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Employment Relations:

ER Amendment Bill

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill has four main changes: defines gateway tests for contractors, removes the ability to take a personal grievance if you earn more than $180,000, removes the compulsory joining of a union for the first 30 days of employment and removes employers having to pay if an employee's own bad behaviour contributes to their dismissal

This omnibus bill was introduced in June 2025, so the house will debate and vote on the bill before likely being referred to Select Committee where the EMA will be submitting feedback. Minister van Velden has indicated she'd like to have this passed as soon as possible. 

Employment Relations: Holidays Act

Initial legislation design is nearing completion with the EMA team and a group of our Members working with MBIE and the Minister's office on that process

First draft of legislation likely before the end of 2025 for consultation/Select Committee with legislation passed prior to 2026 election

Health and Safety:

Legislation Review

Following the Ministers national roadshow to find out what business and employees thought of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and supporting regulations. The feedback has reinforced that the Act is largely fine however the regulations and other supporting documents are out of date, not there and not that helpful.

An omnibus Bill is expected later in 2025. The Government would like to move at pace on this to have this completed before the 2026 election. 

Health and Safety:

Regulations

When the current Act was passed into law (2015) there was to be accompanying Regulations. These never got past the draft stage, however, looks to be on the Government's upcoming agenda.

We may see some new H&S regulations in 2026. Proposed changes will allow for new Approved Codes of Practice to be developed by sectors. We will provide further guidance when we have information.

RMA 3:

RMA 2 and Fast Track legislation was passed earlier in 2025 and the Government is now consulting on National Standards and progressing RMA 3, the full rewrite of the RMA. That has an emphasis on property rights and a more permissive system for development and growth

This will be out for consultation in the second half of 2025/early 2026 and likely passed before the 2026 election.

Transport:

Congestion Charging

Auckland is likely to be the first city to be allowed to introduce a charging system that will make moving freight and people around the city more certain at peak times.

Work beginning now but not likely to be implemented pre-2026.

Skills:

Education & Training Amendment Bill

This reform splits out all the Polytechnics and Industry Training Organisations out of Te Pūkenga back into regional delivery and decision making. Industry engagement is crucial to ensure our domestic training system can deliver quality learners.

The EMA submitted on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill and appeared at Select Committee on this. Now waiting for further information on the Bill and on the financial viability of Polytechnics to see what the structure will look like - expect this later in 2025. 

Immigration:

Residence Pathways

Both the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and the Green List residence pathways are important to attract much needed skills and give certainty to migrants that they can settle in New Zealand. The Minister has signaled the desire to ensure the weighting in the SMC isn't biased against skilled and experienced trades occupations. 

The Government has signaled that decisions are going to be taken in Q3 2025 on the SMC, the EMA submitted feedback on behalf of Members. However, we don’t have a timeline for a review of the Green List purpose, process or roles. 

Immigration:

Amendment Bill

The Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill has a range of amendments in the compliance and integrity space but the main area that would impact employers is the enabling of levies to be put on different parties (e.g. employers), and the expansion of what levies could be used for. 

The Bill went to Select Committee late June 2025, submissions are due late July 2026, and the EMA will be submitting on behalf of Members.