Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

We haven’t prepared a plain language version of this yet

We haven’t created a plain language version of this legislation yet. We’re working through New Zealand’s laws to make them more accessible to everyone, focusing on areas that impact the most people first.

If you’d like to see this particular legislation explained in plain language, please email us at hello@ackama.com with the subject “Plain language law” and mention this page — we’ll be happy to add it to our priority list.

Request a plain language version

Part 11Miscellaneous provisions
Special directions

378Special directions

  1. The Minister may give to the chief executive or any other immigration officer, either in writing or orally, a special direction, in relation to any matter for which such a direction is contemplated by any provision of this Act or of regulations made under this Act, in respect of—

  2. any person, visa, or document; or
    1. any 2 or more persons, visas, or documents where by reason of any specific event, occurrence, or unusual circumstances there is a common link between those persons, visas, or documents.

      1. The Minister may give in writing a special direction—

      2. varying or cancelling conditions of resident visas in relation to any class of persons, in accordance with section 50(4A):
        1. imposing, varying, or cancelling conditions of temporary entry class visas in relation to any class of persons, in accordance with section 52(4A) or 53(4A):
          1. waiving 1 or more prescribed requirements for applying for a visa in relation to any class of persons, in accordance with section 57(3):
            1. granting, at any time and of the Minister’s own volition, visas of any type to any class of persons, in accordance with section 61B(1):
              1. waiving the requirement to hold a visa permitting travel to New Zealand in relation to any class of persons, in accordance with section 69(2)(a):
                1. suspending, under section 69(2)(b), a visa waiver made in accordance with section 69(1):
                    1. classifying persons to whom a transit visa waiver applies, in accordance with section 86(4)(a):
                      1. suspending, under section 86(4)(b), a transit visa waiver made in accordance with section 86(2)(a):
                        1. extending temporary entry class visas and transit visas in relation to any class of persons, in accordance with section 91A(1).

                          1. Repealed

                          2. A special direction comes into force on the day on which it is made, or any later date specified in the direction.

                          3. Where a special direction is given orally, the chief executive or immigration officer must as soon as possible make a written record of the content and date of the direction.

                          4. A special direction may be subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit.

                          5. A special direction may revoke or amend any previous special direction.

                          6. Nothing in this section limits or affects the powers of the Minister to give all such instructions to the chief executive as the Minister thinks fit in the ordinary course of the administration of the immigration portfolio and of this Act.

                          7. The decision whether to grant a special direction is in the absolute discretion of the Minister.

                          8. Repealed
                          Compare
                          Notes
                          • Section 378(2)(aaa): inserted, on , by section 60(1) of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 75).
                          • Section 378(2)(aab): inserted, on , by section 60(1) of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 75).
                          • Section 378(2)(aac): inserted, on , by section 60(1) of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 75).
                          • Section 378(2)(aad): inserted, on , by section 60(1) of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 75).
                          • Section 378(2)(ba): repealed, on , by section 378(2A).
                          • Section 378(2)(e): inserted, on , by section 60(2) of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 75).
                          • Section 378(2A): repealed, on , by section 378(2A).
                          • Section 378(9): repealed, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).