5 November 2009
Be careful what you wish for
Those for whom a decade of sleep has been disturbed by the distortions wrought by MMP will be pleased at the binding electoral referendum proposed for 2011. more...
Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce Report
The Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce's report to Regulatory Reform Minister Rodney Hide has now been released to the public. more...
IN THE WEEK AHEAD |
Those for whom a decade of sleep has been disturbed by the distortions wrought by MMP will be pleased at the binding electoral referendum proposed for 2011. But the prospect also confronts us with an uncomfortable reality that the alternatives are none too thrilling either.
When MMP was first mooted it was clear that its hold on the public imagination had as much to do with delivering politicians a swift kick to their incumbency as it did with the merits of an alternative to the prevailing system. First Past the Post and the gerrymandering and political arrogance that went with it had left a bad taste. For many of the the 55% of voters who stumped up to have their say in 1992 things were straight-forward. It was pay-back time.
This was evident in the result. 70% opted for change, prompting the then Labour leader Mike Moore to assert that "the people didn't speak on Saturday. They screamed."
It was a classic Moore bumper sticker that captured the public mood even if it did overstate the case. In the deciding referendum the following year a more respectable 85% of us had an opinion and of those, 54% opted for what would be the tectonic shift to MMP. It was enough.
Given this, and occasional polls since, it is perhaps unsurprising that John Key should take the view that the public would be disinclined to make any further change. In his mind the 2011 referendum was to be a pro forma one, delivering against a long-standing election promise.
But like his predecessor Jim Bolger, Key may have under-estimated the public's belligerence. The desire to stick it to politicians always lingers near the surface. And certainly the most recent poll on MMP suggests that change is in the wind. Last week's Herald Digi-poll found that a healthy 49% of voters would opt to ditch MMP against the nearly 36% happy with the status quo.
What part, if any, Winston Peters' recent forays into the media may have played in this result can only be guessed, but there will be many who would associate his political tenure with some of the least favourable aspects of MMP. But this would be an unfair standard against which to judge the merits of a system, which, when all is said and done, has delivered a series of not only stable Governments, but also more inclusive ones. Would, for example, the National Party have adopted the flexible stance it has in relation to issues of Māori grievance absent the realpolitik delivered up by MMP? And are we all better off for it?
These are open questions. But they should be enough to give us pause when thinking about alternatives. Certainly, the present system has provided significantly greater opportunities for the policy process to be influenced and for Government's more extreme regulatory initiatives to be blunted or modified. That was rarely the case under FPP.
What appetite there will be for a return to that particular past remains to be seen. Probably more alluring will be the alternative offered by Japan's Supplementary System or Ireland's STV. It is here that the attentions of the minor parties presumably will fall as they scramble to ensure that the public is educated on the implications of yet another change.
So what's ahead? At the next election voters will be asked two questions: whether they wish to retain MMP, and which of a list of alternative options they prefer. If a majority opt to retain MMP, nothing further will happen. If the majority opt for change, a binding referendum will be held at the 2014 election. This second referendum will ask voters to choose between MMP and the most preferred alternative system. Whatever emerges from that will be the system that applies from 2017 onward.
But as those opposed to MMP would themselves caution, we should be careful what we wish for.
The Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce's report to Regulatory Reform Minister Rodney Hide has now been released to the public. The Taskforce was established under the ACT-National Confidence and Supply Agreement to provide independent expert advice on ACT's Regulatory Responsibility Bill. The Bill was introduced in August 2006 and aims to introduce formal mechanisms for regulatory impact and business cost assessment when new regulations are created. It would also require the Crown to report on compliance with the principles of responsible regulatory management contained in the Bill.
The Taskforce's terms of reference allowed it to make recommendations to the Minister that are principled and practicable from both an operational and constitutional perspective. This led the Taskforce to the key finding that:
...first, as matters of both principle and practicability, there can and should be less legislation and better legislation; and, second, the existing constitutional and operational framework cannot be expected to deliver those outcomes without significant changes.
The Taskforce has produced a new, substantially modified version of the Bill. While the Bill continues to require those creating legislation to certify its compatibility with the principles of responsible regulatory management, a new power has been added to the Bill to allow the Courts to declare that legislation is incompatible with any of these principles (although this does not flow through to a power to make injunctive or compensatory orders).
The Taskforce considered that the unicameral Parliamentary system in New Zealand meant that there were few checks on legislation's compliance with constitutional principles once it enters the House of Representatives. Due to this, legislation may end up having adverse unforeseen effects on people and property. The Taskforce felt that, if rigorously examined against a clear set of principles, regulation could avoid these unintended effects and rights-based litigation could be avoided. Further, through this process, legislators would have to publicly acknowledge any rights being abrogated by legislation, or costs imposed by regulation.
The Bill's new legislative reviewing system is similar to that already existing in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, where it is permitted for pending legislation to not comply with principles if the departure is both reasonable and justifiable. However, the Taskforce considers that regular review of current legislation for compliance with the Bill's principles is also appropriate. The Bill's principles are regulation-focussed, falling into six broad categories: rule of law, liberties, taking of property, taxes and charges, the role of the courts, and good law making.
The Taskforce's discussion of the rule of law is illuminating. The drafting of the mandate against retrospectivity has specifically recognised that in some cases, retrospectivity confers benefits or removes burdens on people. Only adverse retrospective legislation is contrary to the principles of good regulation. How this "adverse" quality is to be found is not discussed in the report. Compensation is also re-considered by the Taskforce, noting that compensation should be available where property is taken or impaired by the advent of new regulation. This is a distinct widening of compensatory rights and will likely prove to be contentious.
Further, the Taskforce has also explicitly acknowledged that freedoms and liberties can be traded off for the benefit of other types of freedoms and liberties, again tapping into the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990's existing jurisprudence. Watching Brief notes that this jurisprudence is still young and not without its disagreements (see, for example, R v Hansen [2007] 3 NZLR 1 (NZSC), the majority judgment of which has been cited by the Taskforce as the test for finding justifiable limits on freedoms). Interestingly, local government is currently exempt from the application of the Regulatory Responsibility Bill, although the Taskforce wishes to consider the issue further. Watching Brief will continue to monitor the Bill with interest. The report can be found here.
Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk Pricing Methods) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in charge: Hon David Carter
Under the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001, Fonterra is required to supply up to 5% of its New Zealand milk supply to independent processors at a regulated price. This Bill changes how that regulated price will be determined. The Bill enables regulations to be made that set the regulated price at the Fonterra farm gate milk price plus seasonal margin of ten cents per kilogram of milk solids, and to allow for raw milk to be allocated through an auction process. The Bill arises from the 2008 Review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk) Regulations 2001.
The Primary Production Committee is already receiving submissions on this Bill, which are due by 3 December.
Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in charge: Hon Simon Power
This Bill begins the process of consolidating electoral administration to a single entity - the new Electoral Commission. Electoral administration is currently undertaken by the Electoral Commission (an independent Crown entity), the Chief Electoral Officer (within the Ministry of Justice) and the Chief Registrar of Electors (the Chief Executive of New Zealand Post Limited, through the Electoral Enrolment Centre). This Bill will establish a new Electoral Commission as an independent Crown entity. It will perform the functions of the current Electoral Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer.
The Justice and Electoral Committee is already receiving submissions on this Bill, which are due by 10 December.
A further Bill will later transfer the Chief Registrar of Electors' responsibility for the electoral roll to the new Electoral Commission from 1 October 2012, to ensure that the 2011 general election is not disrupted during the transition to the new arrangements.
Employment Relations (Rest Breaks and Meal Breaks) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in charge: Hon Kate Wilkinson
This Bill implements Government policy on making the rest and meal break provisions in the Employment Relations Act more flexible. It will encourage employers and employees to negotiate workable arrangements for when rest and meal breaks should be taken, with an employer being able to determine the arrangement where agreement cannot be reached. The Bill also allows employers and employees to agree that, instead of receiving a break, employees can receive compensatory measures.
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in charge: Hon Nick Smith
This Bill makes many amendments to the ACC legislation, including reducing cover and improving financial reporting. It also extends the date for fully funding residual claims liabilities from 2014 to 2019.
The Transport and Industrial Relations Committee is already receiving submissions on this Bill, which are due by 26 November.
Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in charge: Hon Bill English
This Bill requires all insurers operating in New Zealand to be licensed and supervised by the Reserve Bank. Insurers will have to (amongst other things) maintain levels of solvency prescribed in regulations and attain finance ratings. Insurers will also have to insulate their life insurance liabilities by managing them through at least one separate life insurance statutory fund. This Bill also outlines the transitional regime that will centre on provisional licences.
Carter Observatory Act Repeal Bill
Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk Pricing Methods) Amendment Bill
Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill
Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill
Bill |
Select Committee |
Submissions close |
Report due |
Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk Pricing Methods) Amendment Bill |
Primary Production |
3 December 2009 |
2 March 2010 |
Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
31 March 2010 |
28 May 2010 |
Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
10 December 2009 |
27 April 2010 |
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
26 November 2009 |
12 February 2010 |
Carter Observatory Act Repeal Bill
Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill
Marine Reserves (Consultation with Stakeholders) Amendment Bill
Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill
Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill
Bill |
Select Committee |
Report due |
Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
20 February 2010 |
Arms Amendment Bill (No 3) |
Law and Order |
26 February 2010 |
Border (Customs, Excise, and Tariff) Processing Bill |
Government Administration |
17 November 2010 |
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction and Orders) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
27 November 2009 |
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill |
Finance and Expenditure |
16 November 2009 |
Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
28 January 2010 |
Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
20 November 2009 |
Franklin District Council (Contribution to Funding of Museums) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 April 2010 |
Infrastructure Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
13 November 2009 |
Inquiries Bill |
Government Administration |
28 January 2010 |
Limitation Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
4 February 2010 |
Marine Reserves Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 December 2010 |
Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
30 December 2009 |
Patents Bill |
Commerce |
30 March 2010 |
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
30 March 2010 |
Public Works (Offer Back of and Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
17 June 2010 |
Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
24 December 2009 |
Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
20 June 2010 |
Sale of Liquor (Objections to Applications) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
30 June 2010 |
Search and Surveillance Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
1 May 2010 |
Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill |
Law and Order |
30 November 2009 |
Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
30 November 2009 |
Sustainable Biofuel Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
29 January 2010 |
Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill |
Finance and Expenditure |
16 November 2009 |
Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill |
Māori Affairs |
31 December 2009 |
Bills that have recently been reported back to the House from a Select Committee are in bold and the Select Committee reports on these Bills are linked.
Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2)
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Amendment Bill (No 6)
Corrections (Contract Management of Prisons) Amendment Bill
Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill
Dog Control Amendment Bill (No 2)
Education Amendment Bill
Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill
Judicial Matters Bill
Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill
Māori Trustee and Māori Development Amendment Bill
Oaths Modernisation Bill
Privacy (Cross-border Information) Amendment Bill
Public Health Bill
Rail Network Bill
Regulatory Improvement Bill (Report of the Commerce Committee)
Regulatory Responsibility Bill
Remuneration Authority Amendment Bill (Report of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee)
Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill
Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill
Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill
Trade (Safeguard Measures) Bill
Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill
Trustee Amendment Bill
Unit Titles Bill
Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Bill
SOPs 32 and 68 - Immigration Bill
SOP 51 - Gangs and Organised Crime Bill
SOP 67 - Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill
SOPs 69, 70 and 75 - Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill
SOPs 71 and 72 - Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill
SOPs 76 and 77 - Social Assistance (Payment of New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Overseas) Amendment Bill
SOP 78 - Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill
SOPs 79, 80 and 81 - Settlement Systems, Futures, and Emissions Units Bill
SOP 82 - Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill
Biosecurity Amendment Bill
Cultural Property (Protection in Armed Conflict) Bill
Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2)
Legal Services Amendment Bill
Palmerston North Showgrounds Act Repeal Bill
Settlement Systems, Futures, and Emissions Units Bill divided into:
Immigration Bill
Insolvency Amendment Bill
Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009
Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Act 2009
From the Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill:
From the Gangs and Organised Crime Bill:
Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Act 2009
Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Act 2009
From the Social Assistance (Payment of New Zealand Superannuation and Veteran's Pension Overseas) Amendment Bill:
From the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill:
Animal Welfare (Glueboard Traps) Order 2009
Criminal Proceedings (Access to Court Documents) Amendment Rules 2009
Criminal Proceedings (Search Fees) Regulations 2009
Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Regulations 2009
Diplomatic Privileges (CTBTO PrepCom) Amendment Order 2009
Diplomatic Privileges (Customs Co-operation Council) Order 2009
Diplomatic Privileges (OECD) Amendment Order 2009
Diplomatic Privileges (OIML) Amendment Order 2009
Diplomatic Privileges (WTO) Amendment Order 2009
District Courts (Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009) Amendment Rules 2009
District Courts Fees Regulations 2009
Executive Travel, Accommodation, Attendance, and Communications Services Determination (No 2) 2009
Fisheries (Declaration of New Stocks Subject to and Stocks Determined Not to be Subject to Quota Management System) Notice 2009
Fisheries (Remaining Cost Recovery Settlement Balance) Notice 2009
Forests (Payment of Money) Order 2009
High Court (Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009) Amendment Rules 2009
High Court Amendment Rules (No 2) 2009
High Court Fees (Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009) Amendment Regulations 2009
High Court Fees Amendment Regulations 2009
Immigration (Transit Visas) Amendment Regulations 2009
Income Tax (Deemed Rate of Return on Attributing Interests in Foreign Investment Funds, 2008–09 Income Year) Order 2009
Land Transport (Compulsory Impairment Test) Notice 2009
Local Government Elected Members (2009/10) (Except Auckland) Amendment Determination 2009
Securities Act (Meridian Energy Limited) Exemption Notice 2009
Securities Act (Works Superannuation Scheme) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009
Sentencing (Instrument Forfeiture Orders) Amendment Regulations 2009
Takeovers Code (Auckland Energy Consumer Trust) Exemption Notice 2009
Takeovers Code (Southern Travel Holdings Limited) Exemption Notice 2009
This week the House enters a two week recess, sitting next on Tuesday 17 November. The Government intends to progress the Ngati Apa (North Island Claims Settlement) Bill, the Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill and the Biosecurity Amendment Bill.
Commerce Committee
The Committee was briefed by New Zealand Post Chairman Jim Bolger on its 2009 financial review. Whilst NZ Post was still profitable, 2009 had been a challenging year with restructuring essential to keep costs down. Diversification within the company however, meant the company still continues to grow.
In addition, the Committee heard submissions on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report on Smart Meters. It was briefed by Chair Sarah Astor of the Metservice on the Meteorological Service Financial Review.
Education and Science Committee
The Committee heard further submissions on the Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill and the Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill.
Finance and Expenditure Committee
The Committee has been hearing submissions on the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill in large volumes and at a rapid pace in order to meet its tight 16 November deadline.
The Committee was briefed by Dr Allan Bollard on the 2009 financial review for Reserve Bank. Dr Bollard was optimistic that New Zealand has come through the worst of the financial crisis. The balance sheet of the Reserve Bank has increased to $31 billion in the last year, and the Reserve Bank itself has posted a profit of $906 million, $630 million of which was paid to the Government by way of dividend. Dr Bollard put this largely down to gains made in foreign exchange.
Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Committee
The Committee was briefed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade John Allen on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade financial review and by the Comptroller for New Zealand Customs on New Zealand Customs financial review.
Health Committee
The Committee heard further submissions from academic experts on the Inquiry into the Early Detection and Treatment of Prostate Cancer.
Justice and Electoral Committee
The Committee heard further submissions on the Search and Surveillance Bill. Concerns raised in submissions centred on the human rights ramifications, especially with the extension of search and seizure powers to non-regulatory agencies. The report back date of the Bill has been extended to 1 May 2010.
Local Government and Environment Committee
The Committee heard submissions on the Sustainable Biofuel Bill. Submissions so far have focussed on the necessity of prescriptive regulation in the biofuels industry, and whether voluntary compliance in such an emerging industry would be more appropriate.
In addition, the Committee continued to hear extensive submissions on the Public Works (Offer Back of Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill. The report back date of this Bill has been extended to 17 June 2010.
Māori Affairs Committee
The Māori Affairs Committee is calling for submissions on its inquiry into the operation of the Maori Community Development Act 1962 and related issues. Submissions are due by 12 February 2010.
The last edition of Watching Brief (21 October 2009) incorrectly listed appointments to the board of "New Zealand Police Ltd". This should have read ""New Zealand Post Ltd" and we apologise for the error.
The Government has announced a formal review of Environment Canterbury (the Canterbury regional council), stating that its poor performance is holding the Canterbury region back. Its resource management functions will be reviewed under provisions in the Resource Management Act, and there will also be a non-statutory review of its general activities and governance. It is planned that the review will be completed by February 2010. Any recommendations for change could influence the Government's New Start for Fresh Water programme, which is reviewing the mechanisms for allocating access to water.
Cabinet has agreed on reforms to be made to the Local Government Act. Councils will be required to have particular regard to the importance of: infrastructural services; solid waste services; hazard and disaster management; libraries and recreation; culture and heritage services; and the performance of regulatory responsibilities and statutory duties. This will create a statutory direction to focus on core activities. Councils will also be required to provide plain English financial reporting and release pre-election reports.
Bill to give effect to these decisions is likely to be introduced this year.
Tony Ryall's shake up of the health sector has begun, as he has appointed Dr Murray Horn as the establishment chair of the new National Health Board Advisory Board. Horn led the Ministerial Review Group produced the report "Meeting the Challenge" on ways to improve the public health system, earlier this year.
The Advisory Board will advise the Minister and Director-General of Health on the National Health Board's performance and activities. The National Health Board will operate from within the Ministry of Health, supervising the $9.7 billion that DHBs spend on hospital and primary health care. It will manage national planning and funding of all IT, workforce planning and capital investment. It will also take national responsibility for vulnerable health services such as paediatric oncology.
The Land Transport Management Act, which governs how investment in land transport infrastructure is undertaken, is being reviewed. The Act established the New Zealand Transport Agency last year as the entity that plans and funds investment in land transport. The review will look to fine tune the Act, rather than start from scratch, with the focus on reducing unnecessary costs and obstacles. The review will also look at reducing barriers to tolling, borrowing and public private partnerships to fund transport projects.
Finance Minister Bill English's trial by media over his prior claim for a housing allowance continued last week with the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) releasing its report. The Auditor-General ruled that there were no grounds for an inquiry into Mr English's housing arrangements, finding that he claimed a housing allowance after seeking advice from the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests. Instead, Ministerial Services has been criticised for not raising its doubts regarding the appropriateness of Mr English claiming an allowance to live at the Wellington house owned by a family trust on the grounds that his primary residence was in Dipton. Mr English had made a declaration that he had no pecuniary interest in the Wellington house after advice from the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests, but the Auditor-General believed that Ministerial Services should have widened the test used to determine a pecuniary interest. The housing allowance system has undergone recent changes in light of the allegations, and Mr English chose to pay back $32,000 received as a housing allowance.
Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce has established Crown Fibre Holdings Ltd and appointed its board. This Crown owned company will partner with private businesses in different regions to create ultra-fast broadband infrastructure. The Government has committed $1.5 billion to this investment and expects the same investment from the private sector. The Board is Simon Allen (Chair), Andrew Body, Miriam Dean QC, Dr Murray Milner and Keith Tempest.
Joyce also released an Invitation To Participate (ITP) to potential private sector partners. The ITP outlines the terms and conditions of the Government’s investment, including technical specifications and the Government’s preferred model for investment with partners in a Local Fibre Company. More detail can be found here.
Who |
What |
By when… (2009) |
Biosecurity New Zealand |
Draft import health standard for pig meat and pig meat products from Finland or Sweden |
9 November |
Proposal to amend National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy |
30 November |
|
Department of Conservation |
Planning for recreation in Ō Tū Wharekai (Canterbury) |
30 November |
Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre Trust concession notification |
17 December |
|
Ministry of Economic Development |
Financial advisers - fees regulations |
13 November |
Electricity Commission |
Draft guidelines for reporting breaches of the Electricity Governance Rules |
20 November |
Scarcity pricing and compulsory contracting options |
7 December |
|
Options for managing locational price risk |
7 December |
|
Minor editorial changes to the Electricity Governance Rules |
29 January 2010 |
|
Ministry of Health |
Designated prescribing rights for podiatrists |
6 November |
Inland Revenue Department |
Depreciation rate for loose furniture |
25 November |
Reimbursing shareholder-employees for motor vehicle expenses |
30 November |
|
Maritime New Zealand |
Life jackets in small craft |
18 December |
Medsafe |
Good Clinical Research Practice Guideline |
30 November |
New Zealand Transport Agency |
Farebox recovery policy |
30 November |
Standards New Zealand |
Structural design actions: wind actions |
21 December |
Fire-resistant doorsets and smoke-control doors |
22 January 2010 |
Who |
What |
By when… (2009) |
ACC |
Annual levy review |
10 November |
Biosecurity New Zealand |
Animal welfare (transport within New Zealand) code |
30 November |
Department of Building and Housing |
Retirement villages disclosure statement |
11 December |
Department of Conservation |
Kauri National Park proposal |
tbc |
Draft Guidelines for Aircraft Access for Canterbury Conservancy |
Ongoing |
|
Ministry of Consumer Affairs |
Review of the operation of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 |
16 November |
Ministry of Economic Development |
Facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure |
6 November |
Statutory framework for financial reporting; and accounting and assurance standards under this framework |
29 January 2010 |
|
Ministry of Education |
Draft Tertiary Education Strategy 2010 – 2015 |
6 November |
Electricity Commission |
Grid planning assumptions |
6 November |
Part D of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 |
9 November |
|
Dispatchable demand options |
16 November |
|
Transmission pricing review |
7 December |
|
Ministry of Fisheries |
Māori commercial aquaculture settlement |
Not yet set |
New Zealand Food Safety Authority |
Draft production of processed meats code of practice |
6 November |
Food Standards Australia New Zealand |
Primary production and processing standard for eggs and egg products |
4 November |
Exclusive use of phytosterol esters in reduced fat cheese products |
4 November |
|
Equivalence of plant stanols, sterols and their fatty acids esters |
11 November |
|
High Court Rules Committee |
Reform of the law of discovery |
20 November |
Reform of the rules relating to written briefs |
20 November |
|
Inland Revenue Department |
Deductibility of bank break fees for landlords |
6 November |
Approved issuer levy, non-resident withholding tax and the bond market |
30 November |
|
Land Information New Zealand |
Pastoral leases at Glenrock, Holbrook, Rollesby, Gem Lake, Ben Nevis, and Craigroy |
27 November |
New Zealand Qualifications Authority |
Targeted review of the qualifications system |
10 November |
Ministry of Social Development |
Whānau Ora: A whānau-centred approach to Māori wellbeing |
30 November |
Standards New Zealand |
Concrete production Amendment No. 2 |
12 November |
Bunk beds and other elevated beds |
19 November |
|
Garments for general use |
20 November |
|
Safety of chain saws |
14 December |
|
Safety of range hoods and other cooking fume extractors |
14 December |
|
Safety of spin extractors |
14 December |
|
Safety of surface cleaning appliances for household use employing liquids or steam |
14 December |
|
Safety of insect killers |
14 December |
|
Safety of fixed immersion heaters |
14 December |
|
Safety of portable immersion heaters |
14 December |
|
Safety of hedge trimmers |
14 December |
|
Safety of switch mode power supply units and transformers for switch mode power supply units |
14 December |
|
New Zealand Walking Access Commission |
Draft National Strategy for Walking Access |
18 December |
Draft New Zealand Outdoor Access Code |
18 December |
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