For operators
Adventure Activity Regulations
New Zealand's mandatory safety framework for commercial outdoor adventure activity operators — governed by WorkSafe under the Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016.
Who the regulations apply to
The regulations apply to commercial operators of prescribed adventure activities — defined in Schedule 2 of the regulations. Your operation is covered if it meets all four of these criteria:
The definitive list of prescribed activities is Schedule 2 of the Regulations on NZ Legislation. Activities include guided mountain biking, bungy jumping, white water rafting, jet boating, caving, skydiving, and more. Check the schedule directly for the current authoritative list.
Key obligations
Registration
Operators of prescribed adventure activities must be registered with WorkSafe before operating. Since 1 April 2024, operators register directly with the Registrar of Adventure Activities (WorkSafe) — previously registration was handled indirectly via the safety auditor. Registration requires passing a safety audit by a Recognised Safety Auditor (RSA).
Safety audit and natural hazard management
Your Safety Management System (SMS) is assessed against the Safety Audit Standard (v2.0 from April 2024). The updated standard introduced specific natural hazard risk management requirements — operators must explicitly identify and plan for volcanic activity, landslip, flooding, avalanche, rockfall, and similar hazards. Documented go/no-go criteria for conditions are required.
Risk disclosure
Since 1 April 2024, operators have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to inform persons seeking to participate in an adventure activity of any serious risks they may be exposed to. Failure to comply is an offence. A written risk disclosure document provided at booking or arrival satisfies the requirement.
Notifiable incidents
Since 1 April 2024, sector-specific notifiable incidents apply: operators must report near-misses associated with hazards in the sector to WorkSafe. This is in addition to the general notifiable event requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
WorkSafe registrar powers
Since 1 April 2024, the Registrar of Adventure Activities has expanded powers to decline, suspend (including immediately on safety grounds), cancel, and add conditions to operator registrations. Operators have corresponding rights to appeal and request reviews of decisions.
Technical Advisor
Your safety audit must include assessment by a Technical Advisor with relevant expertise for your activity type. Under Safety Audit Standard v2.0, Technical Advisors are required to assess natural hazard risk management as part of the audit — including whether the operator has engaged advisors with appropriate hazard-specific expertise.
Regulatory timeline
The Health and Safety in Employment (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2011 introduced the first mandatory registration and safety audit framework for commercial adventure activity operators in New Zealand.
The Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016 (LI 2016/19) replaced the 2011 regulations, aligning the regime with the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The registration and safety audit framework continued largely unchanged.
22 people died when Whakaari / White Island erupted during a tourist visit. The tragedy exposed weaknesses in how the regime addressed natural hazard risk, and MBIE was directed to conduct a targeted review of the regulatory regime.
MBIE conducted a targeted review of the regime, finding areas for improvement particularly around natural hazard risk management, risk communication to participants, and WorkSafe's enforcement powers. Public consultation on proposed changes followed in 2021.
The Cabinet Economic Development Committee (DEV) agreed to a package of four regulatory and non-regulatory changes: (1) natural hazard risk management requirements; (2) stronger risk communication to participants; (3) stronger registration and notification requirements; and (4) reviewing and updating safety guidance.
The Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Amendment Regulations 2023 (SL 2023/189) were gazetted. WorkSafe also published Safety Audit Standard v2.0, which introduced the specific natural hazard risk management requirements — these were implemented via the non-regulatory audit standard, not the Amendment Regulations themselves.
The Amendment Regulations and Safety Audit Standard v2.0 took effect. Four changes came into force: a new duty on operators to take all reasonable steps to inform participants of serious risks; expanded WorkSafe registrar powers (to decline, suspend, cancel, or add conditions to registrations, with operator appeal rights); a new direct registration process with the registrar; and sector-specific notifiable incidents requiring operators to report near-misses associated with hazards to WorkSafe.
WorkSafe resources
All links go directly to WorkSafe NZ or NZ Legislation — the authoritative sources.
WorkSafe's main hub for adventure activity operators
Registration requirements, process, and renewal
Full text of the principal regulations on NZ Legislation (LI 2016/19)
The definitive list of activities covered by the regulations
2023 amendments in force from 1 April 2024 (SL 2023/189)
Current audit standard (April 2024) — the document auditors assess your SMS against
WorkSafe-recognised auditors authorised to conduct safety audits (listed on the registration page)
Sector-specific notifiable events and near-miss reporting requirements
WorkSafe's overall guidance for operators, including risk disclosure duties
WorkSafe guidance specific to mountain biking operations
Need a Technical Advisor?
Find registered Technical Advisors for your activity type and region.
Find a Technical AdvisorThis page is a navigation aid — it links to authoritative sources and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Operators are responsible for ensuring they meet their obligations under the current regulations. Last reviewed May 2026. View current WorkSafe guidance →