The Green Party has ensured that the next set of changes to the Overseas Investment Act will look at water extraction and whether stronger tests should be set for land sales involving water takes, Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson announced today.

Local Government New Zealand are pleased to see a waste work programme announced today by the Associate Minister for the Environment will aim to address waste issues that councils have been calling for support on.

“Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones’ confirmation that the Government will establish an independent infrastructure entity – an i-body – is very positive news and warmly received by industry,” says Stephen Selwood CEO of Infrastructure NZ.

EMA is pleased its long time call for a comprehensive solution to how New Zealand invests in and delivers vital infrastructure projects has made a significant step forward today.

Infrastructure Minister, Shane Jones, announced at Infrastructure New Zealand’s Building Nations Symposium a new entity will be established to provide expert advice, planning and strategy to support the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the country.

"This has been a long time coming. We commend the Minister for taking the step to effectively create an agency which will have the mandate to pull together the long-term pipeline of our infrastructure needs," says Kim Campbell, CEO, EMA.

"Agencies such as these have worked well overseas. This is a vital component of building the vibrant and productive economy the Government has stated it wants. Hopefully, this entity will be independent, future focused and empowered to make decisions which will take New Zealand forward and transcend the electoral cycle.

"We, along with Infrastructure New Zealand, have been calling for an independent agency of this nature for some time, as the nation grapples with how to fund and manage its infrastructure shortfall."We hope this newly announced entity will help manage the risk profile associated with large scale projects that are now required and provide a way forward for many local authorities struggling with inadequate infrastructure."

Brilliance International has been fined $540,000 after pleading guilty to breaking fair trading law by claiming steel mesh met standards that it actually did not

An independent infrastructure agency the government hopes to have operating late next year may help take the politics out of development decisions, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones says

HE Ms Wu Xi, China’s Ambassador to New Zealand, today announced that Infrastructure New Zealand will be leading a senior delegation to China, Hong Kong and Singapore in March 2019.

"Major issues affecting the construction and wider infrastructure sector are the result of weak procurement capability across the board and strengthened government expertise and leadership is required to drive an overall lift in industry performance," says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood.

A new online resource will enable small businesses to create health and wellbeing policies quickly and easily, through the business.govt.nz website.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says infrastructure risk has reached "intolerable levels".