Inquiries Act 2013

Duties, powers, immunities, and privileges - Duties and powers of inquiry generally

11: Limits to scope of power of inquiry

You could also call this:

"What an inquiry can and can't decide about who is responsible"

When you are part of an inquiry, you cannot decide if someone is liable, which means you cannot say they are responsible for something in a civil, criminal, or disciplinary way. You can still say what went wrong and who was at fault. You can also suggest that further steps be taken to figure out who is liable, but you cannot make the final decision about that.

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This page was last updated on 30 July 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1566143.

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10: Inquiry must act independently, impartially, and fairly, or

"Inquiries must make fair decisions on their own without favouring anyone."

12: Reporting by inquiry, or

"Writing a final report after an inquiry to share what you found out and what you think should happen next"

Part 3Duties, powers, immunities, and privileges
Duties and powers of inquiry generally

11Limits to scope of power of inquiry

An inquiry has no power to determine the civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability of any person.
Subsection (1) does not prevent an inquiry, in exercising its powers and performing its duties under this Act, from making—
findings of fault; or
recommendations that further steps be taken to determine liability.