The Registrar is on site in Wellington, New Zealand, covering key highlights and insights from CLEAR’s 8th International Congress on Professional and Occupational Regulation.
At CLEAR’s International Congress in Wellington, Gráinne Moss, Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive, Ministry for Regulation in New Zealand provided an informative overview of how government expectations of regulators are evolving and what this means for regulatory leadership.
Moss reflected on the broader purpose of regulation, noting that when it is well designed and well delivered it “enables trust, unlocks innovation, and supports our economic and social wellbeing.” She emphasized that regulation is a central lever for government and must be managed with care to ensure it continues to serve the public effectively.
Recognizing the international audience, Moss described New Zealand’s regulatory environment as one shaped by many decades of accumulated primary and secondary legislation. Some provisions are outdated, some overlap, and some lack clear accountability.
She noted that New Zealand’s regulatory system includes more than 1200 primary acts, including legislation that dates back to the 1850s, and that the compliance costs associated with this volume of regulation are significant. This landscape contributed to the establishment of the Ministry for Regulation in 2024.
Moss explained that the Ministry’s role is to strengthen the quality of new regulation, review existing systems, and support regulators to build capability across government. “Our job is to make sure regulation works in real life for New Zealanders,” she said.
A central portion of her presentation focused on the Red Tape Portal, which invites the public to share experiences with regulatory requirements that create unnecessary barriers or no longer reflect current circumstances. The portal has received more than 1400 tips, and Moss noted that “eighty percent of the tips are coming from individuals,” highlighting the value of direct public input. Several submissions have led to practical improvements, including updated reporting expectations for enduring powers of attorney and more flexible rules for small garden structures. These examples illustrate how targeted adjustments can have tangible benefits for families and communities.
Moss encouraged regulators to remain focused on outcomes, invest in capability, and continue building approaches that reflect how regulation is experienced by the people it is intended to support.
8th International Congress on Professional and Occupational Regulation
Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR)
Congress Presenter: Gráinne Moss, Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive, Ministry for Regulation
