3208 (2026). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

3208 (2026). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What specific improvements to “provision of guidance”, if any, has the Minister required from WorkSafe so that “businesses and organisations understand what their obligations are in the first place”?

Hon Brooke van Velden: My May 2025 letter of expectations outlined the improvements to WorkSafe New Zealand’s provision of guidance and support for businesses and individuals I expect to see. I expect WorkSafe to shift from a regulator that provides generic and high level “gold plated” guidance to one that provides advice and guidance that addresses the “on the ground” realities of work in a practical way that businesses and workers understand. Additionally, I expect WorkSafe to foster greater use of Approved Codes of Practice to guide sectors with significant critical risks. I receive regular updates on the guidance work programme to ensure my expectations are being met.