The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026 represents the most significant change to New Zealand's health and safety legislation since the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 was introduced. While the changes do not come into force until 1 April 2027, many businesses are already asking what they mean in practice and what they should be doing to prepare.

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In this webinar, we provide a practical overview of the proposed changes and how they may affect organisations of different sizes. We discuss the introduction of the new small PCBU category, the concept of critical risks and risk prioritisation, changes to officer due diligence obligations, overlapping duties between PCBUs, and the increased importance of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs). We also examine changes to notifiable event requirements, landowner responsibilities, and the evolving role of WorkSafe New Zealand.

Rather than focusing solely on legislation, the webinar explores the practical questions businesses should be asking now, including how to identify critical risks, determine whether they are classified as a small or large PCBU, and understand the responsibilities that will continue to apply under the amended legislation.

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Whether you're a business owner, manager, officer, or health and safety representative, this recording provides an accessible introduction to the Amendment Act and highlights the key areas organisations should begin reviewing before the changes take effect.

As further guidance, case law, Approved Codes of Practice, and regulatory updates become available, we will continue to update this page with additional resources and information to help businesses understand and prepare for the changes.