Category: New Zealand Government

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has introduced legislation to Parliament to establish the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), a key step in delivering its ambitious reform agenda across housing, transport, urban development and the environment.

The Environment (Disestablishment of the Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill paves the way for the Ministry for the Environment to integrate into MCERT alongside the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Transport, and the local government functions of the Department of Internal Affairs.

“The new agency will be at the heart of tackling some of New Zealand’s greatest economic and environmental challenges, from housing affordability and our infrastructure deficit to climate adaptation,” RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.

“The Ministry for the Environment is the only agency forming MCERT that was established by statute. That means it is the only Ministry that requires legislative change to enable the new department to be created, and we are moving swiftly to make that happen.”

Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says the amendment to the Environment Act will formally disestablish the Ministry for the Environment and transfer its statutory responsibilities to the Secretary for the Environment.

“MCERT will administer the Environment Act, with its chief executive fulfilling the role of Secretary for the Environment, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of environmental oversight.

“Environmental functions remain a core part of the new Ministry’s work. Bringing related portfolios together in one department will provide integrated, practical advice that both protects our environment and lifts prosperity for communities across New Zealand.”

MCERT is set to be established from 1 April 2026 and become operational from 1 July 2026. A chief executive for the new agency will be appointed in the coming months.

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A first-of-its-kind health and rehabilitation centre has opened at Burnham Military Camp to support the health, wellbeing and operational readiness of New Zealand Defence Force personnel. 

“Kiwis who put on the uniform put their lives on the line to defend and protect New Zealand and its people. They deserve the best support possible to proactively care for their minds and bodies, and to help them get back on their feet when they’re injured,” Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk says.  

“The new Military Health and Performance Centre, Tû Manawa Ora, at Burnham Military Camp is the first combined health and rehabilitation facility across the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) estate, bringing together a broad range of services under one roof.” 

The new facility includes: 

• Comprehensive medical treatment centre
• Dental services
• Physiotherapy, rehabilitation and performance spaces
• Psychological resilience, pastoral care, social work and counselling services
• Education, research, simulation and training facilities
• Staff and logistics areas
• Emergency response, including ambulance facilities 

“Today’s opening represents a step forward in how the Defence Force looks after its people, setting a new standard for healthcare infrastructure across camps and bases,” Mr Penk says. 

“Providing multi-disciplinary care will benefit both the prevention and treatment of health issues, ensuring Defence personnel are well supported during service and continue to thrive long after they leave the Force.  

“Military healthcare professionals now also have a modern, fit-for-purpose environment that enables the delivery of high-quality health, rehabilitation and performance services, which in turn will improve retention and operational readiness across the Defence Force. 

“Building the centre at Burnham, the largest military base in the South Island, reflects its strategic importance. The camp plays a key role in New Zealand’s national security system, supporting training, operational deployments, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

“Completed in just 18 months, the $22 million project is a testament to the combined efforts of the Defence Estate and Infrastructure group, construction partner Hawkins New Zealand, and our Alliance partners Ernst & Young, GHD NZ and Beca. 

“This new centre demonstrates to our Defence people that while they dedicate themselves to serving New Zealand, we are committed to ensuring they have the health, wellbeing and working environments they need to perform at their best.”

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today congratulated the finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.

The three finalists for 2026, Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and Otama Marere Trust which are both based in the Bay of Plenty, and Northland’s Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, were announced at a function at Parliament today.

The trophy celebrates the vital role Māori farmers and growers play in New Zealand’s economy.

“This year’s finalists exemplify excellence in horticulture, driving growth in the food and fibre sector while creating jobs in rural communities,” Mr McClay says.

“The hard work of Māori growers and their staff will help achieve New Zealand’s aspirational goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years, while meeting the global demand for high-quality, safe and sustainable food and fibre.”

The competition was expanded to include horticulture in 2020, recognising the growth of horticulture on whenua Māori, which has increased by 50 per cent since 2017.

“Māori orchards, such as apples and kiwifruit, and agribusinesses provide employment and vital reinvestment back into marae, papakāinga, kura, and education scholarships,” Mr Pokata says.

“The prosperity and wellbeing horticulture generates for Iwi and Māori across the motu has far reaching impacts. I tautoko the outstanding work these finalists are doing.”

Each Ahuwhenua Trophy finalist will host a field day to demonstrate their growing operations. These field days and a second round of judging will determine the overall winner. The winner will be announced on 5 June in Whangārei.

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing legislation to clarify the law on the impact of ACC payments on welfare entitlement and ensure the process is fair.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill will:

• confirm the longstanding policy intent underpinning MSD’s approach to charging income, including income from ACC
• authorise MSD to retrospectively consider a person a non-beneficiary when their backdated ACC payment reduces their benefit to zero for the applicable period, as is current practice
• reflect the principles of a targeted welfare system; where the more income you earn, the less assistance you receive from the state
• provide certainty in the law and remove the potential for interpretations of the law that go further than the policy intent, creating inequities between different cohorts of people receiving ACC payments.
• people who receive ACC and welfare assistance at the same time
• people who receive welfare assistance while they wait for ACC to decide on their entitlement

“There are two main cohorts of ACC compensation recipients in the welfare system,” Louise Upston says. 

“Under the current situation, as interpreted by the courts, the latter group, who receive lump sum payments, are treated more generously than the former. 

“They are in effect receiving two forms of income support to address one need. This also means these clients can remain eligible for assistance which only beneficiaries receive, such as the Winter Energy Payment. 

“This would not result in fair treatment between these groups and isn’t in line with the policy intent.

“The Government has a duty to fix this situation and clarify the law, so it aligns with the longstanding intent of policy,” Louise Upston says.

Notes to editors: 

• The bill will be referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for one week
• The need to amend the Social Security Act comes out of a High Court case known as ‘B’ and an earlier decision by the Social Security Appeal Authority, in which a client received a backdated lump sum payment of weekly ACC compensation and MSD sought to recover supplementary assistance paid for the period covered by the ACC payment

The retrospective effect of the legislation will not apply to a small number of cases that have been filed with the Social Security Appeal Authority or the Courts before 2pm on the day of the introduction of the Bill.

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing legislation to clarify the law on the impact of ACC payments on welfare entitlement and ensure the process is fair.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill will:

• confirm the longstanding policy intent underpinning MSD’s approach to charging income, including income from ACC
• authorise MSD to retrospectively consider a person a non-beneficiary when their backdated ACC payment reduces their benefit to zero for the applicable period, as is current practice
• reflect the principles of a targeted welfare system; where the more income you earn, the less assistance you receive from the state
• provide certainty in the law and remove the potential for interpretations of the law that go further than the policy intent, creating inequities between different cohorts of people receiving ACC payments.
• people who receive ACC and welfare assistance at the same time
• people who receive welfare assistance while they wait for ACC to decide on their entitlement

“There are two main cohorts of ACC compensation recipients in the welfare system,” Louise Upston says. 

“Under the current situation, as interpreted by the courts, the latter group, who receive lump sum payments, are treated more generously than the former. 

“They are in effect receiving two forms of income support to address one need. This also means these clients can remain eligible for assistance which only beneficiaries receive, such as the Winter Energy Payment. 

“This would not result in fair treatment between these groups and isn’t in line with the policy intent.

“The Government has a duty to fix this situation and clarify the law, so it aligns with the longstanding intent of policy,” Louise Upston says.

Notes to editors: 

• The bill will be referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for one week
• The need to amend the Social Security Act comes out of a High Court case known as ‘B’ and an earlier decision by the Social Security Appeal Authority, in which a client received a backdated lump sum payment of weekly ACC compensation and MSD sought to recover supplementary assistance paid for the period covered by the ACC payment

The retrospective effect of the legislation will not apply to a small number of cases that have been filed with the Social Security Appeal Authority or the Courts before 2pm on the day of the introduction of the Bill.

MIL OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing legislation to clarify the law on the impact of ACC payments on welfare entitlement and ensure the process is fair.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Social Security (Accident Compensation and Calculation of Weekly Income) Amendment Bill will:

• confirm the longstanding policy intent underpinning MSD’s approach to charging income, including income from ACC
• authorise MSD to retrospectively consider a person a non-beneficiary when their backdated ACC payment reduces their benefit to zero for the applicable period, as is current practice
• reflect the principles of a targeted welfare system; where the more income you earn, the less assistance you receive from the state
• provide certainty in the law and remove the potential for interpretations of the law that go further than the policy intent, creating inequities between different cohorts of people receiving ACC payments.
• people who receive ACC and welfare assistance at the same time
• people who receive welfare assistance while they wait for ACC to decide on their entitlement

“There are two main cohorts of ACC compensation recipients in the welfare system,” Louise Upston says. 

“Under the current situation, as interpreted by the courts, the latter group, who receive lump sum payments, are treated more generously than the former. 

“They are in effect receiving two forms of income support to address one need. This also means these clients can remain eligible for assistance which only beneficiaries receive, such as the Winter Energy Payment. 

“This would not result in fair treatment between these groups and isn’t in line with the policy intent.

“The Government has a duty to fix this situation and clarify the law, so it aligns with the longstanding intent of policy,” Louise Upston says.

Notes to editors: 

• The bill will be referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for one week
• The need to amend the Social Security Act comes out of a High Court case known as ‘B’ and an earlier decision by the Social Security Appeal Authority, in which a client received a backdated lump sum payment of weekly ACC compensation and MSD sought to recover supplementary assistance paid for the period covered by the ACC payment

The retrospective effect of the legislation will not apply to a small number of cases that have been filed with the Social Security Appeal Authority or the Courts before 2pm on the day of the introduction of the Bill.

MIL OSI