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What analysis, if any, has been undertaken on the potential impact of shifting from prosecution as a “primary tool” to greater use of alternative enforcement options on serious harm statistics in high‑risk industries?

Answered Question 3211 (2026)
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Asked by

Jan Tinetti

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • What analysis, if any, has been undertaken on the potential impact of shifting from prosecution as a “primary tool” to greater use of alternative enforcement options on serious harm statistics in high‑risk industries?

Answered by

Hon Brooke van Velden

Member for Tāmaki · ACT Party · Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

Answer

Changes to WorkSafe New Zealand's enforcement policies to enable a greater use of alternatives to prosecution were required to align with updated Solicitor-General Prosecution Guidelines. I have not been provided with any analysis on how this change will affect serious harm statistics in high‑risk industries. However, I do not expect serious harm to increase as a result of WorkSafe being able to use a greater range of enforcement options.