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 Expected closing date Notes

Consultation

Earthquake-Prone Building reform

Expected closing date

16 February 2026

Notes

The Government has introduced the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill.


This Bill intends to establish a more proportionate and risk-based regulatory system for managing earthquake-prone buildings that will regulate only high-risk building types in medium and high seismic zones.

The Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee has now called for submissions. Submissions close 16 February 2026.

Engineering New Zealand will be submitting on this.

You can find more information here.

Consultation

Simplifying Local Government

Expected closing date

February 2026

Notes

The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify local government structure and reduce duplication. Key changes include replacing elected regional councillors with a Combined Territories Board of mayors and requiring Regional Reorganisation Plans to streamline infrastructure planning and service delivery. These reforms aim to clarify roles and improve efficiency across the sector.

Engineering New Zealand will be submitting on this.

You can find more information here.

Consultation

Resource Management Act – Replacement legislation

Expected closing date

13 February 2026

Notes

The Government has introduced two new Bills to replace the Resource Management Act. One focussed on managing the environmental effects (Natural Environment Bill) and the other to enable urban development and infrastructure (Planning Bill).

The Environment Select Committee has now called for submissions. Submissions close 13 February 2026.

Engineering New Zealand will be submitting on this.

You can find more information on the Planning Bill here and the Natural Environment Bill here.

Consultation

Emergency Management Bill (02)

Expected closing date

3 February 2026

Notes

The Emergency Management reforms respond to findings from the Government Inquiry into the North Island Severe Weather Events and aim to ensure there is a whole-of-society approach to emergency management. This Bill replaces the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.

The Governance and Administration Select Committee has now called for submissions. Submissions close 3 February 2026.

Engineering New Zealand will be submitting on this.

You can find more information here.

Consultation

Public Works Amendment Bill

Expected closing date

To open in December and close in early February

Notes

Changes focus on modernising the law, improving landowner engagement, and introduce new tools to support disaster recovery – while protecting property rights and ensuring the Crown and councils can deliver for New Zealanders.

The Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee has now called for submissions. Submissions close 27 January 2026.

Engineering New Zealand is not submitting on this.

You can access more information and make a submission here.

Consultation

Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill

Expected closing date

23 January 2026

Notes

The purpose of this Bill is to improve infrastructure funding and financing tools to support urban development. These changes intend to improve the usability of funding mechanisms, removes barriers and makes the level development and approvals process simpler.

Engineering New Zealand is not submitting on this.

You can access more information and make a submission here.

Consultation

Consultation on development levies

Expected closing date

20 February 2026

Notes

The Department of Internal Affairs is consulting on a proposal to replace development contributions with a new development levies system.

Engineering New Zealand is not submitting on this.

You can access more information and make a submission here.

Government will soon be seeking feedback on a range of important issues. 

In the next six months most of these issues will be via new draft legislation being introduced to Parliament and the Select Committee will seek comments from the public in the form of submissions. The list includes:

Consultation

Expected due date for consultation

Notes

Consultation Building- proportionate liability and consent authority structure

Expected due date for consultation Early 2026

Notes Legislation will be introduced to move to a proportionate liability model. We expect this to include options to enhance the role of private insurance and look at options to reform BCA structure to drive consistency, certainty and efficiency in the building consenting system.

Consultation Science Sector Reforms

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025

Notes The Government is making changes to New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system. These changes aim to clarify priorities, lift economic outcomes and harness advanced technology for a more prosperous future.

Legislation is expected to be introduced late 2025.

Consultation University Reforms

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025 – early 2026

Notes The reform aims to modernise New Zealand’s university sector to better align with national priorities in skills development, research, and innovation. Legislation is expected to be introduced late 2025 to early 2026.

Consultation Fire Safety Review

Expected due date for consultation Early 2026

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

MBIE is preparing proposed changes to the Building Code’s fire safety provisions, based on public feedback. These changes will be presented to Cabinet in early 2026 for consideration.

Consultation Health and Safety Reform

Expected due date for consultation End of 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.

We are expecting legislation that makes targeted changes to be introduced to Parliament in late 2025.