On 9 February 2026, the Government introduced the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, aimed at concentrating attention on the most serious risks while easing compliance burdens. The Bill proposes significant changes to the way health and safety is regulated in New Zealand workplaces.
The Bill has two main aims:
- To refocus the Act onto critical risks (serious injury, illness or death)
- To shift WorkSafe’s priorities from prosecution to education, support and advice.
The move towards education and support has been widely welcomed. It reflects feedback from business owners during the Workplace Minister’s roadshow last year, who reported that compliance can be difficult and that WorkSafe is often seen as overly punitive. Providing more resources, guidance, and tools to help businesses understand and meet their obligations is a positive step.
However, there are some concerns about the focus on “critical risks” only. Some experts warn this could leave workers and businesses exposed to less-critical injuries, which are the most common according to ACC data. For small employers (those with 20 or fewer employees), the proposed change would effectively remove the duty of care for non-critical risks, potentially affecting productivity and increasing costs.
The Bill is still at an early stage in the parliamentary process and will need to progress, including consideration at Select Committee, before any changes become law. While the Government intends to advance the reforms during the current parliamentary term, the existing health and safety obligations continue to apply. In the meantime, businesses should continue to comply with current requirements.
We will continue to monitor the Bill closely and are here to provide guidance to help ensure you stay informed and prepared for any future changes.