Constitution of New Zealand 1840, as amended to 2020
Obligations of the State
  • English
    This Bill of Rights applies only to acts done—
    (a) by the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of the Government of New Zealand; or
    (b) by any person or body in the performance of any public function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on that person or body by or pursuant to law. (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 3)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    Wherever an enactment can be given a meaning that is consistent with the rights and freedoms contained in this Bill of Rights, that meaning shall be preferred to any other meaning. (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 6)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    Where any Bill is introduced into the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General shall,—
    (a) in the case of a Government Bill, on the introduction of that Bill; or
    (b) in any other case, as soon as practicable after the introduction of the Bill,—
    bring to the attention of the House of Representatives any provision in the Bill that appears to be inconsistent with any of the rights and freedoms contained in this Bill of Rights. (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 7)
Obligations of the State
  • English
    An existing right or freedom shall not be held to be abrogated or restricted by reason only that the right or freedom is not included in this Bill of Rights or is included only in part. (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 28)
1
Constitution of Nauru 1968 (English), as amended to 2014. New Zealand does not possess a codified “constitution” but an unwritten one consisting of Acts of Parliament, legal documents, decisions of the Courts and generally accepted practices or “conventions”. The key texts of the Constitution are reflected in this link, up to 2014. A number of changes have occurred since then. Updated versions of the Acts contained in this link are available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2019).
Links to all sites last visited 31 March 2021
2
Part 2 on Unlawful Discrimination.
3
Part 2 on Unlawful Discrimination.
4
Sec. 5 as amended by the Human Rights Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 28).
5
Sec. 62A as inserted by the Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 (2018 No 21).
6
For all provisions on discrimination in employment matters, refer to: “Exceptions in relation to employment matters,” Sections 24-35; prohibition on “Discrimination in partnerships,” Sec. 36; “Discrimination by industrial and professional associations, qualifying bodies, and vocational training Bodies,” Sections 37-41; and “Special provisions relating to superannuation schemes,” Sec. 70.
7
Sec. 62A as inserted by the Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 (2018 No 21).
8
Part 2 on Unlawful Discrimination.
9
Part 2 on Unlawful Discrimination.
10
Sec. 5 as amended by the Human Rights Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 28).
11, 12
11 - Part 1A on Discrimination by Government, related persons and bodies, or persons or bodies acting with legal authority.12 - According to Sec. 3: “(a) the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of the Government of New Zealand; or (b) a person or body in the performance of any public function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on that person or body by or pursuant to law.”
13
Sec. 21 as amended by the Social Security Act 2018.
14
Sec. 21A as amended by the Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 (2018 No 21) and the Family Violence Act 2018 (2018 No 46).
15
Sec. 5 as amended by the Human Rights Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 28).
16
Sec. 62A as inserted by the Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 (2018 No 21).
17
Part 2 on Unlawful Discrimination.
18
Section 57 on Educational Establishments.
19
Sec. 62A as inserted by the Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 (2018 No 21).
20
Sec. 5 as amended by the Human Rights Amendment Act 2016 (2016 No 28).