Anti-discrimination
This page contains different parts of laws about Anti-discrimination, within the topic of Rights and equality.

Related Plain Language Law
Weights and Measures Act 1987
How you can challenge a decision about weights and measures experts
30G: Procedure on appeals
Immigration Act 2009
This part outlines how New Zealand identifies and protects refugees and at-risk individuals
124: Purpose of Part
Immigration Act 2009
How to be officially recognised as a refugee in New Zealand
129: Recognition as refugee
Immigration Act 2009
Protecting people at risk of torture in their home country
130: Recognition as protected person under Convention Against Torture
Immigration Act 2009
Protected status for those facing unfair death or cruel treatment in home country
131: Recognition as protected person under Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Immigration Act 2009
Who can't apply for refugee or protected person status
132: Claims not to be accepted from certain persons
Immigration Act 2009
Removing refugee or protected person status for non-citizens
146: Cancellation of person's recognition as refugee or protected person (other than New Zealand citizen)
Immigration Act 2009
Rules for deporting refugees and protected persons in New Zealand
164: Limitation on deportation of persons recognised or claiming recognition as refugee or protected person
Immigration Act 2009
Unfair treatment of workers without proper work rights in New Zealand
351: Exploitation of unlawful employees and temporary workers
Immigration Act 2009
How a responsible adult helps and speaks for young people under immigration law
376: Role and rights of responsible adult
Immigration Act 2009
Immigration officials must listen to children's opinions about their situation
377: Views of minor to be considered
Immigration Act 2009
How this Act works with human rights laws for immigration matters
392: Relationship between this Act and Human Rights Act 1993
Immigration Act 2009
Refugees recognised before 2009 are treated the same as those recognised after
424: Person recognised as refugee under former Act treated as recognised as refugee under this Act
Immigration Act 2009
Rules for protecting and supporting people seeking safety from danger in other countries
Schedule 1: Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
Local Government Act 2002
This law explains why we have local councils and what they should do for us
3: Purpose
Local Government Act 2002
Local government helps communities make decisions and improve life for everyone
10: Purpose of local government
Local Government Act 2002
What local authorities do in your area and why they do it
11: Role of local authority
Local Government Act 2002
Local authorities: Special groups that help and serve communities
12: Status and powers
Local Government Act 2002
Following local government rules when working under other laws
13: Performance of functions under other enactments
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for local councils to follow when serving their communities
14: Principles relating to local authorities
Local Government Act 2002
Local councils must make a plan every three years to work together
15: Triennial agreements
Local Government Act 2002
This part explains how local government is set up and can change in New Zealand
20: Outline of Part
Local Government Act 2002
This law explains how local governments can change their setup and responsibilities
24: Scope of local government reorganisation
Local Government Act 2002
How to ask for your council to be called a city or district council
27: Application to be called city council or district council
Local Government Act 2002
The Commission helps people understand and improve local government
30: Functions and powers of Commission
Local Government Act 2002
This section explains how local councils work and how people can have a say in their community
38: Outline of Part
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for how your local council should work and make decisions
39: Governance principles
Local Government Act 2002
How your council tells you about its work and rules
40: Local governance statements
Local Government Act 2002
Protecting local council members from legal problems when doing their job
43: Certain members indemnified
Local Government Act 2002
Councils must create a board for each community to represent local people
49: Establishment of community boards
Local Government Act 2002
Community boards help make sure your local area's voice is heard and needs are met
52: Role of community boards
Local Government Act 2002
Councils must ask the public before creating or joining special organisations they control
56: Consultation required before council-controlled organisation established
Local Government Act 2002
How to choose people to be in charge of council groups
57: Appointment of directors
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for how your local council makes decisions
76: Decision-making
Local Government Act 2002
Local councils must listen to what people think before making decisions
78: Community views in relation to decisions
Local Government Act 2002
Following the rules when making decisions
79: Compliance with procedures in relation to decisions
Local Government Act 2002
Explaining when councils make choices that don't match their plans
80: Identification of inconsistent decisions
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for councils to ask for and listen to your ideas about local decisions
82: Principles of consultation
Local Government Act 2002
How your local government asks for your opinion on important matters
83: Special consultative procedure
Local Government Act 2002
Special steps for making, changing, or cancelling local rules
86: Use of special consultative procedure in relation to making, amending, or revoking bylaws
Local Government Act 2002
When local councils ask for your opinion on big decisions
87: Other use of special consultative procedure
Local Government Act 2002
A long-term plan tells people what a local council does and wants to do for their area
93: Long-term plan
Local Government Act 2002
Council plans are like promises, but not set in stone
96: Effect of resolution adopting long-term plan or annual plan
Local Government Act 2002
Councils must plan big changes in advance and ask for your ideas
97: Certain decisions to be taken only if provided for in long-term plan
Local Government Act 2002
How the government removed old rules about making assessments
128: Process for making assessments
Local Government Act 2002
Councils can make local rules to keep everyone safe and happy
145: General bylaw-making power for territorial authorities
Local Government Act 2002
Checking if a new rule for your area is a good idea and doesn't go against people's rights
155: Determination whether bylaw made under this Act is appropriate
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for asking people's opinions when making or changing local laws
156: Consultation requirements when making, amending, or revoking bylaws made under this Act
Local Government Act 2002
How to check and update rules for your local area
160: Procedure for and nature of review
Local Government Act 2002
Councils can't do things that bother or harm people or their property
191: Local authority not authorised to create nuisance
Local Government Act 2002
Things members and workers of local councils can get in trouble for
Local Government Act 2002
What this part of the law is about: The Minister's special powers to help and check on local councils
253: Outline of Part
Local Government Act 2002
This part explains what important words mean in the law about how the Minister can work with local councils
256: Interpretation
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for picking leaders in local groups
275: First policy on appointment of directors
Local Government Act 2002
Local councils must make a big plan starting from July 2006
280: Long-term plan for period beginning on 1 July 2006
Local Government Act 2002
Old ways to change local government can still be finished
291: Reorganisation proposals
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for keeping old community groups and boards
295: Communities and community boards
Local Government Act 2002
Rules make sure we can compare how well different local councils are doing their jobs
261A: Purpose of rules specifying performance measures
Local Government Act 2002
Rules can use information from other documents to help explain things
261D: Incorporation of documents by reference in rules
Local Government Act 2002
A report explaining important local council issues before an election
99A: Pre-election report
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for changing local government to make it work better for everyone
24AA: Purpose of local government reorganisation provisions
Local Government Act 2002
Changes to local council rules when big changes are being planned
24A: Transitional modification or suspension of certain statutory requirements after issue of reorganisation plan
Local Government Act 2002
The government can send a helper to fix big problems in local councils
258D: Minister may appoint Crown Manager
Local Government Act 2002
Minister can choose special team to help run a town when there are big problems
258F: Minister may appoint Commission
Local Government Act 2002
Council members keep their titles but can't do their jobs while a special team is in charge
258K: Local authority members remain in office but must not act during term of Commission
Local Government Act 2002
How to handle empty seats when a special group is in charge of a local council
258L: Extraordinary vacancy when Commission appointed or during term of Commission
Local Government Act 2002
The Minister shares a list of important local government information for everyone to see
258O: Minister must publish list in Gazette
Local Government Act 2002
The Minister must check a special list before making decisions about local councils
258P: Minister must have regard to published list
Local Government Act 2002
People chosen by the Minister to help with local councils are protected from getting in trouble if they make honest mistakes.
258Y: Protection from liability for Ministerial appointees
Local Government Act 2002
Crown Manager or Commission decisions stay until the council changes them
258ZA: Decisions and directions of Crown Manager or Commission remain in force until local authority decides otherwise
Local Government Act 2002
The big checker reports on special information shared by local councils
259C: Auditor-General must report on disclosures made under certain regulations
Local Government Act 2002
How a city or district council can change its name if it does both city and regional jobs
27A: Change of name of unitary authorities
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for making laws about where people can drink alcohol
147B: Criteria for making resolutions relating to bylaws
Local Government Act 2002
How the council checks and manages services for your community
17A: Delivery of services
Local Government Act 2002
Local boards help you and your neighbours decide what happens in your area
48C: Purpose of local boards
Local Government Act 2002
In a unitary authority, the main group and local groups work together to make choices for their area
48D: Unitary authority decision making shared between governing body and local boards
Local Government Act 2002
What local boards do and are responsible for
48H: Functions, duties, and powers of local boards
Local Government Act 2002
How a unitary authority with local boards decides who makes decisions
48I: General scheme
Local Government Act 2002
The group in charge makes big choices for the local area
48J: Decision-making responsibilities of governing body
Local Government Act 2002
Local boards decide on activities in their area and share community views
48K: Decision-making responsibilities of local boards
Local Government Act 2002
Rules for deciding who makes decisions in a local area
48L: Principles for allocation of decision-making responsibilities of unitary authority
Local Government Act 2002
Plans made by local boards to show what the community wants for the next three years
48N: Local board plans
Local Government Act 2002
Yearly plans for local areas made by city leaders and local groups
48O: Local board agreements
Local Government Act 2002
Unitary authorities must ask for your ideas about local board plans
48P: Consultation required on proposed content of local board agreement
Local Government Act 2002
Solving disagreements about who makes decisions or new rules in local government
48R: Disputes about allocation of decision-making responsibilities or proposed bylaws
Local Government Act 2002
The Local Government Commission helps solve arguments between local boards and the governing body
48S: Local Government Commission to determine disputes
Local Government Act 2002
A plan for councils to decide what's important and how to talk to you about it
76AA: Significance and engagement policy
Local Government Act 2002
Making a fair summary of plans to share with people
83AA: Summary of information
Local Government Act 2002
The consultation document helps you understand and talk about your council's future plans
93B: Purpose of consultation document for long-term plan
Local Government Act 2002
What to include when asking people about changes to the long-term plan
93D: Content of consultation document for amendment of long-term plan
Local Government Act 2002
Extra information needed when changing big plans that involve important decisions
93E: Additional content of consultation document for adoption or amendment of long-term plan where section 97 applies to proposed decision
Local Government Act 2002
How your council explains changes to their yearly plan and asks for your thoughts
95A: Purpose and content of consultation document for annual plan
Local Government Act 2002
Local groups can suggest new rules for their area
150B: Local boards may propose bylaw
Local Government Act 2002
Local board asks people about new rules before making them
150C: Local board must consult on proposed bylaw
Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990
Smoking and vaping are allowed in special rooms at hospitals, rest homes, and disability care institutions if they have good ventilation.
6: Dedicated rooms in hospital care institutions, residential disability care institutions, and rest homes
Resource Management Act 1991
Rules for asking a judge to stop someone from starting court cases and what to do if you don't like the judge's decision
288F: Procedure and appeals relating to section 288C orders
Electricity Act 1992
Fair treatment for everyone when decisions are made
156: Rules of natural justice to be observed
Corrections Act 2004
When a prison can stop your mail to keep you or others safe
108: Withholding mail
Building Act 2004
This law explains why we have rules for building things, to keep people safe and healthy when using buildings.
3: Purposes
Building Act 2004
This section explains the rules people must follow when making decisions about buildings to keep everyone safe and happy.
4: Principles to be applied in performing functions or duties, or exercising powers, under this Act
Building Act 2004
The local council can allow changes to building rules when giving permission to build, except for rules about access for disabled people.
67: Territorial authority may grant building consent subject to waivers or modifications of building code
Building Act 2004
The boss can only change building rules for old buildings with special needs access in certain situations.
69: Waiver or modification may only be granted by chief executive in certain cases
Building Act 2004
This law explains how to make changes to old buildings while keeping them safe and accessible for everyone.
112: Alterations to existing buildings
Building Act 2004
This part explains what a 'building' means when talking about making places easy for everyone to use.
117: Definition for sections 118 to 120
Building Act 2004
This law says buildings open to the public must be easy for people with disabilities to use, including getting in, parking, and using the bathroom.
118: Access and facilities for persons with disabilities to and within buildings
Building Act 2004
Making buildings accessible for people with disabilities
119: Acceptable solution for requirements of persons with disabilities
Building Act 2004
Buildings that have special features for people with disabilities must show special signs outside
120: Symbols of access must be displayed
Building Act 2004
The boss must ask for help when making decisions about fire safety and disability issues.
170: Chief executive must consult in performing certain functions
Building Act 2004
This explains who can be involved when someone important makes decisions about building rules.
176: Meaning of party
Building Act 2004
Buildings that must have easy access for people with disabilities
Schedule 2: Buildings in respect of which requirement for provision of access and facilities for persons with disabilities applies
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Societies can't become boards anymore, but existing boards can become societies
8: Applications for incorporation may no longer be made by societies
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Rules for choosing a name for your charitable trust board
15: Name of board
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
How boards can make different types of contracts
19: Form of contracts
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Trustees' actions are usually considered okay, even if there were mistakes in how they were chosen
20: Presumption of validity of acts of trustees, etc
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
How a board can use, sell, swap, or buy property
21: Powers in respect of property
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
You can still create charitable groups using other laws, but not if you've already done it under this law.
22: Power to incorporate for charitable purposes under other Acts
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Most documents and actions are free under this part of the law
30: Exemption from fees
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
You can use charity money for a different good cause if the first plan doesn't work out
32: Property may be disposed of for other charitable purposes
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Changing how a charitable trust is run to make it work better
33: Extension of powers or alteration of mode of administration of trust
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
What counts as a charitable purpose in this part of the law
38: Meaning of term charitable purpose in this Part
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Rules for using charity money for different purposes when the original plan doesn't work
40: Property may be disposed of for other charitable purposes
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Changing how charity money is managed when it's difficult
41: Extension of powers or alteration of mode of administration of trust
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
People who donate to or hold money for charities can use this part of the law
42: Contributor or money holder may proceed under this Part
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Rules for calling a meeting of people who donated to a charity
43: Convening meeting of contributors
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Telling people about new ideas for using charity money before a meeting
44: Subsequent advertisement or notice of other newly proposed purpose
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
How charity meetings work and how decisions are made
45: Proceedings at meetings
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Contributors choose a group to create a plan for the trust's new purpose
46: Scheme committee
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
How different groups can run charitable projects
51: Administration of schemes
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Court or Attorney-General can overlook small mistakes when setting up a charitable trust
55: Power to waive non-compliance with procedural requirements
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Rules for approving special plans for charitable purposes
56: Restrictions on approval of schemes
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Changing an organisation's rules doesn't change how they must use money or property given for charity
61: Alteration of rules of society or corporation not to affect existing trusts
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Trusts with both good and not-so-good purposes can still be valid
61B: Inclusion of non-charitable and invalid purposes not to invalidate a trust
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
This law explains what happens to old rules and decisions when the new Charitable Trusts Act starts
63: Repeals, amendment, and savings
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Rules for when the law changes
2B: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Trust boards must confirm they're registered when asked, except for charitable groups
22A: Acknowledgement of registration
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Special COVID-19 rules for pausing charity debts are no longer in effect
25A: COVID-19 business debt hibernation may apply
Charitable Trusts Act 1957
Societies can choose to stay as they are or become a new type of group
30A: Society may reregister under Incorporated Societies Act 2022
Companies Act 1993
What it means to be 'interested' in a company transaction as a director
139: Meaning of interested
Companies Act 1993
How shareholders can group together to take legal action against a company or director
173: Representative actions
Crimes Act 1961
This law punishes people who use children under 18 for sex, body parts, or forced work.
98AA: Dealing in people under 18 for sexual exploitation, removal of body parts, or engagement in forced labour
Crimes Act 1961
This law makes it illegal to help move or keep people for bad purposes, like forcing them to work or taking their body parts.
98D: Trafficking in persons
Crimes Act 1961
Even if someone doesn't say "no" or fight back, they might not be agreeing to do sexual things.
128A: Allowing sexual activity does not amount to consent in some circumstances
Crimes Act 1961
Using threats to make someone agree to sexual acts is against the law
129A: Sexual conduct with consent induced by certain threats
Crimes Act 1961
A person can get in trouble for taking advantage of someone who has trouble understanding sex because of a disability.
138: Sexual exploitation of person with significant impairment
Crimes Act 1961
New Zealand citizens or residents can be punished for sexual acts with young people in other countries.
144A: Sexual conduct with children and young people outside New Zealand
Crimes Act 1961
This law makes it illegal to help someone leave New Zealand to have female genital mutilation done, or to encourage someone to have it done overseas.
204B: Further offences relating to female genital mutilation
Crimes Act 1961
You could get in trouble for saying or writing things that might scare people or cause big problems in New Zealand.
307A: Threats of harm to people or property
Crimes Act 1961
New Zealanders can get in trouble for helping or covering up when foreigners do sexual things with kids outside New Zealand.
144AB: Party or accessory liability for sexual acts with children or young people outside New Zealand done by, or involving, foreigner principal parties
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Rules for selling alcohol from a shop or supermarket, like who you can sell to and when
116: Particular discretionary conditions, and other compulsory conditions: off-licences
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Changes to a law that helps keep children and young people safe.
Freedom Camping Act 2011
Rules about where and how you can camp in different parts of New Zealand
11: Freedom camping bylaws
Dog Control Act 1996
Dogs that help people with disabilities are allowed in public places and some buildings.
75: Disability assist dogs
Dog Control Act 1996
Changing the rules for dog training organisations that help people with disabilities
78D: Regulations amending Schedule 5
Dog Control Act 1996
Organisations that can certify dogs to help people with disabilities
Schedule 5: Organisations authorised to certify dogs as disability assist dogs
Evidence Act 2006
Rules for asking questions in court if you're accused of something
95: Restrictions on cross-examination by parties in person
Evidence Act 2006
Helping you give evidence in a way that's fair and comfortable for you
103: Directions about alternative ways of giving evidence
Equal Pay Act 1972
A law from 1972 to ensure people get paid fairly, called the Equal Pay Act 1972.
1: Short Title
Equal Pay Act 1972
Treating workers unfairly because of their sex is against the law
2A: Unlawful discrimination
Equal Pay Act 1972
How to compare men's and women's pay for the same work
3: Criteria to be applied
Equal Pay Act 1972
How to decide if someone's pay is fair and equal
4: Determination of equal pay
Equal Pay Act 1972
Temporary pay rises that are no longer part of the law
5: Interim increases
Equal Pay Act 1972
Equal pay rules in work contracts are now the same for everyone.
6: Implementation of equal pay in awards
Equal Pay Act 1972
Making equal pay rules work in other laws and agreements
7: Implementation of equal pay in other instruments
Equal Pay Act 1972
Courts can set rules to help people get paid fairly at work
9: Court may state principles for implementation of equal pay
Equal Pay Act 1972
Checking employment agreements are fair and provide equal pay
10: Approval by court or Employment Relations Authority of employment agreements or proposed employment agreements
Equal Pay Act 1972
Court can give a partial decision on equal pay claims, but this rule is no longer in use.
11: Court may make partial award
Equal Pay Act 1972
The Employment Relations Authority's extra powers to help with equal pay decisions and employment agreements.
12: Further powers of Employment Relations Authority
Equal Pay Act 1972
Getting the money you're owed if you're not paid equally
13: Recovery of remuneration based on equal pay
Equal Pay Act 1972
How the Employment Relations Authority handles fair pay claims
14: Procedure and jurisdiction of Employment Relations Authority
Equal Pay Act 1972
Your boss can't treat you unfairly if you make a claim for equal pay.
15: Claimant employee must not be treated adversely
Equal Pay Act 1972
What inspectors can do, according to the old law
16: Powers of Inspectors
Equal Pay Act 1972
What records employers must keep about their employees
17: Records to be kept by employers
Equal Pay Act 1972
Telling female employees about pay increases
17A: Advice of increments of pay and other increases in pay to be given to female employees
Equal Pay Act 1972
Breaking pay rules can cost you up to $10,000 or $20,000
18: Penalty for non-compliance
Equal Pay Act 1972
Rules made by the Governor-General to help the Equal Pay Act work
19: Regulations
Equal Pay Act 1972
The Department of Labour looks after the Equal Pay Act 1972 law.
20: Act to be administered in Department of Labour
Equal Pay Act 1972
When you can make a claim for fair pay
13DA: Eligibility of pay equity claim to be raised
Equal Pay Act 1972
Employers must decide on pay equity claims within 60 working days
13PA: Time limit for employer’s decisions about pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Your employer decides if your pay equity claim is valid and meets the rules.
13PB: Employer’s decision about whether claim meets requirements of section 13E
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens if your employer says there's no one to compare your pay to?
13ZEA: Employer decides no appropriate comparators available
Equal Pay Act 1972
Your new boss makes a decision about the work that is part of your claim.
Equal Pay Act 1972
Changing your mind about employees doing similar work
13ZEB: New decision about same or substantially similar work
Equal Pay Act 1972
When your pay claim doesn't meet the rules, it can't go ahead
13ZZAA: Decision that claim does not meet section 13E requirements
Equal Pay Act 1972
When a court or authority decides a pay claim is not worth pursuing, it stops the claim from going further.
13ZZAB: Decision that claim does not have merit
Equal Pay Act 1972
When the court decides there's no one similar to compare your pay to
13ZZAC: Decision that no appropriate comparators are available
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens next with a pay claim when a decision is made about the work employees do
13ZZAD: Later decision on work performed by employees covered by claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Special rules to help change to the Equal Pay Act 1972
2AAA: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Equal Pay Act 1972
Everyone doing the same job must get paid the same, no matter if they are a man or a woman.
2AAC: Differentiation in rates of remuneration prohibited
Equal Pay Act 1972
When this part of the law does not apply to your pay claim
8A: Application of this Part
Equal Pay Act 1972
This law helps fix unfair pay for jobs mostly done by women.
13A: Purpose
Equal Pay Act 1972
What to do if someone doesn't follow the Equal Pay Act: taking action for a penalty
18A: Proceedings by Labour Inspector or employee concerned for penalty
Equal Pay Act 1972
Special rules for equal pay claims that were already started or settled when the law changed
Schedule 1: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Equal Pay Act 1972
What to expect if someone makes a pay equity claim about your job
Schedule 2: Content of notice to affected employees of pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Being honest and working together to fix pay fairness problems
13C: Good faith in pay equity claim process
Equal Pay Act 1972
Unions can help their members with fair pay claims by acting on their behalf.
13D: Union right to represent members
Equal Pay Act 1972
When you can ask for fair pay if you think you're not being paid the same as others
13E: Circumstances in which unions and employees may raise pay equity claims
Equal Pay Act 1972
What you must do when making a pay equity claim
13G: Requirements relating to all pay equity claims
Equal Pay Act 1972
What you need to include when making a pay claim as an individual employee
13H: Requirements for claim raised by individual employee
Equal Pay Act 1972
What unions need to include when making a fair pay claim
13I: Requirements for claim raised by union or unions
Equal Pay Act 1972
Employer must say they got your pay claim and tell the union within 5 working days.
13J: Employer must acknowledge receipt of pay equity claim and notify unions
Equal Pay Act 1972
When a union helps workers claim fair pay from many employers, those employers must work together to fix the problem.
13K: Union-raised claims raised with multiple employers: employers must enter into pay equity process agreement
Equal Pay Act 1972
How to leave a shared pay fairness claim with other employers
13L: Opting out of multi-employer pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Combining multiple claims into one to make the process easier and faster for you.
Equal Pay Act 1972
When two unions make similar pay claims to the same employer, they must combine them into one claim.
13M: Multiple union claims raised with single employer: unions must consolidate
Equal Pay Act 1972
Combining pay fairness claims with new or different employers
13N: Consolidation of claim raised with additional or new employer with existing union-raised claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Asking to combine two pay claims into one
13O: Process to request consent to consolidate
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens when multiple pay claims are combined into one claim to sort out equal pay issues
13P: Effect of consolidation
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens when an employer makes a decision about a pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Does the employer think the pay equity claim is worth looking into?
13Q: Employer’s decision about whether claim has merit
Equal Pay Act 1972
Notice to extend time for employer to decide on pay equity claim
13R: Notice extending time limit for employer’s decisions about pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
What employers must do after deciding if a pay equity claim is fair or not
13S: Employer’s obligations after deciding whether claim has merit
Equal Pay Act 1972
What employers must do when workers claim unfair pay in a multi-employer situation
13T: Employer decisions about multi-employer pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Employer must tell staff about a valid pay equity claim within 20 working days.
13U: Employer must give notice of first pay equity claim that has merit raised by individual employee
Equal Pay Act 1972
Employers must tell staff about valid pay equity claims in a clear and timely notice.
13V: Employer must give notice of first pay equity claim that has merit raised by union
Equal Pay Act 1972
If a union makes a claim, it automatically includes employees who are affected.
Equal Pay Act 1972
You're automatically part of a union's pay claim if you do similar work.
13W: Affected employees automatically covered by union claims
Equal Pay Act 1972
Unions can't make non-members pay fees for help with a claim
13X: Union may not require fees from non-members
Equal Pay Act 1972
You can choose not to be part of a union's equal pay claim if you're not a union member.
13Y: Employees may opt out of pay equity claim raised by union
Equal Pay Act 1972
Employer must tell the union about employees affected by a pay claim
13Z: Employer must notify union of employees covered by union-raised claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
New employees doing similar work are covered by a union's pay claim and must be told about it.
13ZA: New employees covered by union-raised claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Talking about fair pay to make sure everyone gets paid equally for the same work.
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens when your pay claim is fair and reasonable?
13ZB: Process applies to claims that have merit
Equal Pay Act 1972
Telling the other side what they need to know for a fair pay claim
13ZC: Duty to provide information
Equal Pay Act 1972
What to consider when checking if a job's pay is fair
13ZD: Matters to be assessed
Equal Pay Act 1972
Choosing someone to compare your pay with to make sure you get fair pay
13ZE: Selecting appropriate comparators
Equal Pay Act 1972
Unions must ask employees to vote on pay equity settlements before agreeing to them.
13ZF: Requirement for union to obtain mandate before settling pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Rules for fair pay talks between employers and employees
13ZG: Application of section 63A of Employment Relations Act 2000 to pay equity bargaining
Equal Pay Act 1972
Agreeing on fair pay for men and women at work
13ZH: Settling pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Unfair treatment when settling a pay equity claim on your own
13ZI: Unfair bargaining for pay equity claim settlement
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens if an employer doesn't bargain fairly with you
13ZJ: Remedies for unfair bargaining
Equal Pay Act 1972
Send a copy of your pay equity agreement to the boss of the government department
13ZK: Copy of pay equity claim settlement to be delivered to chief executive
Equal Pay Act 1972
Getting the same pay and work conditions as others who made a pay equity claim
13ZL: Offers of benefit of pay equity claim settlement to other employees
Equal Pay Act 1972
What happens to your job agreement when a pay equity claim is settled
13ZM: Effect of pay equity claim settlement on employment agreements
Equal Pay Act 1972
How collective agreements affect ongoing pay equity claims
13ZN: Relationship between pay equity claims and collective bargaining
Equal Pay Act 1972
You can use a mediator to help solve pay problems fairly.
13ZO: Parties may refer issues to mediation
Equal Pay Act 1972
Help is available to make sure people get paid fairly for the work they do.
Equal Pay Act 1972
Help to resolve pay equity claims when you can't agree
13ZP: Purpose of facilitating pay equity claim
Equal Pay Act 1972
Asking for help from the Authority to resolve pay equity claims
13ZQ: Reference to Authority
Equal Pay Act 1972
When can the Authority help with a pay problem if someone hasn't been treated fairly or talks have failed?
13ZR: When Authority may accept reference
Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
What special words mean in the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
2: Interpretation
Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
The Tribunal can help Māori with unfair claims about the Treaty of Waitangi
6: Jurisdiction of Tribunal to consider claims
Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
A special agreement between the Queen of England and Maori chiefs to protect Maori rights and keep peace in New Zealand
Schedule 1: The Treaty of Waitangi
Plain Language Act 2022
This law explains why we need easy-to-understand words in government papers
3: Purpose
Plain Language Act 2022
This part explains what important words mean in the Plain Language Act
4: Interpretation
Plain Language Act 2022
Official papers must be written clearly so everyone can understand them
9: Relevant documents to use plain language
Plain Language Act 2022
The law says someone must make a guide to help people write clearly
10: Plain language guidance must be issued
Plain Language Act 2022
This law doesn't change how Māori language and sign language laws work
15: Other Acts not affected
Plain Language Act 2022
People who help government use easy-to-understand words
11: Plain language officers
Plain Language Act 2022
Rules for changing from the old law to the new law
7: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Plain Language Act 2022
Rules for changing old and new documents to use simple words
Schedule 1: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Plain Language Act 2022
The law doesn't create new rights or duties you can use in court
14: Act does not confer or impose legal rights or obligations
Plain Language Act 2022
You need to tell the language boss how you follow the easy-to-read rules each year
12: Reporting agency must report to Commissioner
Plain Language Act 2022
Plain language means using simple words everyone can understand
5: What is plain language
Plain Language Act 2022
Which government documents need to be easy to understand?
6: What documents must use plain language
Plain Language Act 2022
The Commissioner writes a yearly report to tell the Minister how well the government follows the rules
13: Commissioner must report to Minister
Animal Welfare Act 1999
Things to consider when making rules about animal traps and devices
33: Criteria
Employment Relations Act 2000
This part explains how workers can ask to change their work setup and how bosses should handle these requests.
69AA: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
What you need to include when asking to change how you work
69AAC: Requirements relating to request
Employment Relations Act 2000
An employer can say no to a worker's request for different work hours only for certain reasons.
69AAF: Grounds for refusal of request by employer
Employment Relations Act 2000
Asking the Authority to Help with a Problem at Work
69AAI: Application to Authority
Employment Relations Act 2000
When your boss treats you unfairly because of a health and safety reason that's not okay.
110A: Adverse conduct for prohibited health and safety reason
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules for the Police and their workers to work together fairly and respectfully
Schedule 1C: Code of good faith for employment relationships in relation to provision of services by Police
Employment Relations Act 2000
This rule explains what happens when a boss ends a worker's job during a trial period.
67B: Effect of trial provision under section 67A
Employment Relations Act 2000
Employers should provide suitable places and time for workers to breastfeed at work if possible.
69Y: Employer's obligation
Employment Relations Act 2000
Solving problems with your employer through talking and agreeing
148A: Certain entitlements may be subject to mediation and agreed terms of settlement
Employment Relations Act 2000
You can get in trouble for breaking the rules about being fair at work.
4A: Penalty for certain breaches of duty of good faith
Employment Relations Act 2000
What special words mean in the Employment Relations Act 2000
5: Interpretation
Employment Relations Act 2000
Examples help explain the law but don't change what it means.
6A: Status of examples
Employment Relations Act 2000
Your right to choose about joining a union
7: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
You can choose to join a union or not, it's up to you
8: Voluntary membership of unions
Employment Relations Act 2000
No special treatment for union members
9: Prohibition on preference
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules that go against your right to join or not join a union won't work
10: Contracts, agreements, or other arrangements inconsistent with section 8 or section 9
Employment Relations Act 2000
You can't force someone to join or leave a union, or stop them from helping other workers.
11: Undue influence
Employment Relations Act 2000
When can a group be officially recognised as a workers' union?
14: When society entitled to be registered as union
Employment Relations Act 2000
The union can speak up for workers as a group and help with personal issues if asked.
18: Union entitled to represent members' interests
Employment Relations Act 2000
Union representatives can visit workplaces to help workers and talk about union matters.
20: Access to workplaces
Employment Relations Act 2000
Union representatives' rights to enter workplaces
21: Conditions relating to access to workplaces
Employment Relations Act 2000
Getting a special exemption certificate because of your religious beliefs
24: Issue of certificate of exemption
Employment Relations Act 2000
Getting in trouble for stopping union reps from doing their job at work
25: Penalty for certain acts in relation to entering workplace
Employment Relations Act 2000
This part explains the rules for fair teamwork when workers and bosses make agreements together.
31: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules for unions and employers to work together nicely when making agreements about jobs
32: Good faith in bargaining for collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
Be fair and try to agree when making a workplace deal, unless you have a really good reason not to.
33: Duty of good faith requires parties to conclude collective agreement unless genuine reason not to
Employment Relations Act 2000
When workers need to vote on joining a group deal their boss wants
47: When secret ballots required after employer initiates bargaining for single collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
When different unions want to bargain for the same type of work, the boss can ask them to join together and make one big agreement.
50: Consolidation of bargaining
Employment Relations Act 2000
Helping people work together to make fair agreements about jobs
Employment Relations Act 2000
What people say during help sessions to solve work problems can't be used against them later, and they can only talk about it publicly in a limited way.
50F: Statements made by parties during facilitation
Employment Relations Act 2000
Everyone must be honest and fair when talking to the helper during work discussions.
50I: Party must deal with Authority in good faith
Employment Relations Act 2000
What happens if someone doesn't play fair when making a group work agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
The law allows a judge to decide what goes in a work agreement if someone keeps being really unfair during talks about it.
50J: Remedy for serious and sustained breach of duty of good faith in section 4 in relation to collective bargaining
Employment Relations Act 2000
Agreeing to a workplace agreement: employees must approve it first
51: Ratification of collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
What a Collective Agreement Must Include and Look Like
54: Form and content of collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
Employers can't use parts of group agreements in individual contracts if it weakens group bargaining power.
59B: Breach of duty of good faith to pass on, in certain circumstances, in individual employment agreement terms and conditions agreed in collective bargaining or in collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
An employer can get in trouble for copying parts of other agreements if it hurts those agreements or negotiations.
59C: Breach of duty of good faith to pass on, in certain circumstances, in collective agreement provisions agreed in other collective bargaining or another collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
This part explains the rules for deciding how employees should be treated at work and making sure they understand their job agreements.
60: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
This law says people should be fair and honest when talking about a job, considering what each person can do and has.
60A: Good faith in bargaining for individual employment agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules for the first month of work for new employees who aren't in a union
62: Terms and conditions for first 30 days of employment of new employee who is not member of union
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules for hiring someone new who isn't in a union when there's a group agreement for other workers
63: Terms and conditions of employment of new employee who is not member of union
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules for employers when discussing job terms with workers or future workers
63A: Bargaining for individual employment agreement or individual terms and conditions in employment agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
What Your Job Agreement Should Look Like and Include
65: Form and content of individual employment agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
Your job can take money from your pay for union fees if you say it's okay.
65A: Deduction of union fees
Employment Relations Act 2000
A job that has a specific end date, event, or project finish, with rules to protect workers
66: Fixed term employment
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules about trying out new workers before hiring them for good
67: Probationary arrangements
Employment Relations Act 2000
This law protects workers from being tricked or pressured into unfair work agreements when they might not fully understand what they're agreeing to.
68: Unfair bargaining for individual employment agreements
Employment Relations Act 2000
What the court can do if someone wasn't fair when making a work agreement
69: Remedies for unfair bargaining
Employment Relations Act 2000
This law explains how jobs can change when companies switch who does the work, like cleaning or cooking, and how workers can keep their jobs.
69E: Examples of contracting in, contracting out, and subsequent contracting
Employment Relations Act 2000
Workers can talk with their boss about other options before deciding to move to a new company
69H: Employee bargaining for alternative arrangements
Employment Relations Act 2000
If you choose to work for a new boss, your job counts as one long job, keeping all your work benefits.
69J: Employment of employee who elects to transfer to new employer treated as continuous
Employment Relations Act 2000
The rules in this part of the law are stronger than any other agreements people might make.
69OG: Subpart prevails over agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
This explains what words mean when talking about workers paying unions for help with job deals.
69P: Interpretation
Employment Relations Act 2000
The boss and union must agree on a fee, then workers vote secretly to approve it.
69Q: Bargaining fee clause does not come into force unless agreed to first by employer and union and then by secret ballot
Employment Relations Act 2000
If a bargaining fee is agreed upon, the boss must tell workers about it and explain how it affects their job and pay.
69R: Employer to notify employees if bargaining fee clause agreed to
Employment Relations Act 2000
Non-union workers covered by a collective agreement must pay a bargaining fee if they meet certain conditions.
69S: Which employees bargaining fee clause applies to
Employment Relations Act 2000
The fee for bargaining help can't be more than what union members pay.
69U: Amount of bargaining fee
Employment Relations Act 2000
A rule that lets unions charge non-members a fee for bargaining is allowed and overrules some other laws.
69W: Validity of bargaining fee clause
Employment Relations Act 2000
This part aims to give some workers paid time off to learn about work relationships, helping everyone get along better and follow the rules.
70: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
This section explains the meaning of important words used in the rules about learning about work relationships.
71: Interpretation
Employment Relations Act 2000
Unions can give workers special days off to learn about their job rights, but there are rules about how many days they can give.
73: Union entitled to allocate employment relations education leave
Employment Relations Act 2000
A union can share learning time between workers from different companies if everyone agrees.
76: Allocation of employment relations education leave calculated in respect of another employer
Employment Relations Act 2000
An employee must tell their boss about taking time off to learn about work rules at least two weeks before.
78: Eligible employee proposing to take employment relations education leave
Employment Relations Act 2000
This part explains when workers can stop work and when bosses can stop workers from working, and how to give notice about these actions.
80: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
What happens if you're in a lawful strike or lockout at work and someone tries to take you to court
85: Effect of lawful strike or lockout
Employment Relations Act 2000
What happens if you can't work because of a strike, but you're not on strike yourself?
88: Suspension of non-striking employees where work not available during strike
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules about who can do the work of employees who are on strike or locked out
97: Performance of duties of striking or locked out employees
Employment Relations Act 2000
Where the Employment Court can make decisions about strikes and lockouts
Employment Relations Act 2000
Courts can use a guide to check if employment rules are being followed.
100C: Authority or court may have regard to code of employment practice
Employment Relations Act 2000
This part aims to make solving job problems easier by focusing on talking and sharing information, not following strict rules.
101: Object of this Part
Employment Relations Act 2000
If you think you've been treated unfairly at work, you can tell someone about it using this law.
102: Employee may pursue personal grievance under this Act
Employment Relations Act 2000
When your boss treats you unfairly at work, you can make a complaint called a personal grievance.
103: Personal grievance
Employment Relations Act 2000
This explains how to decide if an employer acted fairly when dismissing or disciplining an employee.
103A: Test of justification
Employment Relations Act 2000
Treating workers unfairly because of who they are or what they do is discrimination.
104: Discrimination
Employment Relations Act 2000
A list of reasons why it's not okay to treat people unfairly at work
105: Prohibited grounds of discrimination for purposes of section 104
Employment Relations Act 2000
When is unfair treatment at work not considered discrimination?
106: Exceptions in relation to discrimination
Employment Relations Act 2000
What it means to be involved with a union when making a complaint at work
107: Definition of union membership status or involvement in union activities for purposes of section 104
Social Security Act 2018
This Act explains how to get help from the government and what you need to do
5: Guide to this Act
Social Security Act 2018
Health, safety, and human rights rules apply when doing work as part of MSD activities
181: Application of health and safety legislation, etc
Social Security Act 2018
Rules about how you can spend your disability allowance money
426: Regulations: use of disability allowance to fund specified expenses
Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017
Who can ask the court to approve things for someone under 18
106: Who may apply for approval
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
The owner of a boarding house can make and change rules about how to use the house and its services, as long as the rules are fair and legal.
66O: Landlord may make house rules
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
This law says people can't be unfairly treated when renting a home because of who they are.
12: Discrimination to be unlawful act
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
This explains how you can choose between two different ways to handle a problem, but you can only pick one way.
12A: Choice of procedures
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
Rules about letting someone else use your rented home without the landlord's permission
44: Subletting or parting with possession by tenant
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
When a tenant wants to make small, safe changes that are easy to undo, the landlord should say yes.
42B: Minor changes
Fair Trading Act 1986
Other laws might replace Section 12A for certain jobs
12D: Section 12A subject to other enactments
Accident Compensation Act 2001
The Code explains how ACC should treat you and what you can do if they don't
40: Purpose of Code
Accident Compensation Act 2001
ACC must follow and promote the Code of Claimants' Rights
45: Corporation's obligations in respect of Code
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Rules for explaining important words in this law
322: Regulations relating to definitions
Accident Compensation Act 2001
ACC must report yearly on how Māori and other groups use accident compensation
278B: Corporation to report in each financial year on access to accident compensation scheme by Māori and identified population groups
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Defining rules for understanding Treaty principles in New Zealand law
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Explaining what the Treaty of Waitangi means for New Zealand's laws
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Explaining how the Treaty of Waitangi should work in today's laws
6: Principles of Treaty of Waitangi
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Rules for understanding and using the Treaty's ideas in our laws
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill
When a bill doesn't need to be checked
10: When review of Bill is not required
Regulatory Standards Bill
Checking if new laws follow good rules
9: Review of consistency of Bill with principles
Regulatory Standards Bill
Checking if government changes to laws are fair
11: Review of consistency of Government amendment with principles
Regulatory Standards Bill
When the government doesn't need to check its changes to a bill
12: When review of Government amendment does not apply
Regulatory Standards Bill
Checking if new rules are fair and make sense
13: Review of consistency of secondary legislation with principles
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill
This law doesn't tell you how to explain your reasons
26: Act does not regulate reasons
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill
What the board does to help make good laws
29: Functions of board
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill
Rules for making fair and sensible laws
8: Principles of responsible regulation
Regulatory Standards Bill
Agencies must plan to check laws and tell everyone how it's going
17: Responsible agency must develop plans for regularly reviewing legislation and report on progress
Regulatory Standards Bill
When you don't need to check a law again
18: When regular review of Act is not required
Regulatory Standards Bill
How the board checks if a law is working well
34: How good law-making principles apply when board is carrying out inquiry
Regulatory Standards Bill
Rules for checking if old laws are still good
20: How good law-making principles apply when responsible agency is carrying out review
Regulatory Standards Bill
Checking if a law is working well and telling everyone about it
21: Statements on review of Act
Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulatory Standards Bill
Rules for the people who make decisions about laws
Schedule 2: Other provisions relating to board and its members
Regulatory Standards Bill
A way to tell someone if you think a rule isn't fair
32: Complaints system to support inquiry functions
Regulatory Standards Bill
When can the special group check laws?
33: When board may inquire into legislation
Regulatory Standards Bill
Board must read papers, not listen to people, when checking new laws
30: Inquiries or considering statements must be carried out on papers
Regulatory Standards Bill
Checking and explaining government rules
22: Statements on review of secondary legislation
Regulatory Standards Bill
Rules for asking information from groups outside the government
45: Restriction on requiring information from non-public service agency
Regulatory Standards Bill
When do we check if secondary laws are working well?
19: When regular review of secondary legislation is required
Regulatory Standards Bill
Reports on how well rules are working
41: Regulatory review reports
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
It's against the law to try to unfairly influence important public service leaders.
Public Service Act 2020
The Commissioner helps make sure everyone has a fair chance to get a job and work in the public service.
74: Commissioner’s functions include promoting, developing, and monitoring equal employment opportunities
Public Service Act 2020
The boss of the public service can pass some jobs to other leaders to help fix unfair pay problems.
84: Delegation of Commissioner’s functions and powers to negotiate pay equity claim
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
What the public service is for and how it should work to help the community
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
Public Service Act 2020
What happens when multiple government departments are involved in a pay equity claim
83: Application of section 13K of Equal Pay Act 1972 where more than 1 department or interdepartmental venture involved in pay equity claim
Public Service Act 2020
What happens when you make a claim for fair pay
82: Pay equity claims
Public Service Act 2020
A guide to understanding the Public Service Act and how it works in New Zealand.
4: Guide to this Act
Public Service Act 2020
Guidelines for a fair and honest public service
12: Public service principles
Public Service Act 2020
What the public service aims to do: be fair, responsible, and respectful to everyone.
16: Public service values
Public Service Act 2020
What public servants need to know about being neutral in politics
20: Required content of guidance on political neutrality
Public Service Act 2020
Public service workers have the same rights as everyone else in New Zealand.
22: Rights and freedoms of public service employees
Public Service Act 2020
Bosses of government departments must be fair and good to their employees.
73: Chief executive of department and board of an interdepartmental venture to be good employer
Public Service Act 2020
Government bosses must make their workplaces fair and welcoming to everyone.
75: Chief executives and boards to promote diversity and inclusiveness
Public Service Act 2020
What the Government's workforce policy is about and what it covers
97: Government workforce policy: content
Public Service Act 2020
Changes are made to a law that affects people who work for the government.
Public Service Act 2020
What special words mean in the Public Service Act 2020
81: Interpretation
Public Service Act 2020
Commissioner talks to departments about fair pay negotiations.
83A: Commissioner to enter negotiations in consultation with affected department or interdepartmental venture
Public Service Act 2020
Bosses must follow pay fairness agreements made with employees
83B: Pay equity settlement binding on chief executive or board affected
Privacy Act 2020
How the Human Rights Act applies to legal proceedings under this law
134: Application of Human Rights Act 1993
Civil Aviation Act 2023
Rules to protect you when flying between countries
Schedule 6: The Montreal Convention
Gangs Act 2024
Police can tell gang members to leave an area if they're causing trouble
10: Power to issue dispersal notice
Gangs Act 2024
Police can tell people to leave or move away from a public place
14: Requirement to disperse
About this project
What is this project?
How do we do this?
Why is the law written like it is?
Should we use AI for this?
Is this information the actual law?
You can talk to Community Law or Citizen's Advice Bureau about your rights.
Remember that AI can make mistakes, and just reading the law isn't enough to understand how it could be used in court.