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Public Records Act 2005

Recordkeeping requirements - Key duties

17: Requirement to create and maintain records

You could also call this:

"Keep and look after important public records"

Illustration for Public Records Act 2005

You need to keep accurate records of what your public office or local authority does. This includes records of things you contract out to others. You must keep these records in a way that makes sense for your business. You have to keep public records that you control in a way that you can access them later. You must keep them until you are allowed to get rid of them under this Act or another Act. This helps you refer back to them when you need to. If you are a local authority, you must also keep protected records in a way that you can access them later. You must keep them until you are allowed to get rid of them under this Act. This helps you use them again if you need to.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM345729.

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Part 2Recordkeeping requirements
Key duties

17Requirement to create and maintain records

  1. Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.

  2. Every public office must maintain in an accessible form, so as to be able to be used for subsequent reference, all public records that are in its control, until their disposal is authorised by or under this Act or required by or under another Act.

  3. Every local authority must maintain in an accessible form, so as to be able to be used for subsequent reference, all protected records that are in its control, until their disposal is authorised by or under this Act.