The Regulatory Management System

New Zealand’s Regulatory Management System (RMS) is how central government manages regulation.

It brings together the policies, institutions, processes and tools that support good regulatory decision‑making and help ensure regulation stays fit for purpose over time.

The RMS applies to both the development of new regulation and the ongoing performance of New Zealand’s existing regulatory systems.

Regulation is one of the tools governments use to influence behaviour and improve outcomes for people, businesses and communities.

Because regulation affects many parts of everyday life, it needs to be designed carefully, implemented effectively, and reviewed over time. Poorly designed or poorly maintained regulation can create unnecessary cost, confusion or risk.

Good regulation should be clear, proportionate, and deliver benefits that outweigh its costs.

The RMS exists to bring greater consistency, discipline and transparency to how regulation is created, operated and improved across government.

At a high level, the Regulatory Management System focuses on three areas:

1. Developing new regulation – supporting good analysis, design and decision‑making before regulatory changes are made.
2. Maintaining existing regulatory systems – understanding how regulation is performing in practice and whether it remains fit for purpose.
3. Building regulatory capability – strengthening the skills and practices of those who design, operate and govern regulatory systems.

The RMS is made up of a set of core requirements and frameworks that apply across central government. Each component has its own guidance and processes.

Regulatory Standards Act 

The Regulatory Standards Act establishes a benchmark for good regulation through a set of regulatory principles and making it transparent where regulation does, or does not meet these principles. 

Find out more about the Regulatory Standards Act.

Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA)

Cabinet’s impact analysis requirements for proposals involving regulatory change.

Find out more about Regulatory Impact Analysis.

Disclosure statements for government legislation

Agencies must publish disclosure statements alongside most government Bills and Amendment Papers.

Find out more about disclosure statements for legislation.

Good law‑making and legislative design

Guidance and requirements supporting high‑quality legislation, including:

• Legislation Act 2019open_in_new
• Cabinet expectations for good law‑makingopen_in_new
• Cabinet Office Circular CO (21) 2 – Legislation Guidelines: Cabinet Requirements and Expectationsopen_in_new
• Cabinet Office Circular – Impact Analysis Requirements (applies until 1 July 2026) open_in_new
• Cabinet Office Circular - Disclosure Requirements for Government Legislationopen_in_new (applies until 1 July 2026)
• Government Expectations for Good Regulatory Practiceopen_in_new. Outlines what agencies should be doing to meet their regulatory stewardship responsibilities.

Legislative design and drafting guidance

• Legislation Guidelines (LDAC)open_in_new
• Role of the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO)open_in_new
• Instructing the Parliamentary Counsel Office / Turning policy into lawopen_in_new
• Constitutional issues and human rightsopen_in_new – Ministry of Justice
• The Bill of Rights Actopen_in_new – Ministry of Justice

New Zealand has obligations for good regulatory practices or regulatory transparency under a growing range of international agreements, or treaties. 

Roles and responsibilities in the RMS

The RMS is a shared, system‑wide framework. While the Ministry for Regulation is the central steward, other agencies play key roles.

Ministry for Regulation

The Ministry for Regulation is the central steward of the Regulatory Management System. We provide system leadership, set expectations, and work across government to improve regulatory quality and performance.

Other responsible agencies

Key contributors to the RMS include:

• Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO)open_in_new
  Provides legislative drafting, publishes authoritative legislation, and supports good legislative design.
• Ministry of Justice (MoJ)open_in_new 
  Advises on constitutional issues, human rights, offences and penalties, and the rule of law.
• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)open_in_new 
  Supports regulatory policy affecting business, international regulatory coherence, and broader economic outcomes.

Each agency’s detailed responsibilities sit on their own websites.

Regulatory stewardship is a core part of the RMS.

Under the Regulatory Standards Act 2025, the Public Service Act 2020 and the Government Expectations for Good Regulatory Practice, agencies are responsible for the ongoing oversight, monitoring and care of the regulatory systems they administer or contribute to.

For more detail on stewardship roles and expectations, see Regulatory Stewardship.

Support for regulators and agencies

The RMS is supported by guidance, tools and capability‑building resources to help regulators and agencies meet their responsibilities.

This includes learning resources, practical guidance, communities of practice and other support.

For guidance, tools and learning resources, see For regulators.

Use these sections of our website to support your regulatory work:

• Develop a regulatory policy proposal. See Developing policy.
• Prepare analysis for introducing new legislation. See Developing legislation. 
• Review how a regulatory system is working. See Regulatory stewardship.
• Build regulatory capability. See Support for regulators.