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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

Financial Markets Conduct (Climate-related Disclosures—Assurance Engagement) Exemption Amendment Notice 2026
Exemptions
16 Mar 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Climate-related Disclosures—Assurance Engagement) Exemption Amendment Notice 2026
Climate-related disclosures exemption extended to 31 December 2027 supporting entities with assurance relief for scope 3 GHG emissions reporting in Ne ...
Financial Markets Conduct (QBE Group) Exemption Notice 2026
Exemptions
16 Mar 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (QBE Group) Exemption Notice 2026
FMA grants QBE Group exemption notice 2026 outlining conditions for financial reporting and audit requirements for overseas insurers operating in New ...
Financial Markets Conduct (Insider Trading - Livestock Improvement Corporation Limited) Exemption Notice 2026
Exemptions
11 Mar 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Insider Trading - Livestock Improvement Corporation Limited) Exemption Notice 2026
The 2026 FMA exemption notice for LIC explains insider trading exemptions, shareholding rules and compliance obligations for Users and advisers.
Financial Markets Conduct (Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated) Exemption Notice 2026
Exemptions
05 Mar 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated) Exemption Notice 2026
FMA exemption notice 2026 for Merrill Lynch outlines conditions for client money rules, regulatory compliance and New Zealand market obligations.
Financial Markets Conduct (Australian Licensees) Exemption Notice 2026
Exemptions
27 Feb 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Australian Licensees) Exemption Notice 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Australian Licensees) Exemption Notice 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Goodman New Zealand Limited and Goodman Property Services (NZ) Limited) Exemption Notice 2026
Exemptions
19 Feb 2026
Financial Markets Conduct (Goodman New Zealand Limited and Goodman Property Services (NZ) Limited) Exemption Notice 2026
Financial Markets Conduct Exemption Notice 2026 for Goodman Property Services (NZ) issued by FMA under section 556 of the FMCA 2013.

View all FMC Act Exemptions notices

Featured

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.