Latest Parliament Headlines
National Botches Health Funding Numbers
Saturday, 15 March 2025, 2:34 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“The Health Minister should learn how to read government accounts. He should be referring to spending over three government budgets – some of that money will not be spent until 2030 - not three years,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall ... More >>
Government Tramples On The Rights Of Disabled Migrant Children
Friday, 14 March 2025, 5:22 pm | Green Party
“No parent should have to face the impossible decision of having to leave their children behind. The Green Party will continue to fight to abolish migrant discrimination in all its forms,” says Ricardo Menéndez March. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Investors Excited At Summit’s Opportunities
Friday, 14 March 2025, 4:26 pm | New Zealand Government
We have sent a clear message that New Zealand is open for business and, that message has been received. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Boosting Energy Security - Wood Pellets Set To Cut Coal Dependence
Friday, 14 March 2025, 3:14 pm | New Zealand Government
The Government created the woody bioenergy taskforce as part of our Emissions Reduction Plan to encourage private investment into this market, including the potential for export. More >>
Health Requirements Strengthened For Children Of Temporary Visa Holders
Friday, 14 March 2025, 1:40 pm | New Zealand Government
From 17 March, dependent children of temporary visa holders will no longer be eligible for student and visitor visas if they have a severe cognitive or development disorder that requires significant support. More >>
ACT In The Engine Room Behind New Infrastructure Projects
Friday, 14 March 2025, 1:19 pm | ACT New Zealand
“The private sector brings innovation, expertise and capital – both domestic and international – that drives faster delivery of better infrastructure that stands the test of time." More >>
Auckland Needs Second Harbour Crossing
Friday, 14 March 2025, 12:07 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“Labour had options for a second harbour crossing, and we announced a preferred route before the election. The Minister needs to make clear the details around options for this major project as soon as possible." More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Growth Sectors On Offer
Friday, 14 March 2025, 11:58 am | New Zealand Government
“Our message to investors is simple: if it’s good for New Zealand and good for New Zealanders, we are ready to back you. New Zealand is open for business, and we will be saying yes to investment.” More >>
Barbara Edmonds’ Speech To NZ Investment Summit 2025
Friday, 14 March 2025, 11:45 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Just because the current government started something, we aren’t just going to stop it because it was their idea and not ours. If it’s working, contracted or underway, we will keep moving forward. More >>
New Practices To Improve The Safety Of People Affected By Family Violence
Friday, 14 March 2025, 11:17 am | New Zealand Government
“This new Practice Framework will ensure that family violence risk is recognised early, responded to safely and appropriately, and that people and families get the right support early." More >>
Streamlining Identity Verification Online
Friday, 14 March 2025, 11:09 am | New Zealand Government
This simplified identification process can provide significant cost and time savings for people who need to identity themselves for a service, as well as helping the organisaitons to meet their compliance obligations, including anti-money laundering ... More >>
Pharmac Acting Chief Executive Welcomed
Friday, 14 March 2025, 11:02 am | New Zealand Government
“In a trying fiscal environment, we need to prioritise funding and resources and ensure Pharmac remains focused on the basic function of procuring medicine for people who need it, to the best of its abilities,” Mr Seymour says. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Waitematā Harbour Crossing
Friday, 14 March 2025, 9:57 am | New Zealand Government
“The existing Auckland Harbour Bridge is one of the most critical transport links in NZ, carrying around 184,000 vehicles including 12,000 freight vehicles and 35,000 bus passengers daily, plus water and gas pipelines and telecommunications tables. ... More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Tolling Concessions Could Help Deliver More Roads Sooner
Friday, 14 March 2025, 9:54 am | New Zealand Government
Testing the potential for toll concessions on future Roads of National Significance will inform the Government’s decisions about the best ways to deliver and toll these future routes and in what circumstances private partners would be keen to be ... More >>
Dunedin Futures Report Should Be A Wake-Up Call
Friday, 14 March 2025, 8:08 am | Green Party
The report paints a clear picture of what climate inaction could cost our communities. It also highlights the need for the Government’s climate adaptation legislation to be enduring, anchored in Te Tiriti partnership and based on the aspirations of ... More >>
Labour Does Not Support PPPs For Prisons
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 7:57 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“This is a backwards announcement. We shouldn’t be building more beds to lock more people up and this kind of investment should be going towards reducing crime and increasing rehabilitation,” Labour corrections spokesperson Tracey McLellan ... More >>
2025 Ngarimu VC And 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships Announced
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 6:36 pm | New Zealand Government
The awards pay homage to the heroes of the 28th (Māori) Battalion, and the Victoria Cross recipient Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu. They also celebrated the winners of the 2024 Ngarimu Video Competition and the inaugural Ngarimu Waiata ... More >>
Speech To NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 5:30 pm | New Zealand Government
Hon Simeon Brown Minister of Health Kia ora koutou katoa It’s a real pleasure to join you at the inaugural New Zealand infrastructure investment summit. I’d like to welcome our overseas guests, as well as our local partners, organisations, ... More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Investment Into Christchurch Men’s Prison
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 4:17 pm | New Zealand Government
“We’re investing in our prisons to meet the growing demand for capacity, keep frontline staff, prisoners and the public safe, and provide the best possible environment to rehabilitate prisoners to reduce the risk of reoffending." More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Improving Access To Justice Through Investment
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 4:06 pm | New Zealand Government
This is a project of real significance, with a capital investment of estimated to be over $400m. These buildings will address critical capacity and functionality issues, improve access to justice and enhance service delivery for years to come. More >>
International Students Forced To Pay Up To $5,730 For Compulsory Treaty Course
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 3:46 pm | ACT New Zealand
Auckland University should be focused on academic excellence, not ideological box-ticking. It’s time to let students decide what’s best for their education, ACT’s Tertiary Education spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar said. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: First Fast-Track Projects Into Process
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 3:33 pm | New Zealand Government
The Fast-track Approvals scheme opened for applications just over a month ago. Today, the EPA has announced that three major projects have been assessed as complete to go to expert panels, Mr Bishop says. More >>
Good Progress On Action To Stabilise Disability Support Services
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 3:11 pm | New Zealand Government
In August 2024, the Independent Review into disability support services made recommendations to stabilise services and provide a base for further work to strengthen them. More >>
Member’s Bill To Keep Our Water Fresh And Free, Pulled From Ballot
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 2:41 pm | Te Pati Maori
Protecting water quality and quantity in our aquifers and groundwater is important for public health. Around 40 percent of people in Aotearoa rely on groundwater for their drinking water. Aquifers also feed wetlands, lowland rivers, and lakes. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Māori Business Success Primed For Investment
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 1:58 pm | New Zealand Government
More than 100 companies managing about $6 Trillion in capital will converge at the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland this week, which will showcase Aotearoa New Zealand’s growth sectors and infrastructure pipeline. More >>
Christopher Luxon - Speech To New Zealand Investment Summit
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 12:50 pm | New Zealand Government
We may be a small country, but time and again, we have proven that size is no barrier to greatness. From the peaks of Everest to the frontlines of social progress, from scientific breakthroughs to arts and sporting legends, Kiwis have led the way, Christopher ... More >>
Speech To Global Investment Summit
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 11:36 am | New Zealand Government
Hon David Seymour Minister for Regulation Associate Minister of Finance Good morning. It’s a pleasure to speak with you about our country’s incredible potential. My comments focus on the Government’s work making it easier to do business by improving ... More >>
Speech To NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 10:09 am | New Zealand Government
Hon Chris Bishop Minister for Infrastructure Good morning, I would like to join the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in extending a warm welcome to you all. And I’d like to say a big thank you for being here. This Summit is about showing More >>
Boosting Rural Connectivity And Economic Growth
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 8:27 am | New Zealand Government
“World-class connectivity services are vital to Kiwis’ everyday lives. This Government is ensuring we have the right regulatory settings in place for this important market, to support competition, foster innovation and help stimulate economic growth”, ... More >>
Investment Summit – Easing Red Tape To Encourage Investment
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 8:13 am | New Zealand Government
“This Government is committed to getting regulation right. Good regulatory settings attract more investment and achieve higher productivity and wages for New Zealanders,” Regulation Minister and Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says. More >>
Missed Opportunity To Stop The Stealing Of Māori Land
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 8:06 am | Green Party
“Today represents a missed opportunity to end a legacy of injustice that has seen Māori land stolen across generations,” says Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon. More >>
Members’ Bill Makes Wage Theft A Crime
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:18 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Parliament has passed the Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill today led by Labour MP Camilla Belich, inserting a new section 220AA into the Crimes Act 1961. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: New Zealand Is Open For Business
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 4:52 pm | New Zealand Government
“The financial companies and institutions attending the summit manage assets and funds worth around $6 trillion of capital and they are coming in from across the globe. These include major banks, sovereign wealth and pension funds," says Prime ... More >>
Fee Changes To Improve Border Management
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 4:25 pm | New Zealand Government
“Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries make a critical contribution to New Zealand’s economic prosperity and growth, by ensuring trade can flow as efficiently as possible,” Customs Minister Casey Costello says. More >>
Pharmac Funding Decision Will Increase Medicines Access
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 3:35 pm | New Zealand Government
“Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the government,” Mr Seymour says. More >>
Labour Supports Sanctions Against Israel’s Illegal Occupation
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 3:11 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The International Court of Justice declared the decades-long occupation illegal and called for Israel’s withdrawal, and for countries like New Zealand to take action,” Labour associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford said. More >>
Govt Procurement Plan Cuts Wages And Trashes The Environment
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 2:25 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government’s procurement announcement shows their priorities: they want to cut wages while making it easier to ignore environmental standards,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Next Steps To Increase Investment
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 2:18 pm | New Zealand Government
“Cabinet has directed Invest NZ to provide the certainty international investors need and accelerate international investment into New Zealand to turbo charge growth, and create jobs,” Mr McClay says. More >>
Foreign Minister Welcomes Potential Ukraine Ceasefire
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 2:13 pm | New Zealand Government
“We look forward to discussing ongoing developments with Secretary Rubio in Washington next week,” Mr Peters says. More >>
Banking Inquiry Exposes $600 Million Rural Lending Squeeze
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 2:10 pm | ACT New Zealand
“BNZ’s CEO understated the cost of these rules by a factor of nine due to a calculation error. He told the Select Committee the cost was around $200 million, but the real figure is closer to $1.8 billion – with $600 million of that burden falling on ... More >>
Procurement Proposals Pose Risk To People And Planet
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 1:22 pm | Green Party
“These proposals are nothing more than an attempt to weaken workers’ rights and erode environmental protections,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. More >>
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Tax Change For Incoming Talent To Boost Growth
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 1:14 pm | New Zealand Government
“When we attract Kiwis home or bring in new, smart talent we grow the economy and that means jobs, more opportunities and higher wages for everyone,” Mr Watts says. More >>
Councils Need To Follow Govt’s Lead On Procurement
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 11:55 am | ACT New Zealand
“It’s absurd that councils are forcing traffic management operators and pipeline technicians to explain their commitment to Te Tiriti, or their approach to climate change, or their recycling practices." More >>
Just Six Government MPs Needed To Pass Unlawful Occupation Of Palestine Sanctions Bill
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 11:23 am | Green Party
“All we need now is just six Government MPs. If six MPs from National, NZ First or ACT use their conscience, we can pass the law necessary to begin sanctioning Israel for its brutal war crimes against the Palestinian people,” says Green Party co-leader ... More >>
New Gas Well Example Of Potential In Mature Fields
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 10:14 am | New Zealand Government
The Pohokura Onshore Well Number 5 (POW-05) is anticipated to deliver about 4 petajoules of gas per annum into New Zealand’s energy network under a mining permit held by a joint venture between operator OMV and Todd Energy. More >>
Unlocking Economic Growth Through Science
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:53 am | New Zealand Government
"We are moving quickly on changes to New Zealand’s science and innovation system which will maximise the value of government funding and drive economic growth,” says Dr Reti. More >>
First New Air Ambulance Helicopter In Service
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:46 am | New Zealand Government
This brand new 5-blade Airbus H145 D3 passed its final test flight on 25 February and goes into operation this week. More >>
Going For Growth: New Procurement Rules
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:15 am | New Zealand Government
The new ‘economic benefit’ test will require government agencies to consider the wider benefit to New Zealand of awarding contracts to New Zealand firms when making procurement decisions. More >>
Clarifying Corrections’ Management Of EM Bail
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:03 am | New Zealand Government
Corrections monitors around 2,000 people on EM bail at any one time and on average approves over 30,000 absences each month. More >>
Direct Experience Welded To Ferry Holdings
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 4:30 pm | New Zealand Government
Mrs Rich and Captain MacLeod have been appointed to the Board, joining chair Chris Mackenzie, deputy chair Heather Simpson, and director Greg Lowe. More >>
New Chair Appointed To NZTE
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 4:00 pm | New Zealand Government
NZTE is the Government’s international business development agency tasked with supporting Kiwi businesses to export more and grow international markets. More >>
Oral Questions — Questions To Ministers | Sitting Date: 11 March 2025
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 3:56 pm | Hansard
Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) for 11 March 2025 More >>
Increased Penalties For 23 Illicit Drugs
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 1:10 pm | New Zealand Government
The proposed changes would impose stricter controls on 23 substances, increasing the ability of Police and Customs to take preventative action and allowing harsher penalties for those caught making or possessing these drugs. More >>
Critical Minerals Driving West Coast Mining Revival
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 11:00 am | New Zealand Government
“The West Coast has long been a drawcard for explorers and developers of gold and metallurgical coal. With international interest in critical minerals, we are seeing revived interest from near and far,” Resources Minister Shane Jones says. More >>
Labour’s Approach To Māori Economy Benefits All
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 10:36 am | New Zealand Labour Party
“For the first time, more Māori are employed in high-skilled jobs compared to those in low-skilled jobs. Māori who are self-employed surged a massive 86 percent and the number of Māori employers grew by 91 percent,” Labour acting Māori economy ... More >>
Government Moves To Give Teeth To Pawsitive Health Outcomes For Pets
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 10:29 am | New Zealand Government
“Prior to 2021 subgingival procedures were performed by skilled vet nurses, the last government introduced criteria that meant it could only be carried out by vets – Now we are changing it back to make it sensible and efficient”, says Associate ... More >>
Leadership Transition At New Zealand High Commission In London
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 10:04 am | New Zealand Government
Mr Goff is scheduled to depart London this weekend. The process for confirming the next New Zealand High Commissioner to London continues, with an announcement to be made in due course, once approval has been received from the UK Government. More >>
Pharmacy Council Members Sought
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 9:17 am | New Zealand Government
“I’m seeking candidates who are focused on the core business of ensuring pharmacists are competent and fit to serve their patients safely, efficiently, and professionally,” says Associate Health Minister David Seymour. More >>
Improving Visibility Of Dependent Children To The Court
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 8:05 am | New Zealand Government
“This is a significant step towards ensuring the children of defendants facing a custodial remand or sentence are visible, so that their interests can be considered by the Court.” Minister for Courts Nicole McKee says. More >>
NZ Investment Summit: Northland Expressway Road Of National Significance
Monday, 10 March 2025, 4:22 pm | New Zealand Government
“The Waikato Expressway delivered by the last National-led Government has been a game changer for the Waikato region. The Northland Expressway is a genuinely transformational opportunity to boost jobs and growth in an area rich with potential and link Northland ... More >>