Ministry for Regulation news – October 2025
30 October 2025
Kia ora
The release of our first Annual Report marks a major step in our journey from concept to fully operational central government agency and showcases the tangible impact of smarter regulation across New Zealand. The report reflects that journey – the challenges overcome, the progress we’ve made, and the impact we’re delivering.
Regulation touches nearly every aspect of life in New Zealand. When poorly designed, it adds cost, stifles innovation, and erodes public trust. It can make it harder for businesses to grow, limit consumer choice, and create unnecessary complexity for communities. That’s why we’ve focused on making regulation smarter, more responsive, and easier to navigate. We’ve cleared away outdated rules, strengthened system stewardship, and built capability across government. We’ve acted to remove barriers that affect people and progress, such as those preventing medical conferences from going ahead, and introduced tools like RegRoom and the Red Tape Tipline to make it easier for people and businesses to have their say. Our Annual Report tells these stories, and more.
This edition of our newsletter also looks ahead. You’ll find updates on our sector reviews aimed at reducing compliance costs and supporting innovation, and opportunities to build skills through upcoming workshops and courses. Each initiative reflects our commitment to practical solutions and continuous improvement.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your feedback and engagement make this work possible, and together we can keep shaping a regulatory system that delivers for people, businesses, and communities across New Zealand.
Ngā mihi nui,
Gráinne Moss
Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive
Ministry for Regulation
Annual report
Our first Annual Report covers the period from our establishment in March 2024 until the end of June 2025. The report outlines our achievements in removing unnecessary regulation, improving regulatory quality and building regulatory capability to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders.
The report highlights our achievements, including:
- Three sector reviews completed with two in progress.
- $272 million in economic opportunity unlocked for the agricultural and horticultural sectors
- 23,000 public submissions analysed on the Regulatory Standards Bill
- 794 red tape issues reported via our tipline
- 470 regulatory professionals signed up to RegRoom, our online learning platform.
Our latest review – Hospitality
Our latest review looks at what’s holding the hospitality industry back. It will make recommendations to cut red tape, keep costs down, manage risks, and make compliance easier. We want to hear from hospitality business owners, workers, regulators, and representative groups in the hospitality sector. The information you give us will inform the review’s priorities and recommendations.
Find out more and make a submissionopen_in_new
Submissions close 12 November 2025
Please forward the link to anyone you think might be interested in making a submission.
Product labelling Terms of Reference
We are reviewing New Zealand’s product labelling rules which are spread across more than 30 codes and standards. After engaging with businesses and industry groups, the review is exploring ways to reduce compliance costs, support innovation in how product information is shared, and better align with international trade partners. It’s also examining whether outdated rules are limiting competition and innovation, especially in supermarkets.
The review will provide recommendations to Ministers by the end of this year.
Read the terms of reference for the review
Read the summary of engagement on the review
Simpler rules for home bakers
From November, low-risk home-based bakers will no longer need ongoing checks or complex registration under the Food Act. This change follows feedback through the Red Tape Tipline, highlighting how current rules were confusing and burdensome.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is removing unnecessary barriers to make it easier to start a small baking business.
Since launching in November 2024, the Red Tape Tipline has received over 1300 submissions from people and businesses across Aotearoa. These tips have helped identify outdated, confusing, or overly complex rules, and has triggered dozens of investigations by the Ministry of Regulation.
Your feedback continues to shape our work. If you've come across red tape that's making it harder to get things done, we want to hear about itopen_in_new.
Advance your career in regulation
We’re pleased to support Victoria University of Wellington’s specialist course in regulatory policy. This 12-week programme commencing July 2026 is designed for senior analysts, advisors, and managers who want to build strategic skills, connect with sector leaders, and tackle real-world regulatory challenges. Flexible study options are available.
Build your skills in regulatory problem solving
The Ministry for Regulation is pleased to host two workshops in Wellington on regulatory problem solving, led by Australian experts Adam Beaumont and Dr Grant Pink. These interactive sessions are designed for regulators who want to lead or support problem-solving efforts within their organisation. The workshops provide a chance to:
- grow your confidence in what regulatory problem solving is
- learn when and how to use it (and when not to)
- explore common pitfalls and the organisational culture required to succeed.
Dates: Monday 1 December 2025 or Tuesday 2 December 2025
Location: Te Iho – Bowen House, 1 Bowen Street, Wellington
Register for Mondayopen_in_new
Register for Tuesdayopen_in_new
Webinar series
The Art of Regulation - now on demand
Over recent months, NZIER and the Ministry for Regulation have explored what makes regulation effective through a three-part Art of Regulation webinar series. These include:
- Practical Insights for Better Outcomes
- Why Strong Institutions and Good Systems Matter
- Regulatory Stewardship – Fit for Purpose in a Changing World
If you missed any of these sessions, you can catch up on the recordings and resources on NZIER's website.
Watch webinars on demandopen_in_new
Careers at the Ministry for Regulation
We’re hiring! Three exciting roles are now open:
- Manager, Regulatory Reviews
- Senior Advisor, Reviews & System Capability
- Senior Advisor, Policy
If you're passionate about making regulation work better for people, businesses, and communities we’d love to hear from you.
If you're interested in receiving updates directly to your inbox, make sure you sign up to our mailing listopen_in_new
Keep up to date with our latest news by checking out this website, and follow us on LinkedInopen_in_new