Regulatory Standards Act takes effect, Board ready for work

The Regulatory Standards Act is in effect, and the Regulatory Standards Board is taking complaints from Kiwis about bad regulations, Regulation Minister David Seymour says. 

“Today is a historic day for Kiwis’ rights, because the Regulatory Standards Act and Board now protects them,” Mr Seymour says. 

“The Regulatory Standards Act (2025) is the companion of three other transparency laws that protect New Zealanders’ rights. Voters can see if politicians are running up debt, thanks to the Public Finance Act (1989). They can see if politicians are inflating away the value of a dollar, thanks to the Reserve Bank Act (1989). They can see if politicians are attacking their personal freedoms, thanks to the Bill of Rights Act (1990). So far, though, the high costs of regulating their use and exchange of property have been hidden.

“We’re showing voters who is responsible for putting costs on them and why. Better information means more informed choices at the voting booth. That’s important for the future of New Zealand. 

“The Regulatory Standards Act makes the cost of regulation clear to voters. It will require restrictions on peoples’ liberties, severe impairments of their property rights, and the goals, logic, and alternatives considered to be laid bare. Unlike Regulatory Impact Statements these requirements will be in law, and a new entity will be watching it.

“It used to be that if regulations were ruining your life, the person responsible for handling your complaint was the person who enforced those regulations. Now, the Regulatory Standards Board will hear those complaints and stand up for the rights of Kiwis. The Board will be a strong watchdog. It will make sure the costs of regulations are made clear to voters. 

“Bad regulations have real consequences for real people. People work hard to earn their livelihood. Now there is scrutiny for people who ruin it with bad regulations.

“The Board will review the quality of Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS), which show whether a Bill is consistent with the principles of good regulation. It ensures the public know who is putting costs onto them, how, and why. 

“The Board can also review existing laws. This can be to respond to complaints, or on its own initiative. Its assessments will be published, and the public can pass their own judgement. 

“In New Zealand there are over 260 regulators. This includes 95 in central government, 79 in local government, and 57 statutory bodies, committees, or tribunals. That’s exactly why we need the Regulatory Standards Act. 

“Now the Regulatory Standards Board wants to hear from you. Kiwis are invited to submit their complaints about inconsistent legislation to the Board, via the Ministry for Regulation website.” 

Complaints can be made to the Board here: Regulatory Standards Board complaints portal ...