Plain language law

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Resource Management Act 1991

Water conservation orders

203: Special tribunal

You could also call this:

“A group of people chosen to make decisions about protecting important water sources”

When a special tribunal is appointed under section 202, it must have between 3 and 5 members. The Minister will choose a chairperson for the tribunal. If the Minister doesn’t want to do this, the members of the tribunal will pick their own chairperson.

The special tribunal is considered a statutory Board under the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951. If the Minister says it’s okay, the members of the tribunal can be paid for their work. This money comes from Parliament. They can get paid fees, salary, or allowances as set out in that Act. They can also get money back for their travel expenses when they’re working for the tribunal.

If you’re a member of a special tribunal, you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble for things you do or don’t do while you’re working for the tribunal. As long as you’re doing your best and acting in good faith, you won’t be held responsible for any problems that might happen.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM236757.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Conservation

Government and voting > Local councils

202: Minister's obligations upon receipt of application, or

“The Minister must decide quickly whether to appoint a special group to review a water conservation request or reject it, and then tell the person who asked.”

204: Public notification of application, or

“The special tribunal must tell everyone about the water order request and how they can give their opinion on it.”

Part 9 Water conservation orders

203Special tribunal

A special tribunal appointed under section 202 shall—
comprise no fewer than 3, and no more than 5, members; and
have a chairperson appointed either by the Minister or, if the Minister declines to do so, by the members.

Every special tribunal shall be a statutory Board within the meaning of the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951 and there may, if the Minister so directs, be paid to any member of a special tribunal, out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose,—
remuneration by way of fees, salary, or allowances in accordance with that Act; and
travelling allowances and travelling expenses in accordance with that Act in respect of time spent travelling in the service of the tribunal—

A member of a special tribunal is not liable for anything the member does, or omits to do, in good faith in performing or exercising the functions, duties, and powers of the tribunal.

Notes

Section 203(3): inserted, on 1 October 2009, by section 120 of the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009 (2009 No 31).