Wellington — June 2, 2026 — The New Zealand Government has announced a new package of copyright law reforms designed to give creators stronger protections and provide cultural institutions with greater flexibility to preserve and share the nation’s heritage.
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer said the changes build on last week’s 20‑year extension to copyright protection, ensuring iconic works continue to generate income for their creators. The latest reforms focus on balancing creators’ rights with the preservation of cultural treasures.
Under the updated framework, museums, libraries, galleries, and archives will be able to make digital copies of fragile works to prevent deterioration and expand public access. Institutions will also be permitted to use works where copyright holders are unknown or unreachable, provided a reasonable search has been conducted. Importantly, these digital copies cannot be used for commercial purposes.
The reforms also introduce stronger measures against offshore piracy, giving courts a clear framework to block overseas websites that exploit New Zealand creators. Copyright licensing organisations will be empowered to take collective action on behalf of creators, while commissioned works will default to creator ownership unless otherwise agreed.
Brewer emphasized that alongside the extension of copyright terms, protections for digital tools used by creators are being reinforced, ensuring longer and stronger safeguards than ever before. Looking ahead, Cabinet has asked him to report by March 31, 2027 on a possible copyright framework for generative AI, acknowledging the complexity of AI and copyright issues worldwide.
