Patch 2026.08
August 2026 update
This month, New Zealanders will see new leave minimums, safer passing and bus rules, firearms changes, benefit reviews, higher citizenship fees, and paramedics prescribing medicines.
- New minimum leave rules phased in — The law sets minimum rules for annual, public holiday, sick, bereavement, and family violence leave. Starts 6 Aug 2028
- New penalties for unsafe passing and bus rules — Drivers can face infringement offences for passing too closely or failing to give way to some buses. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- New road rules protect cyclists and buses — Road users face a 1.5-metre passing rule, a bus give-way rule, and new footpath and cycle-lane rules. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Firearms rules change in stages — The Arms Act changes firearms rules, with most provisions starting on 23 September 2026 and others later. Starts 23 Sep 2026
- Mandatory benefit reviews begin — Some specified benefits become subject to mandatory reviews from this date. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Citizenship fees rise 14.4% — Fees for citizenship applications and other citizenship services increase by 14.4%. Starts 28 Aug 2026
- Paramedics can prescribe some medicines — Registered paramedics who meet requirements may prescribe specified prescription medicines. Starts 3 Sep 2026
- Tax information-sharing rules switch over — A new privacy agreement replaces an older legal basis for Inland Revenue and MBIE information sharing. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Distance schools get attendance plans — Distance schools must use plans setting responses when students do not engage. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Armed Forces may use kit drugs — Armed Forces members may carry and use controlled drugs in issued first-aid kits, subject to Defence Force Orders. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Bay of Plenty boating breaches get fees — Some breaches of the Bay of Plenty navigation bylaw become infringement offences. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Overseas subsidiaries get reporting flexibility — Some financial-market companies get an exemption when overseas subsidiaries cannot share their balance date. Starts 14 Oct 2026
- Some restricted schemes get trustee exemptions — Some restricted schemes get exemptions from certain independent-trustee rules. Starts 16 Sep 2026
- Sports-fishing licences and fees updated — A notice covers sports-fishing licences, fees, and forms. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Anti-money-laundering class exemptions change — Class exemptions under anti-money-laundering rules change. Starts 31 Dec 2026
- Emissions-related climate claims blocked — People carrying out activities linked to emissions will not face tort liability for resulting climate effects. Starts 25 Aug 2026
- Property sellers must provide sale information — Property sellers or their representatives must give the Valuer-General specified information about the sale. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Farm plastics need approved recycling scheme — Listed farm chemicals and plastic products can only be sold if producers are registered with the Rural Recycling Scheme. Starts 1 Mar 2027
- Fisheries conservation levies updated — The order concerns cost-recovery levies for fisheries conservation services. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Fisheries service levies updated — The order concerns cost-recovery levies for fisheries services. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Gas emergency rules updated — Rules for managing critical gas shortages are changed. Starts 24 Sep 2026
- Oranga Tamariki residential care rules updated — Rules for Oranga Tamariki residential care are changed. Starts 24 Oct 2026
- Customs business rules updated — Customs rules for alcohol products, licences, records and border systems are updated. Starts 10 Sep 2026
- Set-net fishing ban area extended — Set-net fishing is prohibited across a larger area off the South Island’s east coast. Starts 16 Sep 2026
- Hoiho fishing death limit set — Fishing-related deaths of hoiho in the northern habitat zone are limited to four per fishing year. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Wastewater standards updated — Wastewater environmental performance standards are being changed. Starts 14 Aug 2026
- Civil appeal costs recalculated — Civil appeal costs will reflect the application type, hearing length, representation, and eligible disbursements. Starts 14 Sep 2026
- Sentencing papers due earlier — Prosecutors and defendants must file sentencing papers earlier before sentencing hearings. Starts 14 Sep 2026
- School staffing arrangements set — The order sets staffing arrangements for schools in 2027. Starts 10 Sep 2026
- Outdated trade health rules removed — Nineteen outdated trades will be removed from health law requirements. Starts 10 Sep 2026
- Crimes law changes — Changes to the Crimes Act 1961 begin. Starts 8 Aug 2026
- Animal product rules updated — Rules covering animal products change. Starts 6 Aug 2026
- Infrastructure funding rules change — Rules for funding eligible infrastructure and development-related levies change. Starts 5 Aug 2026
- Russia sanctions list expanded — More individuals and entities will be covered by New Zealand’s Russia sanctions. Starts 7 Aug 2026
- Foreign ship levies change — Foreign commercial ships will face changed maritime levy rates from 2027. Starts 1 Jul 2027
- Queenstown boating breaches get fees — Some Queenstown Lakes navigation bylaw breaches will become infringement offences with set fees. Starts 3 Sep 2026
- Offshore energy permit levy introduced — Feasibility permit holders must pay a levy covering the cost of administering their permits. Starts 3 Sep 2026
- Offshore renewable permit rules set — New rules cover offshore renewable feasibility permit applications, areas, fees, and permit processes. Starts 3 Sep 2026
- IRD and MBIE privacy-sharing agreement starts — A privacy information-sharing agreement between Inland Revenue and MBIE takes effect. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- New school property agency begins — The New Zealand School Property Agency is established to handle school property functions and powers. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Auckland Transport assets transfer arrangements set — Rules cover Auckland Transport assets and contracts during their transfer to Auckland Council. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Auckland councillor pay arrangements updated — Auckland Council’s elected-member remuneration arrangements are updated for its changed governance structure. Starts 5 Aug 2026
- Nelson Tenths trust and land arrangements continue — The law continues the Nelson Tenths trust and sets arrangements for related Crown land, park land, and reserve land. Starts 25 Aug 2026
- Tax agreement with Slovenia updated — This order concerns New Zealand’s tax agreement with Slovenia. Starts 24 Sep 2026
- Tax agreement with Croatia updated — This order concerns New Zealand’s tax agreement with Croatia. Starts 24 Sep 2026
- Reserve Bank pension rules updated — Rules for Reserve Bank staff pension fund arrangements with the Government are updated. Starts 1 Oct 2026
- Old flavour-base duty rules revoked — The old rules covering flavour bases in excise duties are revoked. Starts 10 Sep 2026
- Defunct company reference removed — The government’s finance law will no longer refer to Predator Free 2050 Limited. Starts 14 Aug 2026
- English recognised as an official language — English is recognised in law as an official language of New Zealand. Starts 7 Aug 2026