Public Audit Act 2001

Transitional provisions - Audit Department

57: Transfer of Crown assets and liabilities to Auditor-General

You could also call this:

"When the government gives the Auditor-General control of its assets and debts"

The Minister of Finance can make decisions about Crown assets and liabilities on behalf of the government. You will see the Minister of Finance working with the Auditor-General to make these decisions, and they can agree on the terms and conditions together. The Minister of Finance can transfer assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General, and also let the Auditor-General manage them or give them rights to use them.

The Minister of Finance has a lot of power in this area, and can make decisions about leases, licences, and other rights related to Crown assets and liabilities. When the Minister of Finance makes a decision, they have to tell the House of Representatives about it by presenting any contracts or documents within 12 sitting days. This means you can find out what decisions have been made and how they might affect the country.

The Minister of Finance is responsible for making sure the government follows the rules and is transparent about its decisions, so they have to present all the relevant information to the House of Representatives in a timely manner.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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 10 September 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM88965.

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departmentsMoney and consumer rights > Taxes

56: Audit Department, or

"The Audit Department is closed and no longer exists."

58: Rights and liabilities of the Crown and third parties following transfer or grant, or

"What happens to the government's and others' rights and responsibilities when assets are transferred to the Auditor-General"

Part 9Transitional provisions
Audit Department

57Transfer of Crown assets and liabilities to Auditor-General

Despite any Act, rule of law, deed, or agreement, and for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the Minister of Finance may agree with the Auditor-General, that Minister may, on behalf of the Crown,—
transfer to the Auditor-General assets and liabilities of the Crown; and
authorise the Auditor-General to act on behalf of the Crown in managing assets or liabilities of the Crown; and
grant to the Auditor-General leases, licences, easements, permits, or rights of any kind in respect of any assets or liabilities of the Crown.

The Minister of Finance must present to the House of Representatives any contract or other document entered into under subsection (1) within 12 sitting days after the date of that contract or document.