1 April 2027
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026 comes into force.
Health & Safety Reforms | 1 April 2027
Health and safety is changing. Get your business ready.
New Zealand's health and safety legislation is changing from 1 April 2027. Business Canterbury is here to help you understand what the changes mean, prepare your people and systems, and find the right training and support for your business.
Critical risks
Greater emphasis on identifying, managing and prioritising risks that could result in serious harm.
Business size matters
Different requirements for smaller businesses and larger businesses.
Get ready now
Use the time before April to understand your risks, review your systems and build capability.
What's changing?
A new approach to workplace health and safety
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026 changes parts of New Zealand's existing health and safety legislation.
At the centre of the reforms is a stronger focus on critical risks, directing attention and resources towards the workplace risks most likely to result in serious harm.
The reforms also introduce different settings for smaller and larger PCBUs, clarify aspects of officer due diligence and strengthen the role of Approved Codes of Practice.
Read the key changesGuidance is continuing to develop
MBIE and the relevant regulators are preparing guidance to support businesses ahead of the changes. We will continue to update our information and resources as further guidance becomes available.
View official MBIE informationThe key changes businesses need to know
1. Greater focus on critical risks
The system will explicitly prioritise critical risks arising from work.
Know what your critical risks are and be able to demonstrate how you manage them.2. Different requirements for smaller businesses
Small PCBUs will have a more focused approach to specified core duties relating to critical risks.
You still have health and safety responsibilities.3. Larger businesses must prioritise critical risks
Larger PCBUs will continue to manage workplace risks, while giving explicit priority to critical risks.
Make sure your highest-consequence risks get the right attention.4. Officer responsibilities are clearer
The reforms clarify due diligence requirements for officers.
Boards and senior leaders should understand their governance responsibilities.5. Approved Codes of Practice
Approved Codes of Practice become more important and provide greater certainty.
Keep an eye on the guidance relevant to your industry.
A key part of the reforms
What is a critical risk?
A critical risk is a risk associated with certain specified high-risk hazards, or a risk that could result in death, a notifiable injury or illness, a notifiable incident or an occupational disease.
Know your critical risks. Know your controls. Know that they work.
Build your risk management capabilityFind your starting point
What does this mean for your business?
Your starting point depends partly on the size and nature of your organisation.
Fewer than 20 workers?
A small PCBU generally has fewer than 20 workers. For specified core duties, the new legislation narrows the focus to critical risks, while other obligations continue to apply.
Recommended starting point:
- H&S Refresher On-Demand
- H&S for Leaders
- Risk Management Fundamentals
20 or more workers?
Larger PCBUs will continue to manage their obligations while giving explicit priority to critical risks.
Recommended approach:
- H&S Refresher On-Demand
- Role-specific training
- Risk Management Fundamentals
- Governance and wellbeing capability
- Review or audit
Getting ready
Five practical steps you can take now
You don't need to wait until 1 April 2027 to start preparing.
Understand the reforms
Make sure your people understand what is changing.
Identify your critical risks
Review your existing risk profile.
Check your controls
Are your controls appropriate and working?
Build capability
Give your people the knowledge and confidence they need.
Review your system
An independent review or audit can help identify gaps.
Training & capability
Find your health and safety pathway
Start with the H&S Refresher, then build the capability that fits your role and your organisation.
H&S Refresher On-Demand
A practical place to start
Employees & Health and Safety Representatives
HSR Stage OneUnit Standard 29315
HSR Stage TwoBuild on your skills
Owners, Managers & Senior Leaders
Health & Safety for LeadersBuild confidence and capability
H&S GovernanceTake H&S into governance
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