Law News & Articles
Showing 15 of 2442 articles
Government Introduces New Building Consent Reforms to Protect Owners and Boost Productivity
24 Nov 2025, 11:30 AM | 10 months ago | 1019 viewsThe Government is reforming the building consent system by replacing joint and several liability with proportionate liability, ensuring each party is only responsible for their own work to speed up consents and protect ratepayers. New safeguards include mandatory professional indemnity insurance for designers, compulsory home warranties for most new residential builds and significant renovations, and strengthened disciplinary penalties for Licensed Building Practitioners. These measures aim to enhance accountability, protect building owners, and make the building process faster, easier, and more affordable, with legislative changes expected by 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Licensed Building Practitioners Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Building Amendment Bill New Zealand Government Building and Construction Minister Building Act Home warranty Professional indemnity insurance Building consent systemNZ Government Ahead of Violent Crime Reduction Target One Year After Tough Gang Laws
21 Nov 2025, 1:09 PM | 10 months ago | 1030 viewsThe Government is exceeding its violent crime reduction target, with 147,000 victims of serious violent crime reported in the past year, 38,000 fewer than when they took office. Tough gang laws introduced a year ago have significantly contributed to this decline by targeting gang-related crime, resulting in numerous seizures and convictions. Ministers emphasize their commitment to law and order, highlighting police efforts and the disproportionate gang involvement in serious violent crime despite their small population size.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Mark Mitchell New Zealand violent crime gang laws Gangs Act 2024 Ministry of Justice Police crime reduction criminal justice systemFour New Judicial Appointments Announced for Supreme, Appeal, and High Courts
21 Nov 2025, 11:14 AM | 10 months ago | 1417 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced four judicial appointments effective late 2025 and early 2026: Justice Francis Cooke to the Supreme Court, Justice Rebecca Edwards to the Court of Appeal, and Michael Arthur and Amokura Kawharu to the High Court. Each appointee has extensive legal backgrounds, with Cooke and Edwards previously serving as High Court judges, Arthur specializing in commercial litigation, and Kawharu noted for her academic contributions and leadership at the Law Commission. These appointments reflect a blend of legal expertise across public law, commercial litigation, arbitration, and judicial experience.
Tags: Judith Collins Francis Cooke Rebecca Edwards Michael Arthur Amokura Kawharu Victoria University of Wellington University of Auckland Cambridge University Court of Appeal High CourtNew Zealand Makes Stalking a Criminal Offence with Up to 5 Years Prison
19 Nov 2025, 11:06 PM | 10 months ago | 1053 viewsNew Zealand has passed legislation making stalking a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison, addressing long-overdue protections against persistent and harmful intrusions. The new law defines stalking as a pattern of behavior likely to cause fear or distress, including acts such as following, unwanted communication, and damaging reputations, with the offence coming into force in May 2026. This legislation prioritizes victim needs, particularly protecting women and children, and includes a police notice system and relevant defenses to effectively combat stalking and harassment.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister New Zealand stalking harassment Crimes Legislation Parliament victims advocacy PoliceNew Zealand Introduces Stalking Offence with Up to 5 Years Imprisonment
19 Nov 2025, 11:06 PM | 10 months ago | 1128 viewsParliament has passed new legislation making stalking a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison, addressing persistent and harmful behaviours that cause emotional, psychological, and economic harm to victims. The law defines stalking as a pattern of behaviour likely to cause fear or distress, including acts like following, unwanted communication, and damaging reputations, with enforcement beginning in May 2026 after necessary training and public information are prepared. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims, particularly women and children, and acknowledged the advocacy efforts that helped bring the legislation to fruition.
Tags: stalking harassment Paul Goldsmith Justice Minister New Zealand Crimes Legislation Parliament victims advocacy PoliceNew Zealand Passes New Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025, 9:22 PM | 10 months ago | 1187 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to strengthen protections against deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign interference. The legislation creates new offences criminalizing foreign interference and updates espionage-related laws to safeguard national security. While encouraging transparent diplomatic and lobbying activities, the law aims to hold accountable those engaging in covert or harmful foreign influence.
Tags: New Zealand Paul Goldsmith foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage government information security defenceNew Zealand Passes Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025, 9:22 PM | 10 months ago | 1021 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to better protect the country from deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign activities aimed at manipulating society. The legislation creates new offences specifically criminalizing foreign interference and updates existing laws related to espionage and wrongful communication of government information. While normal diplomatic and transparent engagements remain unaffected, the government emphasizes that foreign interference will no longer be tolerated.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith New Zealand foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage criminal law government securityNew Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action
19 Nov 2025, 12:39 PM | 10 months ago | 1082 viewsThe Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnelNew Legislation Allows Skilled Plumbers to Self-Certify Work, Boosting Efficiency
18 Nov 2025, 5:20 PM | 10 months ago | 1110 viewsNew legislation has passed its first reading in Parliament allowing skilled plumbers and drainlayers to self-certify their straightforward work, aiming to reduce delays and ease pressure on Building Consent Authorities. Alongside this, a second Bill enhances accountability and disciplinary measures for building professionals by strengthening licensing regimes and improving complaint processes. Together, these Bills seek to support competent tradespeople, streamline the building consent system, and ensure consumer confidence through clear standards and oversight.
Tags: Chris Penk Master Plumbers Licensed Building Practitioners Registrar Building and Construction Minister plumbers drainlayers Licensed Building Practitioners gasfitters electricians Building Consent AuthoritiesNew Zealand Introduces Safe Harbour Laws to Combat Online Scams Faster
17 Nov 2025, 1:35 PM | 10 months ago | 1119 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing safe harbour legal protections to enable banks, telecommunications providers, and digital platforms to act swiftly and confidently in blocking suspected online scams without fear of prosecution. These protections require reasonable grounds for suspicion, proportional action, and correction of any unintended disruption, supporting a prevention-first approach against scams that caused $265 million in losses last year. Complementing this, the New Zealand Anti Scam Alliance is developing a trusted flagger system and new fraud intelligence tools to identify and freeze suspicious accounts, enhancing cross-sector collaboration to combat evolving scam threats.
Tags: Scott Simpson New Zealand Anti Scam Alliance Payments NZ New Zealand Banking Association Commerce and Consumer Affairs safe harbour fraud intelligence tool mule accounts online scams trusted flagger systemNew Zealand Hikes Penalties for Misleading Advertising to Protect Consumers
17 Nov 2025, 8:39 AM | 10 months ago | 1124 viewsThe Government plans to significantly increase penalties for breaches of the Fair Trading Act, raising maximum fines to the greater of $5 million, three times the commercial gain, or the transaction value, to better deter misleading advertising and unfair business practices. The reforms will shift most breaches from criminal to civil liability, allowing the Commerce Commission to act on a lower standard of proof, while serious offenses remain criminal, aiming to create a fairer marketplace and protect consumers. These changes follow rising complaints and aim to align New Zealand’s laws with international standards, with legislation expected to pass next year after public consultation.
Tags: Nicola Willis Scott Simpson Government Fair Trading Act Commerce Commission Consumer NZ Pak’nSave Woolworths misleading advertising penaltiesRegulatory Standards Bill: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in New Zealand Law
13 Nov 2025, 4:14 PM | 11 months ago | 1159 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour celebrates the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, emphasizing its importance in revealing the true costs of regulations to the public and reducing regulatory burdens through political pressure. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in legislation by establishing a Regulatory Standards Board to assess consistency with principles of responsible regulation. By promoting evidence-based policy and providing recourse for individuals affected by overreaching regulations, the bill ultimately seeks to improve New Zealand's productivity and empower citizens to hold decision-makers accountable.
Tags: Regulation Minister David Seymour Regulatory Standards Bill Kiwis’ rights Public Finance Act Reserve Bank Act Bill of Rights Act Regulatory Standards Board Regulatory Impact Statements Earthquake Prone Buildings lawNew Zealand to Replace and Strengthen Arms Act for Improved Public Safety
11 Nov 2025, 11:45 AM | 11 months ago | 1126 viewsCabinet has approved the repeal and replacement of the Arms Act 1983 with a new law aimed at enhancing public safety, streamlining compliance for licensed firearm owners, and cracking down on criminals. The new law will simplify regulations, increase penalties for offenses, address emerging technologies, and establish a more transparent firearms regulator. Changes include clarifying secure storage requirements, creating a new licensing review committee, and ensuring police access to essential information while enhancing trust in the licensing system. The proposed Arms Act overhaul aligns with the coalition commitment to prioritize public safety, simplify regulations, and undergo thorough public consultation during the six-month select committee process.
Tags: Arms Act New Zealanders Nicole McKee Firearms LFOs Gangs Public Safety Criminals Firearms Regulator Firearms LicenceHon. Justice Timothy Brewer Appointed as New Inspector-General of Defence, Natalie Pierce as Deputy
05 Nov 2025, 8:27 PM | 11 months ago | 1179 viewsThe House has approved the appointment of High Court Judge Hon Justice Timothy Brewer as the next Inspector-General of Defence and barrister Natalie Pierce as the Deputy. Justice Brewer, a former Brigadier in the NZ Army, will retire on November 15 and assume the IGD role on December 1. Ms. Pierce, with expertise in criminal law and human rights, will start her role on November 10. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith also acknowledged the contributions of Brendan Horsley, who held the IGD role concurrently with his role as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, in establishing the office and providing oversight.
Tags: High Court Judge Justice Timothy Brewer Natalie Pierce Deputy Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Barrister Brendan Horsley Intelligence and SecurityWhanganui Barrister Bernadette Arapere Appointed as District Court Judge by Attorney-General Judith Collins
28 Oct 2025, 1:58 PM | 11 months ago | 1198 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins appointed Bernadette Arapere, a barrister from Whanganui, as a District Court Judge. Judge Arapere, admitted to the bar in 2005, previously worked as a Crown Counsel and has a diverse legal background in public law and litigation. She will be based at the Hastings District Court, with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 29 November.
Tags: Judith Collins Bernadette Arapere District Court Judge Ngāti Raukawa Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ngāti Maniapoto Crown Law Office Treaty of Waitangi Transport Accident Investigation Commission Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal