Last week, the Government introduced the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, which aims to reduce unnecessary compliance costs, improve certainty around legal obligations, and continue to reduce workplace fatalities, injuries and illness.
There has been some uncertainty from Property Council New Zealand members about how the Government’s seismic reforms interact with obligations under other legislation, particularly the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The Bill helps address this by clarifying that where a person complies with relevant requirements under other legislation to manage a risk, they are treated as having complied with the corresponding duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act. This clarification is important for property owners and occupiers, given the Act’s influence on market behaviour and expectations around life safety.
While we support this aspect of the Bill at this stage, we have not yet reviewed the Bill in its entirety and will do so in the coming weeks. Property Council will look to engage in the public consultation process on this aspect, providing feedback from the property sector.
Author | Sandamali Ambepitiya
Sandamali arrived at Property Council with a Bachelor of Arts and Law, and experience as an advisor with the Employers & Manufacturers Association.
Conscientious and detailed, Sandamali leads our advocacy in the South Island and Wellington regions. She is also leading our work on the reform of the resource management and building systems and sustainability / seismic strengthening.
An excellent listener, Sandamali is in her element when facilitating stakeholders and members to develop our advocacy positions.
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On the Move | February 2026
Health and Safety at Work Act Amendment Bill
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