26 Aug 2026
1 month ago
596 views
New Zealand’s Legislation Repeals Project has identified a further 50 historic laws for repeal, bringing the total to over 200, as part of a comprehensive review of the country’s oldest legislation to modernize the statute book and reduce confusion. These repealed Acts include local governance, school and society regulations, and agricultural and pastoral society laws, many of which are now obsolete due to broader, general legislation. Public consultation is ongoing, with plans for a fifth round of repeals and subsequent parliamentary processes to finalize the removal of around 250 outdated Acts while preserving their historical records online.
16 Jun 2026
4 months ago
878 views
The New Zealand Government, led by Attorney-General Chris Bishop, plans to repeal over 150 outdated and obsolete laws as part of a statutory spring clean to simplify the legal system and remove confusing, archaic legislation. This process, managed by the Parliamentary Counsel Office and Department of Internal Affairs, involves public consultation and careful review to ensure relevant stakeholders are involved, with repealed Acts preserved online as part of the country’s historical record. Examples of laws targeted for repeal include century-old local Acts regulating milk supply and fish markets, reflecting the project’s goal to modernize laws while retaining New Zealand’s legal heritage.
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.