Key developments in public law, regulation and government for the week ending 11 November 2016.

Public law

Wellington barrister Noel Sainsbury has been appointed an Acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to be based in Manukau.

The National-led Government has reached an agreement with the Maori Party on policy issues to enable the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill to be passed in Parliament.  The reforms in the Bill were first proposed in 2013 but were not able to be advanced due to the Government not being able to secure sufficient Parliamentary support. The Maori Party has strongly advocated for improved iwi participation. This has been achieved through including the Mana Whakahono a Rohe/Iwi Participation Arrangement in the Bill.

Regulation

The Ministry of Primary Industries has released a consultation on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s fisheries management system. Submissions close Friday 23 December 2016. 

The Commerce Commission has released its draft decision on its review of the non-price features of the Unbundled Bitstream Access (UBA) service. Regulated UBA provides one way of supplying broadband services, allowing retail telecommunications companies to provide internet services over Chorus’ local copper network without the need to install their own equipment in exchanges. The UBA STD sets the terms of the service that Chorus must offer to retail companies. Submissions are due Wednesday 30 November 2016.

The Commerce Commission has published its draft determination on NZME and Fairfax’s application under the Commerce Act seeking authorisation to merge their media operations in New Zealand. The Commission’s preliminary view is that it should decline to authorise the merger. Submissions on the draft decision are due Tuesday 22 November 2016.

Government

Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced that the garden at the Auckland High Court will be developed as a memorial garden in memory of former High Court Judge, the late Sir Robert Chambers.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to the Middle East this week to meet with leaders and counterparts in Jordan, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories and to attend the Sir Bani Yas Forum in Abu Dhabi.

A new technical advisory group is being created to advise the Ministry of Primary Industries on how to accelerate the use of smart agriculture technology.