OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook 2025

In March 2024, New Zealand transferred regulatory oversight functions to a new standalone Ministry for Regulation. The Ministry’s main stated functions are to help ensure regulatory quality, improve existing regulatory systems, raise capabilities of those involved in regulatory design and delivery, and foster ongoing regulatory management system improvement.

Regulatory stewardship – the governance, monitoring, and ongoing care of regulatory systems – remains a pillar of New Zealand’s approach to regulatory management, established in the Public Service Act 2020 as a statutory obligation for ministries. The 2022 Starting out with Regulatory Stewardship resource helps agencies implement their obligation and builds on the earlier Government Expectations for Good Regulatory Practice. Horizontally, the new Ministry will conduct targeted regulatory reviews into specific sectors and systems, as well as respond to notifications of specific regulatory issues.

Regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is required when developing all primary laws and subordinate regulations. Proportionate analysis based on the complexity and significance of the regulatory proposal was introduced in 2021. In addition to the main RIA guidance, several ministries publish guidance on assessing specific impacts, such as the Ministry for Women’s Bringing Gender In tool. All RIA statements are published on a central online registry.

The Cabinet Manual enables ministries to take an iterative approach to stakeholder engagement throughout the policy cycle. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s new Policy Methods toolbox provides guidance on consultation, helping ministries build capacity, identify the appropriate level of engagement, and select appropriate methods. The toolbox also helps ministries comply with Treaty of Waitangi obligations to engage with Māori.