Patch 2024.07
July 2024 update
This month, local election and Māori ward rules change; class 1 tests gain fees; Fijian transit passengers need no visa; housing and cannabis rules change.
- Local election and Māori ward rules change — Local election timing and Māori ward rules will change. Starts 1 Apr 2025
- Some driver tests now have fees — Applicants taking certain class 1 driver tests must pay new testing fees. Starts 8 Jul 2024
- Fijian transit passengers no longer need visas — Fijian citizens travelling through New Zealand as transit passengers will not need a transit visa. Starts 4 Sep 2024
- Emergency housing debt rules updated — Emergency housing debt recovery rates must match the Emergency Housing Grants Programme. Starts 26 Aug 2024
- Medicinal cannabis rules changed — Regulations change rules for medicinal cannabis. Starts 5 Jul 2024
- Council travel allowances updated — Local authority members’ vehicle travel allowance rates are updated. Starts 1 Jul 2024
- More product swaps count as minor changes — Comparable product substitutions can qualify as minor building-consent variations. Starts 30 Sep 2024
- Small changes allowed under standard approvals — Certain small plan changes are defined as minor customisations under national multiple-use approvals. Starts 30 Sep 2024
- Visual artists’ resale-right countries covered — The order concerns countries covered by visual artists’ resale rights. Starts 1 Dec 2024
- Terbufos added to import-export restrictions — Terbufos is added to the list of chemicals subject to import and export restrictions. Starts 30 Aug 2024
- Tax agreement with Slovakia takes effect — A tax agreement with the Slovak Republic takes effect. Starts 29 Aug 2024
- Tax agreement with Austria updated — The tax agreement with Austria is updated. Starts 29 Aug 2024
- More time to seek High Court transfer — Defendants in larger cases get 10 working days, instead of 5, to seek transfer to the High Court. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Self-represented parties can claim set costs — Self-represented parties can claim costs at a $500 daily rate; proof of service is no longer required. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Doctors can be paid for associate-coroner reports — Eligible doctors can receive a fee for written reports prepared for associate coroners. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Building applications can include alternative plans — Building consent applications can include alternative plans, specifications, and product certificates if applicants choose. Starts 30 Sep 2024
- Foveaux Strait oyster quota owners face levy — People who own Foveaux Strait dredge-oyster quota shares must pay a levy to the Bluff Oyster Management Company. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Self-contained vehicle certification rules clarified — Rules clarify ventilation and toilet requirements, and allow certification levies to be refunded when vehicles fail certification criteria. Starts 29 Aug 2024
- Court document request notices are updated — People requesting High Court, Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court documents will follow updated notice rules. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Supreme Court can reject abusive filings — The Supreme Court Registrar can reject plainly abusive filings, extend deadlines, and have decisions reviewed by a judge. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Self-represented District Court parties can claim costs — People representing themselves can claim a $500 daily recovery rate, alongside other District Court procedure changes. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Self-represented appeal parties can claim costs — People representing themselves can claim costs in standard and complex civil appeals. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- District Court document request notices are updated — People requesting District Court documents will follow updated notice rules. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Māori fisheries rules will change — Changes to Māori fisheries rules will mostly start on 26 July 2026. Starts 26 Jul 2026
- Overseas banks can use CEO signatures — Some overseas banks and insurers can have their New Zealand CEO sign climate statements instead of directors. Starts 29 Jul 2024
- Managed-fund loan disclosures may differ — Some managed funds may have different loan disclosure requirements. Starts 1 Aug 2024
- More Russia sanctions apply — More named people and organisations become subject to New Zealand’s Russia sanctions. Starts 12 Jul 2024
- Market index exemption rules changed — An exemption notice changes rules for market indexes. Starts 17 Jul 2024
- Inhibitor registration exemption extended — Some inhibitor substances can remain exempt from registration until 1 July 2026. Starts 16 Jul 2024
- Commercial paeony growers pay a levy — Commercial paeony growers, or their sellers and exporters, must pay a levy to the New Zealand Paeony Society. Starts 7 Sep 2024
- Charities appeal process rules changed — Regulations change the appeals process involving charities’ tax and review authorities. Starts 5 Jul 2024
- Some vehicle-register fees may be waived — The vehicle registrar can waive information-request fees for a class of people. Starts 4 Jul 2024
- COVID inquiry report deadline extended — The inquiry must report by 28 November 2024, and a new member has been appointed. Starts 2 Aug 2024
- Coroner warrant forms now mention associate coroners — Coroner warrant forms will include references to associate coroners. Starts 1 Sep 2024
- Criminal court procedure references are updated — Criminal procedure rules update references to offences and where people can find court-document access rules. Starts 1 Sep 2024