News from the team and updates on standards published, out for consultation, and on the horizon.
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In this issue:
- Welcome to 2026 – A year of opportunity, collaboration, and impact
- New trans‑Tasman agreement to strengthen Single Economic Market
- Standards New Zealand at APEC standards and conformance meetings in China
- New global report shows ‘standards are the hidden foundations of prosperity’
- Why inspection bodies need to prepare for the 2026 update of ISO/IEC 17020
- Using standards content in digital and AI tools: What you need to know
- Introducing Lynda Poletti - Manager, Products and Services
- Standard in development updates
- Have your say on the revision of NZS 4411 – Environmental standard for drilling of soil and rock
- Public consultation open on new revision to SNZ PAS 5210 for high temperature heat pumps
Welcome to 2026 – A year of opportunity, collaboration, and impact
Welcome to 2026. I hope the year has begun well for you and your teams. For Standards New Zealand, it promises to be a significant and productive year on the back of one of our busiest years ever, with a full and ambitious work programme already underway.
Strengthening trans-Tasman collaboration: February Bilateral with Australia
Building on the enduring five-decade relationship with Standards Australia, a recent bilateral meeting helped plan and share priorities and focus for the year ahead.
Standards New Zealand's National Manager Malcolm MacMillan and Standards Development Manager Roy Pryer also took part in a webinar with Standards Australia to explain more about the new agreement, as well as supporting JASANZ Futures Programme.
New trans‑Tasman agreement to strengthen Single Economic Market
Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have signed a new Standards Development and Distribution Agreement and Standard Operating Procedures, marking a major step forward in modernising and streamlining the development and maintenance of joint trans‑Tasman standards, and the harmonised adoption of international standards together.
Read the Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand joint statement
New global report shows ‘standards are the hidden foundations of prosperity’
Standards, in short, are the hidden infrastructure of modern economies, claims the World Bank Group, who produced a new report providing the most comprehensive assessment of the global landscape of standards today and how they can be used to accelerate economic development.
Standards New Zealand at APEC standards and conformance meetings in China
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum promotes regional sustainable economic growth, prosperity, and integration. Malcolm MacMillan participated in February’s meeting to support advancing cooperation on standards, conformance, trade facilitation and avoidance of barriers to trade.
Read about the APEC standards and conformance meeting in China
Why inspection bodies need to prepare for the 2026 update of ISO/IEC 17020
Jennifer Foley, New Zealand’s representative on the international committee that revised ISO/IEC 17020 for conformity assessment of inspection bodies, explains what’s changed and why early preparation matters.
Using standards content in digital and AI tools: What you need to know
There are great innovations out there that utilise and incorporate standards guidance, however it's important to note that standards content is copyright‑protected and cannot be copied or used in AI, software, or digital tools without a licence.
Using or reproducing content without permission is a legal breach. Standards New Zealand supports responsible digital innovation and is open to working with third parties to make standards more accessible in appropriate ways - licences are available for approved digital use.
Learn more about copyright and licensing standards material.
Introducing Lynda Poletti - Manager, Products and Services
We’re pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Lynda Poletti as Manager, Products and Services. Lynda brings extensive ICT leadership experience across the public and private sectors, with strengths in technical operations, service management, project delivery, and team leadership.
She leads the team which ensures our systems, services, and digital infrastructure run reliably and securely. The team manages key platforms including the website, webshop, and online library; supports ICT service delivery and vendor relationships; assists customers with subscriptions and sales; maintains data quality; and oversees our catalogue of more than 140,000 standards.
Standards in development
Visit our Standards in development webpage to check each project’s stage and see what’s been done and what’s coming up next. Download the 'in-flight standards' spreadsheet and use the tabs for New Zealand only standards (NZS), Australia-led AS/NZS or rejointing projects under the 'Trans Tansman Standards Alignment Project'.
Standards in development - check out all projects underway
NZS 3604 for timber framed buildings – preparation of public consultation draft is well advanced. The consultation draft will be reviewed by the committee before being released for an eight week consultation period. The committee will then review and resolve all comments received and the revised standard will be completed pending Standards Approval Board approval to publish.
NZS 3404 for steel construction – preparation of a consultation draft is underway. This is a large standard and this work will take several weeks. The consultation draft will be reviewed by the committee before being released for an eight week consultation period. The committee will then review and resolve all comments received and the revised standard will be completed seeking Standards Approval Board approval to publish.
SNZ 3404.3 for steel durability – this standard is currently available for public consultation – see DZ SNZ 3404:2026 Durability requirements for steel structures and components - Standards New Zealand - Citizen Space. Public comments close on 20 March.
Have your say on the revision of NZS 4411 – Environmental standard for drilling of soil and rock
Groundwater is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most valuable resources. Protecting its quality is essential for our communities, industries, and environment. To help achieve this a revision of NZS 4411:2001 Environmental standard for drilling of soil and rock needs industry input.
Public consultation open on new revision to SNZ PAS 5210 for high temperature heat pumps
A draft revision of SNZ PAS 5210:2024 High temperature heat pumps is now available for public consultation. This will reflect the rapid pace of innovation in industrial high temperature applications and extend guidance for supply temperatures above 100 °C.
Review the draft and provide your feedback on the SNZ PAS 5210:2026
IEC Young Professionals (YP) programme applications opening in March
In March applications will open for the next IEC Young Professional programme which connects early‑career professionals from diverse electrotechnical backgrounds with global leaders in electrotechnology standardisation. Participants gain hands‑on experience with IEC processes, contribute ideas that influence future IEC tools and programmes, and build international networks across industry, government, and research sectors. Through workshops, bootcamps, technical committee observations, and mentoring, YPs develop valuable professional skills and often continue into active IEC roles, shaping international standards and advancing their careers. Keep an eye on our news and updates section of our website and LinkedIn for further details coming soon.
Visit standards.govt.nz for more
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- Latest publications - Standards New Zealand - newly published NZS, AS/NZS, IEC and ISO standards
You use standards, so let's chat
We love to showcase how businesses and organisations use standards in the many diverse industries across Aotearoa. Standards are more than documents, they enable safety, reliability and quality assurance in services and products used by millions of New Zealanders every day. If you are interested in featuring in an article and telling us your story about the standards you use or that are important to your work, please get in touch for an informal chat: editor@standards.govt.nz
