Advocacy update – May 2026

In this update you’ll find information on:

• What’s new since the last update?
• Upcoming priorities
• Government decisions that impact you

What’s new since the last update?

It’s an election year! We’re making sure your profession is front and centre as political parties develop their manifestos and start the campaign trail. At the same time, we’ve continued to engage with the Government as it progresses a busy programme of reform.

Key highlights:

Elections 2026

A key election priority has been planning and organising the Big Infrastructure Debate, which will bring together the country’s political movers and shakers on 6 August 2026 to discuss their parties’ plans for New Zealand’s infrastructure challenge – a key election issue. Find out more on the 2026 government election page.

Fuel disruption

Conflict in the Middle East is having global and local impacts, with the cost of fuel reaching record levels. The pressure is acute for engineers, with rising costs flowing through to every project. Keep up to date with what’s happening and understand what comes next on the fuel disruption updates and guidance page.  

Submissions and select committee appearances

We’ve appeared in front of various select committees to speak to our written submissions and provide a strong voice for your profession as legislative reforms are progressed. Click on the links below to watch our oral submissions on the following Bills:

• Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill
• Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill
• Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill
• Emergency Management Bill (No 2)

We’ve also linked up with our counterparts at Engineers Australia to align our feedback on the Australian Government’s national review of mutual recognition schemes for workers – removing barriers for engineers working or looking to work across the ditch.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as these reforms progress. The full list of our submissions is available on the government submissions page.

Engaging with the new Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

You may have heard that the Hon Cameron Brewer was appointed as Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on 7 April. This is a critical portfolio that includes responsibility for New Zealand’s standards system and the New Zealand Claims Resolution Services. Read our letter to the new Minister here.

Upcoming priorities

• Staying on top of the fuel crisis – we’re engaging across our technical interest groups, sector partners and government agencies to ensure you stay informed and your profession’s voice is heard during this uncertain time.
• 28 May Budget Day – we’ll be analysing and presenting the key implications for you and the wider industry.
• Elections – in addition to the Big Infrastructure Debate (highlighted above), in June Chief Executive Richard Templer will be hosting a video series of election year conversations with representatives from across the political spectrum about how their parties’ plans affect your profession.
• Pushing to reinstate safety provisions – last year, WorkSafe made changes to remove prohibitions against switching of protective earthing conductor (PEC) and Protective Earth and Neutral (PEN). Engineering New Zealand is pushing WorkSafe to reinstate the provisions to protect people installing modern electric vehicle charging systems.
• Submitting on key government reforms – in the coming months, we expect to respond to draft legislation on proportionate liability in the building system, national direction in the resource management system, and guidance in the earthquake-prone building system. Please keep an eye on our consultations page for updates.

Government decisions that impact you

There are a range of new Government decisions that may impact you. We’re expecting the list to grow as the Government tries to progress as much work as possible before the election.

• Infrastructure announcement – new measures to support consistent advice and enhanced scrutiny of investments in major public infrastructure projects. These changes help provide a platform for better decision-making for major infrastructure projects. See our media release on this here.
• Changes to how EV infrastructure is consented – new nationally consistent permitted activity standards for EV charging infrastructure, replacing fragmented and inconsistent district plan rules. The amendments will come into force on 7 May 2026. Read more here.
• Further changes to granny flats – includes enabling offsite manufacturing and allowing broader use of CodeMark approved materials. Read more here.
• Auckland City deal – the Government signed a City Deal with Auckland (April 2026) to support long-term infrastructure and urban development investment. This provides a long-term framework for funding and governance of infrastructure development in Auckland. You can read more here.

Get involved

If you want to know more about advocacy or want to get involved, get in touch at advocacy@engineeringnz.org.