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New Zealand.

All content tagged with "New Zealand"

Stories

Methanex to indefinitely idle Taranaki production facilities in early 2027

Methanex Corporation has announced it will indefinitely idle its New Zealand production facilities in early 2027, dealing a major blow to the Taranaki economy due to declining natural gas availability.

Tony Skilling6 days ago

Rates Cap

Government to Legally Cap Local Council Rate Increases at Four Percent

Local Government Minister Simon Watts has announced a new policy introducing a two to four percent target range for annual rate increases per capita.

Tony Skilling1 month ago

RMA Reform

Government Scraps Council-Iwi Resource Management Agreements Ahead of RMA Reforms

The Coalition Government has blocked existing and pending Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from transferring into New Zealand's new planning framework.

Tony Skilling1 month ago

Election Policy

NZ First Pledges $1 Billion to Map Offshore Oil and Gas Reserves

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has pledged an initial $1 billion to map the country's offshore oil and gas reserves if elected, focusing on energy security.

Tony Skilling1 month ago

Road Safety

Random Roadside Drug Testing Rolls Out Across New Zealand

New Zealand drivers now face random roadside drug testing as police roll out a nationwide safety measure to detect driving impairment.

Tony Skilling1 month ago

Election 2026

Paul Henry resigns from TVNZ board to stand as ACT Party candidate

Broadcaster Paul Henry has resigned from his position on the TVNZ board to stand as an ACT Party list candidate in the upcoming general election.

Tony Skilling1 month ago

Obituary

Beloved New Zealand Actor Sir Sam Neill Dies Aged 78

New Zealand screen icon Sir Sam Neill has passed away in Sydney at the age of 78 following a battle with a rare blood illness.

Tony Skilling1 month ago

Election Policy

ACT Proposes Three-Year Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentence for Three-Strike Burglars

ACT has announced a new "Three Strikes for Burglary" election policy that would mandate a three-year minimum prison sentence with no parole for third-time offenders.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Policy Launch

Winston Peters Proposes Restricting Voting Rights to New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has announced a policy that would strip non-citizen permanent residents of their right to vote in general and local body elections.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Health Reform

Parliament Passes Landmark Overhaul of New Zealand Mental Health Laws

Parliament has passed historic legislation representing the biggest reform of New Zealand's mental health laws in over 30 years, banning youth seclusion and strengthening patient rights.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Road Rules

Government Confirms Four Key Changes to New Zealand Road Rules

The Government has confirmed four upcoming changes to New Zealand road rules, including allowing children to cycle on footpaths and requiring drivers to give buses right of way.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Election Policy

Green Party Corrects $800 Million Accounting Error in Election Tax Policy

The Green Party has defended its economic credibility after correcting an $826 million accounting error in its newly released election tax policy, which co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick described as a typo.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Political Bill

Public Feedback Deadline Approaches for Controversial Definitions of Woman and Man Bill

New Zealanders have until July 2nd to submit feedback on a controversial private member's bill that proposes locking biological definitions of sex into statutory law.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Policy Launch

National Party Proposes Mandatory KiwiSaver and Newborn Kickstart Payments by 2028

The National Party has announced a major policy shift to make KiwiSaver contributions mandatory for all workers by 2028 and introduce automatic enrolment for newborns.

Tony Skilling2 months ago

Local Government

Government to Restrict Council Committee Voting Rights to Elected Members Only

The government has announced a law change that will remove voting rights from unelected iwi and community representatives on local council committees.

Tony Skilling3 months ago

Space News

New Zealand Space Teams and Military to Track NASA's Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

New Zealand engineers and military personnel are preparing to play a crucial role in tracking NASA's Artemis II spacecraft, the first crewed Moon mission in over 50 years.

Tony Skilling5 months ago

Fuel Crisis

Taranaki Petrol Prices Predicted to Hit $3.70 Per Litre by Weekend

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold predicts 91 octane petrol will reach $3.70 per litre due to global supply disruptions, sparking concern for Taranaki's economy.

Tony Skilling5 months ago

All Blacks

Dave Rennie Confirmed as New All Blacks Head Coach

Former Chiefs and Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has been officially confirmed as the new All Blacks head coach, taking over the role in June.

Tony Skilling6 months ago

Wildfire Update

Photos Show Devastation as Tongariro National Park Wildfire Burns 3,000 Hectares

A wildfire in Tongariro National Park has now burnt an estimated 3000 hectares, with photos showing widespread devastation and crews continuing to battle the active blaze amidst road and track closures.

Tony Skilling10 months ago

Wildfire Alert

Tongariro Wildfire Spreads to 1600 Hectares, Prompting Further Evacuations

The Tongariro National Park wildfire has rapidly expanded to an estimated 1600 hectares, leading to further precautionary evacuations and an escalated aerial firefight amidst challenging conditions.

Tony Skilling10 months ago

Wildfire Emergency

Watch: Tongariro Wildfire Surges Past 1000 Hectares, Forcing Evacuations

A wildfire in Tongariro National Park has surged past 1000 hectares overnight, remaining out of control and forcing air evacuations, road closures, and a major aerial response on the Central Plateau.

Tony Skilling10 months ago

Policy Change

NZ First Bill Seeks Nationwide Ban on Public Fireworks Sales and Private Use

New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill proposing to prohibit the retail sale, manufacture, and importation of fireworks for personal use, citing public frustration over damage, disruption, and the burden on emergency services and

Tony Skilling10 months ago

PM Passes

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, Ōpunake-Born, Dies Peacefully Aged 90

Jim Bolger, New Zealand's 35th Prime Minister and a Taranaki native, has died peacefully at 90, leaving a legacy of significant political reforms and public service.

Tony Skilling10 months ago

CBD Upgrade

New Plymouth CBD Undergoes Green Facelift, Natives Replace Ageing Alders

New Plymouth's CBD is getting a green facelift, replacing ageing Italian alders on Devon Street with native shade trees and greenery to enhance safety and amenity as part of the City Centre Strategy.

Tony Skilling11 months ago

Iwi Development

Te Ātiawa Papakāinga in Westown Offers Iwi Members Pathway to Home Ownership

Te Ātiawa has built eight modern townhouses, Papapounamu, in Westown for Iwi members, providing secure, affordable rentals and a pathway to home ownership on Treaty settlement land.

Tony Skilling11 months ago

Election Debate

Rates Cap a Key Election Issue in New Plymouth as Poll Shows 75% Support

A national RNZ-Reid Research poll reveals 75% of voters support a rates cap, making it a significant election issue in New Plymouth where mayoral hopeful Max Brough advocates for stricter spending limits.

Tony Skilling11 months ago

Cycleway Debate

"Tim Tam" Cycleway Survey Presented to Minister Shane Jones, Shows Overwhelming Opposition

A community survey with over 7,000 responses, presented to Minister Shane Jones, revealed only 2% support for New Plymouth's "Tim Tam" cycleway separators, sparking debate over their safety and impact on businesses.

Tony Skilling11 months ago

Community Fundraiser

Fundraiser to Support Taranaki Air Ambulance with All Blacks Jersey Auction

A fundraiser at the New Plymouth Club, organised with Hope Walk NP, aims to support the Taranaki Air Ambulance, which performs 14 life-saving flights weekly, with an auction featuring a signed All Blacks jersey.

Tony Skilling12 months ago

Festival Pause

WOMAD Taranaki Pauses 2026 Festival Amid Rising Costs and Sponsorship Challenges

WOMAD Taranaki will take a "purposeful rest" in 2026, with organisers citing rising operational costs and a tougher sponsorship market as reasons for the pause, aiming to return in 2027.

Tony Skilling12 months ago

Playground Upgrade

Destination Kāwaroa Playground Adds Shade Structure Following Community Feedback

Weeks after opening, Destination Kāwaroa playground is installing a new shade structure, built by local firm Bullitt Fabrications, to address community feedback and enhance visitor comfort during summer.

Tony Skilling1 year ago

Youth Crime

Taranaki Teen Charged After 13 Cars Damaged in Waitara and New Plymouth Vandalism Spree

A Taranaki teen has been arrested and charged with wilful damage to 13 cars across Waitara and New Plymouth, with police inquiries ongoing and a second youth also facing charges.

Tony Skilling1 year ago

Council Vote

New Plymouth Council Approves $3.5 Million Queen Street Revamp for West End Crossing

New Plymouth District Council has approved a $3.5 million Queen Street makeover, creating a new shared zone between Devon and King streets despite some opposition, with construction set for November 2025.

Tony Skilling1 year ago

Playground Opening

Destination Kāwaroa Celebrates Launch of Stages 2 & 3 with "Big Day of Play" Event

Destination Kāwaroa officially launched Stages 2 and 3 with a "Big Day of Play," expanding the inclusive coastal playground with new features, largely funded by philanthropy and grants.

Tony Skilling1 year ago