The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) define countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders. They are the principal international legal framework for preventing and controlling the spread of disease between countries. New Zealand is a signatory to the IHR and has been since their establishment.
The World Health Assembly, made up of members of the World Health Organization, oversee the IHR. They occasionally propose amendments to the framework which member states need to consider. A copy of the IHR amended in 2014, 2022, and 2024 can be found on the WHO website (PDF, 1114 KB).
Documents related to New Zealand’s negotiating position and Cabinet mandate for the 2024 amendments can be found here:
Rejection of 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations
On 1 June 2024, the World Health Assembly, of which New Zealand is a member, adopted a package of amendments to the IHR. Adoption of the IHR amendments by the World Health Assembly was not a legally binding step for member countries, including New Zealand.
New Zealand has decided to reject the 2024 amendments to the IHR. New Zealand communicated this to the Director-General of World Health Organization on 16 March 2026.
More information about the 2024 IHR amendments can be found on the World Health Organization website.
Rejection of 2022 amendments to the International Health Regulations (Article 59)
On 29 November 2023, Cabinet rejected amendments relating to Article 59 to the IHR. This was to allow the Government to conduct a ‘national interest test’ on the amendments.
These amendments reduce the timeframe within which any future amendments to the IHR would enter into force. The consequence of this reservation is that New Zealand will adhere to the former provisions, which give us 24 months to prepare for future amendments, and 18 months to decide whether to opt out. Other countries have 12 months and 10 months respectively.
