Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Natural Environment Bill

Foundations - Core provisions

13: Procedural principles

You could also call this:

"Make good decisions quickly and fairly"

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

When you are making decisions under this proposed law, you must try to make sure all documents are easy to understand. You should act quickly and not spend too much money. You must also think about how important the issue is and act accordingly. You need to have enough information to make a good decision, thinking about how much it will cost to get that information and how important the issue is. You should try to find solutions and be consistent with the other principles in this law, like those in paragraphs (a) to (d) and section 12. You must avoid repeating things unnecessarily in important documents. You should always try to be efficient and effective when making decisions under this proposed law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1548611.

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Topics:
Government and voting > Government departmentsCrime and justice > Courts and legal help
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12: Relationship between key instruments in decision making, or

"How laws and plans work together to protect the environment"

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14: Considering effects of activities, or

"Thinking about how our actions affect people and the environment"

Part 2Foundations
Core provisions

13Procedural principles

  1. A person exercising or performing functions, powers or duties under this Act must take all practicable steps to—

  2. ensure all documents are succinct and use plain language that can be readily understood by the public:
    1. act in a timely and cost-effective manner:
      1. act proportionately to the scale and significance of the matter:
        1. ensure they have enough information to understand the implications of their decision (if any), after considering—
          1. the cost and feasibility of obtaining the information; and
            1. the scale and significance of the matter to which the decision relates:
            2. act in an enabling manner (for example, by being solutions-focussed) that is consistent with the principles in paragraphs (a) to (d) and section 12:
              1. avoid unnecessary repetition in key instruments.