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.

Parliament Bill

Parliamentary privilege - Other provisions relating to parliamentary privilege - Parliamentary witnesses

32: Privileges and immunities of witness

You could also call this:

"What rights do witnesses have when giving evidence?"

If you are a witness in the House of Representatives or a committee, you have special rights. You have the same rights as a witness in court when you give evidence. This means you are protected when you answer questions under oath or affirmation. You get these rights when you give evidence to the House of Representatives or a committee. There may be other laws that change this, but generally, you have these special rights. This is what the proposed law says about witnesses and their rights.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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 9 November 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS804169.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Courts and legal helpGovernment and voting > Government departments

31: House of Representatives or committee may administer oath or affirmation, or

"Telling the truth in Parliament: taking an oath or affirmation"

33: Exemption of member or officer from attendance, or

"Help for MPs and Officers to Avoid Court"

Part 2Parliamentary privilege
Other provisions relating to parliamentary privilege: Parliamentary witnesses

32Privileges and immunities of witness

A witness examined before the House of Representatives or a committee and giving evidence on oath or affirmation has, in respect of that evidence, the same privileges and immunities as a witness has when giving evidence on oath or affirmation in a court.
This section is subject to any contrary legislation.