Law News & Articles
Government Launches Anti-Corruption Taskforce Pilot to Safeguard Public Funds
2 days ago | 130 viewsA cross-agency Anti-Corruption Taskforce pilot led by the Serious Fraud Office, supported by NZ Police and the Public Service Commission, aims to combat corruption and fraud risks in the public sector. The taskforce seeks to enhance New Zealand's reputation as a transparent and trustworthy place to invest by strengthening fraud prevention and detection systems within participating agencies. By promoting ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability, the taskforce aligns with the Government's efforts to maintain public trust and integrity in institutions.
Tags: Government Public Sector Mark Mitchell Judith Collins Serious Fraud Office NZ Police Public Service Commission Corruption FraudNew Zealand Minister Proposes Safer Online Gambling Bill, Sets Stricter Rules for Operators
5 days ago | 188 viewsMinister Brooke van Velden's Bill to regulate New Zealand's online gambling market passed its first reading in Parliament, aiming to protect players and ensure safer gambling practices. The Bill allows for up to 15 online gambling licences to be auctioned, with strict criteria for companies to meet, including harm prevention strategies and compliance history. The Department of Internal Affairs will enforce the new regulations, with fines of up to $5 million for rule violations, and public submissions on the Bill are encouraged as it moves to the select committee stage.
Tags: Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden Bill online gambling New Zealand player safety harm minimisation regulatory system Department of Internal Affairs licensed operatorsNew Zealand to Reform AML/CFT Laws for Small Businesses: Minister McKee Announces Overhaul
1 week ago | 127 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says that small businesses will benefit from upcoming reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws, as the Government moves to make compliance more proportionate and practical for low-risk operators. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has announced Cabinet’s approval to draft a new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Omnibus) Amendment Bill to overhaul the existing system. Under current rules, even small businesses and professionals, such as real estate agents, face complex and time-consuming checks, often regardless of how much risk they face,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister small businesses reforms compliance customer due diligence real estate agents simplified checksNew Zealand Government Strengthens AML/CFT Regime to Combat Financial Crime
1 week ago | 178 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee today announced further steps in the Government’s overhaul of the AML/CFT regime, strengthening efforts to combat serious financial crime. “This Government is serious about targeting criminals, not tying up legitimate businesses in unnecessary red tape,” Mrs McKee says. “Cabinet has agreed to introduce a bill to strengthen enforcement powers for Police and regulators to crack down on those involved in money laundering.
Tags: Nicole McKee financial crime Police regulators financial sanctions crypto currencies Financial Intelligence Unit New Zealand businesses criminals.Government Reforms to AML/CFT Act Ease Property Transactions for Kiwi Families
1 week ago | 107 viewsAssociate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says the Government is continuing to cut through unnecessary bureaucracy with reforms to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, which will make life easier for hard-working Kiwi families managing property through family trusts. “For thousands of New Zealanders, setting up a family trust is part of securing their financial future, especially when it comes to their home. But under the current AML regime, selling a house held in a trust triggers a burdensome level of document verification and compliance checks that has little to do with actual risk,” Mrs McKee says.
Tags: Nicole McKee Justice Minister Family Trusts Real Estate Agents New Zealanders Financial Future Compliance Checks Property ManagementGovernment Strengthens Trespass Laws to Safeguard Businesses: Proposed Changes and Impact Explained
2 weeks ago | 245 viewsThe Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They’re difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice.
Tags: Government trespass laws businesses Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee law and order community properties offenders Retail MAGGovernment Implements Stronger Penalties for Shoplifters to Restore Justice and Public Confidence
2 weeks ago | 224 viewsThe Government is making it easier for police to punish shoplifters and is introducing stronger penalties for low-level theft, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “Public confidence in our justice system is undermined if people can steal with apparent impunity. It’s disheartening, and our government will not sit by while shoplifters rob businesses of their livelihoods,” Mr Goldsmith says.
Tags: Government Police Shoplifting Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKeeNew Zealand Introduces Online Casino Gambling Bill for Regulation and Consumer Protection
2 weeks ago | 335 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has today introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill to the House of Representatives. “The Online Casino Gambling Bill will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritise harm minimisation, consumer protection, and tax collection,” says Ms van Velden. Cabinet has previously agreed to introduce new legislation to regulate the online casino gambling market, which is currently unregulated in New Zealand.
Tags: Brooke van velden Coalition government House of representatives New zealand Online casino gambling billNew 'Coward Punch' Laws: Tougher Penalties for Offenders in New Zealand
2 weeks ago | 382 viewsThe Government is introducing specific coward punch offences to ensure perpetrators receive tougher sentences, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “A ‘coward punch’ gets its name for obvious reasons. These attacks affect everyday Kiwis and are often committed by cowardly attackers, who strike when the victim is distracted.
Tags: National New zealand first Paul goldsmith Three strikes regimeNew Offences for Assaulting First Responders & Prison Officers: Tougher Penalties Proposed by Justice Minister Goldsmith
2 weeks ago | 350 viewsThe Government is introducing new offences to ensure those who assault on-duty first responders or prison officers spend longer in prison, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Where others may flee, first responders and prison officers run towards danger to help those who need urgent assistance. “Assaulting them puts multiple lives at risk, so there must be greater consequences for these heinous acts of violence.
Tags: Goldsmith National / New zealand New zealand first Paul goldsmith Protection for first responders and prison officersNew Legislation Ensures Fair Treatment of Boarder and Rental Payments for Housing Subsidies
3 weeks ago | 315 viewsLegislation fixing the inconsistent treatment of boarder and rental payments has been passed into law in Parliament today. The Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Bill and the supporting legislation of the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Bill has addressed the inconsistent treatment of board and rent payments around housing subsidies. “This has been an unnecessarily complicated and confusing system,” says Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston.
Tags: Amendment bill Louise upston Mandatory reviews Related rent Social assistance legislation Social development and employment Social security Social securitydatory reviews SulementKiwi Red Tape Woes: Outdated Probate Threshold Causes Delays in Estate Administration
4 weeks ago | 268 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour says that red tape is giving Kiwis serious headaches, and the Red Tape Tipline has received over 750 submissions. “A submitter to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline has complained that the threshold for probate has not kept up with inflation. This means that more Kiwis have to go through the tedious legal process that is probate, while they are mourning,” Mr Seymour says.
Tags: Administration All blacks Cabinet David seymour High court Justice Ministry Ministry for regulation New zealand Paul goldsmith Red tape tipline Regulation Regulations Rugby world cup SeymourMedallic recognition for NZDF personnel extended
1 month ago | 298 viewsThe Government has expanded the criteria for medallic recognition for Defence personnel who have served in operations supporting the UN’s sanctions against North Korea, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This medal – the New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM) 2002 (Korea) – has already been awarded to 180 personnel and the move to widen eligibility means a further 350 personnel will be recognised,” Ms Collins says. “Personnel who have served as part of Operation Whio – which monitors the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - since 2018 are now eligible for this medal.
Tags: 3k2 orion Aotearoa Collins Defence Defence force Democratic people ’ s republic of korea Judith collins Korean armistice agreement New zealand general service medal North korea Operation whio P - 8a poseidon United nations command United nations security councilGovt set to surpass both law and order targets
1 month ago | 248 viewsNew quarterly data shows the Government is on track to deliver on both law and order targets ahead of schedule, Minister for Children Karen Chhour and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say. “We’re determined to protect communities, reduce victimisation, and to encourage young people not to continue down the path of serious crime and incarceration,” Mrs Chhour says. “A year ago we set a target of reducing the number of children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour by 15 per cent by 2029.
Tags: Auckland Canterbury Goldsmith Karen chhou New zealand crime and victims survey Paul goldsmith Youth serious offenderNew Certification scheme unlocks $200M market for Kiwi cosmetics in China
1 month ago | 260 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have welcomed a new certification scheme, announced by the Prime Minister in Shanghai today, that unlocks access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market — a move that will drive stronger returns for New Zealand exporters and boost the economy. “This is a smart, practical step that removes a long-standing trade barrier and opens up valuable new channels for our exporters,” McClay says. “It means more high-quality, innovative New Zealand products on shelves in China - not just online, but in stores across one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
Tags: Chinese Commerce and consumer affairs Good manufacturing practice Government International aitation new zealand Ministry of business innovation and employment New zealand Scott simpson Shanghai Simpson Todd mcclay Zealand