Ministry for Regulation Annual Report 2025/26

We’ve published our Annual Report for 2025/26, highlighting a year of significant regulatory reform, system improvement and capability building across government.

During the year, the Ministry supported the implementation of the Regulatory Standards Act 2025, initiated five regulatory reviews against a target of four, and completed New Zealand's first comprehensive picture of the country's regulatory landscape.

Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive Gráinne Moss said understanding how New Zealand's regulatory systems work together is essential to improving people's experience of regulation.

"For the first time, we have a clearer view of the regulatory landscape as New Zealanders experience it, rather than as individual agencies see it. This provides a stronger foundation for identifying where complexity arises and where lasting improvements can be made."

The Ministry also continued to strengthen the evidence base for regulatory decision-making. As at 30 July 2026, it estimates its work is likely to deliver a net benefit of between $227 million and $424 million over 10 years through lower compliance costs, reduced delays, increased productivity, greater investment and better-functioning regulatory systems.

The Ministry's focus remains on ensuring regulation delivers the protections and outcomes New Zealanders expect while remaining proportionate, practical and easy to navigate.

The Annual Report also outlines the Ministry’s strategic direction and objectives, including improving the quality of new regulatory proposals, enhancing system performance, and building capability across the regulatory workforce.