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Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April, is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up to date with their immunisations, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“High immunisation coverage is critical to protect not only the health of individuals, but the community from the spread of preventable diseases.

“This week is an opportunity to emphasise our focus on childhood immunisation and achieving our target of 95 per cent of children aged 24 months being fully immunised.

“We know that immunisation for both children and their parents and families is one of the best tools we have to protect Kiwi kids from serious illnesses like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles.

“Last month, a Taranaki healthcare provider hit 100 per cent for all enrolled children under eight months of age. This is an incredible achievement, and one that we want to see replicated around the country.”

The recent spread of measles internationally has highlighted the importance of ensuring Kiwis are vaccinated against the disease.

“A measles outbreak in New Zealand would mean kids off school, in hospital and, as we’ve seen overseas, could cost some children their lives,” Mr Brown says.

“Raising the country’s childhood immunisation rates is a priority for this Government. High rates of immunisation are a safe and effective way to better protect New Zealanders from disease, including measles, and saves lives.”

Results released in the second quarter 2024/25 earlier this show more children are now fully immunised, with 77 per cent of two-year-olds being immunised in the second quarter of this year, up from 75.7 per cent in the previous quarter.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Councils from regions severely impacted by the 2023 North Island Severe Weather Events continue to make steady progress repairing transport routes and building future flood resilience for their communities, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell says.

“As at the end of February 2025, Auckland, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay councils have stabilised 1,125 slips, repaired 25 local bridges and completed 51 km of stop banks.

“The Crown cost-share agreements with these councils provided more than $1.6 billion for the council-led Category 3 residential property buyouts, flood risk mitigation and local transport projects.

“The Government recently approved plans for the final three projects, bringing the total number of approved projects to 54,” says Mr Mitchell.

“I would like to acknowledge the considerable work councils in Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti and Auckland have done to prepare Delivery Plans for these projects.

“Some of these projects have required significant programmes of work involving multiple workstreams, and I am conscious that councils have also been delivering other aspects of their region’s recovery.

“Many of the flood mitigation projects are technically complex, and councils have taken time to plan and consult with impacted communities to balance the level of protection with minimising the impact on properties before deciding on the final design.

“Completing the flood mitigation projects, which are part funded by the councils, will reduce the risk of future flooding, allowing many impacted properties to move from Category 2C. This will mean many people can continue living on their property with greater confidence.

“Progressing the flood risk mitigation projects and repairing roads and bridges will make a considerable difference for impacted communities and will support growth in these regions.”

Combined, the total cost of the flood risk mitigation and local transport projects is $1,050 million of which the Crown is funding $907 million.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

More than 900 newly qualified health professionals are set to receive financial support to kick-start their careers, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“The Government is committed to growing and strengthening our health workforce, and retaining health professionals is a key part of that,” Mr Brown says.

“We want more of our nurses, midwives, anaesthetic technicians, and other critical health professions to stay in New Zealand after they graduate.

“The Voluntary Bonding Scheme provides financial incentives to encourage new graduates to stay and work in the country – particularly in hard-to-staff regions and specialities where they’re needed most.”

The scheme, which was launched under the previous National government, was expanded in 2024 to include new and recent graduate anaesthetic technicians and pharmacists. It offers after-tax payments ranging from $14,165 to $50,000 over a bonding period of three to five years, depending on the profession.

The 2024 intake of 925 graduates includes: 

• 477 registered and enrolled nurses
• 172 midwives
• 77 anaesthetic technicians
• 70 rural and regional general practice trainees
• 48 pharmacists
• 23 dentists
• 22 oral health therapists
• 20 radiation therapists
• 15 Sonographers
• One medical physicist

“We are relentlessly focused on ensuring Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare in the community.

“The scheme is a practical way to build and strengthen key parts of our health workforce, particularly in areas and specialities that face the greatest recruitment challenges.

“We know there is further work needed to improve access to primary care and boost the primary care workforce, which will be the focus of the intake for 2025.

“This builds on the primary care package announced in March, including:

• 100 clinical placements for overseas-trained doctors in primary practice.
• Recruitment incentives for up to 400 graduate nurses annually for five years to work in primary practice.
• 100 additional doctor training places over the course of this Government at our medical schools.
• Up to 50 graduate doctors training in primary care annually.
• Up to 120 training places for nurse practitioners in primary care.
• Accelerated tertiary education for up to 120 primary care nurses. 

“I want to congratulate the most recent cohort of graduates who are entering the scheme and will be working in vital health roles across the country,” Mr Brown says.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Government is making changes to work-based learning so that industries have more influence over how they train apprentices and trainees, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says.

“Whether you’re a carpenter building the warm, dry homes of tomorrow, or a mechanic working to keep us safe on the roads, it’s important you have the right skills to do your job effectively,” Ms Simmonds says.

“However, industry representatives have made it clear that the current work-based learning model is not delivering because it has become overly centralised through Te Pūkenga. As a result, the training of apprentices and other workers is often disconnected from the realities of the jobs they are working towards.

“We are fixing this by giving industries more control over how they train people.

“Beginning next year, the Government will introduce a new, independent, and industry-led model for work-based learning.

“This means vocational education and training providers will be able to manage all aspects of an apprenticeship or traineeship at an industry level, rather than taking direction from a centralised behemoth.

“This is great for learners because it makes their learning more relevant to their employment, and it is beneficial to businesses who will gain access to more capable workers to boost their productivity and deliver economic growth.

“Public and industry consultation clearly showed that this model was the preferred option, and this Government is proud to deliver the changes that we called for,” Ms Simmonds says.

From 1 January 2026:

• New Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will be set up to set training standards, endorse programmes and moderate assessments.
• Apprentices and trainees currently with Te Pūkenga will move to the ISBs for up to two years.
• New students will enrol directly with new work-based learning private providers, polytechnics, or Wānanga.
• ISBs will be able to enrol new learners until other providers are set up to deliver work-based learning.

“So, if you’re a learner or an employer — keep going. Your qualifications are essential, and your training is valuable. There will be no disruption, your training stays on track,” Ms Simmonds says.

“We’re building a better system — for learners, for industry, and for the future of New Zealand.”

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board’s endorsement of the investment case for Stage One of Mill Road, a crucial Road of National Significance.

The Board has endorsed the investment case and approved $91.1 million for completing the design work and securing consents on Stage One.

“South Auckland is the fastest growing area in the Auckland region, with 120,000 more people expected to make it their home over the next 30 years. We need to get on and deliver crucial transport infrastructure that supports that kind of growth, reduces congestion, improves safety, and helps unlock housing,” Mr Bishop says.

“Mill Road is one of 17 Roads of National Significance (RoNS) this Government is progressing, and the NZTA Board’s endorsement of the investment case and approval of design and consent funding for Stage 1 is a direct result of our focus to streamline the business case process and get projects into delivery faster.

The investment case for Mill Road Stage 1 (Manukau to Alfriston) includes:

• Four lane (general traffic) corridor including a westbound bus lane at the northern end.
• Two new and six upgraded intersections between SH1 interchange and Murphys Road.
• Three new roundabouts.
• New bridges across Puhinui Creek and Cheesman’s Bush.
• Current Mill Road south of Redoubt Road becomes a shared path and property access road.

“Delivering Mill Road Stage 1 has substantial benefits, including a 30 percent reduction in congestion on the corridor, over 60 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries, and by 2031, 25 percent faster journey times.

“The endorsement of the investment case and approval of design and consent funding for Stage 1 provides certainty on the next steps as the project moves to complete the design and technical work necessary for construction to begin as early as mid-2026.

“In order to deliver benefits for the people, communities and businesses of South Auckland as soon as possible, NZTA are planning on dividing the construction of Stage 1 in different construction packages so they can start work sooner in places where there is more certainty around the existing environment.

“Mill Road Stage 1 covers a range of different environments, including sections that are highly urban, through to rural areas, as well as locations that require more technical assessments to determine the most appropriate design and construction methods.

“The plan is to focus on Stage 1b from Hollyford Drive to Hilltop Road, along with a piece of work to the south (Stage 1d), which includes roundabout improvements around the Mill Road Alfriston area. Stage 1a between State Highway 1 (SH1) and Hollyford Drive and Stage 1c from Hilltop Road to north of Alfriston will be delivered later.

“Mill Road has a long history, including a confirmed designation for Stage 1 obtained in 2016. NZTA is working at pace to build on earlier designs with a focus on improving the efficiency and resilience of the corridor, and increasing capacity to deliver faster, more reliable journey times. The project will also seek to obtain statutory approvals, likely via the Fast Track Approvals Act, and this will be confirmed in coming months.

“Technical work to secure the route protection and other approvals for future Stages 2 and 3 is scheduled to begin from mid-2026.

“The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 (GPS) also requires NZTA to consider tolling for all new RoNS. The investment case confirms tolling is possible and the revenue will support the construction and maintenance of the road. If tolled, Mill Road Stage 1 has a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 2.2, and un-tolled the BCR is 3.1. The Government will consider this recommendation and announce next steps of the process in due course.

“The investment case for Mill Road Stage 1 has shown it represents a strong case for investment delivering substantial benefits. Taking a staged approach to delivery and spreading investment over multiple National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) periods, helps focus delivery of priority benefits sooner, and delivers a strong pipeline of work for the construction sector into the future.

“NZTA recently opened a Registration of Interest (ROI) for the first package of technical works, which will help move Stage 1 closer to construction.

“South Auckland is the fastest growing area in the region, and we need to get on and deliver transport infrastructure that supports this growth. I want to thank local MPs Hon Judith Collins, Rima Nakhle and Hon Simeon Brown for their advocacy of this important project, and I know we all look forward to seeing more progress in the months and years ahead as Mill Road Stage 1 moves into construction as soon as possible.”

For more information about the project on the NZTA website here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/south-auckland-projects/mill-road/

Notes to Editor:

Key features of the Stage 1 design include:

• Two lanes in each direction, including a westbound bus lane from Everglade Drive to SH1 interchange
• New intersections at Alexia Place and Bartells Drive
• Signalisation of the intersections at Diorella Drive, Goodwood Drive, Hilltop Road and Murphys Road
• Upgraded signals at the Hollyford Drive and Everglade Drive intersection
• Roundabouts to connect parts of the new Mill Road with Redoubt Road, Ranfurly Road and Alfriston Road
• New bridges across Puhinui Creek and Cheesman’s Bush
• Original Mill Road south of Redoubt Road to become a shared path and property access road only

Project outcomes

• Economic benefits: less congestion and quicker journey times, supporting economic growth and productivity (by 2031, 25% faster journey times, 3 mins quicker Alfriston to SH1 in the morning peak, 7 mins quicker SH1 to Alfriston in the evening peak. 30% reduction in congestion on the corridor).
• Safety improvements: reduced crash risk at intersections connecting the corridor and local roads (over 60% reduction in deaths and serious injuries).
• Network resilience: viable alternative to SH1 during unplanned incidents, supporting faster network recovery across the region and reducing economic impact.
• Improved experience: greater reliability for all users, reducing frustration during unexpected delays

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Banks have responded to the Government’s expectation to better protect Kiwi consumers from scams by introducing stronger safeguards and a compensation scheme, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.

“New commitments from banks mean that if a bank fails to adequately warn and protect a consumer from a scam, they will reimburse the victim up to $500,000,” Mr Simpson says.

“This is an important win for bank customers, who have been advocating for some time for better recognition from banks of the role they play as the final gate between a consumer and a scammer.

“Last year the Government wrote to banks outlining our expectation that banks take greater responsibility for protecting Kiwi consumers. I am pleased that banks have responded to this directive and are updating their Code of Banking Practice with five new commitments to better protect customers, including pre-transaction warnings and identification of high-risk transactions. 

“Banks will also take a more active role in preventing scams, by participating in information sharing agreements across industry and government and educating people. Stopping scams before they happen is the best strategy.

“Online scams cause immense harm to our wider economy, as consumers lose confidence transacting online. The fear generated by scams runs directly counter to efforts to digitise our economy. 

“While people still need to remain vigilant and take responsibility for their own online safety, these changes will enable consumers to check a payment is legitimate before transferring money.

“I have been clear with banks that the journey doesn’t stop here. I expect banks to continue to prioritise security and adapt to the ever-evolving scams environment. 

“I have made similar expectations clear to telecommunications companies and digital platforms and look forward to progressing a cross-industry approach with them.

“Improving the safety and ease of doing business is part of our plan to grow the economy.”

Notes to editors:

The five commitments introduced to the New Zealand Banking Associate Code of Banking Practice include:

• a Confirmation of Payee service for customers to check that the name of the person they are paying matches the account number, which has already commenced roll-out
• pre-transaction warnings to consumers based on the payment purpose
• identification of and response to high-risk transactions or unusual account transaction activity, and the ability to block or delay transactions in some cases
• providing a 24/7 reporting channel for customers who think they’ve been scammed, and responding to protect accounts
• sharing scammer account information with other banks to help prevent criminal activity, and freezing funds where appropriate

The updated Code comes into force on 30 November 2025. This is to allow the banks time to get all the protections in place.

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has welcomed a significant milestone in New Zealand’s research and development (R&D) sector, with new figures showing total expenditure on R&D has climbed to $6.4 billion – a 21 per cent increase since 2022.

Dr Reti says the strong rise in R&D expenditure demonstrates growing momentum and reflects the Government’s commitment to backing science, innovation and technology as core drivers of economic growth and supports its global trade and investment agenda.

“Using new ideas, knowledge and technology to develop better ways of doing things helps the New Zealand economy grow,” Dr Reti said.

“R&D is how we lift productivity and create high-value jobs. It’s also critical to opening opportunities in global export markets, helping build a resilient economy that can thrive on the world stage.”

According to data released by Stats NZ today, between 2022 and 2024, the business, government, and higher education sectors reported:

• Total R&D expenditure rose to $6.4 billion – up 21 per cent since the 2022 survey
• Average R&D expenditure per entity increased 24 per cent to $2.8 million – an average increase of $524,000
• The number of R&D FTEs increased by 9 per cent to 42,000
• R&D expenditure as a proportion of GDP rose from 1.49 per cent to 1.54 per cent

“These figures show the depth and intensity of investment has strengthened. That’s a positive trend toward smarter, more focused innovation.

In the business sector, R&D expenditure reached $4.0 billion in 2024 – a 9 percent year-on-year increase. The number of R&D FTEs remained stable at 21,000, while the average R&D spend per business rose by nearly 9 percent to $1.8 million.

Businesses reported that their top motivations for investing in R&D were to gain access to new markets and to maintain their market position.

“Having businesses investing more in technology and innovation will create higher-paying jobs for New Zealanders and diversify our economy into new industries and global markets,” Dr Reti says.

“Science, innovation and technology is a key pillar in our Government’s plan to grow our economy.

“It will not only create more jobs, increase incomes and provide more opportunities at home in New Zealand but also enable additional international trade and investment – something the Government is actively pursuing, including through international trade agreements like those with the UAE and GCC.

“We’re making deliberate choices to back science, innovation and technology as powerful enablers of productivity and opportunity across the board.”