Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has agreed to increase the probate threshold from $15,000 to $40,000 to save families time and money when accessing assets of deceased loved ones, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“The threshold was last set in 2009 before the implementation of KiwiSaver. Most estates now include KiwiSaver balances well over $15,000, but still have to go through the High Court process. This results in a significant proportion of smaller estates being eaten up in court costs and legal fees. 

“Executors need to be able to distribute lower-value assets, ensuring more of an estate goes to the beneficiaries, helping grieving families. The last thing they need is a costly legal process with extra paperwork to deal with.

“I’m assured $40,000 is still sufficiently low enough to ensure there are still appropriate safeguards through the oversight of the High Court for higher value assets, to ensure against potential dishonesty, fraud, or the deceased person’s wishes not being followed.

“The Ministry undertook targeted consultation with key stakeholders, including the law profession and financial services industry to gain feedback on an appropriate threshold level. 

These changes will come into force on 24 September 2025.

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele in Wellington today, reaffirming New Zealand’s close ties to Solomon Islands. 

“Prime Minister Manele’s visit this week reinforces the deep ties between our two nations stretching back over 150 years.  We discussed the work we are doing together to grow Solomon Islands economy, and PM Manele’s plans for the Pacific Islands Forum, which he will host next month,” Mr Luxon says. 

 “I was particularly pleased to confirm that New Zealand will continue its support over the next 10 years to build on the positive progress Solomon Islands is making in the education and fisheries sectors. 

 “Our long-standing partnership demonstrates New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to Solomon Islands and its people.” 

 Mr Peters welcomed New Zealand’s continued commitment to supporting Solomon Islands’ development.  

 “As we work with our Pacific partners to build a peaceful and prosperous Pacific, New Zealand’s assistance plays a big part in supporting the development of countries like Solomon Islands.  

 “Our continued commitments to Solomon Islands’ education and fisheries sectors will build upon the hard-earned progress made to date for the mutual benefit of both our countries,” Mr Peters says. 

Prime Minister Manele and his delegation also attended a number of business and community engagements in Auckland and Wellington.  

Prime Minister Manele departs New Zealand tomorrow.

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation to overhaul the public service so it focuses on getting back to basics and delivering value for money to taxpayers has passed its first reading, Public Service Minister Judith Collins says. 

“The Public Service Amendment Bill aims to lift the performance of the public service,” Ms Collins says. 

“It clarifies the purpose of the public service – and the responsibilities of chief executives – while preserving its constitutional role as a politically neutral and professional institution.” 

The bill will: 

• Reinforce merit-based appointments, to attract the widest pool of talent and ensure the best candidates are chosen
• Clarify the responsibilities of public service chief executives, with greater accountability for performance
• Remove the option to automatically reappoint chief executives at the end of their fixed term, to ensure a competitive selection process
• Refocus the public service on supporting the government of the day, while maintaining the core values of political neutrality and free and frank advice
• Remove pay equity, diversity and inclusion provisions, most of which are substantively covered in the Public Service Act or in other laws

“The reforms will ensure the public service is professional, politically neutral and equipped to serve the government of the day – all of which adds up to better outcomes for taxpayers,” Ms Collins says. 

“Taxpayers expect a public service that is capable, impartial, and focused on getting results. These changes will do that.” 

Source: New Zealand Government

Operators will be able to apply for new petroleum exploration permits as early as September following the third reading of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. 

The Bill removes the ban on oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki, better aligns decommissioning settings with international practice, establishes a new tier of permit to undertake small-scale non-commercial gold mining, and signals the Coalition Government’s intent to reinvigorate investment in Crown-owned minerals. 

“This Government is pragmatic about the vital role natural gas will play in our energy mix in the decades ahead and we have set a course for greater energy security backed by our own indigenous reserves,” Mr Jones says.

“The ill-fated exploration ban in 2018 has exacerbated shortages in our domestic gas supply by obliterating new investment in the exploration and development needed to meet our future gas needs. Reserves are also falling faster than anticipated.

“New Zealanders are bearing the brunt of this constrained gas supply, and energy security concerns are impacting investor sentiment. These factors are taking a toll on our economic growth and prosperity.

“We are seeing businesses in the regions closing as a result with Kiwis losing their jobs, and we’re importing hundreds of tonnes of Indonesian coal to meet peak energy demand.

“This legislation is just one of many actions we are taking to get the right settings in place to resuscitate sector confidence, shore up energy supply and protect electricity affordability.”

During the progression of the Bill, a gap was identified in the existing Crown Minerals Act that relates to liability for the costs of decommissioning petroleum infrastructure. In certain circumstances, parent companies of permit-holders could sell their shares without remaining responsible for the costs of decommissioning old petroleum infrastructure, exposing the Crown to fiscal risk.

“Together with changes to the decommissioning regime that better balance regulatory burden and risk to give operators the clarity they need to invest in exploration and development wells, we have introduced ministerial discretion to assign liability for decommissioning costs to former permit-holders and others who have held interests in a permit,” Mr Jones says.

“We recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach for every scenario not only erodes investor confidence, it also doesn’t allow us to best manage risk.

“I want those who benefited from having an interest in a petroleum permit to pay for decommissioning the relevant infrastructure. While financial securities remain at the core, the new approach to assigning liability will ensure the most appropriate person will remain responsible for costs if the current permit-holder cannot meet their obligations and financial securities are insufficient.”

Most of the changes through the Bill will take effect immediately, while others will require staged implementation and secondary legislation. All changes will be operational by the end of September 2025.

For more information, see 2024 Proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act 1991 | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz) 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  31 July 2025

The popular Great Walk in the Abel Tasman National Park had been temporarily closed from Mārahau to Anchorage due to the damage.

DOC Motueka Operations Manager Chris Golding says staff have been out on the track since the heavy rain on Tuesday 29 July and it’s come through without any significant new damage.

“There are several areas with minor damage, which are all passable with care. Please make safe decisions for your ability level and if you have any doubts, don’t go ahead. We’ll get these tidied up in the coming weeks when we can,” says Chris.

“Some planned maintenance is happening between Bark Bay and Onetahuti for another month or so. There will be machines operating so please follow all instructions from the staff and contractors.”

Chris says access to the Kahurangi National Park from the Tasman District is still severely limited by road closures.

“We’re working out repair options for Graham Valley Rd, which is the gateway Flora Car Park and some of the region’s most popular alpine walks. Over the Takaka Hill, the Cobb Valley is also closed due to several slips,” Chris says.

“There’s no timeframe for when these will reopen, please check the DOC and Tasman District Council websites for the latest.

“The Wangapeka River Rd is open, but a four-wheel-drive is required as there has been some storm damage.”

The Top of the South has had several storms in the last month and anyone going into the outdoors should be prepared to potentially come across track damage. Make safe decisions and report issues to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

The DOC website will be kept up to date as things change. Anyone planning to head out should check for the latest before their trip.

Background information

To check for any road closures use Road Closures (Local and Highway).

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

The FBI’s upgrade of its Wellington office demonstrates the strength of the Five Eyes partnership and enhances the safety and security of New Zealanders, the Minister Responsible for the GCSB and NZSIS Judith Collins and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.

The Ministers met with FBI Director Kash Patel, who officially opened the new Wellington office at the US Embassy earlier today and installed a permanent Legat position. 

“We exchanged a range of insights on areas such as trans-national organised crime, counter-terrorism, cyber-security and espionage,” Ms Collins says.

“NZSIS and GCSB relationships with overseas partners like the FBI, as well as their support to New Zealand Police, are an important part of how the intelligence agencies deliver on their mission to keep New Zealand safe and secure.”   

Mr Mitchell says Director Patel’s visit should send a clear message to criminals whose offending causes harm in our communities, wherever they are, that they cannot hide behind an international border.

“New Zealand Police are continually working with their overseas counterparts like the FBI to catch those engaged in illegal, harmful activities such as drug smuggling and online child exploitation, as well disrupting and preventing this offending from happening in the first place,” he says.

“Police are part of a global effort on law enforcement. Director Patel’s visit was an excellent opportunity to share our common concerns while reinforcing the importance of New Zealand and the US working together to protect our citizens.”

Director Patel is the most senior member of the US administration to visit New Zealand since the start of President Trump’s second term in office.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

What do you think of the proposal to add a second toll point on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road?  NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) wants you to have your say.

Public consultation is now live and runs through to 5pm Thursday 28 August 2025.

NZTA is proposing an amendment be made to the toll scheme to allow for an additional toll point to be installed on the SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road. This enables motorists travelling between Domain Road Interchange and the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to be charged a toll price, contributing toward debt repayment for the construction of this state highway. 

“Tolling is an important tool in our kete to support accelerated growth and economic productivity in the region,” says Susan Collins, Regional Manager of System Design for NZTA.

“It’s already been used effectively in Tauranga to bring forward the construction of new roads such as the State Highway 2 Tauranga Eastern Link and State Highway 29 Takitimu Drive toll roads.

“It was the intention of the existing toll scheme to ensure all Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road users make a direct contribution to the road they’re using. The location of the current toll gantry means users travelling between the Domain Road Interchange and the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange are not currently able to be tolled.

By installing a new toll point, people travelling between the Domain Road Interchange and the new Pāpāmoa East Interchange would pay a lower toll price than the current toll, reflecting the shorter distance travelled. The proposed prices being consulted on are:

• • $1.10 for light vehicles 
  • $2.80 for heavy vehicles. 

Vehicles travelling the full length of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, between Domain Road Interchange and Paengaroa Roundabout, would continue to pay current toll prices $2.30 for light vehicles and $5.60 for heavy vehicles.

The new toll point is expected to save $1.7 million in interest payments on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road loan and is estimated to bring the end date forward by 12 months.

If you’d like to make a submission go to: nzta.govt.nz/teltolling

Source: New Zealand Government

From 1 September, commonsense changes will see vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes moving to annual vehicle inspections rather than six-monthly, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Everyone loves spotting a beautifully kept vintage car out for a Sunday drive, and cruising around our beautiful country in a motorhome is a classic Kiwi dream,” Mr Bishop says.

“There are about 128,000 vintage vehicles and 39,000 private motorhomes registered in New Zealand. Until now, their owners have had to front up for a Warrant or Certificate of Fitness inspection every six months – even though these vehicles are driven far less than your average modern car.

“Evidence shows that vintage vehicles and motorhomes are half as likely to have a contributing fault in a serious crash – even after adjusting for how many of them are on the road. And when it comes to passing a WoF inspection, vintage vehicles actually perform better than vehicles under 40 years old.

“In fact, once a vehicle hits 40, its pass rates go up – proof that hitting middle age isn’t all bad news.

“Earlier this year, the Government consulted on reducing the frequency of those inspections to six-monthly. Public support was overwhelmingly in favour of making this change.

“I’m pleased to confirm that from 1 September, vintage light vehicles and private heavy motorhomes will only require annual inspections instead of six-monthly.

“Owners of these vehicles can now spend less time on bureaucracy and queueing for a vehicle inspection, and more time where they’d rather be – under the bonnet or out on the road. 

“For drivers of modern cars, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you. The Government will also be reviewing WOF/COF frequency and inspection requirements for other light vehicles as part of the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme. We’ll have more to say on this soon.”

Notes to Editor: 

Attached: Photo of Transport Minister Chris Bishop in a 1964 Austin Healey MkIII

From 1 September 2025:

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is extending access to the meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero), with up to 77,000 more children able to benefit.

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is taking decisive steps to modernise New Zealand’s import health system, with a new programme aimed at significantly reducing the time it takes to develop Import Health Standards (IHSs) while maintaining the country’s world-class biosecurity protections.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the current regulatory framework is over 30 years old and is struggling to adapt to today’s fast-moving global trade environment.

“The way we develop import health standards hasn’t kept pace with the demands of modern trade and innovation. We need a system that is faster, smarter, and more responsive, without compromising our biosecurity.”

A regulatory efficiency programme is now underway to transform the IHS development process.

“The programme will make IHSs easier to use and understand for industry, but also much faster to develop.”  

Mr Hoggard says one of the most promising innovations is the use of generative artificial intelligence to support pest risk analysis, standards drafting, and consultation materials.

“We’ve already seen successful proof-of-concept trials that show AI can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete key parts of the IHS process. This is about using smart tools to do the heavy lifting, so our experts can focus on the decisions that matter most.”

A key pilot project is the reform of the Plant Nursery Stock import system, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has started work reforming the plant import system in collaboration with importers and growers.

“Our plant-based industries need safe and efficient access to new plant material to stay competitive, improve productivity, adapt to climate change, and meet evolving consumer preferences. We’re working closely with industry to co-design a system that works for users, supports access to new plant genetics, and protects our environment.
These protections underpin the work of our farmers and growers, and the $59.9 billion primary sector.

Once fully delivered, this reform programme will mean faster approvals for imported goods that New Zealand businesses need and the removal of unnecessary restrictions to growth and productivity, while still maintaining strong biosecurity protections.”

We’re committed to building a system that supports growth, innovation, and resilience for the years ahead,” Mr Hoggard says.