RECENT NEWS

Why “health & safety” feels confusing for many NZ businesses If you run a business in New Zealand, you have probably been told you “need health and safety”. What that actually means, however, is often far less clear. For many business owners and office or operations managers, health and safety feels like a mix of paperwork, policies, templates and vague obligations. You might have a folder of documents, or something a previous manager put together years ago, but still feel un

Recent News Request a Consultation In case you missed it... New ACC regulation updates could impact how workplace injuries and illnesses are covered. Recent changes expand recognised occupational diseases, adjust hearing loss assessments, and increase support for travel and review costs. It’s a good time for businesses to stay informed and ensure their health and safety processes reflect current expectations. Contractor Prequal Contractor prequalification is a key step in c

Pressure is part of modern working life in New Zealand. Tight deadlines, shifting priorities, weather disruptions, staff shortages and increasing client expectations are familiar to many of us. In some industries, pressure is not the exception; it is the baseline. However, while pressure itself is not inherently dangerous, unmanaged and sustained pressure can become a workplace hazard. Understanding where that line sits is increasingly important for businesses, especially as

Contractors, subcontractors, and visitors are part of everyday operations for many New Zealand businesses. From maintenance teams and consultants to delivery drivers and installers, there are often people working on site who are not part of your core team. That is exactly why contractor induction is such an important part of workplace H&S. A proper induction helps ensure everyone understands the risks, knows what is expected of them, and can work safely while on your site. It

Contractors play a critical role in many New Zealand businesses, particularly across construction, manufacturing, trades, and maintenance services. While engaging contractors brings flexibility and specialist skills, it also introduces additional health and safety risks if not managed well. This is where contractor prequalification, often referred to as prequal, becomes essential. In the context of workplace safety in New Zealand, contractor prequalification helps businesses

Recent News Request a Consultation Changes to Light Vehicle Inspections Changes to light vehicle inspections in New Zealand will start from 1 November 2026, affecting cars, vans, rental vehicles, trailers, and some motorcycles. For lower‑risk vehicles, inspection frequency may reduce, but safety responsibilities remain the same. If your business operates vehicles, it’s worth understanding what’s changing and how to prepare. Free Seminar in June Our annual seminar is approachi

At Safewise, we know that a strong safety culture is about more than managing physical hazards, plant and PPE. It also includes how work affects people’s mental health, wellbeing and ability to perform at their best. Psychosocial hazards at work are now widely recognised as a key health and safety risk in New Zealand. When these hazards are not well managed, they can contribute to stress, fatigue, errors, incidents and long‑term harm. A healthy psychosocial working environmen

If you’ve worked in construction, maintenance, manufacturing, property, or trades in New Zealand, you’ll know asbestos is one of those risks that never really goes away. It’s still sitting quietly in older buildings and plants, and it can show up when you least expect it. That’s why WorkSafe’s updated asbestos guidance, published in stages (first in August 2024 , then the final stages released on 16 April 2026 ), is worth paying attention to. It’s not just a refresh. It’s a

The Government has announced changes to light vehicle inspections in New Zealand , with updates beginning to come into effect from 1 November 2026 . These changes are part of the wider Land Transport Rules Reform Programme and are intended to reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining safety on the road. The updates affect cars, vans, people‑movers, trailers, rental vehicles, and some motorcycles , and will be particularly relevant for businesses that operate or manage vehic