A law change will shift responsibility for injuries during outdoor activities from land owners to those running the activities. Workplace Safety Minister Brooke van Velden believes this change will eliminate “overcompliance” and reduce the fear of legal liability among landowners. The change will clarify health and safety responsibilities for businesses, employers, and workers, with the goal of allowing Kiwis to engage in recreational activities without being hindered by health and safety red tape.
The Health and Safety at Work Act amendment will ensure that land owners are only responsible for risks in the immediate vicinity of their work, not from the activities themselves. This change will apply to public and private land, including farms, forestry, school grounds, council land, and regional and national parks. Despite the shift in responsibility, landowners will still have the authority to grant access to their land and the change will not impact private property rights.
The goal of the law change is to encourage recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking, while ensuring that all New Zealanders can return home safely after every working day. By placing health and safety responsibilities on the organization running the activities, the government hopes to create a culture that allows for these activities to take place without unnecessary legal concerns.
