Regulation & Policy

“This new guidance will help central and local governments work together to put our climate plans into action as we make the transition to a low-emission, resilient future that benefits everyone,” said Minister of Climate Change James Shaw.

Hosted bed and breakfast operators are worried their industry could get caught up in council moves to regulate Airbnb.

Hospitality New Zealand has given the government’s pokie venue regulation changes the thumbs up if they help reduce harm.

The government is implementing a raft of changes for businesses that have pokie machines to help reduce the harm they cause people.

New Zealanders are being encouraged to have their say on how the country plans its transition to a low-emissions future that is fair and inclusive for everyone.

Legislation to help small businesses get paid on time has passed its first reading in parliament.

The Commerce Commission will soon have more power to set fairer fuel prices through changes made to the way the wholesale fuel market functions.

Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking early feedback about two alcohol bylaws coming up for review.

KiwiRail will remain a state-owned enterprise to focus on transitioning its above-rail business to be financially self-sufficient, says the government.

The new operator requirements form part of the govt’s response to the Whakaari/White Island tragedy.

The government has introduced Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill to protect migrant workers from exploitation.

Thursday’s decision from Australia’s competition watchdog could mark the start of a new phase for the operator.

Tourism Holdings and Apollo clear the first of two competition hurdles with the deal now dependent largely on Australia’s watchdog.

The government has introduced a new regime to provide more transparency around B2B payments.

Public feedback is now open for the proposed Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Bill.

A new national register of self-contained vehicles accessible by the public will be established, says Tourism Minister Stuart Nash.

The government has introduced its Self-contained Motor Vehicle Legislation Bill, which it says will address the environmental and social impacts of freedom camping.

The Commerce Commission has given the green light for Kinetic NZ Holdings to acquire NZ Bus.

Australian PE firms Next Capital and H&G are being lined up in a deal, which will see Jucy Rentals re-enter the motorhome market.

Hospitality New Zealand is calling for MPs to send a private member’s bill repealing Easter trading restrictions to a select committee so the industry can have its say on whether to stay open or not.

TIA raises concerns with the proposals, including using associations as one of the negotiating parties.

Tourism New Zealand and The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have updated the Code of Conduct for China Approved Destination Status for inbound tour operators and tour guides.

New Zealand businesses will soon save around $74m on credit and debit transaction charges.

Operators may have a more efficient system to deal with if proposed changes proceed.

NZ’s competition watchdog says it still has concerns, following on from Australian misgivings released Thursday.

The Australian watchdog’s concerns come on the eve of a decision on the deal from the Commerce Commission.

The Commerce Commission has pushed out its decision on Tourism Holdings’ proposed acquisition of Apollo Tourism & Leisure to 28 April 2022.

The Commerce Commission has delayed its decision on Tourism Holdings’ proposed acquistion of Apollo Tourism & Leisure to 14 April 2022.

The Commerce Commission is reviewing the rules and processes that underpin its regulation of specified airport services.

The minimum wage is to be increased to $21.20 per hour from 1 April 2022.

Tourism and hospitality organisations are urging the government to take a clearer stance on the issue of international labour as the industries eye preparations for a more open border.

The government is introducing a sustainable biofuels mandate to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.

MBIE is calling on a wide range of applicants to join a Tourism Data Co-governance Group to boost the quality of tourism data and insights.

The government’s priority should be saving tourism businesses struggling to pay their bills and survive, rather than passing regulation on campervans, says National’s tourism spokesperson Todd McClay.  

Moves to overhaul conservation legislation over the next four years will help tourism operators work better with the country’s natural resources, says Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Whether or not attractions or hotels can exclude unvaccinated visitors is still unclear, says an employment law expert.

Tourism Holdings’ sale of peer-to-peer campervan rental businesses Mighway and SHAREaCAMPER to Australia’s Camplify Holdings is now conditional on obtaining any competition approvals required.

“Hugely disappointing, lacking empathy” – industry groups slam the department’s decision to end the support.

MBIE is oversimplifying the risks around adventure tourism in its proposed changes to adventure regulations, says TIA.

A review finds some of the agency’s actions “unacceptable and not able to be justified”.

Offences ranging from walking your dog in a national park to butchering shark remains have garnered the Department of Conservation $85,000 in fines paid since the introduction of a new mobile electronic reporting system in September 2020.

The coroner’s report into the 2018 crash that killed 11-year-old Hannah Francis may prompt stricter safety standards.

New Zealand needs to get ready for the age of electric planes, says a key Crown entity tasked with mapping out the country’s future infrastructure needs.

And it says it will help set up an industry-led group to advise on cutting aviation emissions.

Waka Kotahi NZTA has provided a five-year exemption for motorhome owners to meet new modified cab regulations.

Moves to bring in tougher safety standards and higher costs are forcing operators to consider their viability.

People will need to be vaccinated to go to large summer events such as festivals and concerts.

Visitor visas will be the first to join an enhanced visa application system expected to reduce backlogs and speed approvals, says Immigration New Zealand.

Border processing levies (BPL) for most arrivals in New Zealand are to more than double from 1 December.

Measures are being taken to help businesses resolve disputes over commercial rent, says the government.