Latest Parliament Headlines
Health Targets Focusing System On Delivering More For Patients
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 1:13 pm | New Zealand Government
Wait times in emergency departments continue to reduce, with 72.1 per cent of patients being admitted or discharged within six hours, an improvement from 67.4 per cent in the previous quarter. More >>
Regional Tourism To Benefit From $2.45 Million Boost
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 1:10 pm | New Zealand Government
2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism and show what our humming, vibrant country has on show. New Zealand tourism is open for business, Louise Upston said during comments to the University of Otago Tourism Policy School in Queenstown. More >>
Thousands Of Submissions Excluded From Treaty Principles Bill Report
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 12:15 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour sought an extension of time so that all submitters could be heard and their submissions put on the permanent record. Instead, the Justice Select Committee has rammed it through with outrageous haste, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb ... More >>
Uncertainty Remains Over The Impact Of Tariffs
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 11:34 am | New Zealand Labour Party
While the announcement has provided clarity on the percentage of tariffs, the impact on the US economy collectively including the impact on prices in the US market will take a long time to be fully realised. More >>
Statement By Minister Todd McClay Following U.S. Tariff Announcement
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 11:32 am | New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely. Tariffs have consequences for the global economy – impacting inflation, demand, currency stability, and economic growth. More >>
Rule Of Two For Faster Access To Medicines
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 10:10 am | New Zealand Government
The policy will start with Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore and Switzerland, as recognised countries. These are the main countries Medsafe currently recognises. More >>
Going For Growth: More Affordable Building Products
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 10:07 am | New Zealand Government
Making it easier and more affordable to build in New Zealand is a central pillar in this Government’s Going for Growth plan to get the economy back on track. More >>
Strengthening Reo Māori Accessibility
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 10:03 am | New Zealand Government
“These entities fulfil a wide range of roles, from preserving cultural practices and archival material to engaging with communities, so their leadership reflects the depth of expertise needed to advance te reo Māori revitalisation,” Minister ... More >>
Reducing Ambiguity About What Is Reasonably Practicable For Health And Safety Compliance
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 6:59 am | New Zealand Government
These changes are part of the wider health and safety system reform and will be progressed through changes to legislation later this year. More >>
ACT Celebrates Law Change To Liberate Builders And Embrace International Materials
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 8:59 pm | ACT New Zealand
This aligns with ACT’s wider war on red tape, including our ‘rule of two’ proposal for approving overseas medicines in New Zealand. It’s common-sense thinking: if a product is good enough for our friends overseas, we shouldn't deny access to it ... More >>
Question Of Privilege Concerning The Conduct Of Four Members During Proceedings Of The House
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 5:39 pm | Privileges Committee
A final alternative date for the hearings of evidence to take place is Wednesday, 23 April 2025 at 10.00am. Each member is expected to appear at the hearing of evidence, or to provide written evidence by that date in lieu of his or her attendance. More >>
Backing Builders By Cracking Down On Cowboys
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 1:11 pm | New Zealand Government
There is an urgent need to strip back the layers of regulation choking productivity in the building system. Builders are waiting too long for the necessary paperwork to get on with the job adds costs for homeowners. More >>
Unacceptable Payment By KiwiRail
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 1:08 pm | New Zealand Government
KiwiRail engaged McKinsey on 6 December 2023, but did not tell the Government about it until 7 February 2024 or disclose the value of the payment to Ministers until 6 June 2024. The Ombudsman determined recently that the total payment value should ... More >>
Worst February For Building Consents In Over A Decade
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 1:03 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Statistics released today show 33,595 new homes were consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended February 2025, down 7.4 percent compared with the year ended February 2024. More >>
New Zealand Parliamentarians Attend 150th IPU Assembly
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 11:07 am | Office of the Speaker
Stuart Smith MP, Tangi Utikere MP, Kahurangi Carter MP, and Dana Kirkpatrick MP will take part in discussions covering topics including eradicating poverty, fostering social inclusion, and increasing the participation of marginalised groups in decision ... More >>
Investing In Injury Prevention In The Manufacturing Sector
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 11:01 am | New Zealand Government
“Manufacturing is a powerful driver for economic growth in New Zealand, contributing more than 60 per cent of our exports and employing nearly 230,000 people across 23,000 business,” Mr Penk says. More >>
Health And Safety Governance And Management Change Coming
Wednesday, 2 April 2025, 7:55 am | New Zealand Government
The Government is delivering on an ACT-National Coalition Agreement to reform New Zealand’s health and safety laws and regulations. This change is part of the wider health and safety system reform and will be progressed through changes to legislation ... More >>
Labour Supports Willie Apiata’s Selfless Act
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 8:11 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour stands ready to work with the Minister for Veterans and all parties to reform the veterans’ qualifying system. More >>
Plain Language Act Repeal Bill Passes First Reading
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 5:46 pm | New Zealand Government
“Repealing this Act cuts red tape and will allow the public service to get on with what really matters, which is delivering services for New Zealanders,” Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. More >>
Government Seeks To Simplify Fringe Benefit Tax Rules
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 5:06 pm | New Zealand Government
“Public feedback will help shape final proposals which Government will consider this year. The proposals have also been designed to be broadly fiscally neutral as the changes will focus on enhancing the integrity of the tax system,” Mr Watts ... More >>
Supporting Better Rehabilitation Rates For Injured Kiwis
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 3:02 pm | New Zealand Government
Rehabilitation rates have been slipping over the past decade, which is why they’re a crucial focus for me as I look to significantly improve ACC’s performance and long-term financial sustainability,” says Mr Simpson. More >>
Northland Water Security Receives $41m Boost
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 2:55 pm | New Zealand Government
The Otawere Pipeline project will see Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust consolidate the Otawere Reservoir on Waitangi River and expand its distribution network by 15km. More >>
Elective Boost Delivers More Than 2,000 Procedures
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 2:42 pm | New Zealand Government
Delivery is ramping up, with more than 2,000 procedures completed so far. Priority is being given to patients waiting more than four months. More >>
Moves To Rein In Public Sector Bloat Welcomed
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 1:58 pm | ACT New Zealand
Too many government agencies are trying to do too many things. Bureaucratic mission creep sees taxpayer money wasted on nice-to-haves, duplicated across different departments. Basic services are neglected even while headcounts balloon. More >>
Te Pāti Māori MPs Denied Fundamental Rights In Privileges Committee Hearing
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 1:33 pm | Te Pati Maori
The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. More >>
Back To Basics For Public Service
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 1:09 pm | New Zealand Government
The New Zealand National Party-ACT New Zealand Coalition Agreement requires the Act be amended to “clarify the role of the public service, drive performance and ensure accountability to deliver on the agenda of the government of the day. More >>
Public Works Act Overhaul Complete To Drive Infrastructure Growth
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 12:29 pm | New Zealand Government
The Public Works Act Amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament in mid-2025, with the public invited to provide feedback through the select committee process. More >>
Freeing The Great Outdoors From Health And Safety Scope Creep
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 11:29 am | New Zealand Government
“Landowners will not be responsible if someone is injured on their land while doing recreational activities. Health and safety responsibilities will lie squarely on the organisation running the activities,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ... More >>
Māori Economic Growth Plan Aimed At Boosting Jobs And Incomes
Tuesday, 1 April 2025, 8:06 am | New Zealand Government
Creating jobs and boosting incomes is at the heart of a renewed Government Māori economic growth plan, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. More >>
Help Shape The Future Of Farm Plastics Recycling
Monday, 31 March 2025, 6:58 pm | New Zealand Government
The proposed regulations would support a nationally consistent product stewardship scheme for agrichemicals, their containers, and farm plastics, helping farmers and growers reduce their environmental impact while maintaining productivity. More >>
Govt Health And Safety Changes Put Workers At Risk
Monday, 31 March 2025, 5:37 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“New Zealand already has one of the highest rates of workplace deaths in the developed world. Despite this appalling record, the Government is choosing to weaken our health and safety laws,” Labour workplace relations spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. More >>
Going For Growth: Cutting Health & Safety Red Tape
Monday, 31 March 2025, 4:21 pm | New Zealand Government
“We’re delivering on the ACT-National coalition agreement to reform health and safety laws and regulations. We want all Kiwis to return home safe after every working day." More >>
Kiwis Worse Off This April Thanks To Govt Choices
Monday, 31 March 2025, 3:10 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“Under Labour, April 1 meant higher wages and more support for those doing it tough. Under National, April 1 has turned into a day workers and struggling families dread,” Willie Jackson said. More >>
Three More Years For Interislander Ferries
Monday, 31 March 2025, 2:58 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“Instead of scoring two ferries for $551 million, Winston Peters has informed us he will progress with two smaller ferries but has no contract, or costs,” Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. More >>
Two New Charter Schools Announced
Monday, 31 March 2025, 2:35 pm | New Zealand Government
“Tōtara Park School and Twin Oaks Classical School, both in Auckland, have signed contracts with the Charter School Agency,” Mr Seymour says. More >>
Winston Peters' Speech - Rail Ferries And Straightforward Infrastructure
Monday, 31 March 2025, 2:32 pm | New Zealand Government
On the 11th of December, we resumed responsibility for the Rail portfolio and with it the leadership of the Cook Strait ferry replacement programme. More >>
Rail Ferries And Straightforward Infrastructure
Monday, 31 March 2025, 2:14 pm | New Zealand Government
Cabinet today agreed the package which Mr Peters says will deliver the appropriate ships and infrastructure for the job at a significant saving for the taxpayer. More >>
ACT Welcomes RBNZ’s Review Of Banking Red Tape
Monday, 31 March 2025, 12:00 pm | ACT New Zealand
BNZ previously confirmed to me that costs are falling particularly hard on famers, with the rules driving up rural interest rates by one whole percentage point. It’s about time our farmers got a fair go to invest in their land so they can feed New ... More >>
Regarding Comments Of The Deputy Prime Minister On Sean Plunkett’s Show
Monday, 31 March 2025, 11:26 am | Green Party
Members of any minority community, like our rainbow community, are accustomed to using and co-opting terms that may not be well understood by external groups, oftentimes with irreverence and absurdity. More >>
Myanmar Junta Must Stop The Airstrikes
Monday, 31 March 2025, 10:57 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour welcomes the Government’s contribution of $2 million to earthquake relief efforts but it is imperative there is international pressure on the junta to stop its military action, Labour associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford said. More >>
Reserve Bank Capital Review Welcomed
Monday, 31 March 2025, 10:21 am | New Zealand Government
The Reserve Bank’s decision to conduct a prompt review is a good opportunity to objectively assess New Zealand’s settings and consider whether the Bank’s intention to keep increasing capital requirements still makes sense. More >>
AUT Dean’s Outburst Shows Virus Of Racism Alive And Well In Universities
Sunday, 30 March 2025, 2:31 pm | ACT New Zealand
"The Vice Chancellor needs to stop this rhetoric. How many immigrant students study law at AUT? Should they be treated differently with demands to ‘remember where they live?’," asks says ACT Leader David Seymour. More >>
National Failing To Deliver On Supermarkets
Sunday, 30 March 2025, 2:26 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Today’s announcement to ask for more information and hope the major supermarket players do something about it in the meantime, is no more than paying lip service to all of the promises they’ve been making to Kiwis. More >>
Going For Growth: All Supermarket Options On Table
Sunday, 30 March 2025, 2:22 pm | New Zealand Government
The purpose of the RFI is to identify the regulatory and legislative steps necessary to facilitate increased competition at scale. More >>
Infrastructure Minister To Visit Singapore
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 2:58 pm | New Zealand Government
“We have a lot to learn from Singapore, particularly around transport and infrastructure and I am looking forward to meetings to discuss rapid transit, public housing, and port development,” says Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop. More >>
Entering Final Stages Of Ngāti Hāua Settlement
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 2:35 pm | New Zealand Government
“While no settlement can fully compensate for the Crown’s injustices towards NgātiHāua, I sincerely hope this redress package will support Ngāti Hāua to realise their economic and cultural aspirations for generations to come,” Treaty ... More >>
MP Drafts Bill To End Race-based University Policies
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 2:19 pm | ACT New Zealand
“I have drafted a bill that would effectively apply the need-not-race directive to the university sectors. ACT will continue to advocate for fair access to opportunities at university and I hope the Minister will consider my proposal," says ACT Tertiary ... More >>
Patterson Leads The Running Of The Sheep At The Great NZ Muster
Saturday, 29 March 2025, 2:14 pm | New Zealand Government
“I will continue to work with farmers to rebuild the industry into a strong sector that recognises its exporting and sustainability potential” says Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson. More >>
Employment Relations Authority Members Sought
Friday, 28 March 2025, 4:31 pm | New Zealand Government
“This Govt is committed to supporting thriving & productive workplaces. ERA decisions can have a material impact on the costs of being an employer & doing business and can impact workers’ confidence to enter or remain in the workforce,” says Workplace ... More >>
Speech To NZ Planning Institute Conference
Friday, 28 March 2025, 3:12 pm | New Zealand Government
Hon Chris Bishop acknowledge Hon Rachel Brooking, opposition spokesperson for RMA Reform, as well as Simon Court, his Under-Secretary, who I will invite to speak after him. More >>
Speech To The New Zealand Planning Institute Annual Conference
Friday, 28 March 2025, 2:13 pm | New Zealand Government
Many of these costs are spread across society and felt over decades, some just shovelled onto private property owners to cop. This system rewards planners for avoiding risk, not for enabling growth, and it enables the undermining of property rights in the ... More >>
Improved Hunting Permit System On Its Way
Friday, 28 March 2025, 1:48 pm | New Zealand Government
The upgraded system will also make selecting hunting areas easier. Instead of the 54 hunting areas that hunters currently choose from, the system will be simplified so hunters choose from eight regions, four in the North Island and four in the South ... More >>
Oral Questions — Questions To Ministers | Sitting Date: 27 March 2025
Friday, 28 March 2025, 1:30 pm | Hansard
Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) for 27 March 2025 More >>
New Mobile Dental Clinic Will Reach Thousands Of Children
Friday, 28 March 2025, 12:36 pm | New Zealand Government
This purpose-built, mobile clinic will provide dental assessments, treatment, and oral health education for up to 3,000 children each year. More >>
New Zealand 3D Maps Are A Game-Changer
Friday, 28 March 2025, 11:55 am | New Zealand Government
With 80 percent of New Zealand now mapped, we can analyse most of the country at once, rather than taking a fragmented region-by-region approach, says Minister for Land Information Hon Chris Penk. More >>
Government Addresses Wellington Water Concerns
Friday, 28 March 2025, 11:21 am | New Zealand Government
The Government is bringing forward Local Water Done Well for the Wellington region by imposing early economic regulation on Wellington Water. More >>
Innovation Drives Refreshed Disability Strategy
Friday, 28 March 2025, 11:13 am | New Zealand Government
“The current 10-year strategy ends in 2026 and has provided a valuable focus for disability work during the past decade,” Louise Upston says. More >>
ACT Welcomes Moves To Take Ideology Out Of Healthcare, Recognises Overseas Qualifications
Friday, 28 March 2025, 10:28 am | ACT New Zealand
The Health Minister today announced the Government is considering the establishment of an Occupations Tribunal which would consider appeals about decisions relating to overseas qualifications. More >>
Wildlife Act Fix Will Enable Economic Growth With Animal Protection
Friday, 28 March 2025, 9:15 am | New Zealand Government
The Government intends to promptly change the law to enable these important activities to go ahead lawfully, including the building of houses and roads for example, as they have in the past with safeguards for wildlife. More >>
Reducing Red Tape To Put Patients First
Friday, 28 March 2025, 8:50 am | New Zealand Government
“We are committed to ensuring all New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare,” Mr Brown says. “Making our health system more efficient and enabling frontline workers to get on with their jobs will allow it to become more responsive to patient ... More >>