The Government has agreed to update health and safety regulations governing the hydrogen sector, saying the changes will remove unnecessary barriers while ‘maintaining strong safety standards’ and ‘supporting economic growth’.
Energy Minister Simon Watts said hydrogen would play a key role in New Zealand’s future energy mix, particularly in sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transport and industry. He said outdated regulations were limiting the development of hydrogen technologies and needed to be modernised to support innovation and investment.
“Harnessing hydrogen’s potential can drive innovation, create jobs, and position New Zealand as a leader in sustainable energy solutions,” Watts said, adding that the regulatory framework must enable growth rather than impede it.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said concerns raised during a nationwide health and safety roadshow highlighted that existing rules were not designed with hydrogen in mind and were now obstructing safe development.
She said officials had worked closely with the sector to ensure the updated regulations strike the right balance between flexibility and safety, while also reducing unnecessary compliance costs.
The package includes 10 changes, such as setting specific requirements for hydrogen fuelling stations and cryogenic liquid hydrogen, easing approval processes for hydrogen appliances, allowing alternatives to odorisation, permitting multi-element gas containers, and updating references to modern safety standards.
Watts said the reforms deliver a key commitment under the Hydrogen Action Plan released in November 2024, helping unlock faster growth, new jobs, and wider economic and climate benefits.
Image credit: Sumaid pal Singh Bakshi
