Articles tagged with Mbie
New Zealand Introduces Smart EV Charger Standards to Cut Costs and Support Grid
5 days ago | 135 viewsNew Zealand will introduce new regulations requiring electric vehicle (EV) chargers above 2.4 kW to have smart functionality, enabling automatic charging during off-peak, cheaper electricity times to reduce costs and ease grid demand. These measures aim to prevent a 40% increase in household peak electricity demand and save up to $4 billion in network costs by 2050, while aligning New Zealand with international standards. The regulations will be implemented through amendments to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, with public consultation planned before enforcement.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand EV chargers smart charging Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act MBIE EECA electric vehicles electricity system energy regulationPublic Feedback Sought on Employment Dispute Resolution to Improve System
6 days ago | 166 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 Lead-Free Plumbing Rules to Protect Drinking Water Quality from May 2
1 week ago | 141 viewsNew rules effective from May 2 mandate that all plumbing products in new buildings or renovations must be lead-free and resistant to dezincification to protect drinking water quality. The regulation aims to reduce health risks associated with lead exposure and has been supported by the plumbing industry, with minimal expected cost increases. Existing plumbing does not require replacement, but residents are advised to flush taps regularly to ensure water safety.
Tags: Chris Penk Taumata Arowai MBIE lead plumbing drinking water plumbing products building consents dezincification New Zealand Water Services AuthorityInternational Visitors Boost New Zealand Tourism with $12.5B Spend in 2025
2 months ago | 459 viewsInternational visitors to New Zealand are rapidly returning, with tourism contributing $12.5 billion to the economy for the year ending December 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year. Visitor numbers have reached 90% of 2019 levels, with spending per visitor and daily spending both rising, boosting local businesses and jobs. The government aims to double the value of tourism exports by 2034, highlighting the sector’s importance as New Zealand’s second-largest export earner.
Tags: New Zealand international visitors tourism visitor spend Louise Upston Australia United States hospitality MBIE tourism exportsNew Methamphetamine Contamination Rules for Rental Properties Effective April 2026
2 months ago | 560 viewsNew regulations addressing methamphetamine contamination in rental properties will take effect from 16 April 2026, establishing clear, evidence-based thresholds and processes to ensure consistency for landlords and tenants. Properties with residue above 15µg/100cm² must be decontaminated, and if levels exceed 30µg/100cm², tenancy termination options become available, with professional testing aligned to New Zealand Standard 8510:2017 required in certain cases. Developed with expert advice, these rules aim to protect tenant health while minimizing landlord costs, with guidance provided through MBIE’s Tenancy Services website.
Tags: Tama Potaka Peter Gluckman methamphetamine contamination rental properties New Zealand Standard 8510:2017 Ministry of Housing and Urban Development MBIE Tenancy Services New Zealand Institute for Public Health Forensic ScienceGovernment Drives New Energy Projects with Long-Term Power Purchase Agreements
2 months ago | 442 viewsThe Government, led by Energy Minister Simon Watts, is using public sector energy demand to drive new energy projects through long-term Power Purchase Agreements with major public agencies. They aim to increase affordable, reliable energy supply from diverse technologies, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen, to reduce power bills and support faster project development. MBIE is conducting a feasibility study on streamlined solar procurement for government properties, with plans to issue a Request for Proposals by mid-2026 to accelerate implementation and increase energy generation.
Tags: Simon Watts Energy Minister Government Power Purchase Agreements Health New Zealand New Zealand Defence Force Department of Corrections MBIE renewable energy solar energyKiwi Tradies Gain Easier Access to Thousands of Australian Plumbing Products
2 months ago | 461 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has expanded recognition of thousands of Australian WaterMark-certified plumbing and drainage products, simplifying their use by Kiwi tradies and homeowners. This change, enabled by the Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill, reduces red tape by allowing Building Consent Authorities to accept these products as compliant without individual assessments, improving supply chain resilience and lowering costs. MBIE plans to continue reviewing overseas products, enhancing access to essential building materials like plasterboard, cladding, windows, and doors to support housing affordability and construction efficiency.
Tags: Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE WaterMark Building Act Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand Australia tradiesGovernment Activates Temporary Accommodation Service for North Island Weather Victims
3 months ago | 497 viewsThe Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated to support people displaced by recent severe weather in parts of the North Island. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is coordinating with emergency agencies, local councils, and communities to provide safe accommodation and additional support services, including social, mental health, and financial assistance. Those affected are encouraged to register for temporary accommodation through the TAS website or phone line, though registration numbers are not yet confirmed.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Temporary Accommodation Service Civil Defence Emergency Management National Emergency Management Agency Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiNew Zealand Launches AI Advisory Pilot to Boost Small Business Productivity
3 months ago | 692 viewsThe New Zealand government is launching an AI Advisory Pilot programme to help small businesses access and confidently use artificial intelligence tools, providing up to $15,000 in co-funding and expert support tailored to their needs. This initiative, running for at least six months through the Regional Business Partner Network, aims to boost productivity, economic growth, and responsible AI adoption while addressing challenges like privacy and data management. Additionally, the government is investing $70 million over seven years in AI research and innovation to strengthen New Zealand’s competitive edge and support long-term economic benefits.
Tags: Chris Penk Shane Reti Small Business Artificial Intelligence AI Advisory Pilot New Zealand Regional Business Partner Network AI Strategy MBIE New Zealand Institute for Advanced TechnologyNew Zealand Tourism Booms with 6% More Visitors and $12.3B Spend in 2025
5 months ago | 654 viewsInternational visitors to New Zealand are increasing in number and spending more, driving significant growth in the tourism sector and economy, with total spending reaching $12.3 billion for the year ending September 2025. Visitor numbers rose to 3.43 million, reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels, boosted by higher-spending travelers, especially from the USA. The government supports this growth through the Tourism Growth Roadmap, aiming to double tourism export value by 2034 while enhancing visitor experiences and regional opportunities.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Tourism International Visitors USA MBIE Tourism Growth Roadmap Hospitality Economy Visitor Survey66 of 67 NZ Building Consent Authorities Meet New 3-Day Inspection Target
5 months ago | 492 viewsNew regulations require Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) in New Zealand to complete at least 80% of building inspections within three working days, with 66 out of 67 BCAs meeting this target and 97.3% of 67,000 inspections completed on time in Q3. Some BCAs use inspection availability data as an alternative measure, showing 96.2% of inspection slots available within three days, while building consent applications were processed within statutory timeframes at a rate of 95.7%, up from 93% previously. These improvements reflect increased accountability and productivity, reducing delays and costs in construction as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the building consent system.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Consent Authorities BCAs Queenstown Lakes District Council Kāinga Ora BCAL Limited MBIE New Zealand building inspections building consentOpen Banking Launches in New Zealand: Faster Loans, Easier Budgeting & Secure Data Sharing
5 months ago | 615 viewsOpen banking officially launched in New Zealand on 1 December 2025, enabling faster loan approvals, easier bill management, and personalized budgeting through secure, regulated sharing of financial data with customer consent. The new system, regulated under the Customer and Product Data Act 2025, requires major banks to implement open banking capabilities and mandates accreditation for third-party data requestors to ensure security and trust. This initiative aims to boost innovation and competition in the banking sector, benefiting consumers, small businesses, and fintech companies by providing enhanced financial tools and services.
Tags: Scott Simpson Open Banking New Zealand MBIE Customer and Product Data Act 2025 ANZ ASB BNZ Westpac KiwibankGovernment Reforms Building Research Funding to Boost Innovation and Cut Costs in NZ
5 months ago | 551 viewsThe Government is reforming building research funding by repealing the outdated Building Research Levy Act 1969 and consolidating research funding into the existing building levy under the Building Act 2024 to improve transparency, efficiency, and innovation. The new system will centrally manage funds with sector input, ring-fence research funding for long-term projects, and make funding contestable to broaden access for universities and industry organizations, while reducing costs for consent applicants. These changes aim to enhance accountability, support a more resilient building sector, and contribute to making building easier, more affordable, and supportive of economic growth in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Research Levy Act Building Research Association of New Zealand BRANZ Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Building Act 2024 Building Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Approves WaterMark Certification for Over 90,000 Building Products
7 months ago | 874 viewsNew Zealand has expanded access to over 90,000 overseas building products following a law change, with the WaterMark certification scheme now recognized as an endorsed standard. This change aims to make it easier for Kiwi tradies and homeowners to choose from a wide range of plumbing products, boosting competition and lowering costs. By amending the Building Act, the Government has streamlined the approval process for quality overseas building products, ensuring compliance with the Building Code and providing greater choice for building owners and designers.
Tags: Chris Penk WaterMark New Zealand Building Act Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Code MBIE Building Consent Authorities Building Product Specifications overseas building productsIntroducing the Employment Leave Act: Simplifying Leave Entitlements for Employers and Employees
7 months ago | 840 viewsThe speaker acknowledges the complexity and challenges associated with the Holidays Act 2003, highlighting the need for reform to simplify calculations and reduce compliance costs. They introduce the Employment Leave Act as a replacement, outlining key changes such as transitioning to an hours-based accrual system for annual and sick leave. Additionally, the new legislation includes provisions for casual workers through a Leave Compensation Payment system and addresses issues related to parental leave entitlements, with a focus on clarity, fairness, and simplicity in the new employment laws.
Tags: Holidays Act 2003 Employment Leave Act Cabinet MBIE EMA members Leave Compensation Payment parental leave annual leave sick leave public holidays