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.
20 May 2026
5 months ago
895 views
New Zealand’s regulatory landscape comprises over 260 overlapping regulators across central and local government, statutory bodies, and tribunals, creating complexity, high costs, delays, and weakened accountability. This tangled system, built up over 25 years, affects many daily activities and has hindered efficiency, prompting the government to launch a programme to identify and reduce duplication and unnecessary regulation. The Ministry for Regulation will maintain updated mappings to support ongoing review and reform efforts aimed at simplifying government, reducing bureaucracy, and improving outcomes for taxpayers and frontline services.
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.
20 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1038 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour announces the establishment of the Regulatory Standards Board under the Regulatory Standards Act 2025, which will oversee and advise on regulation quality, ensuring laws meet principles of necessity, proportionality, transparency, and rule of law. The Board, chaired by Paul Ridley-Smith and comprising experts from diverse backgrounds, will assess new and existing regulations, review Consistency Accountability Statements, and invite public complaints to promote accountability and clarity on regulatory costs. The Board will commence operations on 1 July 2026, enhancing regulatory oversight and public engagement in New Zealand’s legislative process.
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.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1160 views
Education Minister Erica Stanford emphasizes the urgent need for major reforms within the Teaching Council following two serious external reviews revealing significant failures, particularly regarding child protection, leadership, and organizational culture. The reports highlight inadequate regulatory focus, misuse of fees, and lack of support for teachers, raising concerns about the capability of previous boards. In response, new board members have been appointed to restore governance and confidence, with a focus on ensuring child safety, supporting teachers, and rebuilding public trust.
11 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1068 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour announced reforms to scrap the outdated licensing regime for industrial hemp in New Zealand, replacing it with a more practical and proportionate approach that removes licenses and sets a clear THC threshold below 1%. These changes aim to reduce costs, encourage innovation, and generate significant economic benefits, while maintaining safeguards to prevent misuse and ensuring compliance with existing food safety and medicinal cannabis regulations. The Ministry of Health will lead implementation, reflecting the government's commitment to cutting red tape and improving regulatory standards for business growth.
13 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1219 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour celebrates the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, emphasizing its importance in revealing the true costs of regulations to the public and reducing regulatory burdens through political pressure. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in legislation by establishing a Regulatory Standards Board to assess consistency with principles of responsible regulation. By promoting evidence-based policy and providing recourse for individuals affected by overreaching regulations, the bill ultimately seeks to improve New Zealand's productivity and empower citizens to hold decision-makers accountable.
08 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3051 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.