The only constant is change: June 2021

What laws have changed recently?

 We’ve enjoyed a relatively quiet period of law change in May and June, but as always, July will be a busy month.

To find out more about the law changes that affect your organisation, log into your ComplyWith, hit the ‘Update your content’ button (in Admin. Note we’re moving to auto-updating in a week or so), and check out Clarity of Change in your Obligations Register.

Key changes 

• The Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 was again extended and is now due to expire on 20 September 2021 (but can be revoked earlier or extended). Many temporary COVID-19 changes will end when this notice expires.
• On 8 June 2021, the maximum fines for not complying with a range of obligations in the Building Act were increased.
• On 7 June 2021, the temporary emergency notification regime for call-in transactions was replaced by a permanent call-in regime in the Overseas Investment Act.
• On 5 May 2021:
  
  • The Code of Practice for the Security of Radioactive Material came into force. It gives operational detail on compliance with the security requirements in the Radiation Safety Act
  • The Government Workforce Policy Statement on the Government's expectations for employment relations in the public sector was issued under Part 4 of the Public Service Act 2020.
• Changes to the requirements for surgical procedures on animals in the Animal Welfare Act came into force on 9 May 2021.
• From 11 May 2021, early childhood centres have been required to display notices forbidding vaping.
• The temporary COVID-19 exemption from the verification requirements for non-essential food businesses extended and now expires on 22 May 2022.

What’s coming up?

On 24 July 2021, minimum sick leave entitlements will increase from 5 days to 10 days a year when the Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Act 2021 comes into force.

On 1 July 2021:

• Private landlords must comply with the healthy homes standards within 90 days after a tenancy is renewed or a new tenancy starts
• Various fees and charges set by the Customs and Excise Regulations will be changed by the Customs and Excise Amendment Regulations 2021
• Changes to the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations come into force to realign New Zealand’s requirements with Australia’s
• Employees who provide certain types of security services will be covered by the protections in Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act (Continuity of employment if employees’ work affected by restructuring, also sometimes referred to as vulnerable worker protections)
• The Gas (Levy of Industry Participants) Regulations 2021 come into force and replace the Gas (Levy of Industry Participants) Regulations 2019
• The Rates Rebate (Specified Amounts) Order 2021 comes into force and replaces the Rates Rebate (Specified Amounts) Order 2020
• The remaining provisions of the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Act 2021 come into force
• Some temporary COVID changes to the Local Government Act 2002, Freedom Camping Act, and Waste Minimisation Act will be repealed
• The gas safety, monitoring, and energy efficiency (GSMEE) levy rate for 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 will be set by the Notification of Levy Rates Under the Energy (Petrol, Engine Fuel, and Gas) Levy Regulations 2017 Notice 2021.