Parliament has passed legislation rolling back workplace safety protections introduced after the Pike River mine disaster, with Labour promising to repeal the law if it returns to government.
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill passed its third reading on 1 July 2026, removing many of the provisions established under the 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act. That earlier law was enacted following the Pike River tragedy.
Government's case for change
Workplace relations and safety minister Brooke van Velden said the existing health and safety regime was overly complex, undermined confidence, created unnecessary costs, and distracted from what kept people safe.
"It makes clear that attention should be directed towards the hazards that can kill or seriously injure people, or that could cause serious illnesses," van Velden said. "The risks that seriously change lives. By sharpening this focus, businesses can concentrate their efforts where it has the greatest impact, and regulators can target their activity more effectively."
Coalition tensions and delayed start date
The law's implementation was postponed from 1 November 2026 to 1 April 2027 after New Zealand First raised concerns during the parliamentary process.
New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson said his party had reservations but supported the bill's intent to create less bureaucratic and more effective workplace safety legislation. The party's reservations grew after it examined submissions opposing the changes.
"It has not been possible to convince our coalition colleagues to make substantial changes, and we are compelled to vote for this bill via the coalition agreement, which we take our responsibilities extremely seriously," Patterson said.
He said the party had secured "the most precious of commodities in politics: time, a delay in the implementation date".
New Zealand First had signalled after the election that it would seek changes to the bill. ACT said it would oppose any attempts to repeal the law if it remains part of the government.
Opposition response
Labour MP Jan Tinetti said the law would weaken safety protections, risk more workplace injuries and deaths, and do nothing to reduce New Zealand's workplace fatality rate.
"The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill is an absolute horror of a bill," Tinetti said.
She pointed to criticism of the bill from workers, businesses, employers and academics. Tinetti said van Velden responded to criticism with sarcasm, belittling concerns, and taking political potshots at opposition members.
Addressing Pike River families, Tinetti said: "We will get it right, we will repeal, and your men did not die in vain."
Labour has committed to repealing the legislation if it forms the next government.
Greens MP Teanau Tuiono said it was disappointing that the only adopted amendment was the government's amendment to delay the commencement date.
"My concern continues to be that we have rushed this bill, that we have not done it due diligence, that there were concerns raised at the last minute between the coalition partners, and those concerns should have been enough for this bill to be paused, and it hasn't," Tuiono said.
What comes next
The law takes effect on 1 April 2027. Opposition MPs expressed disappointment that New Zealand First did not withdraw its support at the third reading.