14 Aug 2026
2 months ago
539 views
The Government is abolishing the ‘offensive trades’ registration under the 1956 Health Act to reduce unnecessary compliance costs and save businesses time and money. This change, supported by Ministers David Seymour and Simeon Brown, recognizes that modern environmental and industry-specific regulations sufficiently manage these trades, making annual registrations obsolete. The reform is expected to save up to $2.26 million over 10 years and reflects ongoing efforts by the Ministry for Regulation to cut red tape and improve productivity.
12 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1296 views
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, welcomed by Minister Brooke van Velden, aims to reform New Zealand’s workplace health and safety laws by providing clearer guidance through strengthened Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) and clarifying WorkSafe’s regulatory functions. The Bill introduces practical changes, such as creating safe harbours for compliance, easing obligations for small low-risk businesses, and defining directors' due diligence duties to reduce duplication and focus on governance. These reforms seek to reduce business uncertainty and compliance costs while improving safety outcomes by making WorkSafe a more consistent and supportive agency.