Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Real Estate Agents Authority - Authority’s functions

12: Authority’s functions

You could also call this:

"The Authority's jobs are to help the real estate industry work well."

Illustration for Real Estate Agents Act 2008

The Authority has many jobs to do. You can think of the Authority like a group that helps keep the real estate industry running smoothly. The Authority's jobs include giving out licences to agents, branch managers, and salespeople. The Authority also keeps a list of all the people who have licences. They make rules for the industry and set fees. They even help people who want to make complaints about real estate agents. The Authority can also investigate if someone is doing something wrong. They can get advice from people in the real estate industry if they want to. The Authority must follow the rules set out in the Crown Entities Act 2004 and the Education and Training Act 2020.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1151983.

Topics:
Business > Industry rulesHousing and property > Buying and selling homesMoney and consumer rights > Consumer protection
Previous

11: Authority a Crown entity, or

"The Authority is part of the government under the Crown Entities Act 2004"

Next

13: Membership of Authority, or

"Who is on the Real Estate Authority Board"

Part 2Real Estate Agents Authority
Authority’s functions

12Authority’s functions

  1. The functions of the Authority are to—

  2. administer the licensing regime for agents, branch managers, and salespeople, including the granting and renewal of licence applications; and
    1. appoint a Registrar of the register of licensees; and
      1. ensure that the register of licensees is established, kept, and maintained; and
        1. develop practice rules for the Minister’s approval and maintain these rules for licensees, including ethical responsibilities; and
          1. set fees and levies; and
            1. appoint Complaints Assessment Committees and maintain a panel of persons suitable to serve as members of Complaints Assessment Committees; and
              1. develop consumer information on matters relating to real estate transactions, including approved guides on agency agreements and sale and purchase agreements; and
                1. develop and provide consumer information on matters relating to the provision of real estate services, including providing the public with information on how to make a complaint; and
                  1. set professional standards for agents; and
                    1. investigate and initiate proceedings in relation to offences under this Act and any other enactment; and
                      1. investigate of its own motion any act, omission, allegation, practice, or other matter which indicates or appears to indicate unsatisfactory conduct or misconduct on the part of a licensee; and
                        1. provide procedures for the lodging of complaints; and
                          1. receive complaints relating to the conduct of licensees; and
                            1. carry out any other function that the Minister may direct the Authority to perform in accordance with section 112 of the Crown Entities Act 2004; and
                              1. carry out any other functions that may be conferred on the Authority by this Act or any other enactment.

                                1. The Authority may, where it considers it appropriate to do so, consult with representatives of the real estate industry about any matter that relates to the functions of the Authority.

                                2. To avoid doubt, nothing in subsection (1) affects the role of an industry skills board established under section 362 of the Education and Training Act 2020 or a workforce development council continued for the time being under clause 170 of Schedule 1 of that Act (as applicable) for the real estate industry.

                                Notes
                                • Section 12(3): replaced, on , by section 78(1) of the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 1).
                                • Section 12(3): amended, on , by section 51 of the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 56).