Weights and Measures Act 1987

Schedule 1: Weights and measures of the metric system

You could also call this:

"The basic units used to measure things in the metric system"

Illustration for Weights and Measures Act 1987

The metric system uses different units to measure length, area, volume, and weight. For length, the main unit is the metre. You can use bigger units like kilometres (1000 metres) or smaller units like centimetres (1/100 of a metre) and millimetres (1/1000 of a metre).

For measuring area, the main unit is the square metre. This is the size of a square that's 1 metre on each side. There are also bigger units like hectares (10,000 square metres) and smaller ones like square centimetres. When it comes to volume, the main unit is the cubic metre. This is the same as a cube that's 1 metre on each side. You might also use litres for liquids, which is 1/1000 of a cubic metre.

The main unit for weight in the metric system is the kilogram. You can use bigger units like tonnes (1000 kilograms) or smaller units like grams (1/1000 of a kilogram) and milligrams. There's also a special unit called the metric carat, which is used for weighing precious stones and is equal to 0.2 grams.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM102984.

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43: Repeals, revocations, and consequential amendments, or

"Changes to old rules and laws explained"

Schedule 2: Standards of weights and measures, or

"List of official measurements used in New Zealand"

1Weights and measures of the metric system Empowered by s 2

The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Unit and has a subheading. Column 2 is headed Equivalent.
Unit	Equivalent
Metre (m)	The New Zealand standard of measure of the metre, and compound units derived from it, shall be the same magnitude as the standard of measurement thereof for the time being accepted by the nations adhering to the Convention of the Metre 1875.
Derived units
Kilometre (km)	1 000 metres
Decimetre (dm)	0.1 metre
Centimetre (cm)	0.01 metre
Millimetre (mm)	0.001 metre

The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Unit and has a subheading. Column 2 is headed Equivalent.
Unit	Equivalent
Square metre (m²)	An area equal to that of a square each side of which measures 1 metre.
Derived units
Hectare (ha)	10 000 square metres
Are (a)	100 square metres
Square centimetre (cm²)	0.0001 square metre
Square millimetre (mm²)	0.000001 square metre

The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Unit and has a subheading. Column 2 is headed Equivalent.
Unit	Equivalent
Cubic metre (m³)	A volume equal to that of a cube each edge of which measures 1 metre.
Derived units
Cubic decimetre (dm³)	0.001 cubic metre
Cubic centimetre (cm³)	0.001 cubic decimetre
Litre (ℓ)	0.001 cubic metre
Hectolitre (hl)	100 litres
Centilitre (cl)	0.01 litre
Millilitre (ml)	0.001 litre

The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Unit and has a subheading. Column 2 is headed Equivalent.
Unit	Equivalent
Kilogram (kg)	The New Zealand standard of measurement of the kilogram, and compound units derived from it, shall be the same magnitude as the standard of measurement thereof for the time being accepted by the nations adhering to the Convention of the Metre 1875.
Derived units
Tonne (t)	1 000 kilograms
Gram (g)	0.001 kilogram
Milligram (mg)	0.001 gram
Metric carat (CM)	0.2 gram

Notes

Schedule 1: amended, on 4 June 1999, by section 5 of the Weights and Measures Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 51).