31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
4114 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing changes to health and safety regulations to support innovation in New Zealand's science and technology sector by simplifying compliance requirements. The proposed changes aim to align hazardous substances requirements for university laboratories with their actual risk, addressing discrepancies in regulations that hinder scientific progress. Additionally, consultations are underway to remove regulatory barriers for the development and use of hydrogen technologies, with the goal of creating a flexible and internationally aligned regulatory environment to unlock the potential of hydrogen technologies across various sectors.
30 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2037 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with manufacturers, such as wood processors, bakers, and millers, to simplify machine guarding rules and review exposure standards in the manufacturing sector. The proposed changes aim to align standards with real-world risks and international benchmarks, addressing concerns about clarity and compliance burden. The review will also consider updating Workplace Exposure Standards for substances like wood dust and flour dust to ensure practicality and alignment with safety measures, aiming to reduce costs and stress for businesses.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2190 views
The Government has passed a change to the Employment Relations Act that reinstates the ability for employers to make pay deductions during partial strikes – making the system fairer for all, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. “These changes will help both employers and unions to return to the bargaining table and restores the law to what it was before the previous government removed this option in 2018. “I
acknowledge the right of workers to strike in
support of their collective bargaining claims, the right to strike remains,” says Ms van Velden.
17 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2186 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says amendments to the Employment Relations Act will improve labour market flexibility and help businesses to grow, innovate, and employ with confidence and certainty. “Today I’m announcing the introduction of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament, marking a key milestone in this Government’s efforts to help New Zealand businesses employ or contract with confidence and create more and better opportunities for workers,” says Ms van Velden. The changes give effect to several ACT–National Coalition Agreement commitments, including to provide greater certainty for contracting parties.
16 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2144 views
New parents can expect more support to take time away from work to care for their children from 1 July, with an increase to the maximum weekly rate of paid parental leave up from $754. 87 to $788. 66 per week, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today.