Articles tagged with Legislation
Greyhound Racing Ends in NZ: New Hope and Homes for 1400 Dogs
3 days ago | 86 viewsRacing Minister Winston Peters announced the end of commercial greyhound racing by 31 July 2026, following legislation passed due to unacceptable injury and death rates in the industry. The Greyhound Transition Agency has been appointed to coordinate the fully funded Greyhound Rehoming Project, providing financial support to owners and trainers until the estimated 1400 dogs are rehomed. Peters emphasized strong public support for ending racing, highlighted the industry's recent fatality, and called on New Zealanders to help provide these dogs with loving homes.
Tags: Winston Peters Greyhound Transition Agency Greyhound Rehoming Project New Zealand greyhound racing TAB Addington Greyhound racing legislation racing dogs rehoming programNew Zealand Cracks Down on Boy Racers and Antisocial Road Users with Tough New Laws
1 month ago | 305 viewsThe New Zealand Government has passed the Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill to strengthen penalties against boy racers, fleeing drivers, and other antisocial road users, including vehicle forfeiture and increased fines for excessive noise. The law empowers Police to manage antisocial vehicle gatherings more effectively and aims to protect communities from dangerous and disruptive behaviours without targeting lawful car enthusiasts. Most changes will take effect in six months, allowing time for proper implementation by authorities and the judiciary.
Tags: Chris Bishop Mark Mitchell Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill New Zealand Police street racing fleeing drivers vehicle destruction excessive noise Justice CommitteeNew Zealand Removes Land Disposal Provisions to Protect Conservation Areas
1 month ago | 374 viewsThe New Zealand Government will remove provisions related to the disposal or exchange of conservation land from the Conservation Amendment Bill in response to public concerns. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka emphasized the importance of protecting iconic landscapes and committed to working with environmental groups, stakeholders, and iwi to balance economic development with strong conservation outcomes. The bill, currently under parliamentary review, aims to modernize conservation land management and improve environmental outcomes while ensuring clarity and public support.
Tags: Tama Potaka Conservation Amendment Bill New Zealand Conservation Minister Environmental Defence Society Forest and Bird conservation land conservation legislation economic development parliamentary select committeeGovernment Pauses Homeschool Regulation Changes to Review Feedback
2 months ago | 452 viewsThe Government has paused proposed regulation changes for homeschooling after receiving feedback that the issue is more complex than initially thought. While recognizing that most parents provide quality education at home, the Government agrees some checks are reasonable to ensure adequate education for all homeschooled children. The Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill will be reconsidered to remove homeschooling amendments, with future legislation potentially including homeschool provisions.
Tags: homeschool regulation Education Minister Erica Stanford Ministry of Education Education Review Office legislation education sector Government Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill Committee of the WholeNew Zealand Criminalizes Stalking with Up to 5 Years Prison Starting Tonight
2 months ago | 491 viewsStarting tonight, stalking becomes a criminal offense in New Zealand, punishable by up to five years in prison, signaling the government's commitment to addressing this harmful behavior. The new law defines stalking as a pattern of behavior likely to cause fear or distress, including acts such as following, contacting, damaging property, and doxing, with legal mechanisms like police notices and sentencing limits in place. This legislation responds to widespread advocacy and aims to protect victims, particularly women, from the serious emotional, psychological, and economic harm caused by stalking and harassment.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister stalking harassment Crimes Legislation Amendment Act New Zealand victims sexual violence Justice Committee doxingNew Move-On Orders Give Police Power to Tackle Disorderly Public Behavior
2 months ago | 570 viewsLegislation granting Police the power to issue move-on orders to individuals displaying disorderly behaviour in public places has passed its first reading in Parliament, aiming to address disruptions in city centres. These orders target behaviours such as threatening conduct, obstructing business access, begging, and rough sleeping, requiring individuals to leave specified areas for up to 24 hours without criminalizing homelessness. The government emphasizes this measure is to restore safety and enjoyment in public spaces while maintaining support for those in need.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Police disorderly behaviour Parliament homelessness law and order public places city centres legislationGovernment to Amend 19 Laws for Clear, Consistent Treaty of Waitangi References
2 months ago | 524 viewsThe Government has agreed to amend 19 pieces of legislation to ensure clear and consistent references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, replacing vague terms with specific language or repealing some references. Following a comprehensive review, the Government decided to standardize references to “take into account” as the highest requirement and prefers using both the Treaty of Waitangi and te Tiriti o Waitangi in relevant provisions. This initial step includes ongoing consultations with Iwi and a full select committee process to allow public input.
Tags: Treaty of Waitangi Paul Goldsmith Government Justice Minister Advisory Group Conservation Act Iwi legislation review te Tiriti o WaitangiNew Legislation Empowers Police with Move-On Orders to Tackle Disorderly Behaviour
2 months ago | 581 viewsThe Government has introduced legislation granting Police the power to issue move-on orders to address disorderly behaviour in public places, aiming to improve safety in central cities. These orders target disruptive actions such as threatening behaviour, obstructing access to businesses, begging, and rough sleeping, requiring individuals aged 14 or older to leave a specified area for up to 24 hours. The move-on orders are not criminal charges themselves, but breaching them can lead to prosecution, with the goal of reclaiming public spaces for residents, workers, and visitors.
Tags: Police disorderly behaviour legislation Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith public places law and order prosecution begging rough sleepingNew Zealand Transport Legislation Modernised with Digital Services and Stronger Enforcement
2 months ago | 461 viewsNew Zealand has passed legislation modernizing its transport regulatory system by shifting from paper-based processes to digital service delivery, including digital driver licenses and electronic regulatory notices. The Bill strengthens enforcement in rail and maritime sectors, clarifies responsibilities, and introduces appropriate penalties while maintaining strong privacy and security safeguards. These reforms aim to improve system efficiency, reduce duplication, and complement recent updates to vehicle inspection rules, making the transport system simpler, easier to enforce, and more user-friendly.
Tags: Chris Bishop James Meager New Zealand transport legislation digital driver licences New Zealand Transport Agency Privacy Act Warrant of Fitness maritime enforcement rail accident investigationsTransforming AML Compliance: New Zealand’s Practical Reforms for Effective Anti-Money Laundering
2 months ago | 469 viewsThe speech highlights significant reforms underway in New Zealand's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) system aimed at reducing unnecessary compliance burdens, enhancing risk-based approaches, and consolidating supervision under a single agency to improve effectiveness and clarity. Key legislative changes include easing customer due diligence for low-risk entities, introducing a new industry levy to fund better intelligence and guidance, and enabling more agile regulatory responses to evolving risks and technologies. The speaker emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government and industry, the alignment with international standards, and the role of the new National Strategy in ensuring a more efficient, responsive AML framework that supports economic security and combats financial crime.
Tags: AML AML reforms Ministry of Justice Department of Internal Affairs Financial Action Task Force National Strategy AML compliance AML legislationNew Zealand Introduces Bill to Close Overseas Adoption Loopholes and Protect Children
2 months ago | 590 viewsThe Government is introducing the Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill to permanently close loopholes that previously allowed unsafe overseas adoptions into New Zealand, replacing last year’s temporary measures. The Bill clarifies recognition of overseas adoptions, citizenship pathways, and immigration processes, ensuring child safety through stricter safeguards and two main pathways for citizenship under the Hague Convention or New Zealand Family Court. It will be reviewed by the Justice Select Committee for public input, with the aim to pass before the current temporary laws expire in July 2027.
Tags: Nicole McKee Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill Associate Justice Minister Adoption Amendment Act 2025 New Zealand Hague Convention Justice Select Committee international adoption child safety immigration pathwaysPublic Feedback Sought on Employment Dispute Resolution to Improve System
3 months ago | 730 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is seeking public feedback on experiences with employment advocates and dispute resolution to identify root causes, barriers, and potential improvements. Concerns include the lengthy, costly nature of disputes and unprofessional behavior by some advocates, which negatively impact individuals, workplaces, and the economy. The consultation, running from May 5 to July 31 on MBIE’s website, aims to gather insights across the entire dispute process to inform legislative and systemic enhancements.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Employment Advocates Employment Disputes Employment Relations Authority Employment Court MBIE Employment Dispute Resolution Public Feedback Employment LegislationNew Zealand Boosts Serious Fraud Office Powers to Tackle Rising Fraud Crimes
3 months ago | 588 viewsLegislation granting the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enhanced powers to combat fraud has passed its first reading in Parliament, addressing challenges in obtaining digital evidence, applying for warrants, and managing search sites. The Bill aims to modernize law enforcement tools to better tackle increasing and complex fraud cases, ensuring no legal hurdles hinder investigations and protecting New Zealanders from financial harm. Additionally, it updates evidence admissibility standards and clarifies police powers when assisting the SFO in executing warrants.
Tags: Serious Fraud Office Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell New Zealand fraud legislation law enforcement Evidence Act 2006 Search and Surveillance Act 2012New Bill Enhances Management of Extreme Risk Prisoners to Boost Safety
3 months ago | 513 viewsThe Corrections (Management of Prisoners, and Prisoners’ Property) Amendment Bill aims to enhance prison and public safety by establishing a robust process to identify and manage prisoners who pose an extreme risk, including those linked to organized crime or radical ideologies, while balancing natural justice. It introduces stricter oversight measures for such prisoners, prohibits prolonged solitary confinement in line with UN standards, and ensures meaningful human contact is maintained. Additional provisions include new segregation grounds, easier management of segregated prisoners, the ability to destroy property of deceased designated terrorists, and measures to reduce illicit use of prisoner trust accounts.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Corrections Minister Corrections Prisoners Extreme Risk Legislation Prison Safety Solitary Confinement United Nations High CourtNew Crown Land Bill Empowers High Country Farmers to Boost Economy and Jobs
3 months ago | 637 viewsThe Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill, introduced by Land Information Minister Mike Butterick, aims to provide high country farmers greater flexibility to diversify their activities, including farm shops, hospitality, horticulture, and renewable energy projects, thereby boosting economic growth and job creation in regional New Zealand. The bill seeks to streamline administrative processes, reduce red tape, and ensure that new activities maintain or enhance the unique environmental values of pastoral lands. Public input is invited through the Select Committee process to help shape the final legislation, reflecting the Government’s commitment to economic growth, environmental stewardship, and strong rural communities.
Tags: Mike Butterick Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill high country farmers pastoral leaseholders economic growth regional New Zealand rural community renewable energy projects farm shops Select Committee