Consultation is open until 5pm 16 January 2026 on proposals for strengthening the New Zealand Export Controls regime to address changing proliferation challenges involving strategic (military related) goods and technology.
- Register your interest in attending a consultation event by Friday 5 December. Dates and times are set out below.
- See the media release for more information.
Overview
The New Zealand Export Controls regime regulates the export of military related goods and technology, as well as exports to military and police end-users, in line with New Zealand’s domestic and international obligations, commitments and policies. Information on the current export controls can be found at: Export Controls | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
An independent review of the regime in 2021 identified several operational changes which have now been implemented. That review also recommended consideration be given to legislative change to address contemporary and future proliferation challenges through a strengthened regulatory system that is modern, efficient, and flexible.
The consultation document includes proposals for improving the regime to address evolving proliferation challenges relating to strategic (military related) goods and technology. This includes technology intended for military use or that may have military applications (i.e. dual-use applications).
Have your say
We encourage you to have your say to ensure your views are considered. In what is likely to be an increasingly challenging future, it is more important than ever that New Zealand has a fit for purpose Export Controls regime. Participation from exporters, universities and researchers, civil society, and Māori, including iwi and hapū as Treaty partners, is encouraged. Your contributions are integral to this significant work.
How to participate:
- Attend a consultation event to learn more about the proposals or give feedback. Express your interest by 5 December 2025. Dates and times are set out below.
- Give your feedback using the online submission tool(external link) by 5.00pm Friday 16 January.
- Email your submission to ECRreview@mfat.govt.nz by 5.00pm Friday 16 January.
- You can also post your feedback by 5.00pm Friday 16 January to:
Export Controls Consultation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18 901
Wellington 6160
Submit feedback(external link)
Attend a consultation event
Register your interest to attend a consultation workshop or hui on proposals to strengthen New Zealand’s export controls regime.
Consultation events will be held:
- Monday 8 December All-comers Engagement – 9.30 – 10.45am Online
- Monday 8 December Māori Engagement - 11.30am – 12.45pm Online
- Tuesday 9 December Industry Engagement - Auckland – 12.30 – 2.00pm: Level 6, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 139 Quay Street
- Wednesday 10 December NGOs, civil society, general public - Auckland - 9.30 – 11.00am: Level 6, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 139 Quay Street
- Wednesday 10 December Academia/Research Engagement - Auckland - 11.30am – 1.00pm: Level 6, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 139 Quay Street
- Thursday 11 December All-comers Engagement - Hamilton - PM – time & venue TBC
- Monday 15 December Industry Engagement - Wellington - 9.00 – 10.30am: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HSBC Building, 195 Lambton Quay (Come to reception on Level 12)
- Monday 15 December NGOs, civil society, general public – Wellington - 11.30am – 1.00pm: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HSBC Building, 195 Lambton Quay (Come to reception on Level 12)
- Tuesday 16 December All-comers Engagement – 9.00 - 10. 15am Online
- Tuesday 16 December Academia/Research Engagement – Wellington - 11.00am – 12.30pm: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HSBC Building, 195 Lambton Quay (Come to reception on Level 12)
- Tuesday 16 December Māori Engagement Hui – 1.15 - 2.30 pm Online
- Wednesday 17 December All comers Engagement – Christchurch PM - time & venue TBC
- Friday 19 December All-comers Engagement – Dunedin PM – time & venue TBC
While you are welcome to attend any consultation event, please note that some have an intended focus. Please register your interest in attending a session by 5 December.
These sessions will not include translation or certain other accessibility measures. If you have accessibility requirements that may restrict your participation in the hui or workshops, please email ECRreview@mfat.govt.nz and we will arrange an alternative means for you to ask questions and have your say.
We recognise that a public setting may not be appropriate to provide feedback in some circumstances, for example, confidential information. If you wish to arrange a separate discussion with the Ministry about the proposals, please email ECRreview@mfat.govt.nz by Friday 5 December.
Once registrations of interest close, those who have registered will be sent details of the date and time for their workshop or hui, and details of how to join the session.
Submissions are public information
Information obtained by MFAT as a result of this consultation, including discussions and feedback, is considered “official information” held by MFAT for the purposes of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). As such, MFAT may release information obtained through the consultation in response to an official information request, or in proactively released papers, subject to redactions under the OIA. Where you consider there are legitimate reasons all or part of the information you provide should be withheld, please indicate this in your feedback, along with your supporting rationale. Although this shall not be construed as final, it will be taken into consideration by MFAT, and we may consult you.