Part 2Interpretation and application of legislation
General principles of interpretation
10How to ascertain meaning of legislation
The meaning of legislation must be ascertained from its text and in the light of its purpose and its context.
Subsection (1) applies whether or not the legislation’s purpose is stated in the legislation.
The text of legislation includes the indications provided in the legislation.
Examples of those indications are preambles, a table of contents, headings, diagrams, graphics, examples and explanatory material, and the organisation and format of the legislation.
Compare
- 1999 No 85 s 5