NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Doubling the production of geothermal energy by 2040 for electricity generation and direct heat applications is part of an ambitious plan to harness the vast potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

From the Ground Up – a draft strategy to unlock New Zealand’s geothermal potential, launched for consultation by Mr Jones in Taupō today, seeks to position the country as a global leader in sustainable geothermal development while delivering innovation, resilience and growth.

“Our history of utilising geothermal resources is extensive. Our tīpuna in the central North Island used geothermal waters for heating, cooking and therapeutic purposes, and later settlers enjoyed the healing benefits of our thermal springs,” Mr Jones says.

“New Zealand was at the forefront of global utilisation of geothermal energy for electricity generation, and today the sector is a vital contributor to our economy as part of our energy sector, tourism and beyond. 

“Our unique geographic position on the boundary of both the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, coupled with the Earth’s thin crust along that rift, gives us a significant geological advantage in expanding the use of this abundant natural resource. 

“This strategy aims to build on the great work already under way and provide a clear direction for future endeavours.”

In addition to energy outcomes, the draft strategy aims to extend New Zealand’s position as a world leader in geothermal innovation and strengthen regional economies and the Māori economy. It will advance geothermal development and will help unlock industrial growth, tourism and trade to support the country’s goal of doubling exports.

“The Coalition Government is not prepared to leave potential on the table as we strengthen our economy, and as we grapple with energy security and affordability challenges,” Mr Jones says. 

“I see potential for our geothermal sector to expand and diversify into areas such as the extraction of minerals from geothermal fluid, the development of globally sought-after innovation and science, and more use of direct geothermal energy to power industrial, commercial and agricultural applications.

“We are proposing some key actions that address the challenges the sector faces when it comes to growth such as improving access to geothermal data and insights, ensuring our regulatory settings are fit for purpose, advancing knowledge and uptake of geothermal technologies, and driving science, research and innovation, including our investment to unlock supercritical geothermal technology.

“Consultation closes on 12 September 2025, and I encourage anyone with an interest to have their say. I am excited to start this conversation about how we work together to remove barriers and support innovation to ensure we remain global leaders in this field.”

For more information on the draft strategy and making a submission, visit https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-on-a-draft-geothermal-strategy-for-new-zealand

Source: New Zealand Government

Safety improvements will begin soon on State Highway 2 (SH2) at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection at Riverstone Terraces in Upper Hutt, including intersection upgrades and a speed limit review, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“In the last five years there have been 65 crashes at this intersection. One was fatal, and five caused serious injuries. It’s clear we need to make this dangerous intersection safer,” Mr Bishop says.

“The upgrades at this intersection will include installing traffic lights to make turning into and out of Moonshine Hill Road safer, with the design closely mirroring the layout of the existing Whakatiki Street intersection to the north. Additional signage and line markings will also improve safety for cyclists.

“To ensure a consistent approach to the speed limit between intersections, and the narrow, curved bridge between them, NZTA will also consult on the speed limit along this section of road.

“From 1 August through to 12 September, NZTA will consult the public to understand their views on the proposed 80km/h speed limit through the SH2 Moonshine Hill Road intersection at Riverstone Terraces to north of the Whakatiki Street intersection in both directions.

“Once consultation is completed, and impacts of a lower speed limit are assessed, a recommendation will be put to the Director of Land Transport to consider. Until that process is complete and any speed limit change announced, the current 100 km/h speed limit remains in place.

“Construction of the intersection upgrades is scheduled to start in October and is expected to be finished by the end of this year. 

“I want to thank the local Hutt community for their advocacy for making this intersection safer, and to NZTA for bringing these important improvements forward in their planning. 

“I look forward to seeing the safety upgrades completed later this year.”

Notes to Editor:

The signalised intersection being delivered at SH2 and Moonshine Hill Road will not impact southbound SH2 traffic passing the intersection or northbound traffic turning left onto Moonshine Hill Road. The intersection will also not have any raised safety platforms
Because changing a speed limit is a legal process, a speed limit review is required under the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024. This process requires public consultation, as well as estimates for implementation costs, safety impacts, and travel time impacts.
The Rule sets out how speed limits on New Zealand roads will be managed in a way that supports economic growth, boosts productivity, and enables people to get to where they are going efficiently and safely. 
The Rule supports a targeted approach to speed management by focusing future speed reviews on areas of high safety concern, supporting NZ Police to meet speed-related enforcement targets and using variable speed limits outside schools. It also standardises road classes and their speed limits, specifying speed limit ranges for each road type.

 

 

 

 

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  30 July 2025

It sits in a stunning location and is a two to three hour walk from the state highway through Arthurs Pass. Department of Conservation North Canterbury Senior Ranger Gavin (Gav) Collis knew it would be a perfect hut for a family’s first tramp.

“We don’t have enough resources to do all the work required on these huts, so we asked the Backcountry Trust to put it on their list. They have an army of volunteers who love to work on these projects, so away we went,” he says.

“It was a massive job, bigger than anyone first thought, but the result is a dream make-over for Anti Crow Hut which now boasts a log burner, new windows, a new roof, handmade furniture inside, a new deck and new sleeping quarters with space for six to eight people.

“This is the perfect place for a first family tramp, a relatively easy and short walk up a flat valley.”

Gav says it will be on the booking system from this Friday 1 August 2025 so people can be guaranteed a bed. 

“We really want to encourage families to take their kids into nature so they can experience this very special place.

“What we’ve heard from families, inexperienced trampers and many others is they want to know everyone has a bunk before they head out. It’s about encouraging all New Zealanders to get out into nature and building up skills and confidence in the outdoors.

“We’re anticipating the hut will be popular and recommend people get in quick to bag their preferred dates.

“What we have here doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. This hut is close to Christchurch and for city people who want to try tramping, what a great way to take that first step,” Gav says.

Ollie Clifton from the Back Country Trust (BCT) says it was a very special project to work on.

“We knew we were up for a major renovation, but we got a surprise at how bad it was. Luckily, we have fantastic volunteers, builders and painters and others who loved the idea of working up here on the Anti Crow.

“We really like giving something back. It ticks lots of boxes for us in terms of community service and knowing that we are creating something for people to enjoy for decades to come.”

Anti Crow and BCT-manged Brass Monkey Hut are two renovated huts recently added to the booking system.

DOC Heritage and Visitors Director Catherine Wilson says it’s important to provide a mix of bookable and non-bookable huts across Aotearoa.

“DOC provides over 900 huts across the country, around 60 of these are available for people to book online in advance of their trip.

The booking system supports high hut fee payment compliance (generating revenue to help keep these facilities into the future) and is a useful tool for managing overcrowding and visitor risks, says Catherine.

“For example, rangers urgently requested Kirtle Burn Hut in Central Otago be made bookable prior to deep winter. They were seeing a growing trend of trampers turning up to find the hut well over capacity, forcing them to head elsewhere to find accommodation late in the day and often in the snow.

“Some huts are made bookable at the request of groups managing these like BCT or the NZ Alpine club.”

Catherine says, besides Anti Crow, there are some great accessible huts for families and others to visit, even over winter, and she encourages people to make the most of these.

“These huts are a fantastic opportunity to take time out in nature with friends and family. It’s essential to jump on DOC’s website to choose the right trip for your skills and abilities, and check conditions before heading out.”

“It’s easy to cancel or change a booking if conditions aren’t right.”

Easy access bookable huts

The table below provides first hut options for inexperienced trampers or family groups looking to book an outdoor adventure. Visit DOC’s website to find out more about what to pack and how to be a low impact hut user.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is fulfilling a significant commitment to vulnerable Kiwi kids, with the appointment of Dr Ang Jury, ONZM as Chair of the new Board for the Independent Children’s Monitor.

The Monitor is one of three statutory bodies having oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, along with the Children’s Commissioner and the Ombudsman.

“This marks a significant step for vulnerable children,” Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. 

“The legislative changes I have taken through Parliament this year have enabled this appointment, reflecting commitments in the National-ACT coalition agreement to create a truly independent monitoring and oversight agency for Oranga Tamariki.

“As current chief executive of Women’s Refuge, Dr Jury is an outstanding appointee and will serve a five-year term. She brings expertise in the wider social and Oranga Tamariki sectors. 

“Her commitment and senior leadership experience will support the successful establishment of the new Board from 1 August 2025.”

Dr Jury’s role with Women’s Refuge is expected to conclude by the end of the year. 

Other Board members will be appointed in due course.

The Monitor’s current Chief Executive, Arran Jones, will remain in his role from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 to oversee and support the organisation’s transition.

Source: New Zealand Government

Kiwibank has been given the green light to compete more vigorously with the big four Australian-owned banks that dominate the New Zealand banking sector.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today that, following a market testing process, Cabinet had approved Kiwibank’s parent company raising up to $500 million of capital to fund the bank’s growth.

“Allowing Kiwibank to raise up to an additional $500 million is the first step towards giving Kiwibank access to the capital it needs to truly compete with the big four Aussie banks while retaining its intrinsic New Zealand identity. 

“The Commerce Commission reported last year that New Zealand’s four largest banks did not face strong competition when providing personal banking services. 

“Advice to the Government is that an additional $500 million of capital could support up to $4 billion of business lending or $10 billion of home lending. 

“To assess interest in Kiwibank, Kiwi Group Capital (KGC) engaged with New Zealand KiwiSaver funds, investment institutions and professional investor groups including Māori institutions. 

“KGC has advised there is sufficient interest from professional New Zealand investors groups to proceed.”

Nicola Willis says a future government may choose to publicly list Kiwibank on the stock market, but that won’t occur without an electoral mandate. 

Irrespective of any future decisions, the Government has approved measures to safeguard the bank’s New Zealand identity. 

ese measures include maintaining at least 51 per cent government ownership of KGC for the foreseeable future and, through a Kiwi Share to be held by the Crown, requiring, among other measures:

• a majority of the directors of KGC to be normally resident in New Zealand; and
• Kiwibank maintaining its principal place of business in New Zealand.

KGC has until 30 June 2026 to complete a capital raise, subject to final approval of terms and conditions from shareholding Ministers.

Source: New Zealand Government

Boy racers will face serious consequences for anti-social and intimidating driving under tough new laws, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.

“New Zealanders are sick of seeing boy racers and dirt bike riders putting everyone around them at risk,” Mr Bishop says.

“This Government is serious about cracking down on unruly and dangerous driving and restoring safety to our roads.

“We’re taking action by bringing in much tougher penalties for idiots who use our streets as racetracks, putting others at risk. If they want to drive dangerously, they will face serious consequences – and they won’t like them,” Mr Bishop says. 

“This is a clear message to those who think they can get away with dangerous and disruptive behaviour on our roads. We’re backing Police with the tools they need to act, and we’re backing communities who’ve had enough.”

The Anti-Social Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill has been introduced to Parliament and it is expected to receive its first reading in August. 

The new offences and penalties will include:

• establishing a presumptive sentence of vehicle destruction or forfeiture for those that flee Police, participate in street racing, burnouts, intimidating convoys and vehicle owners who fail to identify offending drivers – this means in most cases judges will be required to seize and either sell or destroy the vehicle
• giving Police more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas, including issuing infringements of $1000 for those who fail to leave areas when directed to by Police
• increasing the infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle from $50 to $300.

Minister Mitchell says the Bill will enable Police to continue hitting these events hard. 

“Police are already doing an outstanding job of enforcing the law. We have seen substantive responses to these illegal gatherings, including arrests, checkpoints, and other tactics to shut these events down. These gatherings are dangerous to the participants, to bystanders, and to the public. This bill will support Police to continue cracking down with a raft of additional powers. 

“Boy racers only care about one thing – their car. Once they realise they’re not getting it back, they’ll think twice about fleeing Police or driving dangerously.”  

After its first reading, the Bill will go through a four month Select Committee process including public consultation.

Notes to the editor:

• Anti-social road users are those who flee Police, or participate in unauthorised street racing, burnouts, intimidating convoys, disorderly dirt bike gatherings, or siren battles.
• The Bill establishes the following exceptions for vehicle forfeiture or destruction if:
  • The offender is not the owner (this exception does not apply to the offence for owners who fail to provide information about a driver to Police).
  • It would be manifestly unjust.
  • It would cause extreme hardship to the offender, or undue hardship to any other person.
• The Government will expand the existing offence for a vehicle owner not immediately providing information about a driver who used that vehicle to flee Police to now:
  • apply to those participating in street racing, loss of traction (burnouts), and intimidating convoys,
  • ensure courts order the vehicle destroyed or forfeited unless it would be manifestly unjust, or cause extreme hardship to the offender or undue hardship to any other person, and
  • allow courts to issue a fine not exceeding $10,000.
• Additional powers for Police to manage illegal vehicle gatherings are to:
  • expand the existing road closure power to include all public and private areas accessible to the public by vehicle (e.g. parks and car parks), and

establish an offence for a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction to leave or not enter a closed area, and establish an associated penalty of a $1,000 infringement fee and a maximum $3,000 court fine. This includes bystanders.

Source: NZCTU

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is today supporting NZNO members across the country who are striking to push the Government to ensure safe staffing in the healthcare system.

“The NZCTU and wider union movement stand in solidarity with nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who are standing up and fighting for safe staffing and quality care,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“Workers never make the decision to strike lightly. It is only when they have exhausted all other options. In this case, NZNO members are taking action on behalf of all New Zealanders to ensure safe staffing in the health system.

“Understaffing at Te Whatu Ora affects all of us – it increases hospital wait times, undermines quality safe healthcare and puts people at risk.

“The Government is prioritising tax cuts for the wealthy over essential public services such as our hospitals. That’s why this action is so important – we need to force the Government to guarantee safety in healthcare system.

“Everyone should be grateful to the nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who are taking strike action this week,” said Wagstaff.

Source: Maritime New Zealand

At that stage, the developer group (representatives from ports, unions, stevedore companies, and companies with backgrounds in port operations, education and training) had identified five topics for education resources.

Since then, the developer group identified risk management as the first topic to focus on.

We carried out an online survey with the developer group to seek their agreement and comment for the first three e-learning modules, which will all be from workers’ perspectives.

Reponses received confirmed the developer group ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that the first three modules be:

• understanding risk management in the workplace
• understanding your role in risk management
• applying risk management in the workplace.

We’re now building the modules, developing resources and working with ports to film onsite the videos that will be featured in the modules.

Future topics will be working at height, loading and unloading cargo, work environment and fatigue.

If you have questions about ACOP education tools, please email Maritime NZ’s Education and Guidance team at [email protected]

Source: New Zealand Government

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with manufacturers, including wood processors, bakers, and millers to help businesses focus on managing genuine risks rather than navigating red tape.  

 “We’re simplifying machine guarding rules and reviewing exposure standards to reduce complexity and improve consistency in the manufacturing sector,” says Ms van Velden.  

 The proposed changes aim to ensure standards reflect real-world risks and align with international benchmarks. Manufacturers have said that the current rules are unclear and difficult to apply, leading to unnecessary costs and compliance burden. 

 As an example of the law’s confusion, a business owner told me they got conflicting advice from WorkSafe inspectors on identical machinery guarding in Auckland and Christchurch, deeming the same machine guarding to be compliant in one city but non-compliant in another city.  

 “During my nationwide consultation and roadshow, businesses described the law as full of grey areas, with outdated guidance that creates confusion and unnecessary cost. We’re acting on that feedback, with changes designed to address the specific pain points raised.”  

 One key change is the simplification of machine guarding rules, which support the safe use of machinery, in the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations.  

 As an example of how out of date the machine guarding rules are, there are some in the meat industry who believe that machine guarding rules conflict with food safety cleaning requirements. 

 We will be consulting on replacing the requirements with a more flexible, risk-based approach. WorkSafe guidance will continue to support businesses in applying appropriate controls.  

 Although this will be a great help to the manufacturing sector, it will be beneficial for a range of sectors working with machinery including agriculture, horticulture, construction and food production.  

 “Feedback on machine guarding has highlighted the need for greater consistency when using machinery. These changes will enable businesses to use a wider range of tools while applying updated safety measures to keep their staff safe.” 

Wood processors and manufacturers also gave feedback that they feel constrained by Workplace Exposure Standards that don’t reflect operational realities or international benchmarks.  

 “Many described the current approach as overly rigid and unclear, with one participant saying the standards are ‘an overreaction to risk which will cripple the industry’.” 

 The Workplace Exposure Standards for soft wood dust, hard wood dust, and welding fumes will be reviewed, with an aim to improve clarity and better align with international standards. 

 “Businesses expressed frustration that the wood dust standard is impractical and not based on realistic risk assessments. They want a system that is both protective and practical, and these changes aim to provide that.” 

 WorkSafe will also look at updating the Workplace Exposure Standard for flour dust, which is designed to minimise the risk of respiratory problems.  

“This is an example of the Red Tape Tipline making a difference, addressing regulations that increase the price of food,” says Mr Seymour. 

 “Concerned bakers made a submission to the Ministry for Regulation, raising concerns that the permitted concentration of flour dust was so stringent it would ruin their business.

 “One commercial stakeholder said they had invested millions in retrofitted air conditioning units, purchasing new industrial vacuum cleaners, and additional controls in bakeries including deep cleaning, but it was still almost impossible 

to comply with the regulation.

 “These costs eventually flow down to prices at the checkout. It’s another example of how permissive regulations, no matter how small they might seem on paper, make a difference to the cost of everything in New Zealand.

 “The review will consider international benchmarks and feasibility considerations, such as measurability. This will provide bakers and millers with more confidence that they have met safety standards, reducing the cost and stress of overcompliance and price of food,” says Mr Seymour. 

 This review will be undertaken in consultation with those in the manufacturing sector over the coming months to ensure they are practical and effective. 

 “Simplifying machine guarding rules and reviewing the Workplace Exposure Standards will make it easier for people to do the right thing, without compromising safety,” says Ms van Velden.

“These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut-red-tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.”

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 8 July 2025
Last updated 8 July 2025

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Here’s what you need to know to submit your August 2025 Single Data Return (SDR).
Here’s what you need to know to submit your August 2025 Single Data Return (SDR).

The round begins on Friday 8 August 2025 and finishes at 5.00pm on Thursday 21 August 2025.
Please submit your return any time on or between these dates.

7 August 2025
Extract date

8 August 2025
SDR round opens

21 August 2025
SDR round closes

Resources for your SDR submission 
The Data Specification for the SDR is available from Single Data Return.
Note that validation rules for all new fields are applied for the August 2025 SDR. Mandatory fields for final-year Fees Free apply for learners who enrol from 1 January 2025.
August SDR 
The following resources are from the Webinar – Preparation for August SDR – 2 July 2025

New or changed data requirements are described below:
Final-year Fees Free

Field name
Description
File
Mandatory?

IRD number
IRD number of the learner. The IRD number enables data matching to support the learner in claiming their Fees Free entitlement.
Learner/ Qualification Completion
No

Secondary school programme indicator
Indicates whether a course has been undertaken as part of the student’s or trainee’s school learning programme or secondary-tertiary programme.
Course Enrolment
Yes

Actual course fee amount
Captures the course tuition and the compulsory course costs charged to the learner.
Course Enrolment
Yes

Qualification completion date
The date the requirements have been met by the learner to be awarded the qualification.
Qualification Completion
Yes

Linked Qualification for Fees Free
Used for exit qualifications or expired qualifications when the learner’s course enrolments have been reported under a different qualification code than the one completed.
Qualification Completion
No

Other new data fields

Field name
Description
File
Mandatory?

Learning Hours
The learning hours involved in the course. This will improve efficiency of course setup for some TEOs.
Course Register
No

Volume Research Factor
The Volume of Research Factor (VRF) is associated with the PBRF eligibility and is a multiplier that measures the research content of a course. This will improve efficiency of course setup for some TEOs.
Course Register
No

Apprenticeship
Identifies if a learner is enrolled as an Apprenticeship.Allows some TEOs to continue to report Managed Apprenticeships under SDR.
Course Enrolment
No

To monitor your enrolments against some of the funding conditions for Youth Guarantee and Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (DQ1-2), check out the Funding Conditions app at DXP Ngā Kete.
Need help?

For step-by-step instructions on how to submit your SDR see the DXP Ngā Kete user guides.  
For general help, guidance with validations errors, and help with course, qualification and delivery site approvals, contact 0800 601 301 or email customerservice@tec.govt.nz with subject: [Edumis #] – August SDR.
For help with your Education Sector Login (ESL), contact the Education Service Desk on 0800 422 599 or email service.desk@education.govt.nz.