07 Sep 2026
1 month ago
437 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour announced the completion of the Ministry for Regulation’s Product Labelling Review, aiming to ease export and import challenges by updating digital labelling standards and aligning over-the-counter (OTC) medicine labels with Australia. The government will develop a national digital labelling standard to reduce costs and support export growth, while changes to OTC medicine labelling will increase product availability and attract international companies. These reforms are expected to generate significant economic benefits by cutting red tape, lowering compliance costs, and unlocking New Zealand’s economic potential.
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.
01 Jul 2026
3 months ago
858 views
The New Zealand Government will align its toy safety standards with those of the US and EU, allowing toys compliant with these international standards to be sold locally without additional testing costs. This update aims to reduce compliance expenses, enhance market attractiveness, increase product variety, and is expected to generate a net benefit of $6.8 million over 10 years while maintaining child safety. An exposure draft will be released for consultation, followed by a six-month transition period for suppliers to adapt to the new regulations.
18 Jun 2026
4 months ago
834 views
The Government is removing health and life insurers from the mandatory climate reporting regime, as these insurers are not directly exposed to climate risks and reporting adds unnecessary costs to their clients. This change follows previous adjustments raising the reporting threshold and excluding certain schemes, reducing the number of businesses required to report from 164 to around 67. The focus remains on ensuring large businesses with significant impact continue reporting, while cutting red tape for firms where reporting is less relevant.
07 May 2026
5 months ago
995 views
New Zealand is conducting a Sector Review to simplify and speed up the residential solar panel installation process, which currently involves excessive regulation and multiple site visits, causing delays and higher costs. Compared to Australia, where solar installation is streamlined and widely adopted, only 3-4 percent of New Zealand households have solar despite potential savings of over $1,000 annually and a payback period of about 10 years. The Ministry for Regulation aims to reduce red tape by aligning rules with the low risk of solar installations, making solar energy more accessible and affordable for Kiwis.
09 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1177 views
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill aims to reduce red tape, support economic growth in hospitality and events, and enhance fairness in licensing while maintaining public safety. Key changes include limiting objections to license applications to local residents, allowing clubs and certain restaurants more flexibility in alcohol sales, and streamlining special license requirements for events. The Justice Select Committee is inviting public submissions until 14 May 2026 to identify further low-risk regulatory improvements.
29 Mar 2026
6 months ago
1075 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour is calling on businesses, fuel users, and the public to report any regulatory barriers hindering New Zealand’s fuel supply through the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline. The government aims to maintain stable fuel supply amid global uncertainties by identifying and addressing regulations that delay fuel import, storage, distribution, and transport. Feedback from frontline operators will help streamline regulations to ensure economic stability and avoid disruptions similar to those experienced during COVID-19 lockdowns.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1169 views
Minister for Regulation David Seymour highlights that cutting red tape in New Zealand has generated significant economic benefits, with a return of $11–$17 for every dollar spent, totaling an estimated net public benefit of $223 million to $337 million over 10 years. Examples include lifting bans on medical conferences and revoking unnecessary sector-specific regulations, which have already brought millions in benefits and promise ongoing savings across various industries. The government aims to continue reducing unnecessary regulations to boost productivity, economic growth, and public value through practical reforms and improved regulatory standards.
12 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1148 views
The Medicines Amendment Bill in New Zealand has lifted the prohibition on advertising medicines at medical conferences and trade shows, signaling the country's readiness for business, according to Regulation Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown. This change is expected to inject cash into local economies through the Red Tape Tipline and provide Kiwis with increased access to needed medicines. The move is projected to generate $90 million in revenue over the next few years, attracting major medical conferences to New Zealand and fostering economic activity.
25 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1396 views
Homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages now face less red tape and delays as the setback distance requirements have been revised. The minimum distance between single-storey buildings under 10 square meters and property boundaries or other buildings has been removed, while the setback distance for buildings between 10 and 30 square meters has been reduced to one meter. These changes aim to make it easier for property owners to construct practical structures without the need for building consent, aligning with efforts to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve building affordability and accessibility.
16 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1296 views
The Government is cutting red tape for home-based cake makers to reduce costs and simplify registration requirements under the Food Act, aiming to make it easier to operate and innovate in the food sector. The changes are part of a broader work program to address disproportionate regulation and provide more opportunities for individuals to turn their hobby into a business. The Red Tape Tipline is being utilized to gather feedback and make responsive changes, with further plans to reduce regulatory costs, assist businesses in innovation, and streamline processes across the food sector.
15 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1323 views
The hospitality industry in New Zealand, employing 145,000 people, is crucial for economic growth. The Ministry for Regulation is conducting a sector review to address regulatory costs hindering affordable services for Kiwis, focusing on restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels. The review aims to streamline regulations, cut red tape, reduce costs, and improve compliance to support the industry's recovery and growth.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1320 views
A bill protecting marine farmers from costly consent reviews was passed, aiming to support the aquaculture industry's goal of generating $3 billion in revenue by 2035. The Resource Management Act amendments restrict council reviews of coastal permits until 2030, reducing bureaucratic barriers for industry growth. These changes aim to allow marine farmers to focus on innovation and growth rather than dealing with regulatory red tape and costs.
05 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1793 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announce changes to reduce red tape for homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages by the end of the year. Cabinet has agreed to remove minimum distance requirements and reduce setback distances for single-storey buildings, making it easier and cheaper for property owners to build structures. The changes aim to address frustrations with regulations, improve affordability, and allow homeowners more freedom to utilize their property without the need for building consent, with expectations for implementation by late 2025.
08 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3048 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour is welcoming BusinessNZ’s strong support for the Regulatory Standards Bill as a means to deal with red tape and regulation. “After all the misinformed opposition we’ve heard, the people who get up in the morning to make an honest buck and deliver goods and services to New Zealanders want red tape and regulation dealt to and believe this Bill will help them do that. “Submitting on the Bill at select committee today, BusinessNZ said it was an important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses by putting more scrutiny on politicians when law is made.