News and releases

Some of the temporary COVID-19-related relief measures introduced by the Government earlier this year have been extended, while others are no longer available or are soon to expire.

From today, travel agents and wholesalers can make applications to the Consumer Travel Reimbursement Scheme established to support New Zealanders to get back money they are owed from cancelled overseas travel plans caused by COVID-19.

An Auckland man has been fined and sentenced to six months home detention and 200 hours community work, and his company fined and ordered to repay victims for providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt, and asking for or receiving a fee.

The Government has today released the Request for Proposals (RFP) to appoint the next set of KiwiSaver default providers.

From today, owner-occupiers of unit and apartments living in earthquake-prone buildings can apply for financial support to fix their homes.

New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals has today initiated consultation with iwi and hapū on the proposed Block Offer 2020 release area for petroleum exploration permits.

The Government is putting in place a range of immigration policy changes to help fill labour shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries while ensuring New Zealanders, who have lost jobs due to COVID-19, have the chance to find new employment.

The Government has established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, as well as agricultural and horticultural machinery operators.

The Government planned responding to the retirement income policy review this year, but is taking further time to consider New Zealand’s retirement settings in light of the impacts of COVID-19.

The government has invested $187 million in 17 leading-edge research projects.