Public Records Act 2005

Appeal process and miscellaneous provisions - Miscellaneous provisions - Offences and penalties

61: Offences

You could also call this:

"Breaking the rules about public records is against the law"

Illustration for Public Records Act 2005

You commit an offence if you wilfully or negligently damage a public record. You also commit an offence if you dispose of or destroy a public record in a way that is not allowed by the Public Records Act 2005. You commit an offence if you break or do not follow any part of this Act or its regulations.

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This page was last updated on 28 October 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM345796.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal lawGovernment and voting > Government departments

60: Protection of names, or

"Names of Archives New Zealand are protected by law"

62: Penalties, or

"Breaking the law can mean big fines and losing access to Archives New Zealand."

Part 4Appeal process and miscellaneous provisions
Miscellaneous provisions: Offences and penalties

61Offences

Every person commits an offence who wilfully or negligently—
damages a public record; or
disposes of or destroys a public record otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act; or
contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Act or any regulations made under it.