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16 Dec 2025Paulo Garcia

Paulo Garcia to retire from Parliament at next election

National MP Paulo Garcia has announced he will not seek re-election at the 2026 General Election. Mr Garcia entered Parliament in 2019, becoming New Zealand’s first

16 Dec 2025Chris Bishop · Judith Collins · Simon Watts · Penny Simmonds

New ministry to deliver better housing, transport, and environmental outcomes

The Government has today confirmed the establishment of a new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), to support the Government’s ambitious reform agenda in

16 Dec 2025Chris Penk

Earthquake-prone buildings Bill passes first reading

Legislation that will bring significant financial relief to many building owners by refocusing the earthquake-prone building system has passed its first reading in Parliament. “Building a

16 Dec 2025Paul Goldsmith

Electoral reforms pass final reading

The Government has passed legislation which helps ensure future elections are timely and efficient, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “While the core principles guiding our elections

16 Dec 2025Chris Bishop

Planning reform bills pass first reading

The legislation underpinning New Zealand’s new planning system has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a major step toward replacing the RMA with a system

15 Dec 2025Chris Bishop · Mark Mitchell

Roadside drug testing starts today

Drug-impaired drivers should expect consequences, with roadside drug testing starting today in the Wellington District before rolling out across the country, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and

12 Dec 2025Chris Bishop

Improving how we care for New Zealand’s infrastructure

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says new guidance from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission will help improve how government agencies maintain and manage the country’s infrastructure. “Central

11 Dec 2025Paul Goldsmith

Crown reaches major Treaty milestone with Ngai Tai

The Crown has signed an agreement in principle to settle the historical Treaty claims of Ngai Tai, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This

11 Dec 2025Erica Stanford · Louise Upston

First 10,000 visitors through visa-waiver travel from Australia

New Zealand’s economy is already benefiting from the new visa-free pathway for Chinese and Pacific travellers with eligible Australian visas, with more than 13,000 visitors already

11 Dec 2025Chris Penk

Public Works Act overhaul clears first hurdle

Legislation to bring about a fairer and faster system for securing land for public infrastructure projects has passed its first reading in Parliament today. “The Public

10 Dec 2025Erica Stanford

Secondary principals vote to accept settlement

Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomes the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for secondary principals, with a majority vote from members of the Secondary Principals’ Association of

10 Dec 2025Erica Stanford

Significant boost to school property budgets

The Government is continuing to supercharge school property, increasing maintenance funding for the first time since 2010 so more students benefit from safe, warm and dry

9 Dec 2025Chris Bishop

A better planning system for a better New Zealand

New Zealand’s new planning system will make it easier to build the homes and infrastructure our country needs, give farmers and growers the freedom to get

9 Dec 2025Nicola Willis · Chris Bishop

Planning overhaul to unlock growth

A sweeping overhaul of planning rules will unlock economic growth and help build a stronger New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and RMA Reform Minister Chris

9 Dec 2025Todd McClay

RMA replacement to reduce costs and drive on-farm growth

Farmers and growers will spend less time burdened with unnecessary paperwork and more time farming under New Zealand’s new planning system, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and

9 Dec 2025Chris Bishop

Planning reform to unlock housing growth

The Government’s new planning system will make it significantly easier to build the homes New Zealand needs and give homeowners greater freedom to improve and use

9 Dec 2025Chris Bishop

Cutting red tape to deliver the infrastructure New Zealand needs

The Government’s new planning system will make it much easier and quicker to deliver the infrastructure New Zealand needs, while giving councils, investors and communities greater

9 Dec 2025Simon Watts

Boosting renewable energy through planning reform

New Zealand’s new planning system will accelerate renewable energy projects and unlock the country’s clean energy potential, Energy Minister Simon Watts says. Mr Watts says New