Latest news with #NationalPartyConference
NZ Herald
04-08-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Associate Education Minister David Seymour speaks on NCEA overhaul
Police officers and the Eagle helicopter have been seen at Meola Reef. One person was taken into custody. Video / NZ Herald Small Business reporter Tom Raynel interviews Takapuna Beach Cafe owner James Bryant about the beachfront hotspot and his plans for the business. Trade Minister Todd McClay to head to the US, hoping to ease New Zealand's tariff hike, and Forest and Bird says loosening rules on conservation land puts our biodiversity at risk. Footage of the dance was repeatedly played in court at the trial for the high-profile criminal, who cannot currently be named. Following a jobs report showing weak employment growth, US President Donald Trump fired labour statistics chief Dr Erika McEntarfer, calling the report 'rigged.' Video / AFP Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka took questions at the National Party Conference. Video / Adam Pearse A pair of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighters from the far north town of Kaikohe battle it out in the ring; but in this gym the battle isn't just about the glory and grit. V / NZIFF A man has died overnight following a street fight in Ōtara, with police launching a homicide investigation. Video / NZ Herald Sylvia Wood talks about the challenges of governing in a coalition and plans for the next election ahead of her party's annual conference in Christchurch. Video / Mark Mitchell A US special envoy has arrived in Gaza in hopes to mediate some peace. Turmoil offer Trump's tariffs continues. Job layoffs at Weta Workshop in Wellington. PM is in Christchurch. Renowned architect George Clarke explores some of New Zealand's most unique off-grid builds in his new series. Video / Sky NZ There's been a 22.5% fall in spending over the past year. The Karangahape Road retail sector is feeling the pressure. Video / Jason Dorday NZ Herald Live: Government ministers Nicola Willis and Todd McClay provide a trade update. Michelle Montague reflects on her MMA journey after signing with the UFC. Video / NZ Herald New gas and oil laws may lead to legal battles, national tsunami threat lifted and senior doctors get pay offer.
RNZ News
04-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Political commentators Brigitte Morten and Sue Moroney
Brigette and Sue discuss the proposed changes to NCEA, the weekend's National Party Conference and planned changes to health and safety regulations. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis. Sue Moroney is a former MP with the Labour Party and now chief executive of Community Law Centres Aotearoa.
Scoop
03-08-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Unleashing Growth On Conservation Land
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Minister of Conservation Unleashing economic growth on one third of New Zealand's land will create jobs and increase wages across the country, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced at the National Party Conference in Christchurch today. 'The Department of Conservation manages huge tracts of New Zealand, from the most pristine parts of our National Parks and the Great Walks to areas of grassland used for grazing,' Mr Luxon says. 'Many New Zealanders already run outstanding businesses on the conservation estate – from guided walks and ski fields, to filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, or hosting concerts and building cell phone towers. 'But to do any of that, you need a concession – and the concessions regime is totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo. 'Outdated rules mean we've got examples of modern E-bike users being turned away from potential touring opportunities because they have to be considered as proper vehicles. And tourism on the Routeburn is being held up because the trail crosses artificial boundaries, with different rules and different limits. 'So, in the spirit of saying yes to more jobs, more growth, and higher wages, today I can make two announcements. 'First, we're going to fix the Conservation Act to unleash a fresh wave of concessions – like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure, in locations where that makes sense. 'At the same time, sites that are truly special to New Zealanders should be protected so we are giving DOC more support by introducing a charge for foreign visitors to access high volume sites,' Mr Luxon says. Tama Potaka says this will initially involve looking at four locations – Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook – where foreigners often make up 80 per cent of all visitors. 'Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change. But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free. 'It's only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between $20 and $40 per person. 'For the conservation estate that will mean up to $62 million per year in revenue, which will be directly re-invested into those same areas, so we can keep investing in the sites that underpin so much of our tourism sector,' Mr Potaka says. Mr Luxon says, at the same time, there will be no charge for New Zealanders to access the conservation estate. 'It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it. 'If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs, and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way,' Mr Luxon says.
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Foreign tourists to be charged entry fee at key NZ sites
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ The government has announced plans to "unleash growth" on conservation land, granting more business opportunities and introducing entry fees for international visitors at four popular sites. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced changes to the Conservation Act at the National Party Conference in Christchurch on Saturday. Those changes would create more concessions - permission to operate a business - in tourism, agriculture and infrastructure. Many businesses already ran on the conservation estate, including guided walks and skifields, filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, hosting concerts and building cellphone towers, but Luxon said the concessions regime was "totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew, and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo". International visitors will be charged between $20 to $40 to access four popular sites, including the Milford Track. Photo: Getty He said the rules were outdated and the system would be changed to allow more jobs, growth and higher wages, with a "fresh wave" of new concessions made available. Another change would see international visitors charged between $20 to $40 to access four popular sites - Cathedral Cove, the Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track and Aoraki Mount Cook. The government estimated it would bring in $62 million a year in revenue to be re-invested in those same areas, Potaka said. New Zealanders would not be charged, with Luxon saying: "It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it."
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Foreign tourists to pay to visit key NZ sites
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ The government has announced plans to "unleash growth" on conservation land, granting more business opportunities and introducing entry fees for international visitors at four popular sites. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced changes to the Conservation Act at the National Party Conference in Christchurch on Saturday. Those changes would create more concessions - permission to operate a business - in tourism, agriculture and infrastructure. Many businesses already ran on the conservation estate, including guided walks and skifields, filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, hosting concerts and building cellphone towers, but Luxon said the concessions regime was "totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew, and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo". International visitors will be charged between $20 to $40 to access four popular sites, including the Milford Track. Photo: Getty He said the rules were outdated and the system would be changed to allow more jobs, growth and higher wages, with a "fresh wave" of new concessions made available. Another change would see international visitors charged between $20 to $40 to access four popular sites - Cathedral Cove, the Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track and Aoraki Mount Cook. The government estimated it would bring in $62 million a year in revenue to be re-invested in those same areas, Potaka said. New Zealanders would not be charged, with Luxon saying: "It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it."
