Kahungunu has made clear its feelings on the ACT Partys Regulatory Standards Bill saying “The Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB), currently before the New Zealand Parliament, aims to improve the quality of regulation by establishing clear benchmarks for good law-making and increasing transparency. It seeks to reduce unnecessary and poor-quality regulation, promoting economic efficiency and accountability in the regulatory system. The bill introduces a set of “principles of responsible regulation” that all new and existing legislation must comply with. We do not agree!”
In its submission the Iwi has recommended:
- Immediate Rejection. This submission strongly recommends the immediate rejection of the RSB in its entirety.
- Te Tiriti Embedding: All regulation and policy should explicitly reference and operationalise Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This includes requiring co-governance arrangements and meaningful engagement with iwi and hapū at all stages of regulatory and policy development and implementation.
The submission concluded that:
- The RSB represents a significant threat to Aotearoa New Zealand’s constitutional framework, democratic processes, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- The bill’s numerous flaws and its potential for far-reaching negative consequences, as highlighted by extensive expert analysis, necessitate its withdrawal.
- Its potential to undermine Māori rights, weaken environmental protections, and exacerbate social and economic inequalities, as evidenced by the concerns raised by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and numerous experts, is deeply concerning.
- This submission urges the government to withdraw the RSB and initiate a genuine and inclusive process for building on existing and international best practice regulatory frameworks including ‘Black, Indigenous, Peoples of Colour’, ‘United Nations Declaration Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ and ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’, which reflects unique values and priorities of Aotearoa.
A full copy of the submission can be found here
The Regulatory Standards Bill, introduced by Minister for Regulation David Seymour (ACT), aims to improve the quality and transparency of regulation in Aotearoa by establishing:
- A clear set of “Principles of Responsible Regulation”-covering the rule of law, individual liberties, property rights, taxation, judicial oversight, and good law‑making
- Mandatory Consistency Accountability Statements (CAS) requiring ministers and officials to publicly explain how new or existing legislation aligns-or departs-with those principles
- A new Regulatory Standards Board, empowered to independently assess regulations, handle complaints, and issue non-binding recommendations
- Enhanced oversight by the Ministry for Regulation, including annual reporting and institutional review of regulatory quality
This bill is the latest in a series dating back to 2006:
- The 2006 Regulatory Responsibility Bill (private member’s bill, Rodney Hide) did not pass
- The 2009 Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce laid groundwork for better regulatory quality
- A 2011 Regulatory Standards Bill was introduced but lapsed .
- A 2021 iteration by David Seymour also failed .
- Now, under the National–ACT coalition formed in 2023, the bill was approved by Cabinet in May 2025 and had its first reading on 22 May 2025
- In November 2024, a discussion document launched the public consultation, closing in January 2025, and attracting nearly 23,000 submissions-some 88% against, only 0.33% in support .
- Critics cited bot-driven responses, which Seymour contested; meanwhile, independent analysis confirmed most submissions opposed the bill
- Undermining Māori Rights & Treaty Obligations
The Waitangi Tribunal found the bill breaches Treaty principles-especially partnership and active protection-by proceeding without meaningful Māori consultation
- Currying Ideological Bias: Environmental and legal advocates-including the Environmental Defence Society, Treaty-focused groups, and Professor Jane Kelsey-warn the bill favours property rights and economic liberalism over environmental sustainability, social equity, or te Tiriti protections.
- Duplication and Complexity: Critics say it overlaps with existing frameworks (e.g. Legislation Act 2019) and risks burdening democratic processes without clear benefits.
- Cost Burden: Implementation could cost at least NZD $18 million per year, with opponents arguing the expense outweighs potential gains
