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Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today welcomed the publication of the first report by the Regulatory Standards Board (the Board), which shows why council disclosure rules should be brought in line with other government organisations. “Bad regulations have real consequences for real people. People work hard to earn their livelihood.
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts have announced a Regulatory Review focused on simplifying building consent rules to reduce unnecessary red tape for low-risk home improvements. The review aims to address inconsistencies and confusion in the current exemption framework, making it easier for homeowners and builders to undertake minor building work without costly delays or consent requirements. Stakeholders are being consulted, with recommendations expected by early 2027 to support clearer, more logical, and affordable building regulations.
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.
Ministers David Seymour and Louise Upston have announced the completion of the Ministry for Regulation’s Hospitality Sector Review, aiming to reduce red tape and simplify regulations to help hospitality businesses open and operate more easily. The review identified issues such as duplicated information requests, lengthy decision times, inefficient licensing processes, high fees, and disproportionate regulatory barriers, which have hindered the sector’s recovery post-Covid. Moving forward, the government will decide which recommendations to implement and develop a Hospitality Action Plan to coordinate efforts across agencies, supporting the $21.4 billion industry that employs over 193,000 people.
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.
Regulation Minister David Seymour announced that, following the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Sector Review, regulatory responsibilities have transferred from the Ministry of Education to the Education Review Office (ERO) to simplify and improve ECE regulation. The new framework, established by the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Act 2025, emphasizes risk-based, proportionate, and transparent regulation prioritizing children's health, safety, and wellbeing while reducing unnecessary burdens on providers and parents. These reforms aim to make it easier to operate high-quality centres, increase parental choice, and support the Government’s goal of smarter, more effective regulation to foster sector growth.
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.
The New Zealand government announced reforms to drone regulations aimed at boosting agricultural productivity by reducing red tape and simplifying certification for routine drone spraying operations. These changes will allow farmers to use drones for pesticide and fertiliser application with only prior notification to the Civil Aviation Authority, cutting costs and delays while maintaining safety and environmental protections. The reforms, effective mid-2027, aim to enhance competitiveness with international farmers by enabling more efficient, cost-effective drone use in agriculture.
The Government is revising freshwater farm plans to create a simpler, more cost-effective system focused on certifying and auditing only higher-risk farming activities, such as dairy farming and intensive grazing. New regulations will streamline requirements, raise thresholds for mandatory plans, extend certification cycles, and enable industry organizations to provide certification services, reducing duplication and paperwork for farmers. These changes aim to better manage actual water quality risks while minimizing costs and administrative burdens for farmers.
The New Zealand Government has launched a $1.5 million Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small to medium-sized poultry operators prepare for the potential arrival of H5 bird flu by funding up to 50% of biosecurity improvements. This grant supports infrastructure upgrades, bird-proofing, cleaning facilities, and development of biosecurity plans, aiming to protect jobs, livelihoods, and the domestic food supply ahead of new regulations effective by the end of 2026. With two confirmed H5 detections but no poultry outbreaks, the government emphasizes strong biosecurity as a key defense and encourages applications by 30 September 2026.
The New Zealand Government has launched a $1.5 million Poultry Biosecurity Grant to help small to medium-sized poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of H5 bird flu by funding up to 50% of costs for biosecurity improvements. This grant supports infrastructure upgrades, bird-proofing, cleaning facilities, and development of required biosecurity plans ahead of new regulations effective by the end of 2026. With two confirmed H5 detections but no poultry outbreaks, the initiative aims to protect jobs, food supply, and the poultry sector from this ongoing biosecurity threat.
The New Zealand Government has committed to implementing recommendations from the Ministry for Regulation’s Sector Review Report to simplify and accelerate approvals for residential and small to medium scale solar panel installations, reducing costs and wait times significantly. Key changes include legalizing plug-in solar systems for renters, streamlining inspection and approval processes, exempting certain installations from resource consent, and cutting red tape to encourage wider solar adoption. These reforms are expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, increase solar uptake, and empower Kiwis to better manage their energy use and costs.
The New Zealand Government has committed to implementing recommendations from the Ministry for Regulation’s Sector Review Report to simplify and reduce the cost and time of residential and small to medium scale solar panel installations, including legalizing plug-in solar systems for renters and apartment dwellers. These changes aim to cut approval times drastically, lower compliance costs, and remove barriers such as resource consent requirements, potentially saving consumers thousands of dollars and accelerating solar adoption. Energy Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that these reforms will empower Kiwis to harness solar energy more easily, reduce power bills, and support the growing uptake of rooftop solar technology nationwide.
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.
The Government, led by Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick, is seeking feedback on proposals to strengthen New Zealand’s organic sector through a modern regulatory framework, including a national organic mark and updated regulations. The organic sector is valued at $1.18 billion with significant exports, and the new Organic Products and Production Act 2023 aims to boost consumer confidence, business certainty, and international trade. Ongoing consultation with the organic community ensures the regulations support growth and reflect stakeholder input, with detailed proposals available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.