New Zealand Law Society - Current law reform work
The 2026/2027 Practising Certificate renewals are open. Please renew by 30 June 2026.
One of the Law Society's most valued roles is to provide an informed and reasoned voice for lawyers and for the public on bills referred to select committee and discussion papers from government agencies and other bodies. Read below for our current work.
A Government Bill which amends the legislative framework underpinning the provision of disability support services has been introduced. The Law Society’s Health & Disability Law and Public Law Committees are reviewing the Bill. To contribute comments, please email Shelly Musgrave or Nilu Ariyaratne.
A Government Bill to amend the Fair Trading Act 1986 in three areas (penalties and enforcement, scam disruption, and product safety settings) has been introduced. The Law Society’s Commercial and Business Law Committee will consider making a submission. To contribute comments, please email Shelly Musgrave.
This Government Bill seeks to tighten eligibility criteria for jobseeker support and the equivalent emergency benefit for young people, and target the accommodation supplement more tightly to some homeowners. The Bill is currently at select committee, and the Law Society’s Public Law Committee will consider making a submission. To contribute comments, please email Nilu Ariyaratne.
A Government Bill proposing new powers for Police to issue move-on orders to people congregating for certain purposes deemed disorderly such as begging or rough sleeping in urban centres has been introduced. The Law Society’s Human Rights and Privacy and Criminal Law Committees are reviewing the Bill and will make a submission. To contribute comments, please email Claire Browning or Shelly Musgrave. Read more.
A Government Bill which seeks to better align health workforce regulation with patient needs, health system policy, and Government priorities has been introduced. The Law Society’s Health & Disability Law Committee and Public Law Committee will consider making a submission; to contribute comments, please email Nilu Ariyaratne.