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Ministry of Social Development stories

Rotorua pensioners face uncertainty, as council eyes redevelopment
Ministry of Social Development

Rotorua pensioners face uncertainty, as council eyes redevelopment

Residents fear forced moves and possible homelessness if the council's plans for Rotorua's biggest pensioner housing block proceed.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month
Managing Psychosocial Risk Conference Change and Transformation Summit
Digital Transformation

Managing Psychosocial Risk Conference Change and Transformation Summit

Wellington delegates will hear how hybrid work and AI are reshaping mental wellbeing and change programmes across major sectors.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Sun, 5th Jul 2026
Virtual reality boosts job skills & hope for NZ prison inmates
AR, VR & Metaverse

Virtual reality boosts job skills & hope for NZ prison inmates

A New Zealand virtual reality programme is enhancing prisoner job skills and hope, with over 70% of certified participants securing post-release employment.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Wed, 19th Nov 2025
Voyage marks decade of growth with focus on AI & culture
Digital Transformation

Voyage marks decade of growth with focus on AI & culture

Christchurch-based digital agency Voyage celebrates 10 years, focusing on AI integration and a strong workplace culture to drive future growth.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 3rd Jul 2025
academyEX awards 152 postgraduate & masters degrees
EduTech

academyEX awards 152 postgraduate & masters degrees

academyEX has celebrated a milestone by awarding postgraduate and masters degrees to 152 students, including its first cohort for innovative programmes.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Mon, 23rd Sep 2024
New Zealand's academyEX wins global award for innovative Edtech platform
Digital Literacy

New Zealand's academyEX wins global award for innovative Edtech platform

New Zealand's edtech sector celebrates as academyEx and the Ministry of Social Development triumph in the World Summit Awards, receiving acclaim for their innovative job skills platform, Digital Passport.

By Sean Mitchell • 2 min read • Tue, 27th Feb 2024
HCLTech graduates first digital apprentices in New Zealand, plans expansion
EduTech

HCLTech graduates first digital apprentices in New Zealand, plans expansion

HCLTech celebrates the graduation of its first group of digital apprentices in New Zealand and plans to expand the program.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Sun, 5th Nov 2023
Was the Covid-19 wage subsidy successful?
Small Business

Was the Covid-19 wage subsidy successful?

New reports say the scheme protected jobs and firms during lockdowns, though later waves delivered weaker value for money and slower growth.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Sun, 27th Aug 2023
WelTec meeting ‘first step’ to addressing infrastructure workforce needs
Education, Learning & Training

WelTec meeting ‘first step’ to addressing infrastructure workforce needs

Nearly 3,000 infrastructure jobs are expected in Wellington from 2025 to 2028, prompting a regional push to fill skills gaps.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Wed, 2nd Aug 2023
Identity Check online system pilot launched despite gaps over privacy, rights
Surveillance

Identity Check online system pilot launched despite gaps over privacy, rights

Government's online identity check system raises concerns over human rights, ethics, and Māori engagement. Nationwide pilot underway.

By Phil Pennington • 6 min read • Tue, 22nd Nov 2022
How we resolve infrastructure workforce challenges
Education, Learning & Training

How we resolve infrastructure workforce challenges

New Zealand risks missing its infrastructure build-out unless it creates clearer entry points and training for civil construction workers.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Wed, 20th Apr 2022
SOS goes out to truck drivers
Supply Chain

SOS goes out to truck drivers

Supply-chain pressures are rising as New Zealand urges lorry drivers back to work amid Omicron-related staff shortages.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Wed, 16th Mar 2022
Construction training programme expands to Manawatū
Education, Learning & Training

Construction training programme expands to Manawatū

Job seekers in Manawatū will start a six-week infrastructure course in November, with trainees employed by firms from day one.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Sun, 31st Oct 2021
Infrastructure Skills Centre offers 'work experience for a lifetime'
Education, Learning & Training

Infrastructure Skills Centre offers 'work experience for a lifetime'

Trainees in Christchurch will get hands-on skills and employer mentoring as the sector tries to fill New Zealand’s infrastructure shortage.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Aug 2021
Apprenticeship Boost extension – everything you need to know
Education, Learning & Training

Apprenticeship Boost extension – everything you need to know

Employers can now claim support for apprentices for longer, with the subsidy running until August and backing training in critical industries.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Fri, 19th Mar 2021
What support is there for businesses?
Risk & Compliance

What support is there for businesses?

Revenue losses from alert-level changes could unlock wage subsidies, cashflow grants and loans for firms and sole traders across New Zealand.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Wed, 3rd Mar 2021
Property values rising faster than pre-COVID levels
Trade Me

Property values rising faster than pre-COVID levels

Nationwide house prices climbed 1.3% in October as low rates and scarce listings kept demand ahead of supply.

By Michael Curreen • 7 min read • Fri, 30th Oct 2020
A 1930s solution to a 1930s-style problem
GFC

A 1930s solution to a 1930s-style problem

A slump in private development could let ministers add 9,400 state houses, easing a record waiting list and propping up builders.

By Staff Writer • 7 min read • Fri, 8th May 2020

Global Stories

Ministry of Social Development stories