Work programme
At the McGuinness Institute, we are fortunate to be able to set our work programme in response to where we think we can best deliver value.
This means the observations made throughout 2025 have shaped our work for 2026. We remain flexible throughout the year to ensure our focus remains on what we believe is most important for New Zealand’s long-term future.
Our work programme is updated throughout the year, so please check back every few months to see how it has evolved. We welcome collaboration, so if you are interested in anything, please contact us. Download our tentative 2026 work programme (updated 1 April 2026), or review previous work programmes.
Key datasets that the Institute continues to collect and analyse are as follows:
- Annual reports of NZX-listed companies,
- Government Department Strategies (GDSs),
- Long-term Insights Briefings (LTIBs),
- Political party agreements (e.g. coalition agreements, confidence and supply agreements, agreements inside formation and inside Government, and agreements outside formation but inside Government),
- Royal Commission Inquiries, and
- Scenarios published in New Zealand.
In addition to the projects outlined in our work programme, we prepare a range of submissions throughout the year. As submissions and their topics are determined by external parties, we have decided to show them in a seperate schedule below.
To learn more about what drives our work, please subscribe to our annual newsletter.
A list of publications that have been carried over to 2026 can be found here.
Submissions schedule
| Institute Number | Title and link to invitation | Organisation | Date and link to our written submission | Date and link to our oral submission | Primary Project |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/05 | Fisheries Amendment Bill | Primary Production Committee | 6 May 2026 Updated 7 May 2026 | NA | OneOceanNZ ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2026/04 | Inquiry into Fire and Emergency New Zealand's fleet management and related issues | Governance and Administration Committee | 30 April 2026 | NA | CivicsNZ ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2026/03 | Environment (Disestablishment of the Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill | Environment Committee | 11 March 2026 Updated 27 March 2026 | 2 April 2026 | OneOceanNZ PublicScienceNZ ReportingNZ |
| 2026/02 | Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill | Environment Committee | 13 Feb 2026 Updated 17 Feb 2026 | 18 March 2026 | OneOceanNZ PublicScienceNZ ReportingNZ |
| 2026/01 | GHG Protocol Public Consultation on Scope 2 Emissions | GHG Protocol | 31 January 2026 Note a copy of this submission is unavailable as it was submitted in an online survey. | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/23 | Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill – Amendment Paper 446 | Finance and Expenditure Committee | 5 Dec 2025 Updated 30 Dec 2025 (This version incorporates references to three recently published working papers) | 10 Dec 2025 Updated 30 Dec 2025 Attachment 1: Entities with over $1b market capitalisation Attachment 2: Entities with over $0.06b market capitalisation | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/22 | Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Scope 2 proposals | External Reporting Board (XRB) | Nov 2025 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/21 | Inquiry into performance reporting and public accountability | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Oct 2025 (final draft) | 27 Nov 2025 | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/20 | Proposed class exemption for entities incorporated in foreign jurisdictions from New Zealand climate reporting duties | Financial Markets Authority (FMA) | Oct 2025 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/19 | Alignment with international standards: sustainability assurance, ethics and independence and using the work of an external expert | External Reporting Board (XRB) | Oct 2025 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/18 | Proposed 2025 Amendments to Climate and Assurance Standards | External Reporting Board (XRB) | Sep 2025 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/17 | Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill | Health Committee | Aug 2025 | 3 Sep 2025 Supplementary submission | PandemicNZ |
| 2025/16 | Consultation on updating RMA national direction (packages 1-3) | Ministry for the Environment (MFE) | Jul 2025 | NA | BiodiversityNZ |
| 2025/15 | Public Finance Amendment Bill | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Jul 2025 | 4 Aug 2025 | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/14 | Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Jul 2025 | 21 Jul 2025 | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/13 | Predator Free 2050 Strategy Public Consultation | Department of Conservation (DOC) | Jun 2025 | NA | BiodiversityNZ |
| 2025/12 | Action for nature: Implementing New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy 2025-2030 | Department of Conservation | Jun 2025 | NA | BiodiversityNZ |
| 2025/10 | Regulatory Standards Bill | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Jun 2025 | 9 Jul 2025 | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/09 | NZ Royal Commission COVID-19 Lessons Learned | Te Tira Ārai Urutā: Phase Two | Royal Commission of Inquiry | Sep 2025 | NA | PandemicNZ |
| 2025/08 | Strengthening New Zealand’s emergency management legislation (NEMA) | National Emergency Management Agency | May 2025 | NA | PublicScienceNZ |
| 2025/07 | Proposed amendments to the New Zealand Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds | Ministry of Primary Industries | May 2025 | NA | PublicScienceNZ |
| 2025/06 | Proposed Amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996 | Ministry of Primary Industries | Apr 2025 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2025/05 | Taxation and the not-for-profit sector | Inland Revenue Department | Mar 2025 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/04 | 2024/25 International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board Exposure Draft: Public sector climate-related disclosure standard | External Reporting Board; International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board | Feb 2025 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2025/03 | Gene Technology Bill | Health Select Committee | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | PublicScienceNZ |
| 2025/02 | Regulatory Standards Bill | Ministry for Regulation | Jan 2025 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2025/01 | Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill (the Principles Bill) | Justice Select Committee | Jan 2025 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2024/06 | Proposed 2024 Amendments to Climate and Assurance Standards | External Reporting Board | Oct 2024 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2024/05 | NZ Royal Commission COVID-19 Lessons Learned | Te Tira Ārai Urutā: Phase One | Royal Commission of Inquiry | Mar 2024 | NA | PandemicNZ |
| 2024/04 | Resource Management (Extended Duration of Coastal Permits for Marine Farms) Amendment Bill | Primary Production Committee | NA | Jun 2024 Attachments | OneOceanNZ |
| 2024/03 | Fast-track Approvals Bill | Environment Select Committee | NA | Jun 2024 | BiodiversityNZ |
| 2024/02 | Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) | Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) | Mar 2024 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2024/01 | Notes in response to the Proposal by Government to extend the duration of existing consents for marine farming | Ministry for Primary Industries | Mar 2024 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2023/02 | Market governance of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme Discussion document | Ministry for the Environment | Mar 2023 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2023/01 | Natural and Built Environment (NBE) Bill Spatial Planning (SP) Bill Climate Change Adaptation Bill | Environment Select Committee | Mar 2023 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/13 | Pricing agricultural emissions: Consultation document | Ministry for the Environment; Ministry for Primary Industries | Nov 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/12 | A fair chance for all: Breaking the cycle of persistent disadvantage | New Zealand Productivity Commission | Nov 2022 | NA | TacklingPovertyNZ |
| 2022/11 | (i) Exposure Draft: NZX Corporate Governance Code Review – 2nd Consultation (ii) Exposure Draft: NZX ESG Guidance Note – Initial Consultation | New Zealand's Exchange | Oct 2022 Draft ESG Guide McGuinness tracked version Supporting evidence | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2022/10 | Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards Climate-related Disclosures: Exposure Drafts | External Reporting Board | Sep 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/09 | Reclassifying stewardship land on the West Coast | Department of Conservation | Aug 2022 | Sep 2022 | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/08 | Water Services Entities Bill: Three Waters Reform Programme | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Jul 2022 | Sep 2022 | WaterFuturesNZ |
| 2022/07 | Te mahere urutaunga ā motu (tuhinga hukihuki): Draft National Adaptation Plan and the Adapt and Thrive - Managed Retreat document | Ministry for the Environment | Jun 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/06 | People and place: Ensuring the wellbeing of every generation Consultation on the topic for the Ministry for the Environment’s Long-term Insights Briefing 2022 | Ministry for the Environment | May 2022 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2022/05 | Strategy and Metrics and Targets Consultation Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standard 1: Climate-related Disclosures (NZ CS 1) | External Reporting Board | May 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/04 | Proposed changes to regulations for the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme 2022 | Ministry for the Environment | Apr 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/03 | Improving Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental reporting system: Consultation document | Ministry for the Environment | Mar 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2022/02 | Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways Green Paper | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | Mar 2022 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ; PublicScienceNZ |
| 2022/01 | NZX Corporate Governance Code Review 2021: Initial Discussion Document | New Zealand Exchange Limited | Jan 2022 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2021/08 | XRB’s Governance and Risk Management (NZ CS 1) | External Reporting Board | Nov 2021 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2021/07 | Te hau mārohi ki anamata – Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future | Ministry for the Environment | Nov 2021 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2021/06 | Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission's Long-term Insights Briefing | Public Service Commission | Aug 2021 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2021/05 | Natural and Built Environments Bill Parliamentary paper on the exposure draft | Ministry for the Environment | Aug 2021 | Sep 2021 | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2021/04 | Exposure Draft: Proposed Targeted Amendments to the IFRS Foundation Constitution to Accommodate an International Sustainability Standards Board to Set IFRS Sustainability Standards | IFRS Foundation | Jul 2021 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2021/03 | Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill | Financial Markets Authority | May 2021 | Jun 2021 | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2021/02 | He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission 2021 Draft Advice for Consultation | Climate Change Commission | Mar 2021 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2021/01 | Marlborough District Council – Variation 1: Marine Farming and Variation 1A: Finfish Farming | Marlborough District Council | Feb 2021 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2020/01 | Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Reform) Amendment Bill | Ministry for the Environment | Jan 2020 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2019/10 | Climate-related financial disclosures: Understanding your business risks and opportunities related to climate change | Ministry for the Environment | Dec 2019 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2019/08 | The Attack on Christchurch Mosques | Royal Commission of Inquiry | Dec 2019 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2019/07 | Discussion Paper 19/02 – 'Culture, Wellbeing, and the Living Standards Framework | Treasury | Nov 2019 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2019/06 | Resource Management Amendment Bill | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Nov 2019 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2019/05 | Local government funding and financing | New Zealand Productivity Commission | Aug 2019 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2019/04 | Resource Consent Application U190357 | Marlborough District Council | Jul 2019 | Nov 2019 | OneOceanNZ |
| 2019/03 | Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill | Ministry for the Environment | Jul 2019 | Aug 2019 | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2019/02 | New Zealand Regulatory Board Proposed Revision of Code of Ethics | New Zealand Regulatory Board | Feb 2019 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2019/01 | Aotearoa New Zealand Government Tourism Strategy | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | Feb 2019 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2018/05 | The Interim Report on The Future of Tax | Tax Working Group | Nov 2018 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2018/04 | Zero Carbon Bill | Ministry for the Environment | Jul 2018 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2018/03 | Low-emissions Economy | New Zealand Productivity Commission | Jul 2018 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2018/02 | The Future of Tax | Tax Working Group | Apr 2018 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2018/01 | In response to request for proposals | Ministry of Social Development | Mar 2018 | NA | TalentNZ |
| 2017/05 | NZX Listing Rule Review | New Zealand Exchange Limited | Dec 2017 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2017/04 | Urban Development Authorities | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | May 2017 | NA | TacklingPovertyNZ |
| 2017/03 | Clean Water: 90% of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040 | Ministry for the Environment | May 2017 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2017/02 | Disclosing non-GAAP financial information | Financial Markets Authority | Apr 2017 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2017/01 | Potential relocation of salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds | Marlborough District Council; Ministry for Primary Industries | Mar 2017 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2016/07 | New Models of Tertiary Education Draft Report | Ministry of Education | Dec 2016 | NA | TalentNZ |
| 2016/06 | NZX Corporate Governance Best Practice Code | New Zealand Exchange Limited | Oct 2016 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2016/05 | New models of tertiary education | New Zealand Productivity Commission | May 2016 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2016/04 | The consultation for the New Zealand emissions trading scheme review 2015/16 | Ministry for the Environment | May 2016 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2016/03 | Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill | Local Government and Environment | Apr 2016 Attachment | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2016/02 | Consultation on next steps for freshwater | Ministry for the Environment | Apr 2016 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2016/01 | New Marine Protected Areas Act | Ministry for the Environment | Mar 2016 | NA | OneOceanNZ |
| 2015/08 | Update of the Education Act 1989 | Ministry of Education | Dec 2015 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2015/07 | The consultation on the draft revised guide to the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan 2015 | Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management | Sep 2015 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2015/06 | Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan Hearing - Topic 024 GMO's | Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel | Aug 2015 | NA | PublicScienceNZ |
| 2015/05 | Proposed NES for Plantation Forestry | Ministry for Primary Industries | Aug 2015 | NA | BiodiversityNZ |
| 2015/04 | The Inquiry into Parliament’s legislative response to future national emergencies | Regulations Review | Jul 2015 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2015/03 | Flag Consideration Panel | The Flag Consideration Panel | Jul 2015 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2015/02 | Consultation on setting New Zealand's post-2020 climate change target | Ministry for the Environment | Jun 2015 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2015/01 | Local Councils' Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (LTP) | Ashburton District Council | Apr 2015 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2014/06 | Draft National Statement of Science Investment 2014–2024 | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment | Aug 2014 Attachment | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2014/05 | Environmental Reporting Bill | Ministry for the Environment | Apr 2014 Closing Comments Relevant Government Priorities set for the Ministry for the Environment National Policy Statements Excerpt from the McGuinness Institute Submission on the Environmental Reporting Bill 2014 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2014/04 | Draft for Consultation: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects – Discharge and Dumping) Regulations 2014 | Ministry for the Environment | Mar 2014 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2014/03 | Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan | Auckland City Council | Feb 2014 | NA | ForesightNZ |
| 2014/02 | Proposed Hastings District Plan | Hastings District Council | Feb 2014 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2014/01 | Draft for Consultation: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects – Non-Notified Activities) Regulations 2013 | Ministry for the Environment | Feb 2014 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2013/05 | Activity classifications under the EEZ Act: A discussion document on the regulation of exploratory drilling, discharges of harmful substances and dumping of waste in the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf | Ministry for the Environment | Sep 2013 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2013/04 | International Integrated Reporting Councils' (IIRC) Consultation Draft of the International Framework | International Integrated Reporting Council | Jul 2013 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2013/03 | Ensuring New Zealand's Constitution is Fit for Purpose | Constitutional Advisory Panel | Jul 2013 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2013/02 | Ministry for the Environment Discussion Document: Improving our resource management system | Ministry for the Environment | Apr 2013 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2013/01 | Public Finance (Fiscal Responsibility) Amendment Bill 2012 | Finance and Expenditure Committee | Feb 2013 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2012/08 | Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill 2012 (Additional Submission) | Department of Internal Affairs | Sep 2012 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2012/07 | Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill 2012 | Local Government and Environment Committee | Jul 2012 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2012/06 | Local Government Reform in Wellington | Wellington City Council | Jun 2012 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2012/05 | Regulations proposed under the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects Bill) | Ministry for the Environment | Jun 2012 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2012/04 | Electoral Commission Review on the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) Electoral System | Electoral Commission | May 2012 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2012/03 | Wellington City Council Draft Long Term Plan 2012-22 | Wellington City Council | May 2012 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2012/02 | Mixed Ownership Model Bill | Finance and Expenditure Committee | May 2012 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2012/01 | Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill | Local Government and Environment Committee | Jan 2012 Attachment | Feb 2012 | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2011/03 | International Integrated Reporting Committee Discussion Paper | International Integrated Reporting Committee | Dec 2011 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2011/02 | Environmental Reporting Bill | Ministry for the Environment | Oct 2011 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2011/01 | Application A1042 – Food derived from herbicide-tolerant Corn line DAS-40278-9 | Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Apr 2011 | NA | PublicScienceNZ |
| 2010/08 | State Sector Management Bill | Education and Science Committee | Oct 2010 | Oct 2010 | CivicsNZ |
| 2010/07 | Reviewing the Crown Minerals Act 1991 Discussion Paper | Ministry of Economic Development | Oct 2010 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2010/06 | Review of Securities Law: Discussion Paper | Ministry of Economic Development | Sep 2010 | NA | ReportingNZ |
| 2010/05 | Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy and the Draft New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy | Ministry of Economic Development | Sep 2010 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2010/04 | Electoral Referendum Bill | Electoral Legislation Committee | Jun 2010 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2010/03 | Ministry of Economic Development on Schedule 4 Stocktake discussion document | Ministry of Economic Development | May 2010 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2010/02 | Wellington City's Draft 2010 Climate Change Action Plan | Wellington City Council | May 2010 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2010/01 | Proposed National Environmental Standards | Ministry for the Environment | Apr 2010 | NA | ClimateChangeNZ |
| 2009/03 | Long Term Council Community Plans | Wellington City Council | Apr 2009 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2009/02 | Resource Management Amendment Bill | Local Government and Environment Committee | Apr 2009 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2009/01 | Draft Electricity Govt Policy Statement | Ministry of Economic Development | Mar 2009 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2007/03 | Electoral Finance Bill | Justice and Electoral Committee | Sep 2007 Background paper on the timeline Background paper reviewing of the first reading in the House | Sep 2007 | CivicsNZ |
| 2007/02 | Energy Related Entities in the Public Sector MFE: Discussion paper on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand post-2012 MAF: Sustainable land management and climate change MED: New Zealand Energy Strategy to 2050 MED: Transitional Measures – Options to Move Towards Lows Emissions Electricity and Stationary Energy Supply and to Facilitate a Transition to Greenhouse Gas Pricing in the Future EECA: New Zealand Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Ministry of Economic Development; Ministry for the Environment | Mar 2007 | NA | CivicsNZ |
| 2007/01 | Wellington Regional Transport Strategy | Greater Wellington Regional Council | Feb 2007 Issues and outstanding questions Follow-up letter dated March 29 2007 | NA | CivicsNZ |
Stay in the loop
Subscribe for annual updates of what we have been up to, for insights on our recent publications and to learn about upcoming events.