New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation has cut levies paid by businesses by an average of 6.9% from this month, as it also streamlines handling of simple injury claims.

All employers and self-employed people in New Zealand pay a levy to cover workplace accidents, with the amount depending on the industry and business activity.

The latest changes, adjusted for recent claims history, will see some groups, such as community rugby league, gaining a substantial cut, while nut, bolt, screw and rivet manufacturing will see a 24% rise.

The corporation is centralising around five hubs in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin to improve handling of cases that do not require face-to-face support, but says all its 25 branches will remain open.

Staff numbers are expected to increase slightly, with redundancies offered where reassignment or relocation is not taken up. Changes will be phased in through to the middle of next year.