Navigating New Zealand's Health & Safety Reform, Why Simplicity Wins!
- Sophie Donnelly
- May 20
- 2 min read

New Zealand is currently in the midst of a much needed health and safety reform. The proposed changes aim to reduce unnecessary red tape, focus on critical risk, and make compliance more achievable for low-risk businesses. For many, this shift comes as a welcome reset and it aligns perfectly with the philosophy behind OSHE.
At OSHE, we’ve always believed health and safety should be practical, straightforward, and actually usable by those on the ground, not just compliance teams. With over a decade of firsthand experience on sites, we designed OSHE for the people doing the work, not just ticking boxes.
The H & S Reform: What’s Changing?
The government is proposing updates to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 that aim to:
Remove low-value compliance tasks for low-risk workplaces
Focus on managing real, critical risk rather than blanket policies
Clarify roles and responsibilities for directors vs operational leaders
Enable sector-led codes of practice for more practical, on-the-ground application
This reform is about cutting through complexity, exactly what OSHE was built for.
How OSHE Supports the Reform Direction
OSHE helps businesses stay ahead of the reform curve by providing a health and safety platform that keeps things simple, relevant, and risk-focused.
Here’s how:
✅ Designed for Critical Risk, Not Admin Bloat
We keep the focus on what matters: identifying and managing real risks. OSHE helps you document and track what’s happening on site without overcomplicating the process.
✅ Built for Simplicity
From toolbox talks to incident reporting, OSHE keeps the interface intuitive so your team actually uses it. If they can use a phone, they can use OSHE.
✅ Real-Time Records, Real-World Context
Track tasks, people, hazards and movements in real time. Need to prove you’re managing risk under the new legislation? OSHE gives you the audit trail without the paperwork overload.
✅ Empowering Teams, Not Just Compliance Officers
Everyone on site gets visibility and ownership. OSHE gives workers, site leads, and directors the same clear view of what’s going on, fostering genuine safety culture, not top-down compliance.
Keeping It Relevant, Keeping It Human
This reform is an opportunity, not just to comply more efficiently, but to reshape how we approach health and safety altogether. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what actually matters.
That’s why OSHE exists. We don’t try to be everything. We just do what health and safety software should do - make it easier to do the right thing.
Ready for What’s Next?
As the legislation evolves, OSHE is here to make sure you’re not only compliant but confident, in control, and ahead of the curve.
If you're ready for safety software that’s built to match the simplicity and focus of the new reforms, it’s time to try OSHE.