Patch 2024.03
March 2024 update
This month, Auckland’s fuel tax ends, tax rates change, smoking and vaping rules change, storm-displaced people get more accommodation options, and Fiordland fishing rules tighten.
- Tax rules updated for 2023–24 — This Act changes annual tax rates for 2023–24 and includes multinational-tax and remedial changes. Starts 29 Mar 2024
- Auckland regional fuel tax ends — The regional fuel tax scheme is abolished from 1 July 2024. Starts 1 Jul 2024
- Smokefree product rules changed — The law changes how smoking, vaping, and other regulated products are regulated and promoted. Starts 6 Mar 2024
- More temporary accommodation can qualify — People displaced by severe weather can receive support for more types of temporary accommodation. Starts 1 Apr 2024
- Fiordland fishing rules change — Amateur fishers face further rules in Fiordland, with nearby areas and their boundaries clarified. Starts 25 Apr 2024
- Māori Health Authority disestablished — The Māori Health Authority is removed from the health system’s legal structure and an advisory committee is provided for. Starts 30 Jun 2024
- Electric vehicle road-charge rules adjusted — Road-charge rules distinguish very light electric vehicles and allow reduced rates for plug-in hybrids. Starts 1 Apr 2024
- Some overseas firms get climate-reporting relief — Some overseas entities with secondary NZX listings get exemptions from some climate-reporting duties. Starts 5 Apr 2024
- Clothing labels use country or territory — Clothing and footwear labelling rules now refer to the country or territory where products come from. Starts 1 May 2024
- Fishing catch and deemed-value rates changed — Rules change total catch limits, commercial catch limits, and deemed-value rates. Starts 31 Mar 2024
- Financial dispute schemes get new rules — Approved financial dispute schemes must include certain new rules. Starts 18 Jul 2024
- Some council rate schemes exempted — Voluntary targeted rates schemes receive a full exemption from consumer-credit rules. Starts 25 Apr 2024
- Small building projects avoid levy — Building consent applicants pay no building levy when work is valued below $65,000. Starts 1 Jul 2024
- Aluminium industry emissions figures updated — Emissions-trading figures for aluminium products are updated for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Starts 25 Apr 2024
- More oaths available in te reo Māori — People can use te reo Māori versions of more oaths, affirmations and declarations. Starts 26 Apr 2024
- Natural hazards insurance rules issued — New regulations cover natural hazards insurance. Starts 1 Jul 2024
- Accredited employers framework changes — The framework for the Accredited Employers Programme changes. Starts 1 Apr 2025
- Some reusable vapes can still be sold — Reusable vaping products may be sold until 1 October 2024 without meeting listed safety requirements. Starts 20 Mar 2024
- Some council pay and structures adjusted — Council members' remuneration and governance structures are adjusted in three councils. Starts 21 Mar 2024
- Immigration employment offence notices introduced — New infringement notices can be issued for employment offences under immigration law. Starts 11 Apr 2024
- Business payment reporting rules repealed — The Business Payment Practices Act and its regulations are repealed. Starts 8 Mar 2024
- Legal aid claim rules adjusted — Rules change how some legal-service claims for offender reports or statements are handled. Starts 21 Mar 2024
- Historical abuse inquiry deadlines extended — The inquiry has more time to provide recommendations and issue its final report. Starts 28 Mar 2024
- Former Governor-General annuity rate set — A yearly annuity rate is set for former Governors-General until 31 March 2025. Starts 1 Apr 2024