Submissions on Government initiated programmes are one of the ways we ensure the voice of engineers is considered. Engineering New Zealand responds to these proposals by utilising the expertise of our members to help shape Government policy.

We’re following these topics closely and this page will be regularly updated.

We’re also working on other important topics beyond these consultations (such as the long-term engineering skills shortage).

We welcome your input to help shape our responses. If you're interested in getting involved, please get in touch with us at advocacy@engineeringnz.org

Government is now seeking feedback on the following issues:

Consultation

Closing date

Notes

Consultation Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill

Closing date 18 June 2025

Notes Government is seeking feedback on a bill to redesign the vocational education and training system. The bill aims to restore regional decision-making and increase industry involvement. It would amend the Education and Training Act to disestablish Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology), re-establish a network of regional polytechnics, and establish industry skills boards to replace workforce development councils.

Consultation Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Bill

Closing date 23 June 2025

Notes Government is seeking feedback on the Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Bill. The bill would amend the Building Act 2004 to allow small stand-alone dwellings, also known as granny flats, to be built without needing a building consent, as long as certain conditions are met.

Consultation RMA national direction

Closing date 27 July 2025

Notes The Government has just started consultation on proposals to change and inform the development of national direction under the resource management system. This takes the form of four consultation packages: 

Package 1: Infrastructure and development. The Government aims to make it easier for councils to plan and deliver infrastructure by making four new national direction instruments and amending four existing national direction instruments. 

Package 2: Primary Sector. The Government aims to enable growth in the primary sector by making changes to eight existing national direction instruments.

Package 3: Freshwater. The Government is seeking feedback on options to amend freshwater national direction to better reflect the interests of all water users, and on whether changes should be implemented under the existing RMA or under new resource management legislation.   

Package 4: The Government is seeking feedback on how the proposals to free up land for development and remove unnecessary planning barriers as part of the Going for Housing Growth programme could fit into the new resource management system.  This package has not been released yet, it is expected in early June.

Learn more on Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill

Learn more on Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Bill

Learn more on RMA national direction

Government will soon be seeking feedback on a range of important issues, including:

Consultation

Expected due date for consultation

Notes

Consultation Vocational Education Reform

Expected due date for consultation Mid-2025

Notes Further decisions on the ITP network for each sector and how the new system will be funded are expected by mid-2025.

Consultation Draft National Infrastructure Plan

Expected due date for consultation June 2025

Notes A draft plan is being released for comment. It will outline: 

– What’s needed and what should we be spending over the next 30 years? 
– What’s NZ’s planned investment over the next 10 years? 
– What’s the gap between the long-term infrastructure need and planned investment? How do we address that gap?

Consultation Resource Management Act- Replacement legislation

Expected due date for consultation Second half of 2025

Notes The Government is proposing to replace the RMA with two new laws. One focussed on managing the environmental effects and the other to enable urban development and infrastructure.  

Legislation is expected to be passed into law by mid-2026.

Consultation Building - consent authority structure and liability

Expected due date for consultation TBC- Likely mid-late 2025

Notes This will look at options to reform BCA structure to drive consistency, certainty and efficiency in the building consenting system. 

This will likely be coupled with consideration of joint and several liability and options to enhance the role of private insurance. 

There is likely to be targeted engagement initially.

Consultation Building - self-certification scheme

Expected due date for consultation TBC- 2025/2026

Notes New self-certification scheme for trusted building professionals and accredited businesses carrying out low risk building work.
 
There is likely to be targeted consultation.

Consultation Earthquake-Prone Building and Seismic Risk Management Review

Expected due date for consultation Mid 2025- 2026

Notes Consultation document expected. 

The purpose of the Review is to ensure seismic risk in existing buildings is being managed effectively and in a workable, proportionate way.

Consultation Science Sector Reforms

Expected due date for consultation Second half of 2025

Notes The review centres on the Science Advisory Group’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s science, innovation, and technology sector. 

Legislation to be introduced (likely quarter 2).

Consultation University Advisory Group

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025

Notes The review centres on the University Advisory Group’s advice on improving New Zealand’s university system, focusing on equity, the Performance Base Research Fund, and international education. Advice will inform policy changes. 

The Group is expected to deliver its final report to Government by April 2025. 

This will be published once Cabinet has considered it (likely end of 2025/early 2026).

Consultation Going for Housing Growth

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025

Notes Legislation is expected to be introduced in late 2025. 

This programme is made up of three pillars: 
– Freeing up land for urban development, including removing unnecessary planning barriers. 
– Improving infrastructure funding and financing to support urban growth. 
– Providing incentives for communities and councils to support growth.

Consultation Fire Safety Review

Expected due date for consultation 2026

Notes The review aims to ensure that fire safety in the Building Code achieves the purpose and principles of the Building Act 2004.  

It is likely that MBIE will consult on options to address the issues they consulted on in December 2024.

Consultation Health and Safety Reform

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025

Notes The Government is reforming the health and safety system. The reform aims to clarify duties, reduce regulatory overlap, and adjust compliance requirements for small, low-risk businesses by focusing on critical risks.

Legislation is expected to be introduced before the end of 2025 and passed in early 2026.