The main New Zealand news, official Government announcements and helpful articles from the Adaptly team.
We've gathered the main New Zealand news from 6–9 October. This time the election on 7 November is front and centre: the polls show a close race, and you need to enrol by 25 October. There's also useful news for families on rents, schools and the cost of living.
What happened in New Zealand this week. Follow the links to the sources for the full stories.
The general election is on 7 November. To vote, enrol or update your details by midnight 25 October; advance voting opens 26 October. Three new polls show Labour and National neck and neck, with the Opportunity Party possibly holding the balance. Permanent residents may be eligible to vote, so check at vote.nz.
Source: RNZOn 8 October National promised random drug testing for people on Jobseeker Support if it wins. Labour, the Greens and NZ First criticised the idea strongly. It's only a campaign promise, but it shows where welfare rules could head. Newcomers usually can't get Jobseeker straight away, so check with Work and Income.
Source: RNZSeptember data puts the national average rent at $636 a week, up 1.9% on a year ago, with new listings up 5.1%. Auckland held steady at about $695, while Central Otago/Lakes and Canterbury rose fastest. These appear to be advertised prices; Tenancy Services' market-rent tool helps you check what's fair.
Source: StuffOn 8 October the Ministry of Education published the first final subjects for Years 11–13 on its Tāhūrangi site, with more due by the end of October. The Years 0–10 curriculum has also been fully updated. If you're arriving with teenagers, ask the school how this affects subject choices, reports and qualifications.
Source: Ministry of EducationNineteen public health organisations are asking all parties to keep drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml out of schools and early childhood centres. Water, plain milk and zero-sugar drinks would stay. It's a call, not policy yet, but food and drink rules at school and daycare could change after the election.
Source: RNZIn a campaign interview with the NZ Herald, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said prices have risen 38% since 2016/17 but wages only 30%. These are her figures, but worth remembering when negotiating salary. The Reserve Bank's next OCR decision is on 28 October at 2pm and will affect mortgage and savings rates.
Source: NZ HeraldOnce a week we email a review of the main New Zealand news, explaining what it means for people who live here or plan to move.
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Updated automatically. Source: the New Zealand Government website.
“An increase in the number of funded domestic places in Massey University’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science programme from 125 to 140 per year from 2027 onwards will help address demand for veterinarians in the future,” says Minister for Tertiary Education…
Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop has announced the appointment of Leighvi Maynard of Gisborne and Nicola Graham of Napier as District Court Judges.
The Government is proposing changes to make it easier for food businesses to meet their food safety obligations, with less paperwork and a sharper focus on the risks that matter, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
Food and fibre exports reached a record $65.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2026, up $4.8 billion on the year before, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says.
An investigation has been launched into whether Christchurch planning rules are getting in the way of new housing, economic growth and the future redevelopment of the former Apollo Projects Stadium site, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.
The Government is investing a further $37 million to redevelop four schools, taking investment in school redevelopment projects approved this year to more than $200 million, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
The new Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board has met for the first time today, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello has announced.
More New Zealanders are choosing to become teachers, with initial teacher education enrolments up 40 per cent since 2023.
The Government has completed the biggest overhaul of national direction in the history of the Resource Management Act – with the final changes making it faster, easier and more affordable to build and upgrade New Zealand’s electricity and telecommunications…
The Government is growing the frontline psychology workforce by ensuring more psychology students have access to internships, with the number of Psychology Intern Hubs increasing next year, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says.
The Government is seeking New Zealanders' views on proposed new rules to stop dogs being shut away in cages, crates and kennels for extremely long periods, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
Major fishing rule changes will come into force this summer to stop people from stripping rockpools of marine life on the Auckland and Coromandel coastlines, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft say.
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