Release: Uncertainty remains over the impact of tariffs

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Today’s announcement of 10 percent tariffs for New Zealand goods entering the United States is disappointing for exporters and consumers alike, with the long-lasting impact on prices and inflation still unknown. “The Government’s strategy of keeping its head down has not given New Zealand any advantage over our competitors,” Labour … Read more

Weather News – The largest weather system so far for 2025 – MetService

Source: MetService Covering period of Thursday 3rd – Monday 7th April – It has been a wet 18 hours across much of the country, and MetService is forecasting further heavy rain as a widespread weather system moves through. The top of the South Island—Tasman, Buller, and Marlborough—is in line for the highest rainfall accumulations. After a … Read more

Health – Access and choice mental health programme stacks up

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission At the five- year mark, the Access and Choice Programme has proved to be a valuable addition to the mental health, addiction and wellbeing support services available to people throughout the country. Today Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released a report … Read more

EMA – Work still required to reduce workplace harm

Source: EMA The move to greater use of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) as tools for health and safety compliance will allow businesses to confidently mitigate hazards and risks, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). Following the advice contained within these practical guidelines will give businesses confidence that ‘reasonably practicable’ steps have been met. “It … Read more

BusinessNZ – Codes of practice to light the way

Source: BusinessNZ BusinessNZ says a sharper focus on Approved Codes of Practice will make health and safety management stronger and simpler. Approved Codes of Practice will become more important under coming changes to health and safety legislation, and complying with a Code will be sufficient for a workplace to be deemed to be complying with its … Read more

Consumer NZ – Price hikes are coming – it’s time to review your power provider

Source: Consumer NZ Too many households are paying more than they need to for power. With significant energy price increases looming, Consumer NZ calls on New Zealanders to check for cheaper options to help offset higher bills. With rising energy costs, New Zealanders are facing a challenging winter. Price increases are already being implemented, with … Read more

Health decision-makers should heed conclusions in primary healthcare report

Source: GenPro General practice owners encourage Health Minister Simeon Brown to read and act on a report which lists the many benefits of investing in primary healthcare. The NZ Initiative report correctly concludes that a strong, accessible, and equitable primary care system will improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the quality of life … Read more

Health and Safety – Streamlined H&S regime drives focus on key risks – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is applauding the Government’s moves to reduce paperwork, ambiguity, cost and duplication in health and safety regulation. “We’re very much on board with the Government’s direction of travel with the health and safety re-set announced this week,” the federation’s workplace safety spokesperson David Birkett says. “It’s been a bone of contention … Read more

Health targets focusing system on delivering more for patients

Source: New Zealand Government New data highlights that while the Government’s commitment to health targets continues to stabilise the health system, increased service delivery is required to get on top of waitlists, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Ensuring all Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. I am encouraged by … Read more

Regional tourism to benefit from $2.45 million boost

Source: New Zealand Government Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says opening a second multi-million dollar funding round for regional tourism will drive economic growth. “We know a successful tourism and hospitality sector is crucial for growing our economy,” Louise Upston says.  “Tourism is a crucial part of this Government’s focus on economic growth, with … Read more

Statement by Minister Todd McClay following U.S. tariff announcement

Source: New Zealand Government “Today the U.S. has announced a 10 per cent tariff on all imports of good, with many countries facing much higher tariffs on a reciprocal basis. New Zealand exporters will face a 10 per cent tariff rate from this weekend. While this is a significant development, New Zealand remains competitive against other exporters … Read more

Media advisory – death in Northland, Wellington

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police will hold a stand-up today in relation to the death of a man in Northland, Wellington. Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard will speak to media in Wellington at 4pm. Please RSVP to media@police.govt.nz by 3pm for further details and to confirm your attendance. ENDS Issued by Police Media Centre … Read more

CITES annual stats show breadth of goods and tastes

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  03 April 2025 CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, monitoring and regulating the international movement of items made from protected species. CITES ensures the long-term survival of these species is not threatened. Mark Ryan, DOC’s Border Operations Team Lead, says the recently … Read more

ACT celebrates law change to liberate builders and embrace international materials

Source: ACT Party ACT is welcoming the passage of the Building (Overseas Building Products, Standards, and Certification Schemes) Amendment Bill, which delivers on ideas ACT campaigned on in 2023. “Finally, we’re liberating builders and tradies to make use of materials widely approved overseas,” says ACT Housing and Construction spokesperson Cameron Luxton, who is also a … Read more

Northcote: a shining example of smart growth 

Source: Auckland Council Inside a decade, Northcote has become a residential community that exemplifies smart growth, in line with Auckland Council’s long-term vision for Tāmaki Makaurau. The ongoing renewal of Northcote is enabled by the Auckland Unitary Plan, boosting housing capacity and delivering more choices including apartments and townhouses near public transport hubs and town … Read more

Safety improvements coming for SH1 Mt Wellington southbound on-ramp

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will be carrying out safety improvements on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Mt Wellington southbound on-ramp from late April until July 2025. Improvements will include an additional lane to merge with the existing two lanes on the southbound on-ramp and reinstating the signalised pedestrian … Read more

Heavy rain forecast for Westland and Buller Districts, ahead of Top of the South on Thursday

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency With wet weather approaching the top of the South Island, hitting Westland and Buller districts from Thursday, drivers are urged to take extra care on the roads, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). The MetService has issued multiple weather warnings. “Most significant impacts on the West Coast are expected … Read more

Second notice of an application for a mātaitai reserve at southern Hokianga Harbour and adjoining waterways, Northland

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries Your views sought Ngā tāngata kaitiaki ō Te Hikutū (Te Hikutū Hapū) has applied for a mātaitai reserve (“Te Mātaitai ō Te Hikutū”) in the southern part of the Hokianga Harbour, Northland. Fisheries New Zealand invites submissions from persons having a fishing interest in the stock or stocks in the … Read more

Rule of Two for faster access to medicines

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming Cabinet’s decision to enable medicines to be approved in less than 30 days if the product has approval from two recognised overseas jurisdictions.   This change is included in the Medicines Amendment Bill (the Bill), which amends the Medicines Act 1981. The pathway will be in … Read more

Strengthening reo Māori accessibility

Source: New Zealand Government Toi te kupu, toi te mana, toi tū te reo.Talented appointees to prominent reo Māori entities will help grow accessibility to the language and culture in homes and communities, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says.“Beloved shows from the past like Hōmai Te Pakipaki, popular celebrations like Te Wiki o te … Read more

Going for Growth: More affordable building products

Source: New Zealand Government Just-passed legislation is expected to put up to 250,000 more building products on shelves this year alone – giving Kiwis building and renovating their homes more choice to fit their budgets, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.“Making it easier and more affordable to build in New Zealand is a central … Read more

Reducing ambiguity about what is reasonably practicable for health and safety compliance

Source: New Zealand Government Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says safe harbours of deemed compliance will be created to increase business and worker certainty about what they need to do to comply with their health and safety duties.Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) are practical guidelines to help people in specific sectors and … Read more

Police acknowledge IPCA findings into Auckland City incident

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police acknowledge the IPCA’s findings into the events surrounding an arrest and use of force in Auckland City. On 25 September 2022, five Police officers responded to an incident on Hobson Street where a person was arrested, and an injured man was being taken to hospital. Two people, who … Read more

Update Serious Crash SH 1 Karapiro – Waikato

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) A person is in a serious condition following a crash on Tirau Road, Karapiro early this morning. A motorcyclist has crashed just after midnight and been taken to Waikato Hospital. The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene and police are investigating the cause of the crash. The road is … Read more

Workplace – Better guidance a good idea, but must be backed up by investment in WorkSafe

Source: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management Message: Improved guidance to help companies better understand the risks in workplaces and how best to mitigate them is a welcome step, says the professional body for health and safety experts, the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management. “The announcement by the Minister today is exactly what needs to … Read more

Economy – Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the eight months ended 28 February 2025 – NZ Treasury

Source: The Treasury The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the eight months ended 28 February 2025 were released by the Treasury today. The February results are reported against forecasts based on theHalf Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (HYEFU 2024), published on 17 December 2024, and the results for the … Read more

Shenglong Electric showcases two AI-powered products in OFC 2025 to redefine smart electricity use

Source: Media Outreach SAN FRANSICO, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 April 2025 – On April 1 (Pacific Standard Time), the world’s top optical communication event, the 50th Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC), opens at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, USA. As a leading Chinese enterprise in the smart grid and … Read more