# New Zealand daily digest — 15 Oct 2026

School attendance led New Zealand's five releases on 15 October, with Associate Education Minister David Seymour reporting that 52.2 per cent of students attended regularly in Term 3, the highest Term 3 rate since 2022. Ministers Chris Bishop and Shane Jones announced Fast-track approval for Winstone Aggregates' Hunua Quarry redevelopment and $6.5 million to replace Haynes Bridge on State Highway 54. The Public Service Commission released its 2026 workforce data, and Health New Zealand named the CHIME alcohol and drug programme as its Allied Health Awards supreme winner.

Source-local date: Thursday 15 October 2026 (Pacific/Auckland). 5 release(s). Canonical: https://mediarelease.co/digests/nz/2026-10-15/

## Releases

### [Latest workforce data released](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01990-latest-workforce-data-released-15102026.html)

Issued by: Public Service Commission · Original source: https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/news/latest-workforce-data-released-2026

The Public Service Commission has released its 2026 Public Service Workforce Data, drawn from payroll data of all Public Service departments and departmental agencies at 30 June 2026. The data covers public sector composition, pay, senior management, conditions of employment and demographics, and is available as an interactive portal. The commission also published its latest disclosure of chief executive remuneration, which it has reported publicly since 2010.

### [Programme helping more people on their recovery journey earns top Allied Health award](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01989-programme-helping-more-people-on-their-recovery-journey-15102026.html)

Issued by: Health New Zealand · Original source: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/news-and-updates/programme-helping-more-people-on-their-recovery-journey-earns-top-allied-health-award

Waitematā psychologist Barbara Pike of Community Alcohol and Drug Services has been named Supreme Winner of Health New Zealand's 2026 Allied Health Awards for developing CHIME, a group alcohol and drug programme. Completion rates rose from 23 per cent to 74 per cent under the redesigned programme. The awards, held on Allied Health Professions Day on 14 October at AUT South Campus in Auckland, recognise a workforce of more than 14,000 staff across 43 professions.

### [SH54 resilience improvements on the way](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01988-sh54-resilience-improvements-on-the-way-15102026.html)

Issued by: Hon Shane Jones / Hon Chris Bishop · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/sh54-resilience-improvements-way

Haynes Bridge on State Highway 54 in Manawatū, which has a significant crash history and is down to a single lane, will be replaced with $6.5 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced. Bishop said closure of the deteriorating bridge could force a diversion of around 59km. Design and consenting work is expected to begin within six months, with construction due to start in 2027.

### [Hunua Quarry development fast-tracked](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01987-hunua-quarry-development-fast-tracked-15102026.html)

Issued by: Hon Chris Bishop / Hon Shane Jones · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/hunua-quarry-development-fast-tracked

Winstone Aggregates' redevelopment of Hunua Quarry in Auckland has received Fast-track approval, the 37th project approved through the process, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones announced. The project will deepen the existing Symonds Hill Pit, allowing peak production of up to 5.4 million tonnes of processed aggregate a year. Bishop said the quarry's approved rock supply would otherwise likely run out by 2039, and conditions address increased truck traffic on Hunua Road.

### [New term, same story; attendance up again](https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01986-new-term-same-story-attendance-up-again-15102026.html)

Issued by: Hon David Seymour, Associate Minister of Education · Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-term-same-story-attendance-again

Provisional data show 52.2 per cent of students attended school regularly in Term 3 2026, up from 50.5 per cent in Term 3 2025 and the highest Term 3 rate since 2022, Associate Education Minister David Seymour said. He said about 53,000 more students attended regularly than in Term 3 2022, despite a tough flu season. Schools must now have attendance management plans, and the Government's target is 80 per cent regular attendance by 2030.

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