The Regulatory Standards Bill
The Government is progressing the Regulatory Standards Bill which aims to improve the quality of regulation in New Zealand.
Good regulation can help governments to achieve their desired economic, environmental and social outcomes, support the effective operation of markets, and protect communities from harm.
The Regulatory Standards Bill will establish a benchmark for good regulation through a set of regulatory principles based on good law-making and economic efficiency.
This Bill aims to reduce the amount of unnecessary and poor regulation, by making it transparent where regulation does, or does not, meet the principles of responsible regulation.
The Bill also establishes a Regulatory Standards Board and supports the Ministry for Regulation in our work to improve the quality of regulation.
Where is the Bill now?
The Regulatory Standards Bill is currently before Parliament. The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 19 May 2025 and passed its First Reading on 22 May 2025.
A copy of the Bill is available on the New Zealand Legislation website.open_in_new
Public submissions on the Bill are now being accepted by the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.
How can I make a submission on the Bill?
You can find out how to make a submission, and submit your views to the Select Committee through the New Zealand Parliament website.open_in_new
The closing date for submissions is 1.00pm, Monday, 23 June 2025.
Contact details for the Select Committee are also on the New Zealand Parliament website.open_in_new
Why is there a separate consultation process? Didn’t you already consult on the Bill at the end of 2024?
In November 2024, the Ministry for Regulation consulted on a proposal for the Regulatory Standards Bill through its discussion document “Have your say on the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill”.
Submissions received through that consultation process informed further development of the proposal before the Bill was drafted. The Ministry published a Summary of Submissions on that consultation which can be found here.
The purpose of this current consultation is to inform the Select Committee’s report to Parliament on the Bill. You can find out more on the New Zealand Parliament website.open_in_new
You can read more about how the Ministry managed the submissions it received here.