Economics / Government Government loan clears way for Tukituki water project design work in Hawke’s Bay The Government has approved a loan of up to $18.13m to push the Tukituki water storage plan into detailed design, but any build will depend on the project stacking up.
Economics / World US to impose 100% tariffs on patented medicines and key ingredients, with carve‑outs tied to onshoring and pricing deals The White House has invoked national security to target imports of branded drugs and APIs; generics are exempt, and companies that agree to onshore and adopt US pricing terms can qualify for sharply lower or zero tariffs.
Government / Economics Government loosens high-country lease rules to allow horticulture, tourism and solar; exceptional cases could see land leave pastoral estate A new Bill will expand what Crown pastoral leaseholders can do on their land and create a path, in rare cases, for land to be used for other purposes, with ministers citing higher returns and regional growth.
Economics / New Zealand Primary teachers accept pay deal; top‑step pay rises 4.7% by January 2027 The agreement ends this bargaining round for NZEI members, with a 2.5% increase from today, a further 2.1% in January, and staged lifts to payments for added duties through 2028.
Government / Economics Primary teachers ratify new collective; top-of-scale rises to $107,886, unit parity set for 2028 NZEI members back deal delivering staged pay rises from today and lifting primary unit rates to match secondary over the next three years.
Government / Economics Fast-track clears Contact’s 380MW Southland wind farm, reversing earlier consent decline Largest wind project to date signed off about five months after an expert panel began, with 55 turbines and new grid links planned in eastern Southland.
Government / Economics Alcohol law change takes effect at midnight, lifting Easter and Anzac morning bar closures On-licence venues can run normal hours on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac morning and Christmas Day after a member’s bill gained Royal Assent, with an amendment allowing bars to trade past midnight.
Government / Economics Government funds 90m-litre diesel storage at Marsden Point; current supply secure until end of May Channel Infrastructure to recommission idle tanks with up to $21.6m in RIF support, adding about eight days’ diesel storage as ministers cite Middle East disruption.
Government / Economics Youth offending drops and attendance lifts, but 14.3% of children still in material hardship The Government’s annual child and youth report points to gains on crime, school and food security alongside a rise in households on a main benefit.
New Zealand / Economics Government lowers Auckland housing capacity target to 1.4m, triggering further changes to Plan Change 120 Council says the shift opens the door to tighter hazard downzoning and keeps intensification focused around rail and major routes, with all existing submissions to remain valid.
Government / Economics Stats NZ to move 60-plus business surveys to a new online platform from August Shift is aimed at easing the load on businesses; Labour Cost Index and Business Price Index to follow in mid-2026.
Government / Economics Open banking extended to business accounts, with large corporates excluded from mandate Businesses will be able to share bank data with trusted providers for lending, accounting and cash‑flow tools, with ministers pitching productivity gains for small firms.
