New Zealanders are invited to share their views on proposed changes to the country’s key legislation regulating waste and litter.

The proposals aim to modernise New Zealand’s outdated waste legislation, providing more options to reduce and manage waste effectively.

Glenn Wigley, Ministry for the Environment General Manager Waste and HSNO Policy, says updating the proposed legislation is one of the main priorities on the Government’s recently released waste work programme.

“The new legislation will replace the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and Litter Act 1979, giving New Zealand the modern waste legislation our country needs.”

Public consultation opened on 22 April inviting feedback on five proposals:

• creating a framework for extended producer responsibility, to ensure producers remain accountable for their products even after consumers have used them
• changes to how the waste levy is allocated to territorial authorities, and what they can spend the money on
• clarifying roles and responsibilities for central government, local government and the waste sector
• improving tools for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement
• enabling efficient and effective measures to control littering and other types of mismanaged waste.

“We want to know what New Zealanders think about the proposals, which are designed to make our waste legislation more effective, clear and consistent,” Mr Wigley says.

“We also want to understand the impacts on all parts of the waste sector, so we can make sure the legislation is workable and suits New Zealand’s needs.”

Consultation will run for six weeks until 11:59pm on Sunday, 1 June 2025. Feedback will help shape the final proposals for the legislative amendment.

A consultation document and submission forms are available on the Ministry for the Environment’s website: Have your say on proposed amendments to waste legislation - Ministry for the Environment - Citizen Space

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