Patch 2024.08
August 2024 update
Road fines and towing charges change; FamilyBoost reaches bank accounts and is excluded from support assessments; safe areas start at three hospitals; liquidation recoveries rise.
- Some road offence fees increase — Some road infringement fees rise, and stopping in clearways or no-stopping areas becomes an offence. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- FamilyBoost can be paid straight to bank accounts — From 1 October, eligible FamilyBoost refunds may be paid directly into a taxpayer-nominated bank account. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- FamilyBoost will not reduce some support — For 12 months, FamilyBoost payments will not count towards accommodation supplement or temporary additional support assessments. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- FamilyBoost will not reduce student allowances — FamilyBoost payments will not count as student or partner income when student allowances are assessed. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Three hospitals gain abortion safe areas — Safe areas start at Waikato, Wairarapa and Hutt hospitals, restricting certain behaviour and allowing police intervention. Starts 27 Sep 2024
- Maximum towing fees change — Maximum fees for vehicles towed after parking offences are replaced, based on vehicle weight, time and day. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Employees may recover more in liquidations — The priority amount for certain employee claims in a company liquidation rises from $25,480 to $31,820. Starts 30 Sep 2024
- Impounded vehicle towing and storage cost more — New towing and storage fees apply, with different rules for vehicles impounded before 1 October. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Fisheries service levies take effect — Cost-recovery levies for fisheries services take effect. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Fisheries conservation levies take effect — Cost-recovery levies for fisheries conservation services take effect. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Employees get higher bankruptcy priority — The maximum amount prioritised for certain employee claims in bankruptcy rises from $25,480 to $31,820. Starts 30 Sep 2024
- Du Val companies enter statutory management — Four Du Val companies and associated people are placed under statutory management, with managers appointed to oversee them. Starts 21 Aug 2024, 6 pm
- Some scheme custodians keep audit exemption — Certain custodians of eligible restricted schemes remain exempt from a specified auditor assurance requirement. Starts 30 Sep 2024
- Sports fish licence details change — The notice sets sports fish licences, fees, and forms. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- More organisations can verify identities electronically — Seven named organisations are authorised to use the Electronic Identity Verification Service. Starts 12 Sep 2024
- FamilyBoost protected in care assessments — FamilyBoost payments are exempt assets for 12 months when eligibility for long-term residential care support is assessed. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Māori Armed Forces member joins scholarship board — The scholarship fund’s board must include a Māori person who has served or is serving in the Armed Forces. Starts 10 Aug 2024
- 2025 school staffing is set — The order sets school staffing arrangements for 2025. Starts 5 Sep 2024
- A strep infection becomes reportable — Invasive group A streptococcal infection becomes reportable, while COVID-19 is removed from the quarantinable disease list. Starts 1 Oct 2024
- Winery cellar doors can sell small wine samples — Licensed winery cellar doors may sell grape-wine samples of up to 35 millilitres for drinking on site. Starts 2 Aug 2024
- COVID inquiry gets a new second phase — The inquiry gets new members and a chair, and can start phase-two evidence hearings on 29 November. Starts 26 Sep 2024
- Gwin Corporation leaves statutory management — Gwin Corporation Limited leaves statutory management, and the Official Assignee becomes its liquidator. Starts 30 Sep 2024