Maritime Transport Act 1994

Preliminary provisions relating to marine pollution

222: Interpretation

You could also call this:

"What special words mean in the Maritime Transport Act"

When you read this part of the law and Parts 19 to 28, some words have special meanings. You need to know what these words mean to understand the law. For example, 'agent' means someone who acts for the owner of a ship in New Zealand.

Some other words you should know are 'Annex VI', which is part of the MARPOL rules to stop air pollution from ships, and 'harmful substance', which is defined in section 225. 'Discharge' means releasing or spilling something, but it does not include dumping with a permit or releasing substances for scientific research.

The law also talks about 'marine protection conventions', which are international agreements to protect the sea from pollution. The Governor-General can declare which agreements are marine protection conventions.

There are many other words with special meanings, like 'owner', 'ship', 'offshore installation', and 'pipeline'. You can find the meanings of these words in this part of the law or in other sections, like sections 225, 257, and 281.

The meanings of these words are used throughout Parts 19 to 28 and in any rules or regulations made under these parts.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM336955.


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221: Commencement of provisions relating to marine pollution, or

"When new marine pollution rules start, and how the Governor-General chooses the dates"


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223: Application of Parts 19 to 27 to ships of New Zealand Defence Force, or

"Rules for New Zealand Defence Force ships in certain waters"

Part 18Preliminary provisions relating to marine pollution

222Interpretation

  1. In this Part and in Parts 19 to 28, unless the context otherwise requires,—

    agent or agent of the ship, in relation to a ship, means—

    1. any agent in New Zealand of the owner of the ship; and
      1. any agent for the ship

        Annex VI means Annex VI of MARPOL (regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships)

          Annex VI requirements means requirements imposed for the purposes of Annex VI under this Act, or under any regulations or rules made under this Act

            Annex VI substance means any substance specified as an Annex VI substance for the purposes of this definition by the marine protection rules

              Civil Liability Convention has the meaning given to it by section 342

                CLC owner has the meaning given to it by section 342

                  CLC ship has the meaning given to it by section 342

                    CLC State has the meaning given to it by section 342

                      controlled offshore installation has the meaning given to it by section 257

                        discharge

                        1. includes any release, disposal, spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting, or emptying; but
                          1. does not include—
                            1. dumping in accordance with a permit issued by the Director under section 262; or
                              1. the release of harmful substances for the purposes of legitimate scientific research into pollution abatement and control

                              dumping has the meaning given to it by section 257

                                emergency dumping permit has the meaning given in section 257

                                  exclusive economic zone of New Zealand has the meaning given to it by section 9 of the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977; and exclusive economic zone has the same meaning

                                    fuel oil means any fuel delivered to and intended for combustion purposes for propulsion or operation on board a ship, including gas, distillate, and residual fuels

                                      Fund Convention has the meaning given to it by section 370

                                        harmful substance has the meaning given to it by section 225

                                          London Convention has the meaning given to it by section 257

                                            marine incineration facility has the meaning given to it by section 257

                                              marine oil spill contingency plan has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                marine operations means any operations or operation for, or connected with, the exploration for, or the exploitation or associated processing of, any mineral in the sea or the seabed

                                                  marine protection convention, in relation to this Part and Parts 19 to 27, means any international convention, protocol, or agreement relating to the protection of the marine environment from pollution that is declared for the purposes of any such Part by Order in Council pursuant to subsection (4); and includes every amendment to, or revision of, any such instrument, being an amendment or revision to which New Zealand is a party that is declared in the same manner

                                                    marine protection document means—

                                                    1. any permit issued by the Director under section 262 or 262A:
                                                      1. any certificate of insurance issued, recognised, or accepted by the Director under section 363, 363A, or 385H:
                                                        1. any permit, certificate, licence, or other document issued or recognised by the Director under section 270 or any permit, certificate, licence, or other document issued by another person and accepted by the Director under section 271

                                                          marine protection product means—

                                                          1. anything or any substance specified as a marine protection product for the purposes of this definition by the marine protection rules; and
                                                            1. anything that comprises, or is intended to comprise, any part of a ship, offshore installation, or pipeline, or that is or is intended to be installed on or fitted or supplied to a ship, offshore installation, or pipeline for the purpose of preventing, limiting, or controlling a discharge or the escape of a harmful substance, ballast water, or an Annex VI substance, including (but not limited to)—
                                                              1. any plant or equipment that treats or is intended to treat a harmful substance, ballast water, or an Annex VI substance; and
                                                                1. any plant or equipment that monitors or is intended to monitor the discharge or escape of a harmful substance, ballast water, or an Annex VI substance; and
                                                                2. any substance used or intended to be used for the dispersal or emulsification of a harmful substance or ballast water in the sea

                                                                  marine protection rules means the marine protection rules made by the Minister or the Director under Part 27

                                                                    MARPOL has the meaning given to it by section 225

                                                                      mineral has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Crown Minerals Act 1991

                                                                        mining activity has the meaning given in section 225

                                                                          mining discharge has the meaning given in section 225

                                                                            National On-Scene Commander has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                              New Zealand aircraft has the same meaning as the term New Zealand registered aircraft is given by section 5 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023

                                                                                New Zealand continental waters means—

                                                                                1. New Zealand marine waters; and
                                                                                  1. the waters beyond the outer limits of the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand but over the continental shelf of New Zealand

                                                                                    New Zealand marine waters means—

                                                                                    1. the territorial sea of New Zealand; and
                                                                                      1. the waters of the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand

                                                                                        New Zealand Oil Pollution Fund has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                                          New Zealand structure has the meaning given in section 257

                                                                                            noxious liquid substance has the meaning given to it by section 225

                                                                                              offshore installation or installation includes any artificial structure (including a floating structure other than a ship) used or intended to be used in or on, or anchored or attached to, the seabed for the purpose of the exploration for, or the exploitation or associated processing of, any mineral; but does not include a pipeline

                                                                                                offshore terminal means any place in the sea where cargo is loaded or unloaded

                                                                                                  oil, except in Parts 25, 26, and 26A, means petroleum in any form including crude oil, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and refined products (other than petrochemicals that are subject to the provisions of Annex II of MARPOL); and includes any substance declared to be oil for the purposes of this definition by the marine protection rules

                                                                                                    oil transfer site has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                                                      on-scene commander has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                                                        owner has the meaning given to it by subsection (2)

                                                                                                          pipeline means a pipeline constructed or used to convey any matter or substance; and includes all machinery, tanks, and fittings connected to the pipeline

                                                                                                            pollution incident has the meaning given to it by section 225

                                                                                                              region means a region within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2002

                                                                                                                regional council or council means a regional council within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2002; and includes—

                                                                                                                1. any territorial authority that has, by reason of the transfer to it under section 17 of the Local Government Act 2002 of a responsibility of a regional council, the functions powers and duties of a regional council; and
                                                                                                                  1. the Chatham Islands Council

                                                                                                                    regional marine oil spill contingency plan has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                                                                      regulated oil tanker has the meaning given to it by section 342

                                                                                                                        regulated ship has the meaning given to it by section 342

                                                                                                                          seabed includes the subsoil of the seabed

                                                                                                                            shipboard marine oil spill contingency plan has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                                                                              site marine oil spill contingency plan has the meaning given to it by section 281

                                                                                                                                structure has the meaning given in section 257

                                                                                                                                  toxic or hazardous waste has the meaning given to it by section 257

                                                                                                                                    transfer, in relation to oil or any other harmful substance, means transfer to or from a cargo or fuel tank

                                                                                                                                      transfer facility has the meaning given to it by section 225

                                                                                                                                        waste or other matter has the meaning given to it by section 257.

                                                                                                                                        1. In this Part and in Parts 19 to 30, unless the context otherwise requires,—

                                                                                                                                          reception facility means a facility for the reception of—

                                                                                                                                          1. harmful substances from ships (as defined in section 2(1)); or
                                                                                                                                            1. sediment (as defined in section 444A(3)); or
                                                                                                                                              1. Annex VI substances from ships (within the meaning of MARPOL)

                                                                                                                                                ship, for the purposes of implementing Annex VI, means a ship within the meaning of Article 2(4) of MARPOL.

                                                                                                                                                1. In this Part, Parts 19 to 27, and section 418, unless the context otherwise requires, owner,—

                                                                                                                                                2. in relation to any ship (except in the circumstances, and to the extent, provided in sections 343 and 370), includes—
                                                                                                                                                  1. any person who is the legal or equitable owner, or both, of the ship; and
                                                                                                                                                    1. any person in possession of the ship; and in Parts 19, 20, and 21 and section 344, includes any salvor in possession of the ship, and any servant or agent of any salvor in possession of the ship; and
                                                                                                                                                      1. any charterer, manager, or operator of the ship, or any other person (other than a pilot) responsible for the navigation or management of the ship:
                                                                                                                                                      2. in relation to an offshore installation, includes—
                                                                                                                                                        1. the person having any right, privilege, or licence to explore for or exploit minerals in connection with which the installation is being, has been, or is to be used; and
                                                                                                                                                          1. the manager, lessee, licensee, or operator of the installation; and
                                                                                                                                                            1. any agent or employee of the owner, manager, lessee, or licensee, or operator of the installation, or the person in charge of any operations connected with the installation:
                                                                                                                                                            2. in relation to a pipeline, includes any manager, lessee, licensee, or operator of the pipeline, or the person in charge of the pipeline:
                                                                                                                                                              1. in relation to an oil transfer site, includes any manager, lessee, licensee, or operator of the transfer site or the person in charge of the site.
                                                                                                                                                                1. Unless the context otherwise requires, any term defined in this section or any of sections 225, 247, 257, 281, 329, 342, and 370 shall have that meaning throughout Parts 19 to 28 and any regulations or rules made under any of those Parts.

                                                                                                                                                                2. The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, declare—

                                                                                                                                                                3. that any specified international convention, protocol, or agreement relating to the protection of the marine environment from pollution, to which New Zealand is a party, shall be a marine protection convention for the purposes of this Part and Parts 19 to 27, or such of them (or their provisions) as may be specified in the order:
                                                                                                                                                                  1. that any specified amendment to, or revision of, any such instrument shall form part of that instrument for any such purposes.
                                                                                                                                                                    1. An order under subsection (4) is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

                                                                                                                                                                    Compare
                                                                                                                                                                    • 1974 No 14 s 2
                                                                                                                                                                    • 1980 No 53 s 2
                                                                                                                                                                    • 1990 No 34 s 2
                                                                                                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) Annex VI: inserted, on , by section 4(1) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) Annex VI: inserted, on , by section 4(1) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) Annex VI substance: inserted, on , by section 4(1) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) discharge: replaced, on , by section 4(2) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) emergency dumping permit: inserted, on , by section 47(1) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 85).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) exclusive economic zone of New Zealand: amended, on , pursuant to section 5(4) of the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 74).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) fuel oil: inserted, on , by section 4(1) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) harbourmaster: repealed, on , by section 41(1) of the Maritime Transport Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 84).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) marine protection document paragraph (a): amended, on , by section 47(1) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 85).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) marine protection document paragraph (b): amended, on , by section 91 of the Maritime Transport Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 84).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) marine protection product: replaced, on , by section 4(3) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) mining activity: inserted, on , by section 47(1) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 85).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) mining discharge: inserted, on , by section 47(1) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 85).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) New Zealand aircraft: amended, on , by section 486 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (2023 No 10).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) New Zealand structure: inserted, on , by section 47(1) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 85).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) oil: amended, on , by section 41(3) of the Maritime Transport Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 84).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) reception facility: repealed, on , by section 4(4) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) region: substituted, on , by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) regional council or council: substituted, on , by section 262 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1) structure: inserted, on , by section 47(1) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 85).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(1A): inserted, on , by section 4(5) of the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 45).
                                                                                                                                                                    • Section 222(5): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).