Inquiries Act 2013

Duties, powers, immunities, and privileges - Immunities and privileges

26: Immunity of inquiry

You could also call this:

"Being part of an inquiry means you're protected by law from being blamed for things you do or say, unless you do something wrong on purpose."

If you are part of an inquiry, you have some protections under the law. This means you cannot be held responsible for what you do or say as part of the inquiry, unless you act in bad faith. You are also protected from being forced to give evidence in court about what happened during the inquiry, unless the court gives permission.

When you are acting under a delegation made under section 21, these protections apply to you. You are protected if you are an inquiry, a member of the inquiry, or an officer of the inquiry. These protections are in place to help you do your job without worrying about being held responsible for things that are not your fault.

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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=DLM1566167.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpGovernment and voting > Government departments

25: Expenses of witnesses and other participants, or

"Getting paid for costs when you're a witness or take part in an inquiry"

27: Other immunities and privileges of participants, or

"Protections for people taking part in an inquiry, like a court case"

Part 3Duties, powers, immunities, and privileges
Immunities and privileges

26Immunity of inquiry

This section applies to an inquiry, each member of the inquiry, and an officer of an inquiry acting under a delegation made under section 21.
Neither an inquiry nor any person to whom this section applies—
is liable for anything done, reported, stated, or omitted in the exercise or intended exercise of the powers and performance or intended performance of the duties of the inquiry, unless the inquiry or person acted in bad faith; or
may be compelled to give evidence in court or in any proceedings of a judicial nature in relation to the inquiry, unless leave of the court is granted to bring proceedings relating to an allegation of bad faith against the inquiry or any person to whom this section applies.