05 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
219 views
The Proceeds of Crime Fund, managed by the Ministry of Justice, is allocating $14.587 million seized from criminals to nine initiatives aimed at reducing violence, preventing reoffending, and disrupting the drug trade in New Zealand. These initiatives focus on early intervention for at-risk youth, victim support, violence prevention, and enhancing Customs' drug detection capabilities. The funding reflects the government's commitment to exceeding targets for reducing violent crime victims and ensuring criminal proceeds are used to protect communities.
11 Sep 2026
1 month ago
354 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced reforms to New Zealand’s alcohol licensing system following a comprehensive Hospitality Sector Review, aiming to reduce red tape and make licensing easier, more cost-effective, and proportionate. The government accepted nearly all recommendations, including simplifying application processes, reforming fees, extending renewal periods, consolidating licensing types into a risk-based framework, and improving oversight through a nationwide information system. These changes are intended to support hospitality businesses, reduce delays and costs, and ultimately unlock economic potential by enabling Kiwi businesses to operate more efficiently.
04 Sep 2026
1 month ago
423 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomed Kathryn Wright, a Southland-based registered counsellor and rural mental health practitioner, to the Minister’s Arms Advisory Group (MAAG), highlighting her valuable experience with Mental Hunts, a charity supporting firearms users in rural communities. Wright’s expertise in mental health and understanding of the firearms community will aid in developing a firearms system that balances safety with fair treatment of licensed owners. Appointed for a three-year term starting August 2026, Wright replaces two non-firearm-owning members and brings a strong background in counselling and community engagement to the advisory group.
28 Aug 2026
1 month ago
424 views
The New Zealand Government is introducing the AML/CFT (Omnibus) Amendment Bill, marking the most significant reform of anti-money laundering laws since 2009, aiming to reduce unnecessary compliance burdens on ordinary citizens and businesses by focusing on actual risks. The Bill enhances tools to address suspicious activities, including temporary freezing of high-risk transactions, and introduces powers to regulate cash payments in remittance services and virtual assets, with planned consultations to ensure practical implementation. These reforms complete a broader overhaul that simplifies customer verification, centralizes regulation under the Department of Internal Affairs, and promotes proportionate, risk-based regulation to safeguard against money laundering and terrorist financing.
26 Aug 2026
1 month ago
491 views
Dr Kelvin Watson has been appointed as the first Chief Executive of Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand (FSENZ), an independent regulator established under the Arms Act 2026 to replace the Firearms Safety Authority and operate separately from the Police. The new agency aims to build trust, improve services, and ensure fair, consistent regulation focused on firearms safety, with FSENZ staff making decisions independently of Police and Ministers. Dr Watson brings extensive public sector leadership experience and will serve a five-year term starting September 2026, providing stable leadership to establish the agency’s systems, culture, and capability.
25 Aug 2026
2 months ago
560 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomed the appointment of eight inaugural members to the Firearms Licensing Review Committee, established under the Arms Act 2026 to provide independent scrutiny of firearms licensing decisions. Chaired by District Court Judge Robert Spear, the committee brings diverse expertise in firearms, law, public safety, and community perspectives to ensure fair, consistent, and evidence-based licensing reviews without immediate court intervention. The members’ backgrounds reflect a strong connection to firearms ownership, regulatory experience, and community safety, enhancing trust and confidence in New Zealand’s firearms regulation system.
29 Jul 2026
2 months ago
691 views
New Zealand’s new Arms Bill, passed today, introduces clearer, more effective firearms laws that enhance public safety while respecting licensed owners by separating regulation from police and creating an independent arms regulator. The legislation streamlines compliance, strengthens penalties against unlawful activities, and includes measures such as extended licences, multi-user agreements, and a statutory ‘red flag’ system to prevent firearms misuse. Most provisions take effect on 23 September, with full implementation by February 2028, reflecting extensive public consultation and aiming to rebuild trust in the firearms regulatory system.
22 Jul 2026
3 months ago
854 views
The New Zealand Government, following Justice Select Committee recommendations, is implementing practical and proportionate changes to the Arms Bill to improve firearms laws, benefiting licensed owners and related stakeholders while enhancing public safety. Key amendments include extending permit possession periods for gunsmiths, lengthening multi-entry visitor licenses, clarifying museum worker exemptions, and strengthening the independence and expertise of the Firearms Licensing Review Committee. These reforms aim to reduce unnecessary red tape, improve clarity, and ensure the law functions effectively, with most provisions commencing by September 2026 and full implementation by February 2028.
09 Jul 2026
3 months ago
896 views
The Government has decided against a blanket ban on crypto ATMs, opting instead for targeted regulations to reduce criminal misuse of virtual assets while allowing legitimate use. Cabinet will introduce regulation-making powers to restrict cash transactions for virtual assets, such as setting transaction limits or banning cash payments for high-risk assets if necessary. These measures are part of broader reforms to New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism system, balancing innovation with crime prevention.
03 Jul 2026
3 months ago
912 views
Parliament has passed legislation removing the disproportionate five-year disqualification penalty for real estate agents who fail to complete continuing professional development (CPD) or pay fees on time, addressing concerns about fairness and relevance. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bills also enhance conveyancers' ability to work, promote competition, and improve the justice system by allowing the Disputes Tribunal to order respondents to pay filing fees to successful claimants. These changes reflect the Government’s commitment to fit-for-purpose regulation and timely access to justice, with further court system improvements under consideration.
01 Jul 2026
3 months ago
799 views
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has become the sole regulator for anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), consolidating oversight of about 6,100 reporting entities to provide clearer guidance and reduce compliance burdens. The government has passed multiple reform bills and launched a four-year AML/CFT National Strategy (2026–2030) aimed at making it easier to do business while targeting organized crime and fraud. An industry levy, starting in July 2027 and designed with sector input, will help fund enhanced intelligence sharing, supervision, and regulatory administration to strengthen New Zealand’s ability to detect and disrupt money laundering.
30 Jun 2026
3 months ago
764 views
Two new Bills introduced aim to enhance court efficiency by expanding Community Magistrates' roles to handle more straightforward cases, freeing up judges for complex matters, and modernizing remote participation in court proceedings. The Community Magistrates Legislation Amendment Bill allows magistrates greater authority in pleas, trials, bail decisions, and administrative matters, supported by additional funding and the appointment of a Chief Community Magistrate. Meanwhile, the Courts Remote Participation Bill updates outdated laws to provide clearer rules and consistency for remote hearings, improving timeliness and access to justice, as reflected in recent reductions in criminal case backlogs and faster case resolutions.
04 Jun 2026
4 months ago
1057 views
New Zealand's refreshed anti-money laundering Identity Verification Code of Practice, effective from July 2026, aims to reduce unnecessary barriers by providing clearer guidance, greater consistency, and a risk-based approach to identity checks. The update simplifies verification processes, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and disabled, and introduces trusted referees and standardized exceptions to ease compliance for businesses. This reform, developed through public consultation, seeks to focus AML efforts on real financial crime while reducing costs, delays, and frustration for ordinary New Zealanders and businesses.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
1009 views
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced a $44.9 million Budget 2026 allocation to implement the new Arms Act and establish Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, an independent firearms regulator. This funding prevents a significant increase in firearms licence fees, promotes fair cost-sharing between licensed owners and taxpayers, and aims to improve public safety by maintaining a well-functioning licensing system. Additionally, the budget supports the creation of a Firearms Licensing Review Committee and modernizes firearms ICT systems to enhance efficiency and trust in the regulation process.
27 May 2026
5 months ago
882 views
Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced a $100 million Budget 2026 investment to build two new court facilities in Rotorua, addressing longstanding issues like leaks, mould, and poor ventilation in existing buildings. The new courthouses will enhance safety, increase courtroom capacity with multiple new courtrooms, and improve the efficiency and timeliness of justice delivery. Planning and design are underway, with construction starting next year and the Rotorua Law Courts expected to be operational by mid-2030.