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The New Zealand Government has approved changes to health and safety regulations for the hydrogen sector, aiming to modernize and support the rapid expansion of hydrogen technologies. Energy Minister Simon Watts and Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden stated that the updates will remove outdated barriers and position New Zealand as a leader in sustainable energy innovation.

The changes include 10 technical and structural improvements to streamline approval processes and modernize safety rules. The reforms align with the Hydrogen Action Plan released in November 2024, which outlines steps to scale New Zealand's hydrogen economy. The Government believes these regulatory updates will encourage investment and accelerate domestic hydrogen production, particularly for export-focused projects and large-scale industrial users.