Environment Act 1986

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment - Functions and powers

20: Commissioner and staff to maintain secrecy, etc

You could also call this:

"Keep work secrets to protect information"

You need to keep secrets when you work under the Commissioner. This is because you will learn things when you do your job. You must not tell anyone these things unless it is to do with your work. You are considered an official for some parts of the Crimes Act 1961, like sections 105 and 105A. This means you have to follow some rules. You have to keep secrets about the things you learn at work. Before you start working, you have to promise not to tell secrets. You make this promise by taking an oath to the Commissioner. You promise not to tell anyone anything you learn unless it is for work.

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This page was last updated on 31 October 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM99753.

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departmentsCrime and justice > Criminal lawRights and equality > Privacy

19: Power to obtain information, or

"The Commissioner can ask for information and you must provide it, while keeping your job secrets safe."

21: Commissioner's right to be heard in proceedings, or

"The Commissioner can speak up in court and have a say in decisions."

Part 1Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
Functions and powers

20Commissioner and staff to maintain secrecy, etc

The Commissioner and every person holding any office or appointment under the Commissioner shall be deemed for the purposes of sections 105 and 105A of the Crimes Act 1961 to be officials.
Except for purposes connected with the administration of this Act or with the carrying out of the provisions of this Act, the Commissioner and every person holding any office or appointment under the Commissioner shall maintain secrecy in respect of all matters that come to their knowledge in the exercise and performance of their powers and functions under this Act.
Every person holding any office or appointment under the Commissioner, before beginning to perform any official duty under this Act, shall take an oath, to be administered by the Commissioner, that he or she will not divulge any information received under this Act except for purposes connected with the administration of this Act or with the carrying out of the provisions of this Act.