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Page last updated: 04 February 2025

Legislation

The FMA has certain powers granted by legislation, to monitor compliance, investigate, and take enforcement action against conduct that may constitute a contravention of legislation, where it applies to financial market firms and individuals. This section explains the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and other legislation we enforce.

Topics covered in this secton

Financial Markets Conduct Act

The Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMC Act) lays the groundwork for us to provide high-quality regulation in capital markets and financial services here in New Zealand. It is the largest statutory change in our financial markets in at least 30 years and ensures regulation keeps pace with investor and business expectations.

Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) legislation

The Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Act 2022 amends the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 to ensure financial institutions treat consumers fairly. It is designed to protect consumers by putting the consumer at the forefront of institutions’ decisions and actions.

Financial Services Legislation Amendment Act 2019 (FSLAA)

The laws governing financial advice in New Zealand have changed. As part of the changes, the three adviser types – Registered Financial Adviser (RFA), Authorised Financial Adviser (AFA) and QFE adviser have been removed – and all advisers need to meet the same standards and are subject to a Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services.

Fair dealing

Conduct is at the core of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMC Act). Underpinning the breadth of the FMC Act are the fair dealing provisions, which set out the core standards of behaviour that those operating in the financial markets must comply with.   

Part 2 of the FMC Act requires “fair dealing” in relation to financial products and services. 

Designations

Designations can change how a product, client, advice or service is categorised, and remove an existing statutory exemption or exclusion. A designation can be applied to:

  • a particular person or transaction (an individual designation)
  • a class of persons or transactions (a class designation)

Under the FMC Act, we have powers to make designations that change the way products and other matters are regulated.

Exemptions (Secondary Legislation)

The FMA has wide powers under the FMC Act to provide exemptions (secondary legislation) to persons or transactions from compliance obligations under financial markets law. This allows us to provide a tailored approach and ensure requirements for businesses are reasonable and cost-effective. 

Current FMC Act exemption notices

FMC Act exemptions
03 Oct 2025
Financial Markets Conduct (Conduct of Financial Institutions – Westpac Banking Corporation) Exemption Notice 2025
Westpac exempt from FMC Act subpart 6A for cross-border services to certain NZ consumers under 2025 exemption notice.
FMC Act exemptions
02 Oct 2025
Financial Markets Conduct (Climate-related Disclosures – Ventia Services Group Limited) Exemption Notice 2025
Exemption for Ventia Services Group from NZ climate disclosure rules due to compliance with Australian sustainability standards.
FMC Act exemptions
26 Sept 2025
Financial Markets Conduct (Hunter Private Credit Fund) Exemption Notice 2025
Harbour Asset Management Limited exempted from disclosing borrower names in Hunter Private Credit Fund under FMC Regulations 2025, with conditions app ...
FMC Act exemptions
28 Aug 2025
Financial Markets Conduct (FMC Reporting Entities in Liquidation or External Administration) Exemption Notice 2025
New FMC Act exemption offers 5-year financial reporting relief for NZ entities in liquidation, receivership, or VA.
FMC Act exemptions
27 Aug 2025
Financial Markets Conduct (Booster Group) Exemption Notice 2025
FMA grants Booster Group exemption from Part 3 of the FMC Act for share offer under court-approved scheme of arrangement.
FMC Act exemptions
12 Aug 2025
Financial Markets Conduct (Alliance Group) Exemption Notice 2025
Exemption notice for Alliance Group & Top Hat Co under FMC Act 2013 for share offers via court-approved scheme of arrangement.

View all FMC Act Exemptions notices

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FMA’s view of conduct

Guidance on what we will focus on when examining how licensed financial services providers demonstrate good conduct, and how they have met their governance and management responsibilities.

Regulatory response guidelines

This is a guide on how we regulate financial markets and the responses we use in enforcing legislation. It is for all individuals and businesses involved in providing financial market products and services.

Customer vulnerability – our expectations

This information sheet explains the FMA’s expectations for financial services firms to prioritise their customer vulnerability practices, focusing on areas we consider immediate priorities.