Law, Finance and Business Regulation
One of the most important ways government influences the business environment is through the regulation of business activity. Such regulation sets standards for goods and services, provides incentives for innovation, encourages competition in markets, and provides assurance to consumers and investors.
The Ministry promotes improvements in the quality of regulations that shape the business environment, to minimise the compliance burden and provide as much certainty and flexibility as possible. We also work to ensure that regulations designed to achieve non-economic outcomes do not unnecessarily detract from achieving the Government’s economic objective.
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Recent Updates
This page summarises new content and recent updates to the 'Law, Finance and Business Regulation' section of the site.
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Current Reviews and Consultation
Find out more about current reviews, discussion papers, and consultations from the Ministry in relation to Regulation.
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Competition Policy
The Ministry provides policy advice on the Commerce Act and application of competition policy to specific sectors to ensure a competitive environment that supports innovative, efficient business enterprise.
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Insolvency and Financial Reporting
The Ministry administers personal bankruptcies and some court-appointed company liquidations through the statutory role of the Official Assignee. It is also responsible for developing the framework for the insolvency regime.
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Business Law
The Ministry examines the impact of business law on growth and innovation in the business sector.
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Insurance & Superannuation
MED has policy responsibility for both insurance and superannuation legislation.
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Intellectual Property Policy
"Intellectual property" is a generic term for the range of property rights accorded for the protection of creations of the mind. The Ministry is responsible for policy relating to the protection of intellectual property and representing New Zealand.
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Non-Bank Financial Entities
The Ministry also works on policy relating to non-bank entities such as Building Societies, Credit Unions and Industrial & Provident Societies.
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Non-Company Entities
The Ministry also works on policy in relation to Non-Company Entities including Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and Incorporated Societies.
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Regulatory Impact Analysis
What government agencies need to do to comply with the Regulatory Impact Analysis requirements
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Regulatory Policy
The Ministry takes a leading role in improving capability in producing quality regulation in all government departments.
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Securities and Financial Markets
The Ministry develops policy relating to the regulation of New Zealand's capital markets, conduct of its participants and the enforcement bodies that oversee the market.
Within the Ministry
Teams within the Competition, Trade and Investment Branch are responsible for the Ministry's activities in these areas.
The Insurance and Superannuation Unit of the Business Services Branch is responsible for Ministry operational activity in the Insurance & Superannuation area. The Unit incorporates the Government Actuary.
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