NZ Engine

Source: ACT Party

Responding to legal action from Lawyers for Climate Action NZ, ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron says:

“This is a courtroom stunt by climate activists dressed as lawyers. They would sacrifice our rural lifeblood at the altar of climate ideology.

“The clear goal of this challenge is to place more restrictions on Kiwi farmers. It’s the same tired approach we saw from Labour and the Greens.

“Shutting farms down or burying them in regulation won’t save the climate. It will just shift food production offshore, cost us jobs, and make food more expensive.

“New Zealand farmers are the most emissions-efficient food producers on the planet. We need to back them, which is what ACT is doing in government.

“This government is right to back off from costly, unworkable policies that punish rural New Zealand. The idea that New Zealand – responsible for just 0.17% of global emissions – should wreck its economy to impress international activists is absurd.

“ACT is committed to climate policies that are practical, not performative. We will back Kiwi innovation, not regulation for its own sake. We’ll support farmers, not sue them. We know that when farmers do well, all New Zealanders are better off.”

Source: ACT Party

Responding to the introduction of legislation to restrict farm-to-forest conversions, ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron says:

“The Government is moving to address legitimate concerns in rural communities. Forestry is swallowing up productive farmland because the current system is rigged against those who feed the world,” says Mr Cameron.

“Red tape and distorted incentives make it more profitable to plant pine trees than to run a farm.

“There is more the Government could do to address the root of the problem. It could start by letting Kiwis offset their emissions overseas. There’s no reason we should be covering our own productive land in carbon farms when planting is cheaper and more efficient in other parts of the world.

“It’s also time for a wider conversation about whether New Zealand’s Paris climate commitments are worth the cost.

“Right now, our only options to meet these targets are blanketing the countryside in trees, or driving up costs on fuel, electricity and everyday goods. Neither of those is acceptable. We need to ask whether the pain is worth it.

“Kiwi farmers are the best in the world at what they do – the freer they are to compete and grow, the better. ACT will keep backing farmers and rural communities.

Source: ACT Party

ACT MP Laura McClure is welcoming changes made at select committee to strengthen the proposed anti-stalking law, but says more must be done to protect New Zealanders from modern forms of digital abuse, particularly sexually explicit deepfakes.

“I’m pleased to see the Government respond to public concern about stalking with more robust and practical legislation,” says McClure.

“Patterns of abusive behaviour deserve to be recognised by the law, and these changes will help victims seek justice.

“But we can’t stop here. As technology evolves, so do the tools of harassment and abuse. Sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes made without consent are a fast-growing threat, especially to young people and women.

“I have a members’ bill in the ballot that would create a specific offence for the creation and distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake content. This should be adopted as a Government Bill.

“Deepfakes are harming real people today, and the law is failing to keep up.

“The same commitment to protecting stalking victims should extend to those targeted by synthetic sexual abuse. We need clear, targeted laws so police can act, courts can prosecute, and victims can get justice.”

Source: ACT Party

ACT Immigration spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar is celebrating the delivery of an ACT coalition commitment in the form of the Parent Boost Visa.

“The Parent Boost Visa aligns closely with the policy ACT campaigned on in 2023. I’m proud to see our commitment to a renewable, multi-year parent visa come to life, enabling migrants to spend meaningful time with their parents and grandparents.

“The new visa means skilled migrants can come to New Zealand with confidence they can have their parents around when they welcome a new child, or when they need support during challenges or help with childcare.

“Ultimately, this visa makes New Zealand a more attractive destination for the talent we need to drive economic growth. A skilled workforce means more productivity, stronger communities, and more prosperity for all New Zealanders.

“ACT’s 2023 proposal differed slightly in that it would have included an annual fee to fund healthcare costs through a public health fund. The Parent Boost Visa’s alternative, a requirement for comprehensive private health insurance, serves a similar purpose in protecting New Zealand taxpayers.

“ACT remains open to immigration reforms that attract the world’s brightest while protecting local taxpayers.”

The Parent Boost Visa opens for applications on 29 September 2025.

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Legislative Changes Create Major Tax Savings Opportunity for Thousands of Kiwis and Expat Brits with UK Pensions

Groundbreaking changes to New Zealand’s tax law, coming into effect on 1 April 2026, will create unprecedented opportunity for thousands of Kiwis and British expats with UK pensions to save on tax and transfer sooner.

The post Legislative Changes Create Major Tax Savings Opportunity for Thousands of Kiwis and Expat Brits with UK Pensions first appeared on PR.co.nz.

Source: New Zealand Government

Farmers, growers, foresters, fishers and primary processors are driving New Zealand’s economic recovery with export revenue on track to surpass $60 billion for the first time, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. 
“The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report forecasts export earnings of $59.9 billion for the year ending 30 June 2025, $3 billion higher than projected in December. This momentum is expected to continue, with exports reaching $65.7 billion by 2029,” Mr McClay says.
“These figures reflect the hard work and resilience of the hard working men and women of provincial New Zealand.
“Strong global demand and healthy prices across key markets are positioning our high-quality, safe and sustainable food and fibre exports for record growth.”
Growth highlights include: 

dairy export revenue lifting 16 per cent to reach a record $27 billion
meat and wool export revenue increasing 8 per cent to $12.3 billion
horticulture export revenue growing by an impressive 19 per cent reaching $8.5 billion
forestry export revenue jumping 9 per cent to $6.3 billion
Seafood export revenue lifting 2 per cent to $2.2 billion.

“The numbers speak for themselves, but the Government remains laser-focused on doubling the value of exports in 10 years, driving higher farm and forest gate returns, and backing the long-term capability, resilience, and health of rural New Zealand,” Mr McClay says.
“We’re investing heavily to deliver tools and technology to farmers and growers to tackle agricultural emissions with more than $400 million in continuing funding over the next four years and making targeted reforms to support farmer and grower success.
“Through the Budget, we launched the new $246 million Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF) to boost on-farm productivity and resilience.
“Our trade work continues at pace to open doors for Kiwi exporters, and our new Investment Boost tax incentive will encourage businesses to invest, be more competitive, grow the economy, and lift wages.
“When rural New Zealand does well, the whole country benefits,” Mr McClay says. 
“That’s why we’re making sure our Primary Sector have the tools and support they need to deliver long-term economic growth and regional prosperity for all New Zealanders.”
The June 2025 SOPI is available at: www.mpi.govt.nz/sopi

Source: New Zealand Government

More than 9,500 additional procedures have now been delivered as part of the Government’s elective boost, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 

“This is what putting patients first looks like. We are focused on increasing delivery of elective treatments – across both public and private hospitals – to reduce wait times for Kiwis needing procedures like hip replacements or cataract surgery,” Mr Brown says.

Through this initiative, Health New Zealand is partnering with private hospitals to expand surgical capacity across the country. The plan aims to deliver over 10,579 additional elective procedures by the end of June – a target now well within reach, with 9,696 procedures completed by the week ending 11 May. Of those, 8,631 were delivered through outsourcing.

Common procedures being delivered include:
 

• Hip and knee replacements
• Cataract surgeries
• Hernia repairs
• Tonsillectomies
• Ear operations

Mr Brown says the programme is targeting those who’ve faced the longest delays, with almost 60 per cent of patients having waited over four months for their surgery.

“Our goal is clear – 95 per cent of patients receiving elective treatment within four months by 2030. This is a key health target, and we’re getting on with the job of delivering it.

“We are investing a record $30 billion annually in health, with a strong focus on boosting frontline services, reducing waiting times, and ensuring better outcomes for patients.

“By unlocking capacity across the entire health system, we’re delivering faster treatment and shorter wait times – and that’s exactly what Kiwis deserve,” Mr Brown says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand’s aquaculture sector has experienced double-digit growth in export revenue over the past year, sending a clear signal that more is to come from the enormously promising sector, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

The forecast export results were released today as part of the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI).

Aquaculture products are projected to bring in $650 million in export revenue for the year to 30 June 2025, up 13 percent on last year.

The increase has been driven by increased production of high-value products such as mussels and salmon.

“This is a sector with potential for massive growth over the next decade, supported by the hard work and innovation of thousands of New Zealanders who bring our sustainable products to the world,” Mr Jones says.

“The Coalition Government is super-charging the industry, with a goal of growing the aquaculture industry to $3 billion in annual revenue by 2035. 

“Growing our aquaculture industry will have huge benefits for the economic prosperity of New Zealand, with the potential to create thousands of jobs in the regions and contribute substantially to achieving a doubling exports over the next 10 years.

“These results show we are making great progress on the path identified in the New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan I announced earlier this year. I expect to see even more substantial growth in coming years as the plan progresses,” Mr Jones says.

“We are removing unnecessary barriers for industry by extending marine consents, giving marine farmers the certainty they need to invest in their operations, including open-ocean aquaculture products in the Fast-track Approvals Act.

‘Innovation is another important factor in this growth. Government has invested $11.72m in a project to boost open-ocean aquaculture around the country.”

Exports for the seafood sector as a whole is forecast to rise 2 percent to $2.2 billion for the year to 30 June 2025, with a slight decrease in volume exported being offset by the highest per kilogram price for New Zealand seafood on record. 

“Demand for our seafood across a diverse range of international markets has meant that our seafood sector has performed strongly despite trade uncertainties over the year.

The SOPI is published on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.

Source: New Zealand Government

A key milestone in the push for a more connected digital economy has been reached, with over one million businesses now registered with a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says. 
 
“The NZBN is a simple idea with a big impact. It gives each business a unique identifier that makes it easier to work with government, other businesses and suppliers – saving time, cutting duplication and reducing admin. 
 
“The NZBN creates a single, trusted source of business data that government agencies can access in real time. Other businesses and individuals can also look up an NZBN to confirm the legitimacy of the company they’re dealing with. 
 
“The milestone includes nearly 200,000 sole traders and unincorporated businesses, which aren’t legally required to register but are choosing to. That shows they see real, practical value in it – especially smaller operators who may not have large digital systems and need tools that help them get on with the job. 
 
“Today’s achievement reflects a broader trend: businesses are increasingly embracing digital solutions that streamline operations and lift productivity. 
 
“Since its launch in 2016, the NZBN has become a cornerstone of New Zealand’s digital infrastructure, supporting everything from invoicing and procurement to compliance and emergency response. 
 
“As more businesses sign up and keep their information up to date, the NZBN becomes increasingly valuable – enabling smoother digital transactions and smarter use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. 
 
“With improved data sharing between agencies, government can also deliver faster, more tailored services for businesses. 
 
“This Government is committed to backing businesses and driving economic growth. Modernisation like this is key to helping Kiwi businesses thrive and compete globally. If you haven’t registered for a New Zealand Business Number yet, now is the time.”

Notes to editors: 

• The NZBN application is included in the process for registering with the Companies Office. Other businesses self-employed (Sole Trader), Partnerships or Trust have the option of applying for an NZBN.
• For more information and to sign up for an NZBN you can visit: https://www.nzbn.govt.nz/get-an-nzbn/applying-for-an-nzbn/