The New Zealand Law Society has published an advocacy update setting out its recent engagement with a few significant legislative reforms currently before Parliament. The update highlights work on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, the Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill, the Electoral Amendment Bill, the Crimes Amendment Bill, and proposed amendments to AML/CFT legislation. It also notes the scale of the Society’s current law reform activity, with more than 150 submissions made in 2025 and a similar pace continuing into 2026.
The update identifies concerns across several areas, as these include reduced public notification and submission opportunities in environmental decision-making, expanded ministerial powers and reduced consultation opportunities under the fast-track regime, electoral reforms that the Society says engage the right to vote, and criminal law proposals that, in its view, should not proceed without substantial further work. The update also flags proposed AML/CFT changes that have implications for lawyers with reporting obligations.