Tag: louise_upston
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National Pledges Random Drug Testing for Jobseekers in Five-Point Welfare Plan
A re-elected National Government would introduce random drug testing for work-ready Jobseekers from next year, alongside lower payments after two years on the benefit and a five-year residency requirement.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborSocial IssuesElectionEconomy Louise UpstonNew Zealand National Partywelfare policyJobseeker Supportrandom drug testingbenefit sanctionsNZ National Party
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National to Trial Seamless Trans-Tasman Travel Before 2028 T20 World Cup
A re-elected National Government would trial fully digital trans-Tasman travel using smartphones, digital credentials and biometrics, aiming to launch it before the 2028 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessSportAustraliaGeneral PoliticsElectionEconomyTransportationTrade Louise UpstonNew Zealand National PartyTrans-Tasman travelSmartGate2028 ICC Men's T20 World CupNew Zealand tourismBorder securityNZ National Party
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Free Parenting Advice Now Available to Families Through Tākai
New Zealand families can access free, evidence-based parenting resources through Tākai, funded by a $20 million Budget 2025 investment, covering pregnancy to age five.
Politics and GovernmentHealthSocial IssuesEducationFederal Government TākaiLouise UpstonparentingChild and Youth StrategyBudget 2025child developmentNew Zealand Government
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Government Invests $675,000 in Te Waihou Blue Spring Visitor Upgrades
New Zealand Government funds $675,000 from the International Visitor Levy for upgrades at Te Waihou Blue Spring, including carpark extension, toilets and park-and-ride services.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyEnvironmentTransportation Te Waihou Blue SpringLouise UpstonInternational Visitor LevySouth Waikato District CouncilNgāti RaukawaTourismNew Zealand Government
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Labour Demands Answers From Upston Over Benefit Payment Chaos
Labour's Willow-Jean Prime says Louise Upston must reveal how many New Zealanders had benefits wrongly cut, warning jobseekers and sole parents could be next.
Politics and GovernmentEconomySocial IssuesEmployment and LaborElection Louise UpstonWillow-Jean PrimeNew Zealand Labour Partybenefit paymentsWinter Energy PaymentMinistry of Social Development
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Government to Develop National Events Strategy Following Independent Review
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says a National Events Strategy will set long-term direction for New Zealand's events system, following an independent review by MartinJenkins.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyTradeSocial Issues National Events StrategyLouise UpstonNew Zealand GovernmentTourism and HospitalityMartinJenkinsEvents sectorIndependent review
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Government events funds deliver $41m net benefit, first data shows
First independent results from the Events Attraction Package and Events Boost Fund show 17 events generated more than $41 million in net benefit and drew almost 90,000 visitors.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEntertainmentSportEconomyGeneral PoliticsMusicTourism Louise UpstonEvents Attraction PackageEvents Boost FundNew Zealand tourismMBIEULTRA Music FestivalFIFA World SeriesNew Zealand Government
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Government Backs $880,000 WOW Exhibition for Wellington 2027
New Zealand invests $880,000 from the Major Events Fund in a World of WearableArt Exhibition premiering in Wellington in 2027, expected to draw over 1,500 international visitors.
Politics and GovernmentEntertainmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyFilm and TVSocial Issues World of WearableArtLouise UpstonWellingtonMajor Events FundTourism and HospitalityGlobal Wearable Art SummitNew Zealand Government
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New Zealand Government Accepts All Recommendations in Phillips Children Inquiry
Government accepts all nine recommendations and 41 findings from the Public Inquiry into the Disappearance of the Phillips Children, apologising to the children and pledging better interagency cooperation.
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesLegalFederal Government Phillips Children InquiryLouise UpstonNew Zealand GovernmentOranga TamarikiNew Zealand PoliceChild ProtectionSimon Moore KC
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Record Australian Visitor Numbers Boost New Zealand Tourism as Arrivals Surpass 2019 Levels
New Zealand's July 2026 international arrivals hit 256,600, up 8.5 percent year-on-year and above July 2019, with a record 134,900 Australian visitors driving growth.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentEconomyTradeEmployment and Labor New Zealand tourismLouise UpstonStatistics New Zealandinternational visitor arrivalsAustralia visitor markettourism exportsChina visitor arrivalsNew Zealand Government
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Kaikōura to Benefit from $835,000 International Visitor Levy Investment
Government invests $835,000 from the International Visitor Levy to upgrade Kaikōura's cruise facilities and public spaces, aiming to boost tourism growth and ease pressure on local ratepayers.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyTransportation KaikōuraInternational Visitor LevyLouise Upstoncruise tourismNew Zealand tourismregional economytourism infrastructureNew Zealand Government
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Labour Demands Luxon Intervene on "Bungled Benefits" Amidst Upston's Silence
Labour is calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to address Social Development Minister Louise Upston's refusal to apologize for 88,000 declined food grants and wrongly cut benefits, impacting vulnerable New Zealanders like pensioners and veterans.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsEconomyEmployment and LaborSocial IssuesElection Labour PartyChristopher LuxonLouise UpstonBenefit CutsFood GrantsSocial DevelopmentNew Zealand Labour Party
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Greens Demand Answers from Minister Upston Over Welfare Cuts
The Green Party demands answers from Minister Louise Upston regarding wrongful welfare cuts caused by processing delays. Upston is accused of refusing to apologize or clarify the issue, despite the Prime Minister's apology, leaving beneficiaries without support.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsSocial IssuesEconomyEmployment and Labor Green PartyLouise UpstonWelfare CutsBeneficiariesRicardo Menéndez MarchProcessing DelaysAutomated Decision-MakingElection
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Disability Advocates Challenge New Zealand's DSS Bill Amid Widespread Opposition
New Zealand's Disability Support Services Bill draws widespread criticism from advocates and organizations like Carers New Zealand, who warn it will harm disabled people and their carers. The Opportunity Party joins calls for better consultation and legislative design.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessGeneral PoliticsSocial IssuesLegalEmployment and Labor Disability Support Services BillDisability AdvocacyCarers New ZealandThe Opportunity PartyLegislative ReformLouise UpstonOpportunity PartyElection
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National Refuses to Own Failed Jobseeker Target Amidst Criticism
New Zealand's National Party faces criticism as its Jobseeker target is projected to miss by over 60,000 people. Labour's Willow-Jean Prime says Minister Louise Upston refuses to take responsibility for the failing policy, calling it a "failure of her own…
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEmployment and LaborEconomySocial Issues Labour PartyNational PartyJobseeker targetLouise UpstonWillow-Jean PrimeEmploymentNew Zealand Labour PartyElection
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New Zealand Government Invests $5 Million to Boost Tourism and Business Events
New Zealand's government is investing $5 million to boost tourism, targeting Australia, the US, and China, and attracting more business events to drive economic growth and reach pre-pandemic visitor levels by 2026.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentEconomyGeneral PoliticsEmployment and LaborAustralasia TourismMarketingBusiness EventsLouise UpstonEconomic GrowthInternational Visitor LevyNew Zealand Government
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New Zealand Sees Continued Surge in International Visitor Numbers
New Zealand's international visitor numbers surged in April 2026, reaching 94% of pre-pandemic levels. Record arrivals from the US, Australia, India, and a significant jump from China highlight tourism's strong economic contribution and the success of targeted government initiatives.
BusinessPolitics and GovernmentEconomyEmployment and LaborTradeGeneral Politics TourismInternational VisitorsLouise UpstonEconomic GrowthChinaStats NZNew Zealand Government
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New Zealand Government Funds 42 New E-Bike Charging Stations for Regional Trails
New Zealand's government is investing $2.5 million to add 42 e-bike charging stations across five regional cycle trails. This initiative aims to boost tourism and local engagement, expanding the popular Ngā Haerenga network and supporting economic growth.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEconomyTransportation New Zealand GovernmentE-bike charging stationsRegional developmentTourismCycle trailsLouise UpstonNgā Haerenga
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New Zealand Government Modernizes Welfare System with Automated Decision-Making
New Zealand's government passed a bill to modernize the welfare system, increasing automated decision-making for efficiency. Minister Louise Upston said it ensures fair, consistent support, freeing up staff for complex cases, without changing eligibility.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentEmployment and LaborSocial IssuesLegal New Zealand GovernmentWelfare SystemAutomated Decision-MakingSocial Security (Modernisation) Amendment BillLouise UpstonMinistry of Social DevelopmentLegislation
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Government’s Social Housing Overhaul Sparks Fierce Debate Over Fairness and ‘Cruelty’
Government’s Social Housing Overhaul Sparks Fierce Debate Over Fairness and ‘Cruelty’
Politics and GovernmentBusinessSocial IssuesGeneral PoliticsEconomyReal EstateElection Social housingHousing reformNew Zealand governmentChris BishopLouise UpstonKieran McAnultyTamatha PaulCameron LuxtonIncome Related Rent (IRR)Accommodation SupplementTenancy durationsWelfare reformCost of living crisisKāinga OraPolitical debateFairnessCrueltyPeter FowlerEditor-in-Chief
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New Zealand Government Introduces Bill to Strengthen Disability Support
The New Zealand Government has introduced the Disability Support Services Bill to Parliament, aiming to provide clarity and stability for thousands of disabled New Zealanders. The Bill clarifies DSS operations and addresses carer support, building on previous reforms.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessEducationGeneral PoliticsSocial IssuesEconomyLegal Disability Support ServicesNew Zealand GovernmentLouise UpstonLegislationCarersSocial ServicesFunding
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International Visitor Spending Boosts New Zealand's Economy
New data reveals a 9.2% increase in international visitor spending in New Zealand, contributing $12.2 billion to the economy. The rise in tourism reflects increased visitor arrivals and bookings.
BusinessWorldEconomyTradeEmployment and Labor TourismLouise UpstonInternational Visitor SurveyVisitor SpendingEconomic GrowthHospitality
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NZ Budget 2025 Boosts Disability Support Services
New Zealand's Budget 2025 allocates $240 million over four years to improve residential care for over 7,000 disabled New Zealanders, alongside $1 billion for Disability Support Services.
Politics and GovernmentHealthSocial IssuesEconomy Budget 2025Disability Support ServicesLouise UpstonResidential CareFundingGovernment
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NZ Budget 2025: $240M Boost for Disabled Residential Care
New Zealand's Budget 2025 allocates $240 million over four years to improve residential care for over 7,000 disabled citizens, enhancing support and stabilising the disability support system.
Politics and GovernmentHealthSocial Issues Louise UpstonBudget 2025Disability Support ServicesResidential CareGovernment FundingSocial Services
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NZ Government Extends Food Bank Support Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis
Government extends support to food banks with a $15 million investment managed by the Ministry of Social Development and the New Zealand Food Network, distributing over 4.5 million meals monthly.
Politics and GovernmentHealthSocial Issues food banksLouise UpstonMinistry of Social DevelopmentNew Zealand Food NetworkFood SecurityGovernment
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NZ Budget 2025: Working for Families Scheme to Increase Support
New Zealand's Budget 2025 includes changes to the Working for Families scheme, increasing support for low and middle-income families. Approximately 142,000 families will receive an average of $14 extra per fortnight.
Politics and GovernmentEconomySocial Issues Budget 2025Working for FamiliesLouise UpstonSimon WattsSocial DevelopmentTax Credit