Explainer: It’s July 1 tomorrow and believe it or not we’re halfway through 2025, which means the Government will roll out several new changes to policies and regulations.
Here are some of the highlights you need to know:
Healthy Homes standards come into effect
One big change is mandatory Healthy Homes standards which all rental properties must now comply with.
The rules set basic standards for heating, insulation and ventilation.
Among them:
- Landlords need to provide one or more fixed heaters that can directly heat a home’s main living room. These need to meet the minimum heating capacity
- Properties need to be insulated in the ceiling and under the floor, unless the design of the home makes this impossible
- Every liveable area needs a window or door that opens to the outdoors and can be fixed open
- Kitchens and bathrooms need extractor fans
- All rental properties also need efficient drainage, guttering and downpipes and any gaps or holes need to be blocked.
There is a tool on MBIE’s Tenancy Services website landlords can use to check their compliance.
Parental leave payments
The maximum weekly rate of paid parental leave will go up as of July 1.
The maximum parental leave payment rate for eligible employees and self-employed people will increase from $754.87 to $788.66 gross per week, Employment NZ said.
The minimum parental leave payment rate for self-employed parents will also increase from $231.50 to $235 gross per week, to reflect the minimum wage increase on April 1.
There have also been changes to broader parental leave requirements which will take effect that will clarify certain details around how leave is counted and who is eligible.
Jobseeker tightens up
Jobseeker is making changes to how people can get support.
From Tuesday, people will only get Jobseeker Support for 26 weeks — six months — before they need to reapply. Currently, people need to reapply once a year.
Those who are already getting Jobseeker Support may still be on a 52-week reapplication before they move to the shorter period depending on their situation, Work and Income said.
There will also be changes to two groups of people already on Jobseeker – sole parents who are the primary caregiver and whose youngest dependent child is 14-18 years, and people who were “grandparented” and getting benefits before 2013.
KiwiSaver changes
The Gvernment announced several changes to KiwiSaver in this year’s Budget.
As of July 1, the government contribution will drop from 50 cents to 25 cents for each dollar you contribute to KiwiSaver each year, lowering the maximum government contribution from $521.43 to $260.72. You’ll need to contribute at least $1,042.86 to get that.
The government contribution will be extended to include 16- and 17-year-olds from July 1 2025, and they will be eligible for mandatory employer contributions as well, from 1 April 2026. The age for auto-enrolment will remain at 18.
Those enrolled in the scheme with an income of more than $180,000 will no longer receive the government contribution. Eligibility for this will be tested according to one of the last two tax years based on the member’s income, once their final tax return is finalised.
ACC payments to increase
ACC has raised some payments starting July 1 as part of their annual review.
Clients who have been receiving weekly compensation for more than 26 weeks will have their payments increased by 2.89%.
The new gross maximum rate of weekly compensation payable will be $2418.55 per week.
Transport fees to increase
Public transport fees are changing in many locations as councils try to meet a directive from the government to pay more of the cost of delivering the services.
Fares will increase in Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury and Invercargill. Northland’s bus fares are going up in August.
Auckland Transport increased its fares in February. The BayBus service around Tauranga and Bay of Plenty increased prices in April, while the Otago Regional Council has agreed to raise prices but it hasn’t set out when that will happen.
In Wellington, Metlink fares will rise 2.2% while in Christchurch, fees will also rise.
Check with your own local public transport for details in your area.
Raw milk records
From July 1, it will be a requirement to keep records of the movement of raw milk to and from farms.
It’s part of the National Pest Management Plan for Mycoplasma bovis which aims to prevent the spread of the disease.
Weight loss drug Wegovy available
The weight loss and diabetes drug Wegovy (also known as Ozempic) which is only available on prescription, should be on pharmacy shelves as of July 1, drug maker Novo Nordisk confirmed.
It ends a years-long wait for the much-hyped medication.
rnz.co.nz
