It’s been a busy end to 2024, with the coalition government delivering the last items in its Q4 Action Plan, including changes to the Resource Management Act, extending deadlines for completing seismic work, and passing the Fast Track Approvals Bill.
What laws have changed recently?
Below is a summary of some of the key changes since our October 2024 newsletter. Please note that this isn’t necessarily a complete list of all law changes relevant to your organisation.
To get full clarity about legislative changes affecting your organisation, dial up the ‘clarity of change’ function in your ComplyWith Obligations Register.
While you’re there, turn on law change notifications for yourself and remember that in the ComplyWith Admin module you can set up tailored law change notifications for anyone in your organisation who will benefit from being kept up to date about law changes relevant to their role.
Key changes for all sectors
- On 26 November 2024, the Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Act came into force. It extended the deadline for completing seismic work on certain earthquake-prone buildings and made other changes to the Buildings Act.
- On 25 October 2024, the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2024 came into force and made various changes to the Resource Management Act and national direction, including pausing the requirements for freshwater farm plans in all regions (on 27 November 2024, the requirements were reapplied in the Southland region).
Key changes for local government
- On 30 October 2024:
- the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 replaced the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022
- the Land Transport Management (Regional Transport Committees) Regulations Revocation Order 2024 removed the option for regional transport committees to prepare and review speed management plans.
Key changes for corridor managers and utility operators
- On 8 November 2024, an updated version of the National Code of Practice for Utility Operators' Access to Transport Corridors came into force.
Key changes for the electricity industry
- On 12 December 2024, the Electricity Distribution Services Input Methodologies (treatment of insurance entitlements) Amendment Determination 2024 changed Parts 2 and 4 of the Electricity Distribution Services Input Methodologies Determination 2012.
- On 28 November 2024, the Electricity Distribution Information Disclosure (amendments related to IM Review 2023) Amendment Determination 2024 changed the Electricity Distribution Information Disclosure Determination 2012.
- On 25 November 2024, the Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Distributor Agreement Amendments) 2024 changed the default distributor agreement template and consumption data template in Part 12A of the Code.
- On 20 November 2024, the Electricity Distribution Services Input Methodologies (Washup Amounts) Amendment Determination 2024 changed the Electricity Distribution Services Input Methodologies Determination 2012.
- On 1 November 2024, the Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Inflation Adjustment to Prescribed Maximum Fees) 2024 increased the maximum fees that distributors can charge distributed generators for applications under Parts 1, 1A, and 2 of Schedule 6 of the Code.
- On 17 October 2024, the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Amendment Regulations 2024 came into force and changed the requirements for managing trees near powerlines.
Key changes for the gas industry
- On 12 December 2024, the Gas Distribution Services Input Methodologies (treatment of insurance entitlements) Amendment Determination 2024 changed Parts 2 and 4 of the Gas Distribution Services Input Methodologies Determination 2012.
- On 28 November 2024, the Gas Distribution Information Disclosure (amendments related IM Review 2023) Amendment Determination 2024 changed the Gas Distribution Information Disclosure Determination 2012.
Key changes for the telecommunications industry
- On 21 November 2024, the Fibre Input Methodologies (Crown Financing and Individual Capex Design Proposal) Amendment Determination 2024 changed the Fibre Input Methodologies Determination 2020.
Key changes for climate reporting entities
- On 27 October 2024, the remaining provisions of the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 came into force, requiring climate reporting entities to obtain independent assurance for their greenhouse gas emissions disclosures.
Key changes for organisations with animals
- On 26 November 2024, the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Act 2024 removed agricultural activities from the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Key changes for the health sector
- On 15 December 2024, the remaining provisions of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 came into force, requiring medical and nurse practitioners to notify the Registrar of a death within 3 working days of issuing a cause of death certificate.
What’s coming up?
The Fast-track Approvals Act was passed on 17 December 2024 and comes into force the day after it receives Royal assent. The Act creates an alternative consenting and approvals process for projects selected by the government. The new Act replaces the interim fast-track consenting process introduced as a Covid-recovery measure.
Below is a summary of some of the key changes coming up:
- On 31 December 2024, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Class Exemptions) Amendment Notice 2024 comes into force.
- On 1 January 2025:
- Further provisions of the Electricity Distribution Information Disclosure (Targeted Review 2024) Amendment Determination 2024 come into force
- The Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Consumer Care Obligations) 2024 will insert a new Part 11A in the Code
- The Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Co-ordination of Outages Affecting Common Quality) 2024 comes into force
- Provisions in the Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Amendment Notice 2024 come into force
- The Compliance Rules (Very Small to Medium Drinking Water Supplies) Amendment Notice 2024 comes into force
- The National Mycoplasma Bovis Pest Management Plan is made under the Biosecurity (National Mycoplasma Bovis Pest Management Plan) Order 2024.
