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 Vocational education reform

Closing date Ongoing

Notes The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Bill passed the third and final reading on 15 October 2025. We are expecting ongoing consultation during the establishment and implementation phase, including on industry vocational education needs.

Learn more about the Vocational Education Reform

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 Resource Management Act- Replacement legislation

Expected due date for consultation Late 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. This will form the basis of the new resource management system.

Consultation Public Works Act Review

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025

Notes The Government is expected to introduce legislation to make broad amendments to the Public Works Act. Changes will 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.

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 Building - self-certification scheme

Expected due date for consultation 2026

Notes There is likely to be targeted consultation. This may be included in the legislation to move to proportionate liability.

Consultation Earthquake-Prone Building and Seismic Risk Management Review

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025 - early 2026

Notes Legislation is expected to be introduced late 2025 - early 2026.

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 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 Going for Housing Growth

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025

Notes The Going for Housing Growth programme aims to address New Zealand’s housing shortage.

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

Legislation to implement these proposed changes is expected to be introduced in November 2025.

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.

Consultation Emergency management legislation

Expected due date for consultation Late 2025 – early 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.

We are expecting legislation to be introduced in late 2025. It is intended that this will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act.