A View of Developments in Regulation: through the trees to the woods

Authors

  • Keith Manch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26686/pq.v22i3.11142

Keywords:

regulation, regulatory complexity, politics, capture, institutional design, policy and practice, stewardship

Abstract

Regulation has evolved significantly over recent decades. The quality of regulation and its implementation is critical to our wellbeing and is in the spotlight now more than ever. While significant developments have occurred, enduring challenges remain relating to the complexity of regulation, its political nature, regulatory capture and regulatory failure, institutional design, regulatory policy design, and the quality of regulatory practice. Whether creating or responding to these challenges, all involved are driven by their view of what is best for the purpose and the people they serve. New Zealand is reasonably well placed to make regulation a more positive force if we can find a way to build effectively on recent efforts in a more sustainable way.

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Author Biography

Keith Manch

Keith Manch has worked in the public and in law enforcement and regulation since 1976, including in the Police, the Commerce Commission, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Social Development, and as chief executive of the Real Estate Authority, Maritime New Zealand and the Civil Aviation Authority. He has had a long involvement in and maintains an interest in regulatory system stewardship and capability development activities. Now retired from full-time work, he has spent a brief period acting as deputy director land transport at NZTA and has recently joined Iti Kōpara – Public Governance Aotearoa as a trustee.

Nothing in this article represents the views of organisations he has been involved with. Any conclusions and inferences are his own, as are any errors or omissions.

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Published

2026-08-23

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 3 (2026): Policy Quarterly

Section

Articles

License

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