By The Indian News Editorial Team
A major new bill is making its way through Parliament—and it’s causing quite a stir.
Called the Regulatory Standards Bill, this proposal could seriously change how laws and rules are created in New Zealand. Brought forward by ACT Party leader David Seymour, the bill promises to tidy up the way legislation is written. But it’s not without controversy.
Some say it’s a common-sense fix to needless red tape. Others see it as a power move that could shift the balance of how our democracy works. So, what’s really going on here?
What’s in the Bill?
At its core, the bill lays out a list of principles—things like personal freedom, property rights, and transparency—that lawmakers would need to consider every time they create or change a law. It would also require them to explain how well a law aligns with these principles, putting the justification out in public.
To oversee this process, a Regulatory Standards Board would be set up. Members would be appointed by the Minister for Regulation—currently, that’s Seymour himself.
He says the goal is simple: to stop laws from being made just because “politicians said so” and make sure there’s a solid, principled reason behind them.
What Do Experts and Critics Say?
There’s no shortage of opinions here.
Some legal experts have praised the idea of more transparency. But others are deeply worried. Critics like law professor Dean Knight say the principles are “strongly libertarian”, pushing an ideology that could undermine Parliament’s power and tie the hands of future governments.
Then there’s the issue of Māori consultation—or lack of it. The Waitangi Tribunal has warned that pushing this bill through without proper engagement with Māori would breach Treaty principles. That’s serious.
Even some government bodies, like the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee, are uneasy. They’ve questioned whether this bill would actually improve things—or just make lawmaking more complicated.
💰 How Much Would It Cost?
The Ministry for Regulation estimates the bill could cost around $18 million a year to implement. Seymour says that’s just 2% of what the government already spends on policy work. But others argue it’s a lot to spend on a process that may not deliver real benefits.
What Do Everyday Kiwis Think?
When public consultation opened last year, over 23,000 people submitted feedback—and the vast majority (88%) were against it.
Many said the bill tries to “solve a problem that doesn’t exist” or could add confusion rather than clarity. Some even called it a stealthy move to lock in ACT’s political values.
Seymour has brushed off some of the negative feedback, even suggesting that bots might’ve been involved. That hasn’t gone down well with critics.
So… Does It Affect the Treaty?
The bill doesn’t mention the Treaty of Waitangi at all—and that silence is worrying a lot of people. While the bill claims “all people are equal before the law,” opponents argue that this kind of framing could be used to roll back Māori-focused policies or equity initiatives.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer didn’t hold back in Parliament, calling the bill’s silence on Māori issues “on purpose” and “dangerous.”
What Supporters Say
Supporters like economist Bryce Wilkinson argue that this is just about transparency, not ideology. They say the bill will help Kiwis understand the “why” behind laws and hold politicians to account.
Seymour agrees: “We know bureaucrats don’t like this law. For New Zealanders, that’s a good thing.”
🗳️ What Happens Next?
The bill passed its first reading in May and is now open for public submissions until 1pm on 23 June. After that, the select committee will review feedback and suggest changes.
Whether the bill becomes law depends on continued support from ACT’s coalition partners, especially New Zealand First. They’ve called the bill a “work in progress” and could push for changes that soften or reshape it.
