Patch 2026.09

September 2026 update

This month, police gain move-on powers, some young jobseekers face parental income checks, lifejackets become compulsory on small boats, and disability and youth-offending rules change.

Police can issue move-on orders — Police can issue move-on orders for certain disorderly, disruptive, obstructive, or peace-breaking behaviour in public places. Starts 25 Oct 2026
Some young jobseekers face parental income checks — Some young Jobseeker Support applicants will face a parental income requirement; another part starts on 1 April 2027. Starts 2 Nov 2026
New framework for disability support services — The Act sets rules for disability support services and covers some decision-making and paid family-carer employment. Starts 4 Sep 2026
Lifejackets now compulsory on small boats — Everyone on a recreational craft 6 metres or shorter must wear a lifejacket while it is moving. Starts 9 Oct 2026
Serious youth offending declarations begin — The Youth Court can make serious-offender declarations for some 14–17-year-olds charged with serious offences and a previous such offence. Starts 26 Sep 2026
Emissions account applications use signed statements — Emissions trading account holders must provide signed statements for certain applications and account changes. Starts 1 Jan 2027
Waste operators need evidence for emissions factors — Some waste operators must provide supporting evidence when seeking approval for a unique emissions factor. Starts 1 Feb 2027
Synthetic greenhouse gas levy rules change — The regulations change rules for synthetic greenhouse gas levies. Starts 1 Jan 2027
Industrial emissions factors are updated — Updated default emissions factors will be used in annual emissions returns for specified industrial activities. Starts 1 Jan 2027
Liquid-fuel emissions factors are replaced — New emissions factors will apply to annual returns for specified liquid fossil fuels from 2027 onwards. Starts 1 Jan 2027
Emissions trading limits set for 2027–31 — New limits and price settings will apply to emissions-trading units from 2027 to 2031. Starts 1 Jan 2027
Police information collection rules change — Police information collection rules change, with different parts starting on different dates. Starts 26 Mar 2027
Earthquake-prone building rules change — Rules for earthquake-prone buildings change from July 2027. Starts 1 Jul 2027
Public works rules are updated — Rules for public works, land surveys, and infrastructure projects change. Starts 23 Oct 2026
Eel catch changes delayed until 2027 — New short-finned freshwater eel catch rates will start in January 2027, not September 2026. Starts 30 Sep 2026
Catch rules change for several fish stocks — Catch limits and deemed-value rates change for several fish stocks from the October 2026 fishing year. Starts 30 Sep 2026
Some Tasman boating breaches get fees — Specified breaches of Tasman’s navigation safety bylaw will become infringement offences with set fees. Starts 22 Oct 2026
Albumin export licences partly reserved — Ten percent of albumin export licences in a full quota year will be reserved for eligible participants. Starts 22 Oct 2026
Refrigerant sellers must join an approved scheme — Businesses selling synthetic refrigerants or specified equipment must register with the accredited scheme. Starts 1 Apr 2027
Vehicle registration rules will change — Rules for motor vehicle registration and licensing will change.
Corrections rules will change — Rules relating to corrections will change.
Driver licensing rules will change — Rules for driver licensing will change.
Health eligibility rules will change — Rules about eligibility under the Pae Ora health system will change.
Kiwifruit export quota rules will change — Rules for managing India’s kiwifruit export quotas will change.
Road-user rules will change — Rules applying to road users will change.
India export quota law starts — This sets when India export quota law begins.
Mānuka honey export quotas get management rules — This sets rules for managing New Zealand’s mānuka honey export quota.
Authors’ public lending rights change — This changes the public lending right for New Zealand authors.
Visa and entry rules change — This changes rules about visas and permission to enter New Zealand.
Kaihiku wind farm gets fast-track approval — This provides fast-track approval arrangements for the Kaihiku Wind Farm.
Corporation investigation rules change — This concerns the investigation and management of corporations.
Apple export quotas get management rules — This sets rules for managing New Zealand’s apple export quota.
Land transport regulatory fees change — This changes regulatory fees for land transport.
Export quota system covers three products — A quota management framework will cover apples, kiwifruit, and mānuka honey exports to India. Starts 22 Oct 2026
India trade agreement rules change — Rules for New Zealand’s India trade agreement change, including export licences and quota arrangements. Starts 20 Oct 2026
Approved vehicle surveillance equipment rules change — This changes rules for approved vehicle surveillance equipment.
Restricted weapon and airgun rules change — This sets rules for restricted weapons and high-energy airguns.
Firearms rules are being updated — The rules for firearms are being updated, but the title does not show what will change for owners.
Restricted ammunition rules are changing — Rules about restricted ammunition are being changed, but the title does not show what owners must do.
Privacy schedule rules are changing — A privacy schedule is being changed, but the title does not show how this affects people.
Schools’ planning and reporting rules change — Schools will have different planning and reporting rules, but the title does not show what families will notice.
Customer data rules are changing — Businesses will face changed customer and product data requirements, but the title gives no further detail.
Hazardous substance schedules are changing — The schedules covering hazardous substances and new organisms are being changed, with no further detail in the title.
Government information-sharing rules are changing — Privacy rules for information sharing between Inland Revenue and social development services are being changed.
Wastewater performance rules are changing — Wastewater environmental performance standards are being changed, but the title gives no further detail.
Rules for detached minor homes change — Environmental standards for detached minor residential units are being changed, affecting some home projects.
Money-laundering levy rules are changing — Rules for the levy supporting anti-money-laundering work are being changed, mainly affecting covered businesses.
Telecommunications facility standards are changing — Environmental standards for telecommunications facilities are being changed, mainly affecting network operators.
Electricity network standards are changing — Environmental standards for electricity network activities are being changed, mainly affecting network operators.
Rules for farm and vet products change — Rules about exemptions and banned agricultural and veterinary substances change.
Marine aquaculture environmental rules change — Environmental standards for marine aquaculture change.
Some import and export restrictions change — Restrictions on some imports and exports change.
Veterans’ support rules change — Rules for veterans’ support change.
Small standalone homes get new building rules — New rules cover exemptions for small standalone dwellings.
Bonus payments get a cash-asset exemption — A cash-asset exemption changes for bonus payments under social security rules.
Organic production fees and levies change — Fees, charges, and levies for organic products and production change.
Organic production rules change — Rules for organic products and production change.
Overseas investment rules change — Rules for overseas investment change.
Computer searches defined for fraud investigations — The Act adds definitions for computer systems, access information, and remote access searches. Starts 4 Sep 2026
Emergency management system gets new rules — The Act sets a national and local framework for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies. Starts 4 Sep 2026
India trade changes get a start date — This sets when India trade-law changes begin.
Legislation publication rules change — This changes how legislation is published.
Local council rules change — The Act changes local government rules and councils’ stated role in providing local services and infrastructure. Starts 19 Sep 2026
Government spending gets temporary approval — The Act authorises government spending and capital injections during the 2026/27 financial year. Starts 12 Sep 2026
Government spending is formally approved — The Act approves government spending, multi-year spending, third-party revenue use, and capital injections for 2026/27. Starts 12 Sep 2026
Historical claims settlement takes effect — The Act records the Crown’s apology and gives effect to parts of Ngāti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana’s historical claims settlement. Starts 12 Sep 2026
Historical claims settlement takes effect — The Act records the Crown’s apology and gives effect to parts of Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui’s historical claims settlement. Starts 12 Sep 2026
Trust can pursue charitable purposes — The Trust’s purposes can include charitable activities, and its terms can be changed with High Court approval. Starts 12 Sep 2026
Housing trust can expand beyond Christchurch — The Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust can expand its operations outside Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Starts 12 Sep 2026