What the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill means heading forward w/ the Victoria University of Wellington's Geoffrey Bertram: 19 November, 2025

Recently, the controversial Regulatory Standards Bill passed its third and final reading.

The bill has raised concerns amongst many for a variety of reasons, including its lack of recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the risks it poses to the environment, and what opponents say is its ‘narrow neoliberal framework’.

The bill, during public submissions, received 156,000 submissions, with over 98% voicing their opposition to the proposed legislation.

News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Geoffrey Bertram, a visiting scholar and retired lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington about the bill, why it is so polarising, and what the passing of this bill means heading forward.