New Zealand Government Stories

Kiwi Stories

New Zealand Government stories

Do you know how risky your home is?

Many buyers are overlooking flood and other hazard risks, leaving some homeowners exposed to higher premiums or uninsurable properties.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • This month

Disaster Recovery

ECan backs Kaikōura flood recovery, calls for Government support

Funding gaps leave Kaikōura's flood recovery reliant on regional rates, after the council's bid for Government help was knocked back.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Last month

Disaster Recovery

Ōmāhu stopbank upgrade begins after Cyclone Gabrielle

Flood protection for Ōmāhu is being strengthened after Gabrielle exposed gaps in the defences, with work due to finish by Christmas.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • Last month

Data Protection

MBIE confirms botched biometric projects costs blown out to $50.7 million

Taxpayers face a NZD $50.7 million bill after a cancelled Immigration New Zealand upgrade failed to deliver any measurable benefits.

By Mara Sugue • 5 min read • Last month

New Zealand Labour Party

Post code lottery still alive and well in health sector, latest figures show

Waiting times remain starkly uneven, with Northland and Southern lagging on planned care while other regions meet health targets.

By Rowan Quinn • 4 min read • Last month

Risk & Compliance

Second Auckland harbour crossing appears feasible, review finds

A second Waitematā crossing could still go ahead, though ministers have more work to do before choosing between a tunnel, bridge or other option.

By Phil Pennington • 2 min read • Last month

Risk & Compliance

Reserve Bank kept interest rates low too long, Covid-19 review finds

The review says delayed tightening helped drive inflation to 7.3 percent, forcing sharper rate rises and weighing on growth and jobs.

By Susan Edmunds • 5 min read • Last month

Data Protection

New Zealand SMEs face rising cyber threats, study finds

Nearly three-quarters of medium-sized firms have faced a cyber threat in six months, as AI scams and weak staff training heighten risk.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Real estate

Auckland CBD height limits could be scrapped

The proposal could unlock 17,000 extra homes in Auckland's city centre while leaving viewshafts, sunlight and heritage rules intact.

By RNZ • 2 min read • Last month

Digital Transformation

Westpac approved to issue digital IDs

Business customers will soon be able to share bank details with fewer fraud risks, after the bank became the first in New Zealand cleared to issue digital IDs.

By Susan Edmunds • 3 min read • Last month

Data Protection

Westpac first New Zealand bank to issue digital ID

Business customers can now verify bank account details faster and with less fraud risk as digital credentials debut through Govt.nz's app wallet.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Real estate

Councils to be allowed to charge developers with new levy from 2029

Existing ratepayers could be spared higher bills as councils prepare to shift more of the cost of new housing infrastructure onto developers from 2029.

By Giles Dexter • 4 min read • Last month

Data centers

Explainer: Why is everyone talking about AI and the end of the world?

Calls for tighter AI safeguards have intensified after warnings the technology could outpace human control and threaten jobs, security and markets.

By Nik Dirga • 8 min read • Last month

Housing

Councils face squeezing multi-million spatial plan bill under rates cap

Ratepayers could face higher bills as Canterbury councils prepare a mandatory regional spatial plan estimated at GBP £7 million to GBP £10 million.

By Jonathan Leask • 5 min read • Last month

Buy Now Pay Later

How much beneficiaries are left with after paying the rent

After housing costs, beneficiaries have just NZD $251 a week on average, with rent swallowing nearly half their income.

By Lauren Crimp • 3 min read • Last month

Energy efficient

Ngāti Rangi takes stake in Waiouru Defence land under new 50-home deal

Military families at Waiouru will gain 50 modern homes by mid-2028 as Ngāti Rangi takes ownership of the land in a treaty settlement deal.

By Moana Ellis • 4 min read • Last month

Data Protection

Labour promises to set up AI regulator, copyright rules if elected

The plan would give New Zealand a dedicated AI office and tougher copyright protections, aiming to curb risks and share gains with workers.

By Russell Palmer • 6 min read • Last month

Global Stories

New Zealand Government stories

Software-as-a-Service

RecordPoint & Informotion team up for data governance

Budget-conscious agencies can keep legacy records in place while tightening privacy controls and speeding up stalled AI projects under the partnership.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month