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Human Rights Act 1993

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Protecting Basic Rights and Freedoms in New Zealand"

Illustration for Human Rights Act 1993

This law helps protect human rights in New Zealand. It combines and updates two older laws: the Race Relations Act 1971 and the Human Rights Commission Act 1977. It follows the United Nations Covenants or Conventions on Human Rights. You can think of human rights as the basic rights and freedoms that everyone should have. This law aims to make sure these rights are protected in New Zealand. It is based on rules set by the United Nations. The United Nations Covenants or Conventions on Human Rights are like a set of rules that many countries agree to follow. These rules are about treating people fairly and with respect. This law helps make sure New Zealand follows these rules. This law is an update to older laws, so it helps make the rules about human rights clearer and stronger. It helps keep people safe from unfair treatment. You are protected by this law, and it helps make New Zealand a fairer place.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM304211.

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Highlights from this law

Topics:
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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1: Short Title and commencement, or

"This law is called the Human Rights Act 1993 and when it starts"

Human Rights Act 1993

Reprint as at:
2025-11-27
Assent:
1993-08-10
Commencement:
see section 1(2)

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.

An Act to consolidate and amend the Race Relations Act 1971 and the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 and to provide better protection of human rights in New Zealand in general accordance with United Nations Covenants or Conventions on Human Rights

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