01 Jul 2026
3 months ago
741 views
The Regulatory Standards Act (2025) establishes the Regulatory Standards Board to protect New Zealanders by increasing transparency around the costs and impacts of regulations on property rights and personal liberties. The Board reviews Consistency Accountability Statements, handles public complaints about bad regulations, and can assess existing laws to ensure accountability and inform voters. With over 260 regulators in New Zealand, this Act aims to provide clearer information on regulatory costs and empower citizens to hold policymakers responsible.
15 May 2026
5 months ago
966 views
The Minister for Regulation and the Attorney-General have issued joint statutory guidance to ensure consistent application of the Regulatory Standards Act 2025, requiring Ministers to provide published Consistency Accountability Statements explaining how proposed laws align with responsible regulation principles. From July, Regulatory Impact Statements will be replaced by shorter, more focused Regulatory Analysis Summaries, quality assured by an independent panel to improve transparency and cost-benefit analysis. The guidance, developed with key legal offices, aims to promote necessary, proportionate, and effective regulation while increasing government accountability and informing voters.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1324 views
The Regulatory Standards Act, coming into law by July 1, mandates councils to publish Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) explaining the impact, costs, and benefits of new bylaws, promoting transparency and accountability in local regulation. This legislation aims to curb poor regulation that burdens ratepayers and stifles productivity by requiring councils to justify and regularly review their secondary legislation, ensuring laws are proportionate and evidence-based. The Act supports better governance by helping councils avoid kneejerk regulations, improve decision-making quality, and ultimately deliver greater value to taxpayers and communities.