Patch 2026.03
March 2026 update
This month, tax rates and rules change, many benefits and allowances rise, more people qualify for health cards, but some benefits fall after injury payments.
- Tax rates and tax rules change — The law sets annual tax rates for 2025–26 and makes other tax-law changes. Starts 31 Mar 2026
- Benefits and allowances increase — A range of benefits, allowances, asset limits and superannuation entitlements will increase. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- Some benefits reduce after ACC payments — Some benefits must be reduced when a person or partner receives weekly ACC loss-of-earnings payments for the same period. Starts 11 Mar 2026
- More people may qualify for health cards — The income limits for getting a community services card will increase. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- Student allowance rates and limits increase — Student allowance payments and income thresholds will rise, with some changes to how payments are reduced. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- Several support payments and limits increase — Funeral grants, temporary help, childcare subsidies and home-based care payments will increase, along with some income limits. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- Caregiver payments for children increase — Minimum weekly board-and-lodging payments for people and organisations caring for children will rise by about 3.11%. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- Residential care personal allowances increase — Annual clothing and weekly personal allowances for people receiving residential care or disability support will increase. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- More trained staff can give emergency injections — Approved, trained staff in Oranga Tamariki residences can give certain emergency injections to children and young people. Starts 30 Apr 2026
- New Māori Land Court filing fees — Fees are added for certain appeals under the Plant Variety Rights Act. Starts 30 Apr 2026
- More people can mediate Māori land disputes — The Justice Ministry chief executive can approve suitable mediators for some Māori Land Court disputes. Starts 30 Apr 2026
- School staffing and principal grades change — School staffing allowances and principal grading ranges change, including a new allowance for some nominated teachers. Starts 23 Apr 2026
- Grocery Industry Competition (Grocery Supply Code) Amendment Regulations 2026 —
- Engine fuel specifications change — Rules for engine fuel specifications change. Starts 31 Mar 2026
- Sustainability bond rules change — Rules for green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bonds change. Starts 31 Mar 2026
- Some overseas firms get reporting exemptions — Certain overseas entities can avoid some New Zealand climate-reporting duties if they meet specified overseas-reporting conditions. Starts 31 Mar 2026
- Red rock lobster catch limits change — Catch limits change for two red rock lobster stocks, CRA3 and CRA7. Starts 31 Mar 2026
- Te Awa Lakes project levy begins — Sets a levy linked to the Te Awa Lakes project. Starts 21 Apr 2026
- Student visa rules clarified for schools — Visa wording is corrected for people treated as domestic rather than international students in primary and secondary education. Starts 25 Mar 2026
- Special-vote processing and deadlines change — Special votes get a shorter return deadline, with officials able to process them locally when needed. Starts 20 Apr 2026
- Climate report emissions checks change — Changes the exemption from assurance checks for scope 3 emissions information in climate reports. Starts 31 Mar 2026
- Veterans’ medical-condition references updated — Updates the medical-condition lists used when assessing veterans’ support, including adding occipital neuralgia. Starts 9 Apr 2026
- Radio and spectrum licence fees rise — Fees for four types of radio and spectrum licences increase to cover their full costs. Starts 1 Jul 2026
- More large events allowed at Eden Park — Eden Park may host more concerts, markets, fairs and other events under changed planning rules. Starts 10 Apr 2026
- Four fast-track project descriptions change — Descriptions or locations change for projects at Papamoa, Homestead Bay, Mt Welcome and Pukerua Bay. Starts 13 Mar 2026
- Powerball numbers and prizes change — Powerball uses numbers 1 to 14, adds a $12 prize division, and raises one prize from $15 to $20. Starts 13 Sep 2026
- Emergency medicine quality reviews get protection — Certain emergency medicine quality reviews will keep information confidential and protect good-faith participants from civil claims. Starts 10 Mar 2026
- Māori Land Court rules updated — Rules for the Māori Land Court are changed. Starts 30 Apr 2026
- Former Governor-General annuity rate set — Sets the yearly annuity rate for a former Governor-General for the year ending 31 March 2027. Starts 1 Apr 2026
- Some legislation rules change — Changes to legislation rules begin on set dates, with the main date still to be decided. Starts Date to be set
- Local councillor pay dates corrected — Corrects remuneration dates for deputy mayors and councillors in Kaipara and Mackenzie. Starts 12 Oct 2025