Minerals Programme for Petroleum 2025. Applications will then be evaluated against the considerations in the Crown Minerals Act 1991. These include the technical and financial capabilities of the applicant, the applicant’s record of compliance, and the merits of the proposed work programme.

The Government’s open market regime, introduced following the removal of the exploration ban, enables companies to apply for petroleum permits at any time, ensuring New Zealand can respond to emerging opportunities while maintaining a transparent and competitive allocation system.

More information can be found here: Applications under the open market competitive process – New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/08/fifth-new-petroleum-application-targets-taranaki/

Kiwi businesses are on track for up to $800 million a year in productivity gains once eInvoicing is fully adopted, with uptake already more than doubling in the past year as businesses get paid faster and spend less time on paperwork, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.

Around 113,000 businesses are now registered to receive eInvoices, up from 52,000 earlier this year. eInvoicing lets businesses send and receive invoices directly between their accounting systems, with no printing, emailing, or manually keying in numbers.

“For small businesses, cash is king. Late payments choke cashflow, and that’s exactly what this fixes. eInvoicing helps you get paid faster, cuts the admin, and reduces invoice fraud and scams,” Mr Brewer says.

The $800 million figure comes from new research by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), which finds businesses can save at least 16 minutes on every invoice, or around $11 each, just by making the switch.

“It’s one of the simplest, proven productivity wins going. If you’ve got cloud accounting, you’ve already got eInvoicing sitting there ready to switch on,” Mr Brewer says.

“Our Government is leading the charge with its own prompt payments, which we initiated and continue to closely monitor. The results speak for themselves and mean more cash into our local communities, faster,” Mr Brewer says.

Government agencies are set a target of paying 95 percent of invoices within 10 working days, and last quarter they beat it, paying 95.9 percent on time across more than 1.6 million invoices.

“We’re not just asking businesses to make the switch, we’re doing it ourselves. When government pays on time, that money flows straight through to the small businesses and subcontractors down the chain,” Mr Brewer says.

To lock in that lead, from 1 January 2027 large businesses will be required to send eInvoices when billing government agencies, with subcontractors paid on terms no less favourable than large firms receive.

“This is about making it easier to do business in New Zealand. It’s fixing the basics and building the future, so Kiwi businesses have the incentives and the tools to get paid faster and lift productivity,” Mr Brewer says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/08/einvoicing-surge-gets-kiwi-businesses-paid-faster/

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By Qiulae Wong

To support communities well, leaders need to listen well first. 

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill is frustrating the resource-stretched community it is supposed to support. The broad opposition to the Bill reflects that this community has not been listened to. 

Good government starts with good consultation. Only then can it design simple legislative frameworks that deliver the practical support individuals and communities need. It’s not rocket science.

This bill’s MP-in-charge is the Minister for Disability Issues, Louise Upston. She says its purpose is to provide ‘clarity and stability to the system’. That sounds positive, but an analysis of the Bill by Carers New Zealand – the peak body for family carers of disabled Kiwis – says the realities of the Bill will mean the opposite. They say ‘the Bill as drafted contains significant problems that will harm disabled people, their whānau, and the family carers who support them.’ Carers New Zealand’s top five concerns with the Bill are: 

·       The Bill was introduced quickly and without proper consultation

·       Clause 8 creates “care without limits”

·       Family carers deserve fair employment rights now, not later

·       Too much is left to Ministerial discretion

·       The Bill does not uphold the Treaty of Waitangi

We agree and Opportunity’s submission on the Bill says as much. We have done our best to make a submission that reflects the voices representing those directly impacted by this Bill. 

Voices like the national director for Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand, Dr Rebekah Graham, who described the Bill as incredibly unfair on adults with disabilities. 

Or disability advocate Jane Carrigan, who concluded that all ‘this piece of legislation is doing is limiting remedies for those people with the highest needs.’ She’s talking here about the Government passing legislation to limit or remove the ability for Kiwis to file legal claims against the Crown when it fails to fulfil its responsibilities. 

The submission also reflects the voice of Victoria Coleman, a fulltime carer for her own severely disabled son, who is so worried about the impact of the Bill she has started a petition against it and garnered more than 10,000-signatures.

It is one thing to criticize, it is another to offer alternatives and opportunities. So here’s ours.  

My very first job out of University was supporting accessibility advocate Minnie Baragwanath in a campaign to change attitudes and behaviours towards people with disabilities in New Zealand. Minnie’s point was simple. Let’s reframe how we see disabled people – not as a cost on society, but as sources of opportunity for greater innovation. She would often point to how Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone to empower his wife and mother (who were both deaf) – enabling greater participation in society and widespread economic benefit.   

1 in 6 New Zealanders currently live with a disability. If you include ageing-related access issues, 1 in 4 of us will live with an access need in our lifetime. If we design society to work for disabled people, we design it to work better for all of us. Like Minnie, Opportunity party sees disability-related social, health and economic costs as a mountain of unfulfilled opportunity.

That’s why we commit to actively listening to disability and accessibility advocates. Regarding the DSS Bill, you’ll see that sections from our submission closely match those of Carers New Zealand, and many other submitters. 

Crafting simple legislative frameworks requires care in its design and passage. In my view, and in the view of thousands of others, the responsibility for that care has been shirked, and I am proud to stand with those calling it out.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/07/whos-listening-to-our-disability-advocates/

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Key Details

• If elected, Opportunity will repeal the cap on donations eligible for the 33% donation tax credit. 
• New Zealand’s charitable sector has real regulatory problems. Opportunity would instruct the Law Commission to undertake a comprehensive, independent review of charitable regulation in New Zealand.

Budget 2026 introduced a $100,000 annual cap on donations eligible for the 33% donation tax credit — a credit that was previously unlimited (up to the level of a donor’s taxable income). The Government’s decision to introduce this cap is a blunt instrument that will harm revenue for the charity sector. The real problems in charitable regulation deserve a proper, comprehensive response, not a rushed tax tweak.

The Cap Puts Critical Social Services at Risk

Many New Zealand charities deliver critical services upon which individuals and communities depend, including food banks, support for people sleeping rough, health services and research, environmental resilience and more. Potentially limiting individual donations to $100,000/year could put these services at risk, ultimately harming some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. Without a clear plan for how the Government proposes to fill that gap, this cap is reckless and will ultimately cost the taxpayer more in the form of increased demand for publicly funded services. 

The Cap Gets the Balance Wrong

The Government projects this will save just $51.8 million over three years, at an administration cost of $1.5 million. Officials have acknowledged that the change is likely to reduce very high-value donations to arts, culture, and other charities that depend on major gifts.

There are genuine integrity issues in charitable giving. In particular, situations where donors give to charities they control and benefit from tax credits on funds that effectively remain at their disposal. But the cap is not a targeted solution to that problem. It applies regardless of whether a donation is arm’s-length or donor-controlled, and will inevitably reduce giving by New Zealand’s most generous donors. The biggest donors give the biggest amounts. A chilling effect on major philanthropists will have an outsized impact on the organisations they support and the good work they do in the community.

The Government has chosen the cheapest and easiest path, not the right one.

Real Reform Is Needed 

New Zealand’s charitable sector has real regulatory problems. The country lacks a clear and modern legal framework defining what constitutes a charity, what public benefit a charity must provide to justify tax concessions, and what governance standards are required . There are legitimate concerns about donor-controlled charities, related-party transactions, excessive executive remuneration, and the indefinite accumulation of tax-advantaged assets without meaningful charitable distribution.

These are serious issues that require serious solutions. Opportunity would refer this matter to the Law Commission to undertake a comprehensive, independent review of charitable regulation in New Zealand. Such a review should establish clear statutory definitions of charitable status and public benefit, strengthen rules on donor control, related-party transactions, and remuneration transparency and introduce minimum charitable distribution requirements to ensure that tax-advantaged assets are actively delivering public benefit rather than sitting idle.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/07/charitable-giving-tax-credit-cap/

Families across Central Otago are a step closer to welcoming their babies in their own community, with the sod now turned on the new Clyde Primary Maternity Unit, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“We want women and their families to have access to safe, quality maternity care in facilities that are fit for purpose and closer to home. One constructed, this modern maternity facility will serve Central Otago families for generations to come,” Mr Brown says.

Site works will begin on the new purpose-built facility in the coming weeks, which will replace the existing Central Otago Maternity Unit in Alexandra. Construction is expected to take around 14 months, with the unit scheduled to open in mid-2027.

“The new $5 million Clyde Primary Maternity Unit will bring primary maternity services together in one modern facility, making it easier for families to access care locally throughout their pregnancy, birth, and postnatal journey.

“Expectant mothers will be able to receive antenatal care, give birth, recover with their baby, and access urgent pregnancy assessments in one purpose-built facility designed around the needs of mothers, babies, and their families.

“Having these services available closer to home means less travel for families and greater access to the care and support they need during one of the most important and exciting times in their lives.”

Designed with both families and healthcare professionals in mind, the new facility will include a birthing room with a birthing pool, dedicated antenatal and postnatal care rooms, flexible clinical spaces, a family-friendly waiting area with a play space for siblings, a dedicated family room, and space for antenatal classes and education.

Every inpatient room will be a private ensuite room with space for partners or family to stay overnight, providing greater comfort, privacy, and dignity for families. The design incorporates large windows, outdoor access, and views across the surrounding landscape, creating a calm and welcoming environment for recovery and care.

The facility will also be closely connected with existing health services through a safe walking path to Dunstan Hospital and the helipad, alongside on-site parking for patients and staff.

Mr Brown says the investment supports the Government’s commitment to strengthening maternity services across the region.

“Alongside primary maternity units in Queenstown and Wānaka, the new Clyde facility will form an important part of the regional maternity network, ensuring families can access quality maternity care closer to home while maintaining strong links with specialist services when required.”

Clinical Service Planning completed in 2025 identified the need to strengthen maternity services across Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago. While the decision to build the Clyde Primary Maternity Unit predates that work, it strongly supports its direction. 

Health New Zealand is continuing to work with midwives, obstetricians, GPs, and frontline clinicians to develop a sustainable regional maternity model that meets the needs of local families now and into the future.

“Investing in health infrastructure is critical to ensuring New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare now and into the future. This project will support better maternity services for the Central Otago community and help meet growing demand for years to come.

“We are focused on fixing the basics and building the future. There is no more important investment than ensuring mothers and their babies have the best possible start, supported by modern, fit-for-purpose healthcare facilities,” Mr Brown says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/03/sod-turned-on-new-clyde-primary-maternity-unit/

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says all WorkSafe New Zealand inspectors have completed updated machine safety training, strengthening how machinery risk is assessed and managed in New Zealand. 

This updated training programme was introduced in response to a direction by Minister van Velden that WorkSafe incorporate feedback from manufacturing businesses. 

“During my 2024 roadshows and through targeted consultation in 2025, I heard concerns from businesses about the quality of WorkSafe assessments, particularly when it comes to machine guarding. Issues were raised about a lack of clarity in improvement notices, impractical advice that doesn’t improve safety, and inadequate sector specific expertise,” says Minister van Velden. 

“People want inspectors to give clear, practical guidance focused on managing real risks. These changes mean businesses can expect more consistent, high‑quality assessments regardless of the inspector or region, as inspectors develop stronger machine safety knowledge from the outset.”  

In this year’s training the current cohort of trainee inspectors attended a one-day workshop at Burnham Military Camp where they participated in an in-depth exploration into machine safety. Other sites, with the right equipment and machinery, may be used in future training sessions. 

“Manufacturing remains a high-risk sector, which is why I am pleased WorkSafe is meeting my expectation to raise its inspector capability to provide practical, workable advice to keep workers safe.  

 “With stronger technical grounding in machine safety, inspectors can issue specific, remedial actions that clearly identify the risk and the required change. This directly addresses stakeholder feedback that past notices were too generic and sometimes drove costly changes with limited safety benefit, and will help to protect workers and improve confidence in the system.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/03/all-worksafe-inspectors-upskilled-on-machine-safety/

The updated National Curriculum for Years 0–10 will be released by 9 September 2026, following consultation with the education sector and the public, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

Science and Social Sciences will be released first, on 12 August, because schools must begin using them in 2027. This will give schools more time to consider the changes and prepare for implementation.

Pūtaiao and Pūmanawa Tangata, the corresponding wāhanga ako in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, will be released on 26 August following final quality assurance of the content in te reo Māori.

• More than 3,900 submissions were received across six learning areas and seven wāhanga ako. 
• The Ministry invited the sector and wider New Zealand public to take part in the consultation, and ran in-person workshops, online webinars, surveys, and in class trialling to encourage participation.
• It also engaged with education organisations, subject associations, education experts and sector review groups to seek further advice on the drafts.  

“I want to acknowledge the time, and effort people took to engage with both the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa,” Ms Stanford says.

“The Ministry has committed to reviewing every submission and has adapted the timeline to ensure feedback is considered and appropriately reflected in the final curriculum.

Ms Stanford says it has been almost 20 years since the National Curriculum was last fully updated, and it needs to reflect the changes that have taken place in New Zealand and around the world.

“There has been significant variability and inequity across the system. A strong curriculum is one of the ways we can help address these issues,” Ms Stanford says.

“The purpose of the curriculum refresh is to provide clearer guidance on what students should learn at each year level, in a way that is coherent, age-appropriate and workable for schools across Aotearoa New Zealand.”  

Updating the Years 0–10 content and frameworks is part of the Government’s wider programme of curriculum, assessment and qualifications work to lift achievement for all New Zealand students.

The draft curriculum for Years 11–13 is currently in consultation and will be finalised later this year.

“Changes made through the Education and Training Amendment Bill will help avoid future major curriculum overhauls that cause disruption. We are moving toward a planned approach to curriculum review and updates, and the Ministry is working through what regular review cycles will look like for each learning area and wāhanga ako.

“When the full curriculum frameworks and Years 0–10 learning areas and wāhanga ako are released in September, the Ministry will also provide details of the supports available to help schools and kura use the updated National Curriculum successfully,” Ms Stanford says.

“This will include classroom resources, professional learning and development, and engagement opportunities such as webinars and in-person hui.

“I strongly encourage schools and kura that are ready to begin earlier to do so. 

“I am looking forward to all schools and kura seeing the final curriculum for Years 0–10. 

“We all want to deliver a high-quality, inclusive curriculum that supports teachers and kaiako to enable all New Zealand kids to thrive. 

“We want to ensure schools and teachers have the time and resources to deliver the new curriculum. It has been written specifically for Kiwi kids — it is engaging and rigorous, and it celebrates who we are as a nation.

“Finally, I want to acknowledge the New Zealand Rural Schools Leadership Association and the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association for their advocacy and constructive engagement.”

Editors’ notes

The National Curriculum is made up of the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

Years 0–10 English, Mathematics and Statistics, Te Reo Rangatira, and Pāngarau are already required to be used, except for some specified kura which have until 2027.

Schools and kura are required to start using the curriculum from the following dates:

• 2027: Years 0-8 — Science, Social Sciences, Pūtaiao, and Pūmanawa Tangata. Years 9-10 — all learning areas and wāhanga ako. 
• 2028: Year 11 — all learning areas and wāhanga ako. 
• 2029: Years 0-8 — all remaining learning areas and wāhanga ako: Health and Physical Education, The Arts, Technology, Learning Languages, Waiora, Toi Ihiihi, Hangarau, Te Reo Pākehā, and Ngā Reo. Year 12 — all learning areas and wāhanga ako. 
• 2030: Year 13 — all learning areas and wāhanga ako. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/03/curriculum-release-dates-confirmed-for-years-0-10/

Building system reforms are set to make construction easier, faster and more affordable while also strengthening protections for homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.

“The Building Amendment Bill passed its first reading today, and will deliver the most significant building system reforms in 20 years, with the express purpose of improving regulation and supporting New Zealand industry to grow and deliver the homes and buildings we need,” Mr Penk says.

“This Government is committed to fixing the basics and building the future. This bill will unlock innovation, speed up delivery, and expand housing options, all while keeping important safeguards in place.”

The changes will also make it easier for Kiwis to build homes that are affordable, energy efficient, resilient, environmentally friendly, and diverse.

“At the heart of this bill is a fundamental shift to a fairer liability system for the construction sector – one which ensures accountability for building work sits where it should, while maintaining strong consumer protections.”

The building system will move from joint and several liability to proportionate liability, ensuring parties are responsible only for their share of work.

“For too long, councils and other parties have been left footing the bill for defects they did not cause. We are moving toward a fairer, more sustainable approach and strengthening protections for homeowners through mandatory safeguards,” Mr Penk says.

These include:

• Mandatory professional indemnity insurance for building design professionals and engineers who contribute through advice or service to the design of building work
• Mandatory home warranties for most new builds and major renovations $100,000 or more
• New offences to deter non-compliance

“These measures strike the right balance between protecting mum and dad homeowners, while driving greater accountability across the sector. They mark the most significant shift in liability settings in a generation.”

Mr Penk says the bill will also address issues that make the building system slow, costly and inconsistent by removing barriers to modernise outdated settings and give those in the sector the tools they need to perform.

Further changes include:

• Improving consistency and efficiency across New Zealand’s 69 Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) by enabling voluntary consolidation of BCA functions and reducing Project Information Memorandum (PIM) processing times from 20 to 10 working days
• Introducing a fast-track 10-working-day building consent pathway for new residential buildings with solar generation or other sustainable features
• Expanding the building consent exemption for granny flats, by allowing offsite-constructed dwellings to be built in advance of a PIM
• Modernising building research funding by combining the Building Research Levy with the Building Levy and introducing a more contestable funding model

“These reforms reflect the extensive engagement that we have carried out with the construction sector, insurers and warranty providers, and local government,” Mr Penk says.

“We are determined to get the building and construction sector firing on all cylinders – and this bill delivers the bold changes needed to make that happen.”

More information can be found at the MBIE website: Priority work programmes | Building Performance

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/02/landmark-bill-to-improve-the-building-system-and-boost-growth/