This week marked an important milestone for a reform many Kiwis have been waiting for – the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament.This is about restoring clarity, confidence, and common sense to a system that too often punishes people who are trying to do the right thing.
Whether you run a small business, manage a team, own land, or are just tired of seeing fear and box-ticking replace practical judgement, these changes are designed to make New Zealand easier to live and work in. At the bottom I’ve linked to more detail on what the Bill does.
Putting health and safety back where it belongs
Under these reforms, there will be a carve-out for small, low-risk businesses so that they only need to manage critical risks and provide basic worker welfare – not drown in paperwork.
A yoga studio, florist, or clothing shop shouldn’t need expensive consultants just to stay open. These changes recognise that good safety outcomes come from focusing on real risks, not compliance for its own sake.
Ending fear and uncertainty
One of the loudest messages I’ve heard from businesses is simple: they don’t know what “reasonably practicable” actually means in practice.
That uncertainty has driven a culture of over-compliance, where people spend time and money protecting themselves from regulators rather than protecting workers.
The Bill strengthens Approved Codes of Practice so they act as clear, practical “safe harbours”. If you follow the code for your industry, you’ll know you’ve met your obligations – no guesswork required.
We’re also clarifying the respective roles of directors and managers, so governance and day-to-day operations aren’t duplicated or blurred. That clarity matters, especially for smaller organisations.
Opening up access to the outdoors
Health and safety overreach hasn’t just affected workplaces – it’s also discouraged landowners from letting people enjoy the outdoors. These reforms make it clear that landowners aren’t responsible if someone is injured while taking part in recreational activities on their land, unless work is happening in the same place at the same time. That’s good news for hunters, anglers, trampers, mountain bikers, and for the farmers and councils whose goodwill makes outdoor access possible.
A practical step forward
This Bill won’t fix everything overnight, but it’s a strong and deliberate step toward a system that is clearer, fairer, and more workable.It reduces unnecessary costs, restores confidence, and keeps the focus on what actually keeps people safe. Thank you for backing ACT and backing me to deliver practical reform that makes everyday life easier.
  Brooke van Velden ACT Deputy Leader Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety |
| You can find more details on the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill here: Milestone health and safety bill passes first reading |