Oaths and Declarations Act 1957

Oaths, affirmations, and declarations in general - Oaths and affirmations

4A: Oaths and affirmations in Māori

You could also call this:

"Taking oaths in te reo Māori is allowed if it follows the rules."

Illustration for Oaths and Declarations Act 1957

You can use a te reo Māori equivalent of an oath or affirmation if it is prescribed by regulations made under section 30A. Using the te reo Māori equivalent has the same effect as using the oath or affirmation set out in the Act. This applies even if something in section 4 or sections 16 to 21 says otherwise.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM314575.

This page was last updated on 24 December 2025 — View changes

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Māori affairs > Te reo MāoriCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

4: Right to make affirmation instead of oath, or

5: Oath not affected by absence of religious belief, or

"An oath is still valid even if you don't have religious beliefs."

Part 1Oaths, affirmations, and declarations in general
Oaths and affirmations

4AOaths and affirmations in Māori

If a te reo Māori equivalent of any of the oaths or affirmations set out in this Act is prescribed by regulations made under section 30A, using that te reo Māori equivalent has the same effect as using the oath or affirmation set out in this Act.
This section applies despite anything in section 4 or in any of sections 16 to 21.

Notes

Section 4A: inserted, on 19 December 2002, by section 3 of the Oaths and Declarations Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 71).