Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Immigration Act 2009

Refugee and protection status determinations

124: Purpose of Part

You could also call this:

“This part outlines how New Zealand identifies and protects refugees and at-risk individuals”

This part of the law explains how New Zealand decides who it needs to protect under important international agreements. You should know that New Zealand has promised to help people who are refugees or who might be in danger if they go back to their home country.

New Zealand looks at two main things:

First, it figures out who needs help according to the United Nations rules about refugees. These rules are written in special documents that many countries, including New Zealand, have agreed to follow.

Second, New Zealand has its own rules based on other international agreements. These rules say that New Zealand must protect people who might be treated very badly, hurt, or have their rights taken away if they were sent back to their home country.

By having these rules, New Zealand makes sure it’s doing what it promised to do to help people who need protection from harm.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1440775.

Topics:
Immigration and citizenship > Visas
Immigration and citizenship > Border control
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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123: Protection for carriers, and persons in charge, of craft, or

“Legal protection for people in charge of vehicles when following immigration rules”

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125: Refugee or protection status to be determined under this Act, or

“Rules for deciding refugee and protection status in New Zealand”

Part 5 Refugee and protection status determinations

124Purpose of Part

  1. The purpose of this Part is to provide a statutory basis for the system by which New Zealand—

  2. determines to whom it has obligations under the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees; and
    1. codifies certain obligations, and determines to whom it has these obligations, under—
      1. the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment:
        1. the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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