Money seized from criminals will fund nine initiatives to reduce violence, prevent reoffending, and disrupt the drug trade, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.

Dr Julian Wilcox has been appointed Chair of the Māori Language Commission for a three-year term, effective 5 October 2026. He brings extensive expertise in te reo Māori, governance, broadcasting and public-sector leadership. Acting Māori Development Minister Shane Jones also thanked outgoing Chair Professor Rawinia Higgins for her significant contribution to the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

The Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock project has had its Fastrack application accepted as complete by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The Regional Infrastructure Fund will provide funding to help regional airlines manage the operating pressures facing the sector.

Land has been secured for a future hospital facility on Karaka Road in Drury, marking a significant investment in the long-term healthcare needs of South Auckland's growing population.

Pharmac and Health New Zealand are increasing the number of funded medicines community pharmacies can provide from today, Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown say.

Targeted changes to New Plymouth’s District Plan will make it easier for homeowners and developers to build, alter homes, and make better use of land, while removing unnecessary consenting requirements and other planning barriers to growth, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.

Nelson Tasman communities are one step closer to more timely and accurate weather information, with a site selected for the region’s new weather radar.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown have today welcomed Pharmac’s decision to expand access to funded cancer treatments for adolescents and young adults with paediatric-origin cancers.

Recent changes by the Electricity Authority will require power companies to regularly check that their customers are on the best plans for their circumstances and will ban power companies from doing big charge backs for bills dating longer than six months.

The Coalition Government will support at risk regional air routes with up to $30 million in loans from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for small passenger airlines.

The Government is progressing long-signalled updates to the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan, based on proposals developed and consulted on by the beekeeping industry.

The Government is progressing important safety improvements to a key Tasman State Highway intersection, following community concern after multiple crashes, Associate Transport and South Island Minister James Meager says.

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson have today classified the extreme wet and cold conditions across Southland and the Clutha District as a medium-scale adverse event.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today launched two new Approved Codes of Practice [ACOP] that outline practical steps businesses and workers can take to meet their health and safety responsibilities on farms.

Enzed Energy, the first explorer to be awarded a new petroleum exploration permit since the repeal of the offshore exploration ban, has lodged a second application targeting the promising Toutouwai prospect in the offshore Taranaki Basin.

The Government’s overhaul of school property takes another significant step forward today, with the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA) formally beginning operations, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.

From today, women turning 71 are eligible for free breast screening as BreastScreen Aotearoa's age extension programme enters its second year.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed a package of changes to Wellington’s district plan following an investigation into heritage planning provisions affecting five key sites.

From today, the starting age for free bowel screening is being lowered to 56 for thousands of New Zealanders.

Auckland’s new transport governance, planning and delivery arrangements will be in effect from tomorrow, restoring democratic accountability and resetting how transport decisions are made in Auckland, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.

The Planning Act and Natural Environment Act have received Royal assent and are now law, marking the beginning of New Zealand’s transition to a new and fundamentally different planning system.

More than one million train rides have been recorded on Auckland’s rail network in the first two weeks since the City Rail Link (CRL) opened, with early data showing Aucklanders are embracing new routes and changing the way they travel across the city.

People in need of mental health and addiction support in Hawke’s Bay will have another place to turn, with the new Hawke’s Bay Crisis Recovery Café opening this week and peer support soon available in the Emergency Department, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

A proposed reduction to flight passenger security levies will generate millions of dollars in annual savings for the aviation sector and meets the Government’s commitment to reduce levies once the sector’s regulator had stabilised post-Covid.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed deep sadness at the death of former Labour MP and Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe.

Minister for Rail Winston Peters hails KiwiRail's annual result with a $162m operating surplus and 11 percent growth in rail freight revenue.

Funding of $1.7 million for three projects to reduce food waste across the country has been announced today by Environment Minister Nicola Grigg.

Tougher penalties and new offences agreed by Cabinet will help tackle the illicit tobacco trade, Associate Minister of Health Costello says.

Good morning. Thank you for having me to open this year’s conference. It’s good to be in a room with the people who grow it, process it and sell it to the world. Farmers, processors, exporters and the people who back them. I want to talk about one idea this morning. Grow more and sell more. That’s the job. For you and for us.

Today’s pre-election update forecasts healthy economic growth and a distinct improvement in the government’s books, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed a significant milestone on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Papakura to Drury Road of Regional Significance, with southbound traffic now using a new motorway alignment and bridge.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed news that a contract has now been signed for strengthening work the State Highway 50 (SH50) Ngaruroro River Bridge, south of Fernhill, to help improve the resilience of Hawke’s Bay’s transport network and unlock a vital connection for local communities and freight.

Families across the country can now access free, trusted parenting information through Tākai, the national parenting platform, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.

Construction is set to begin on the first new specialist school in Drury the first to be built in New Zealand in 50 years while the region is also getting land for a future primary school, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.

The Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme near Wānaka has been granted Fast-track approval, bringing 250 new homes, a childcare centre and two recreational reserves to the 5.98-hectare site, says Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.

The Government is making a further investment in Rotorua’s well-known Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, recognising its importance to the city and the region, and its historical significance.

The Coalition Government continues to back regional air services with an investment in Bay of Plenty-based Sunair.

GP clinics that immunise more children, screen more women, and support more smokers to quit will receive extra funding from this year.

South Islanders are getting faster access to care, with shorter waits for surgery and specialist appointments, the latest health target results show.

Patients in Whanganui, the Manawatū, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, and Wellington are benefiting from shorter waits and faster access to care, the latest health target results show.

Communities across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Taranaki, and Gisborne are getting faster access to care, the latest health target results show.

Patients across Northland and Auckland are getting faster access to care, the latest health target results show.

The first of three cardiac catheterisation (cath) lab upgrades at Auckland City Hospital is complete, part of a multi-million dollar investment in Auckland's cardiac services.

More than three million bowel screening kits have now been distributed nationwide since the National Bowel Screening Programme began.

More than 400 young people across Rotorua will be supported to stay engaged in education and develop employment skills, through two new funding partnerships totalling nearly $900,000, Youth Minister James Meager has announced.

The Government is investing $2.01 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to upgrade Matakana Island’s Opureora Wharf, the island’s only vehicle and freight gateway.

Rail Minister Winston Peters confirmed Interislander will soon be back to its full complement of vessels ahead of the busier spring and summer months, following Kaitaki returning from scheduled dry-dock on Tuesday 21 September. Kaitaki will resume sailings tomorrow (Saturday 26 September).

Two new appointments to the Game Animal Council (GAC) will broaden its expertise and ensure it has the community connections required to drive New Zealand’s largest-ever hunter-led game animal management workstreams.

Upgrades to visitor infrastructure at Te Waihou Blue Spring in South Waikato will help manage growing visitor numbers and protect the quality of the visitor experience.