PETITION: INTRODUCE CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER LEGISLATION IN NEW ZEALAND  

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon 

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith  

Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden 

Tēnā koutou, 

We believe every working person has the right to return home safely at the end of the day. The health and wellbeing of all workers must be a top priority for the companies they work for.  

Businesses that cut corners to save costs at the expense of workers’ lives, bosses that repeatedly disregard risks that kill their employees, and directors that take unacceptable risks with workers’ lives must be held accountable.  

In the last year between January 2022 and January 2023, 64 people have been killed at work.  

Currently, there is no corporate manslaughter legislation in New Zealand to hold companies accountable when their negligence leads to a person being killed at work. This is unacceptable. An effective deterrent is long overdue.  

Companies have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their workers, and the lack of consequences for companies that fail to do so perpetuates a culture of negligence and disregard for human life.  

Together, let’s ensure there’s Not One More.  

We urge you to introduce corporate manslaughter legislation for New Zealand. We want to see New Zealand become a world leader in workplace safety, joining other countries like Canada, United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Australia who have developed legislation to protect their workers. 

This legislation would ensure negligent companies are held accountable for workplace deaths, and send a clear message that the safety and wellbeing of workers is a top priority for New Zealand. 

Ngā mihi nui,