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Key points, 1 This circular sets out the requirements for central government agencies to estimate and disclose the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission implications and/or impacts on emissions budgets or actions in a current emissions reduction plan, for policy…

Agencies that prepare Cabinet papers are responsible for ensuring that appropriate consultation is undertaken on draft Cabinet papers and other material that is intended for consideration by Cabinet, that other agencies are given reasonable time to…

Once the policy content of a bill has been agreed, and the bill has been drafted, approval must be sought through LEG and Cabinet for the introduction of the bill to the House of Representatives. LEG will examine the bill to ensure that its policy content…

Papers that are submitted to Cabinet or committee seeking authorisation for the submission of secondary legislation to the Executive Council must follow the format set out below. Each heading must appear in the paper (write "not applicable" if the heading…

Impact analysis, within the context of preparing Cabinet material, is a process of defining the policy or operational problem that needs to be addressed, identifying policy objectives, and the full range of feasible options for addressing that problem.…

Introduction, 1 This circular sets out the Government’s expectations for good law-making to ensure responsible regulation. 2 Responsible regulation can help governments to achieve their desired economic, environmental and social outcomes, support the…

Cabinet Office circulars which have been superseded or cancelled over the last 20 years are listed here. They are available from the Cabinet Office on request - please quote the reference number and title. Older circulars are also available from the…

Introduction, 1 As announced by the Prime Minister on 21 January 2026, the 2026 general election is to be held on, 7 November 2026, . The "pre-election period" is generally regarded as being the three months before a general election. The pre-election…

Introduction, 1 This circular sets out the requirements for bids for bills seeking placement on the 2026 Legislation Programme. 2 When submitting bids, Ministers and agencies are asked to consider core legislative priorities to be delivered before the…

  “Advice given to Ministers must be free and frank. It should be based on officials' professional opinions and best judgement. Free and frank advice is honest and fearless but should also be responsive to the priorities determined by the government of…

This section outlines the need for a range of consultation on Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and the process for consultation, including: the process for agency consultation , which includes consultation with the Department of the Prime Minister and…

Cabinet Fees Framework for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest, 1 Cabinet has agreed to a revised Fees Framework for determining or reassessing the fees paid to members of statutory and other bodies in which the Crown has an…

Introduction, 1 In November 2024, Cabinet Circular CO (24) 6 asked Ministers and agencies to submit bids for bills seeking places on the 2025 Legislation Programme. At that time, it was noted that the Leader of the House, in consultation with the Prime…

Papers seeking approval for treaty actions generally follow the format of standard Cabinet papers. Below is an annotated example of an international treaty action paper.   [ Security classification – minimum of In Confidence required]   Office of the…

Cabinet paper attachments are usually one of the following: appointments information ( Organisation form  and  Candidate CV form , which should be combined into one document when uploaded into CabNet) additional supporting information that is presented…

Step 1: Gather information about the future , Indicative timeframe: April to May 2024 During Step 1, departments gather information on future trends, risks, and opportunities. This provides the basis in Step 2 for considering the topic for the Briefing.…

Think pieces on New Zealand's future, The Long-term Insights Briefings are think pieces on important issues for the future of New Zealand. They're an opportunity to enhance public debate on long-term issues and contribute to future decision making.  The s…

The Briefings development process, Development steps, Indicative timeframe, 1. Gather information about the future April to May 2024 2. Consider topic and potential for joint Briefings May to June 2024 3. Engagement on proposed topic June to Sept 2024 4.…

Introduction, 1 The Leader of the National Party has announced his intention to form a coalition government with the ACT Party and the New Zealand First Party that is able to command the confidence of the House of Representatives. 2 This circular sets out…

What is CabNet, CabNet is a secure platform for supporting Cabinet and Cabinet committee processes . It is used by government agencies and Minister’s offices, and maintained by the Cabinet Office. CabNet is used to manage Cabinet and Cabinet committee…

Introduction, 1 This circular supersedes Cabinet Office circular CO (19) 6, and gives effect to Cabinet’s intention to: 1.1 make the best investment choices for current and future generations; 1.2 ensure there is active stewardship of government resources…

Introduction, 1 In January this year the Cabinet Office issued guidance on government decision making in the pre-election period 1 . That guidance noted that the government has the right to govern as usual until the election. As in previous election years…

Key points, 1 This circular provides guidance on the management of parliamentary business after Parliament has been dissolved. The key points are as follows: 1.1 all parliamentary business will lapse on, Friday 8 September 2023, , when Parliament is…

Purpose, 1 This circular sets out the requirement for public service agencies to identify and justify the use of paid external resources (such as consultants or contractors) engaged in the development of policy advice to Cabinet., Context, 2 In line with…

Cabinet papers and minutes must be proactively released within 30 business days of final decisions being taken by Cabinet, unless there is good reason not to publish all or part of the material, or to delay the release. This policy applies to all papers…

The Cost-of-Living Implications section of the Cabinet policy paper template should be used to summarise the likely impacts that the proposal in the Cabinet paper will have on the cost of living. The section is primarily descriptive and seeks to…

This section provides information on the Cabinet process for Ministers' and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries’ overseas travel and Cabinet travel paper requirements. Follow this link for templates for the two kinds of travel papers (requests for Ministerial…

Introduction, 1 This circular sets out the process for developing the Statutes Amendment Bill in 2023., Process for the Bill, This circular sets out the seven key steps involved in the preparation of Statutes Amendment Bills, which range from the…

The Implementation Unit supports the public service to strengthen implementation of Government’s key priorities. This guidance is to assist those responsible for implementing complex programmes, and draws on agencies’ experience and expertise. The…

Introduction, 1 This circular sets out advice on the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the New Zealand response, and the effect of The Queen’s death on New Zealand’s constitutional situation, including implications for Cabinet processes and other matters…

Preparing Ministers’ papers for a meeting, Ministers receive all Cabinet and Cabinet committee items in hard copy from the Cabinet Office, unless they have opted to use CabDocs. Papers should be prepared for a Minister’s attendance at Cabinet or a Cabinet…

Introduction, 1 The Legislation Guidelines (2021 edition) are the government's key point of reference for assessing whether draft legislation conforms to accepted legal and constitutional principles.  2 The Legislation Guidelines set out guidance on…