Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987

Payment for parental leave - Administration

71Z: Offence to mislead department

You could also call this:

“You can get in trouble for lying to get parental leave benefits”

You commit an offence if you try to mislead the department or anyone else who helps run this law. This can happen if you lie about important facts or do things to trick people. It also includes not giving information when asked under section 71W. The purpose of misleading is to get or keep getting money or benefits that this law provides.

If you are found guilty of this offence, you might have to pay a fine of up to $15,000. The department has up to 6 months to file charges against you. This time starts from when they first learn about what you did or when they should have reasonably known about it.

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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=DLM121758.

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Part 7A Payment for parental leave
Administration

71ZOffence to mislead department

  1. A person commits an offence who, for the purpose described in subsection (2),—

  2. makes any statement knowing it to be false in any material particular; or
    1. does or says anything (including failing to provide information requested under section 71W), or omits to do or say anything, with the intention of misleading or attempting to mislead the department or any other person concerned in the administration of this Act.

      1. The purpose is for that person or another person to receive or to continue to receive any payment or entitlement under this Part.

      2. A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $15,000.

      3. A charging document in respect of an offence against this section may be filed at any time within 6 months after the earlier of—

      4. the date when the alleged offence first became known to the department; and
        1. the date when the alleged offence should reasonably have become known to the department.

          Compare
          Notes
          • Section 71Z: inserted, on , by section 4(2) of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 7).
          • Section 71Z(1)(b): amended, on , by section 42(1) of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave for Self-Employed Persons) Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 20).
          • Section 71Z(3): amended, on , by section 75 of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 8).
          • Section 71Z(3): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
          • Section 71Z(4): added, on , by section 42(2) of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave for Self-Employed Persons) Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 20).
          • Section 71Z(4): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).