Submissions close on RSB could it now come down to NZ First?

Public submissions have officially closed on the much-debated Regulatory Standards Bill, now under review by the Finance and Expenditure Committee. The Bill-championed by Minister for Regulation David Seymour (ACT) and supported in the coalition agreement-seeks to set legal benchmarks for “responsible regulation” and establish a Regulatory Standards Board to oversee legislative compliance. It’s estimated that submissions number in the tens of thousands. Shane Jones talks about it HERE

The process began with a consultation period; The discussion document was released on 19 November 2024, with feedback open until 13 January 2025, attracting nearly 23,000 submissions-mostly opposing the proposal. The submissions phase shifted to a formal call for input on the Bill itself once it passed its first reading on 22 May 2025, with the second call for submissions running until today. The Regulatory Standards Bill aims to:Introduce statutory principles for legislation-covering rule of law, personal liberty, property rights, taxation, regulatory stewardship, and more.

• Require Ministers and agencies to assess and report the consistency of proposed laws against these principles.
• Establish an independent Regulatory Standards Board empowered to investigate complaints and issue non-binding recommendations.
• Strengthen the Ministry for Regulation’s oversight role by mandating reporting and information-gathering powers

Proponents portray it as a solution to “sloppy” law-making and unnecessary red tape-dubbing it a “benchmark for good legislation”. Critics, including the Waitangi Tribunal, Environmental Defence Society, Toitū te Tiriti, iwi groups, and academics, warn the Bill:

• Ignores Treaty obligations and could override Te Tiriti protections.
• Prioritizes property rights and private interests over environmental stewardship and public health.
• May introduce ideological bias, marginalizing Māori rights, Bill of Rights considerations, and equity principles.

Reddit users critiqued the consultation’s opacity-calling the submission form unclear and discouraging, while urging email submissions instead. On 16 May, the Waitangi Tribunal issued an urgent interim report:

1. The Crown failed to engage Māori in good faith, breaching Treaty principles.
2. The Bill imposes a “regulatory constitution” that undermines Māori partnership and active protection.
3. It called for an immediate pause to enable proper consultation, but the government proceeded regardless

The Finance and Expenditure Committee will assess all submissions and report back-likely by September or November 2025. Following select committee review, the Bill faces a second reading, committee stage, and third reading in Parliament. If passed, early implementation could begin from 1 January 2026. This is the fourth effort since 2006 by ACT to pass similar legislation. Legal commentators have repeatedly flagged it as a shift toward an ideological “regulatory constitution” Critics argue this Bill risks undermining Aotearoa’s democratic, Treaty and public-interest foundations-potentially limiting future regulation on health, environment, and Māori equity. New Zealand First’s support may prove pivotal-their coalition agreement includes backing, but their endorsement could shift based on committee recommendations. This is the fourth effort since 2006 by ACT to pass similar legislation. Legal commentators have repeatedly flagged it as a shift toward an ideological “regulatory constitution”. Critics argue this Bill risks undermining Aotearoa’s democratic, Treaty and public-interest foundations-potentially limiting future regulation on health, environment, and Māori equity. With public input officially closed, the future of the Regulatory Standards Bill now hinges on the select committee’s analysis. Its passage could fundamentally reshape New Zealand’s lawmaking process-embedding principles that critics say fail to reflect Te Tiriti, environmental needs, or social equity. The months ahead will test whether it takes root, or meets reform and repudiation.

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