Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Animal Welfare Act 1999

Provisions relating to administration - Miscellaneous provisions

158: Protection of persons acting under authority of Act

You could also call this:

"People helping animals under this law are protected from being sued for doing their job."

If you are an inspector, auxiliary officer, or person helping them, you are not personally responsible for anything you do or do not do in good faith while carrying out your duties under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. You do these tasks to help animals, and the law protects you from being sued for doing them. If someone wants to sue, they sue the Crown, not you.

If you make a mistake or do something wrong while trying to do your job, you are still protected as long as you were trying to do the right thing. The Crown takes responsibility for your actions, so you do not have to worry about being personally liable. This means you can focus on helping animals without worrying about getting in trouble.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM51904.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpEnvironment and resources > Farming and fishing
Previous

157: Offenders to give name and address, or

"Tell the inspector your name and address if you break animal welfare rules"

Next

159: Obstruction of inspector or auxiliary officer, or

"Don't stop animal welfare inspectors from doing their job or you could get in trouble"

Part 7Provisions relating to administration
Miscellaneous provisions

158Protection of persons acting under authority of Act

  1. No inspector, auxiliary officer, accredited reviewer, or person assisting an inspector or constable is personally liable for any act done or omitted in good faith by the inspector, auxiliary officer, accredited reviewer, or person in pursuance or intended pursuance of any of the functions, duties, or powers conferred by this Act on the inspector, auxiliary officer, accredited reviewer, or person.

  2. Any liability that would but for this section lie against an inspector or auxiliary officer, or a person assisting an inspector or constable, lies against the Crown.

Notes
  • Section 158(1): amended, on , pursuant to section 116(a)(ii) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).
  • Section 158(2): amended, on , pursuant to section 116(a)(ii) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).