Patch 2024.04

April 2024 update

This month, rates rebates become more generous, some home childcare hours gain subsidies, pseudoephedrine rules change, veterans’ condition lists update, and ACC hearing-loss payments rise 4.89%.

• Rates rebates become more generous — Low-income homeowners can qualify with income up to $31,510 and receive up to $790 off their rates. Starts 1 Jul 2024
• Some home childcare hours gain subsidy access — Some home-based childcare hours can now qualify for a subsidy when government funding does not cover the educator’s hourly rate. Starts 3 Jun 2024
• Pseudoephedrine gets different drug controls — Pseudoephedrine is moved to a different controlled-drug schedule, changing its legal treatment. Starts 12 Apr 2024
• Veterans’ medical-condition lists are updated — Veterans’ listed medical conditions and related references are updated under the veterans’ support rules. Starts 9 May 2024
• ACC hearing-loss costs rise 4.89% — ACC will pay 4.89% more for covered hearing-loss entitlements. Starts 1 Jun 2024
• Overseas investment thresholds change — Investment thresholds under PACER Plus change when overseas business investments need approval. Starts 1 May 2024
• Geographical indications get registration rules — New rules apply to registering geographical indications. Starts 1 May 2024
• Visual artists get resale-right rules — Regulations for the resale right for visual artists take effect. Starts 1 Dec 2024
• Healthcare quality reviews get protection — Specified Oceania Healthcare quality-review activities receive confidentiality and legal protections. Starts 16 May 2024
• Dental quality reviews get protection — Specified oral and maxillofacial surgery quality-review activities receive confidentiality and legal protections. Starts 16 May 2024
• Health review information gets protection — Some health-practice review information and documents become confidential, protecting good-faith participants from civil claims. Starts 16 May 2024
• Family Planning review information gets protection — Some Family Planning health-practice review information and documents become confidential, protecting good-faith participants from civil claims. Starts 16 May 2024
• Treatment payment rules change — Rules about who pays treatment costs are changed. Starts 1 Jun 2024
• Tauranga Māori voters get option information — Information about the Māori option is arranged for Māori electors in Tauranga’s council election. Starts 5 Apr 2024
• King’s Service Order takes effect — The King’s Service Order takes effect. Starts 3 May 2024
• Extra accommodation help for MPs — MPs can receive extra accommodation support in certain urgent or disrupted situations. Starts 1 Nov 2023
• Former Prime Minister travel rules change — Travel-service rules for former Prime Ministers and their partners change. Starts 15 Oct 2023
• European Union trade law starts — The law supporting New Zealand’s European Union free-trade agreement comes into force. Starts 1 May 2024
• Family Court rules are updated — Rules for Family Court matters are changed. Starts 2 May 2024