Articles tagged with Safety
New Employment Leave Act: Simplified Leave Payments for Employers and Employees
2 days ago | 81 viewsCabinet has approved the repeal of the Holidays Act 2003 and its replacement with the Employment Leave Act, aiming to simplify leave entitlements for both employers and employees. The key changes include a shift to hours-based accrual for annual and sick leave, pro rata sick leave entitlements, and a Leave Compensation Payment system for casual employees and additional hours worked. The reforms also address issues related to parental leave, family violence leave, mandatory pay statements, and cashing up annual leave, with a 24-month implementation period planned post-legislation passage.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Employment Leave Act Workplace Relations Safety Minister annual leave sick leave parental leave Holidays Act reform casual employees leave entitlementsStay Safe in Crowded Places: Escape, Hide, Tell Safety Campaign by Police Minister
1 week ago | 90 viewsA new safety campaign in New Zealand led by Police Minister Mark Mitchell provides guidance on staying safe during an armed offender incident in crowded places. The campaign emphasizes three key steps: Escape, Hide, Tell, to be followed in the unlikely event of such an incident. The initiative aims to prepare individuals in public spaces like sports venues, transport hubs, and shopping areas, stressing the importance of being informed and ready to respond effectively for personal and public safety.
Tags: safety campaign Kiwis armed offender incident Police Minister Mark Mitchell New Zealanders public spaces active armed offender Escape HideNew Zealand Food Exporters to Benefit from Streamlined Regulations, Boosting Market Access
3 weeks ago | 204 viewsFood Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard announces a cut to red tape for food exporters in New Zealand, eliminating the need for special exemptions if products meet importing countries' requirements starting from 25 September 2025. This change simplifies compliance by aligning with destination countries' rules, reducing paperwork, costs, and delays previously associated with individual product exemptions. Hoggard emphasizes the benefits of increased efficiency, lower compliance costs, and improved trade opportunities, with a phased approach to extend the streamlined process to all food exports in the future.
Tags: food safety minister andrew hoggard exporters new zealand rules compliance dairy sector trade innovationForestry Industry Launches Approved Code of Practice for Workplace Safety
1 month ago | 183 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden launched the Approved Code of Practice for Forestry and Harvesting Operations to improve health and safety compliance in the forestry industry. The ACOPs are sector-specific guidelines developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders to reduce deaths and serious injuries in forestry operations. This initiative is part of broader health and safety reforms aiming to provide clear and practical guidelines for high-risk sectors, with plans to extend ACOPs to other industries like agriculture and construction.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister ACOP Forestry WorkSafe Health and Safety New Zealand Industry RegulationsWhanganui Airport Invests in Safety and Connectivity Boost
1 month ago | 245 viewsThe Government will invest $3.35 million in Whanganui Airport to build a new sealed parallel taxiway, enhancing safety and regional connectivity. This investment aims to address safety concerns by reducing the risk of collisions and aircraft congestion, making flying safer for pilots and passengers. The taxpayer-funded project, supported by local MP Carl Bates, will improve resilience, support economic growth, and benefit the region's aviation industry and community.
Tags: Whanganui Airport safety regional connectivity economic growth James Meager investment taxpayer funding Carl Bates aviation New Zealand International Commercial Pilot AcademySuccessful Military-Style Academy Pilot Transforms Young Lives, Reducing Youth Offending
1 month ago | 316 viewsA 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga in Palmerston North has successfully supported youth offenders and their families, resulting in improved behavior and reduced re-offending rates. Minister for Children Karen Chhour received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the pilot's outcomes, with many participants showing promise and making positive life changes. The government's initiatives, including the pilot program, have contributed to a significant reduction in serious and persistent youth offending, leading to safer communities and increased opportunities for at-risk youth.
Tags: Karen Chhour Minister for Children Youth Justice Social Workers Te Au rere a te Tonga Palmerston North Youth Offenders Support Services Community SafetyNew Zealand Government Enhances Building Code for Improved Fire Safety
1 month ago | 638 viewsThe Government will amend the Building Code to enhance fire safety protections for New Zealanders, prompted by a nationwide fire safety review following a tragic fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington. Over 100 organizations and individuals contributed feedback during the consultation, highlighting the need for clearer regulations and improved evacuation measures, especially in larger residential buildings. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will incorporate this feedback into proposed Building Code changes separate from the regular update cycle, with a focus on aligning fire safety provisions with modern technologies and ensuring the safety of occupants and firefighters.
Tags: Government Building Code New Zealanders fire safety Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Loafers Lodge WellingtonConsultation on Recreational Safety Regulations for Better Compliance Efficiency
1 month ago | 598 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing changes to health and safety regulations in the recreation and entertainment sectors to reduce compliance pressure while maintaining safety standards. The proposed changes include amending the definition of 'adventure activities' to differentiate between high-risk and low-risk activities, as well as updating the Amusement Device Regulations to streamline the permit process for transportable high-risk devices. Additionally, there is a focus on clarifying health and safety obligations for volunteer organizations to encourage voluntary activities while ensuring safety.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister health and safety regulations recreation entertainment sectors compliance pressure adventure activities safety requirements Amusement Device RegulationsNew Legislation Enhancing Early Childhood Education Regulation for Child Safety and Clarity
1 month ago | 616 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has introduced new legislation to clarify the purpose of regulating early childhood education (ECE) and shift enforcement responsibilities to the Education Review Office (ERO) from the Ministry of Education. The Early Childhood Education Reform Bill prioritizes child safety, aims to reduce regulatory burden on ECE providers, and ensure consistent application of regulations nationwide. The reforms include creating a Director of Regulation, establishing key principles for ECE oversight, and streamlining processes to support high-quality ECE centers and enhance parental choice.
Tags: David Seymour Education Minister legislation early childhood education ECE Education Review Office Ministry of Education child safety regulations Director of RegulationProposed Changes for Innovation: Health & Safety Regulations in NZ Science Sector
1 month ago | 868 viewsWorkplace 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.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations and Safety Minister health and safety regulations innovation science and technology sector hazardous substances university laboratories regulatory barriers hydrogen technologies safety requirementsMajor Safety Improvements Coming to SH2 Moonshine Hill Road Intersection in Upper Hutt
1 month ago | 447 viewsSafety improvements, including intersection upgrades and a speed limit review, will be implemented soon at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection on State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, following Transport Minister Chris Bishop's announcement due to the high number of crashes at the intersection. The upgrades will involve installing traffic lights, signage, and line markings to enhance safety for motorists and cyclists. NZTA will consult the public on a proposed 80km/h speed limit, with construction scheduled to start in October and be completed by the end of the year.
Tags: safety improvements State Highway 2 Moonshine Hill Road intersection upgrades speed limit review Transport Minister Chris Bishop NZTA Whakatiki Street intersection speed limit consultationManufacturing Regulations Simplified for Safety and Efficiency
1 month ago | 537 viewsWorkplace 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.
Tags: Brooke van Velden manufacturers Workplace Relations and Safety Minister wood processors bakers millers WorkSafe inspectors Health and Safety in Employment Regulations Workplace Exposure Standards Mr SeymourBuilding Better: Minister Van Velden Spearheads Productivity Boost in Construction Sector
1 month ago | 489 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with builders and construction professionals to simplify scaffolding rules and streamline the prequalification process, aiming to align them better with the level of risk. The current complex rules have led to overuse of costly scaffolding, impacting construction productivity and increasing building time and costs. Van Velden is also addressing the frustration with prequalification systems and overlapping duties in the construction sector, aiming to provide clearer guidance and improve efficiency.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister construction sector scaffolding rules productivity WorkSafe prequalification systems overlapping duties Approved Code of PracticeNew Auckland Central Police Station Enhances Public Safety and Crime Reduction Efforts
2 months ago | 681 viewsThe new Auckland central police station enhances police visibility and accessibility to the public, retail sector, and business community in the city center, addressing community demands for a central police presence. Minister Mark Mitchell emphasizes the importance of public safety and highlights the positive impact of the 51 inner city beat officers in reducing crime rates, with notable decreases in victimizations, robbery, and theft. The collaboration between police officers, stakeholders, and volunteers has contributed to these results, and the central police base is expected to further improve crime response and community safety in Auckland.
Tags: Auckland central police station police visibility accessibility public safety Mark Mitchell law and order agenda police officers inner city beat officers crime reduction community involvementNew Zealand's Employment Relations Bill: Boosting Business Confidence and Worker Opportunities
2 months ago | 828 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden applauds the passage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, emphasizing its significance in fostering business confidence and employment opportunities. The bill will now undergo review by the Education and Workforce Select Committee to gather public feedback on proposed changes. Key provisions of the legislation aim to clarify employment arrangements, simplify the grievance process, and enhance flexibility in negotiations between employers and employees.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations Safety Minister Employment Relations Amendment Bill New Zealand businesses workers contracting arrangements personal grievance process Select Committee genuine contracting relationships