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Human Rights Act 1993

Unlawful discrimination - Exceptions in relation to employment matters

31: Exception in relation to employment of a political nature

You could also call this:

"Some jobs can treat you differently because of your political beliefs"

Illustration for Human Rights Act 1993

You can be treated differently because of your political views in certain jobs. This includes being a political adviser or secretary to a member of Parliament. You can also be treated differently if you are a political adviser to a member of a local authority. You can be treated differently if you advise a candidate running for election to the House of Representatives or a local authority, as defined in the Local Electoral Act 2001. This also applies if you work for a political party. The law allows for different treatment in these situations, as stated in section 22.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM304497.

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Topics:
Work and jobs > Worker rightsGovernment and voting > ElectionsRights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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Part 2Unlawful discrimination
Exceptions in relation to employment matters

31Exception in relation to employment of a political nature

  1. Nothing in section 22 shall prevent different treatment based on political opinion where the position is one as—

  2. a political adviser or secretary to a member of Parliament; or
    1. a political adviser to a member of a local authority; or
      1. a political adviser to a candidate seeking election to the House of Representatives or to a local authority within the meaning of the Local Electoral Act 2001; or
        1. a member of the staff of a political party.

          Notes
          • Section 31(c): amended, on , by section 151 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 (2001 No 35).