New Zealand - November 2025

The Regulatory Standards Act was passed in parliament on 13 November and received royal assent on 18 November. The Act sets out a number of principles which lawmakers and civil servants will have to respect. Deviations from the principles will have to be publicly explained. The opposition, constitutional law scholars, civil society and the general public have reacted negatively to the Act, criticizing the formulation of principles – which include restrictions on taxation, taking of property, and a focus on individual liberties over common welfare - as vague, in conflict with existing constitutional provisions, or overly ideological. The principles are not enforceable in court but are expected to impact governance in the future should the opposition fail in its promise to repeal the Act if elected. Ninety-eight per cent of public comments on the bill were negative, with experts referring to it as ‘a dogmatic project designed to politically skew the process of lawmaking’ and ‘demonstrably antithetical to many core values underpinning modern welfare states.’ Specifically, its critics say adherence to the Act’s principles could undermine public health, social equality and environmental protections through a narrow conception of individual rights and private property.

Sources: Radio New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, Public Health Communication Centre, New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office