Latest news with #Meager
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘Why can't Momoa live here?'
Minister for the South Island James Meager. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLER The National-led government's South Island minister believes lifting the foreign buyer ban for $5million-plus Queenstown residential properties makes sense. At the last election, National campaigned on a $2m threshold for overseas buyers — currently only Aussies and Singaporeans are exempt from the ban introduced by the previous Labour government in 2018 — but kept the ban on as part of its coalition agreement with New Zealand First. Visiting Queenstown this week, James Meager, the first South Island Minister, agrees high-net-worth foreigners "bring a lot of investment and opportunities, and they don't really have a big physical footprint in terms of, you know, strains on resources or infrastructure". "I'd be very surprised if any of these people are coming here and using the public health system, anything like that. "So we campaigned on the $2m [threshold], couldn't get that across the line." He says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's "very public" about looking at that. "It's something we continue to work on in government, and I think it's something if we can't get across the line in this government, we will certainly campaign on." Meager says even if it's a higher limit like $5m for places like Queenstown, "I think people will accept that". "Look at the kind of people who are looking to move here. "I mean, [Hollywood actor] Jason Momoa basically lives here, right? "But wouldn't it be fantastic to have him base himself in and out of Queenstown, flies internationally, brings in so much business and marketing and commerce from his movies and his franchises. "I think it makes sense, and you can do it in a way which doesn't put pressure on the housing for the workers and for the people who have lived here for 50 years and actually want to be able to have a home." Meanwhile, Meager's acutely aware of the limitations with Queenstown's current hospital and how, for example, a high proportion of local women give birth out of town — last year, there were 396 births outside Queenstown Lakes/Central Otago. While in Queenstown he visited friends who'd had a baby five weeks ago, who initially went to Invercargill to get ready. Things didn't move as quickly as they thought, so they returned to the resort. "Then all of a sudden away she went, and then it was a helicopter trip to Dunedin because Invercargill's full. "And then that meant [the parents] were actually separated for the birth." Meager says that "brings home the idea that for a place like Queenstown, that's probably not ideal". "There's a very low threshold in the medical profession here for saying, if it even looks like you're going to get in trouble, we'll call a helicopter in, and that's not ideal because it's stressful, it's time, it's costs." Meager says the Health Minister's aware of it and working on it — "I know there are proposals from a couple of entities around bringing private capital in and just getting a hospital up and running and maybe contract everything out to [the] public [system]". "I think we can get some solutions in the next few years." Supports our regional deal James Meager says he supports the proposal for a regional deal the Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and Otago Regional councils have put to the government, describing it as "very good". Under a regional deal, the government works with councils to improve infrastructure, which can include public transport and health facilities — in this case a mass transit Queenstown cable car and a base hospital. The government's yet to approve any, but in the South Island "Queenstown and West Coast seem to be well on track", Meager says.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Applications Open For $30 Million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will be allocated through a contestable process, with the criterias scope confirmed today. Associate Minister for Transport Applications have opened for a $30 million fund for projects that will enhance the resilience of New Zealand's coastal shipping connections and help boost economic growth, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced. The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will be allocated through a contestable process, with the criteria's scope confirmed today. 'The coastal shipping sector is vulnerable to natural hazard risks. Disruption to the sector could worsen New Zealand's supply chain and economic performance,' Mr Meager says. 'This long-term investment is crucial to ensuring we as a nation can get our goods to market, which is vital to growing the economy. Economic growth means more jobs, higher incomes and better public services for all Kiwis.' The fund will be used to invest in a small number of landmark projects, to support assets and facilities with a long lifespan well beyond the three-year funding period. This could include strengthening wharves and jetties, improving access routes to and from ports, or upgrading freight handling equipment. Preference will be given to applications which include co-investment. Mr Meager says the fund will also consider requests from sectors that support the resilience of the wider coastal shipping sector through, for example, energy and fuel, navigation aids, or the training of seafarers. 'Coastal shipping plays an important role in New Zealand's freight network. It provides a safe and low emitting way of transporting large, heavy cargo such as shipping containers – along with cement and aggregate used in building new infrastructure. 'It is also a lifeline when natural disaster strikes, as demonstrated following Cyclone Gabrielle when coastal shipping provided critical services to Tairāwhiti. The fund will ensure those benefits can continue. 'The fund will enhance the coastal shipping sector's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events that would otherwise undermine our coastal freight connections.'
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Applications Open For $30 Million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will be allocated through a contestable process, with the criterias scope confirmed today. Associate Minister for Transport Applications have opened for a $30 million fund for projects that will enhance the resilience of New Zealand's coastal shipping connections and help boost economic growth, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced. The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will be allocated through a contestable process, with the criteria's scope confirmed today. 'The coastal shipping sector is vulnerable to natural hazard risks. Disruption to the sector could worsen New Zealand's supply chain and economic performance,' Mr Meager says. 'This long-term investment is crucial to ensuring we as a nation can get our goods to market, which is vital to growing the economy. Economic growth means more jobs, higher incomes and better public services for all Kiwis.' The fund will be used to invest in a small number of landmark projects, to support assets and facilities with a long lifespan well beyond the three-year funding period. This could include strengthening wharves and jetties, improving access routes to and from ports, or upgrading freight handling equipment. Preference will be given to applications which include co-investment. Mr Meager says the fund will also consider requests from sectors that support the resilience of the wider coastal shipping sector through, for example, energy and fuel, navigation aids, or the training of seafarers. 'Coastal shipping plays an important role in New Zealand's freight network. It provides a safe and low emitting way of transporting large, heavy cargo such as shipping containers – along with cement and aggregate used in building new infrastructure. 'It is also a lifeline when natural disaster strikes, as demonstrated following Cyclone Gabrielle when coastal shipping provided critical services to Tairāwhiti. The fund will ensure those benefits can continue. 'The fund will enhance the coastal shipping sector's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events that would otherwise undermine our coastal freight connections.'
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Applications Open For $30 Million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund
Associate Minister for Transport Applications have opened for a $30 million fund for projects that will enhance the resilience of New Zealand's coastal shipping connections and help boost economic growth, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced. The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will be allocated through a contestable process, with the criteria's scope confirmed today. 'The coastal shipping sector is vulnerable to natural hazard risks. Disruption to the sector could worsen New Zealand's supply chain and economic performance,' Mr Meager says. 'This long-term investment is crucial to ensuring we as a nation can get our goods to market, which is vital to growing the economy. Economic growth means more jobs, higher incomes and better public services for all Kiwis.' The fund will be used to invest in a small number of landmark projects, to support assets and facilities with a long lifespan well beyond the three-year funding period. This could include strengthening wharves and jetties, improving access routes to and from ports, or upgrading freight handling equipment. Preference will be given to applications which include co-investment. Mr Meager says the fund will also consider requests from sectors that support the resilience of the wider coastal shipping sector through, for example, energy and fuel, navigation aids, or the training of seafarers. 'Coastal shipping plays an important role in New Zealand's freight network. It provides a safe and low emitting way of transporting large, heavy cargo such as shipping containers – along with cement and aggregate used in building new infrastructure. 'It is also a lifeline when natural disaster strikes, as demonstrated following Cyclone Gabrielle when coastal shipping provided critical services to Tairāwhiti. The fund will ensure those benefits can continue. 'The fund will enhance the coastal shipping sector's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events that would otherwise undermine our coastal freight connections.'
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Fish & Game Reforms To Modernise Organisation
Press Release – New Zealand Government A stand-alone Fish & Game Act will be created, to better recognise the organisations contribution to helping New Zealanders hunt and fish, says Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager. Minister for Hunting and Fishing Reforms to modernise and strengthen Fish & Game New Zealand will improve the national management of hunting and fishing resources and advocacy, while maintaining local control over local fishing and hunting rules, Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager has announced. 'I want to make it as easy as possible for Kiwis to go hunting and fishing in New Zealand. This long overdue reform to Fish & Game will refocus the organisation on its core job of managing our sport fishing and game bird resources and implement a more professional approach to national decision making,' Mr Meager says. 'It is important to our economy that Fish & Game is a well-functioning, highly effective and efficient organisation. Licence holders are estimated to spend up to $138 million every year, and our hunting and fishing resources are the envy of the world, drawing in tourists from across the globe. 'Previous reviews have made clear current legislation is not fit for purpose, resulting in internal dysfunction, wasted revenue on duplicated activities and staff, variable governance practices, disconnect from licence holders and local advocacy which has overstepped the mark. These long-standing issues must be addressed.' The reforms will make several key changes, including: Clarifying the roles and responsibilities so that regional Fish & Game councils focus on delivering hunting and fishing opportunities on the ground, with the New Zealand Council responsible for administrative tasks and policies. Shifting to a nationalised fee collection system to reduce double handling of licence fees and ensuring funding follows the demand on the resource. Making more licence holders eligible to vote and stand in Fish & Game elections and requiring councillors to comply with professional standards. Requiring Fish & Game councils to better consider the interests of other stakeholders such as farmers and the aviation sector in decision-making. Requiring a national policy around advocacy and restricting court proceedings to within that policy. A stand-alone Fish & Game Act will be created, to better recognise the organisation's contribution to helping New Zealanders hunt and fish. 'Sports fishing and game bird hunting are well-established traditions and important recreational pastimes for Kiwis. They have positive impacts on our regional economies and create wider benefits for tourism, wellbeing and our environment – making it even more crucial its regulator is modern and credible', Mr Meager says. Legislation will be introduced this year, and the Select Committee will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on the proposals. Note: A public fact sheet, Improving Fish and Game: Strengthening and modernising the organisation is here. Additional Background Information: Fish & Game New Zealand is an independent public entity. It is responsible for managing sports fish and game birds (including their habitat). There are 12 regional Fish & Game Councils and one National Fish & Game Council. Fish & Game has an annual budget of around $13m, mostly from the sale of licences. The organisation receives no public funding. There are around 150,000 licence holders. An adult whole season fishing licence is $156. An adult whole season hunting licence is $116.
