Plastic bags, petrol and paid parental leave: What Monday's law changes mean for you

Amendments to legislation around plastic bags, paid parental leave, home insulation, weddings and petrol are coming into play on Monday, meaning almost everyone nationwide will be directly affected by sweeping changes to New Zealand's laws.

Companies have spent the last six months phasing out single-use plastic bags. On Monday 1 July, it becomes illegal for retailers to distribute or sell them. 

"Saving tens of millions of these plastic bags, making the switch to reusables, is all about going easier on nature and looking at how we can better protect our environment," says Minister of Conservation and Land Information, Eugenie Sage.

Mainstream supermarkets did away with them last year, but everything from local markets to your favourite takeaway shop will now have to abide.

Choose not to, and it could cost up to $100,000 if your business is reported.

"The focus is very much on education," Sage told Newshub.

Faye Drysdale owns the Celebrations Collective in Wellington. She says she started phasing out all disposable plastic a long time ago.

"We don't stock plastic cutlery, plastic straws, plastic plates, cups, those sorts of things."

Also in effect from Monday, those on paid parental leave will get an extra $20 a week in their pocket. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it's to help keep up with the cost of living.

"Those adjustments are the adjustments you see being made to Government payments on a regular basis."

Motorists, beware - the second of three annual petrol tax hikes hit New Zealanders on Monday, with an extra four cents a litre at the pump.

This latest tax on petrol is unwelcome news for Aucklanders, who are dealing with the regional fuel tax.

If you're thinking about getting hitched and live outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, you can now book registry-style weddings online for a set cost of $90 - instead of heading to the local courthouse or council.

Let's not forget the start of healthy homes.

Renters will be able to seek up to $4000  in compensation from their landlords if their homes are not properly insulated.

Newshub.