Health and safety at work strategy

The strategy sets out the Government’s vision on improving health and safety at work across New Zealand from 2018 to 2028.

Health and safety strategy: Apiarist checking on bees

The Strategy

  • sets a clear direction for New Zealand, providing a shared vision for where we want to get to, and what we need to do to get there
  • identifies the common capability gaps and opportunities, through a set of goals and priorities that help us focus our efforts
  • supports better coordination, by providing visibility of the different roles we have and a framework to talk to each other about how we’re working towards better health and safety
  • improves measurement, through the work to build a better picture of New Zealand’s overall health and safety.

We developed the Strategy along with WorkSafe New Zealand with a range of stakeholders. It is informed by research and public consultation on the draft Strategy.

Read the Strategy [PDF, 6.8 MB]

What does the Strategy mean for you?

We are creating a range of factsheets to help you understand the priorities of the Strategy, how it’s relevant to your business or organisation and where to go for additional guidance and help. The first of these factsheets are available below and more will be developed over time:

Small businesses [PDF, 63 KB]

Māori workers [PDF, 51 KB]

Work-related health [PDF, 64 KB]

Worker engagement, participation and representation [PDF, 66 KB]

Forestry [PDF, 53 KB]

What people had to say about the Strategy?

We received 127 submissions on the draft Strategy during public consultation. These showed strong overall support for its direction and vision. People agreed with the Strategy being system-led and future-focused, placing workers at the centre.

Read the Summary of Submissions [PDF, 1.1 MB]

What’s next?

The next step will be to turn the Strategy’s vision into action. Government, sectors, businesses and communities will take steps to align their health and safety-related work with the Strategy. Further material, reports and updates will be published here.

Last updated: 25 October 2023