Constitution of New Zealand 1840, as amended to 2020
Status of the Constitution
  • English
    (1) As from the commencement of this Act the following enactments of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, namely,—
    (a) the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 (15 and 16 Vict, c 72); and
    (b) the Statute of Westminster 1931 (22 Geo V, c 4); and
    (c) the New Zealand Constitution (Amendment) Act 1947 (11 Geo VI, c 4),—shall cease to have effect as part of the law of New Zealand.
    … (Constitution Act 1986, Sec. 26)
Status of the Constitution
  • English
    No court shall, in relation to any enactment (whether passed or made before or after the commencement of this Bill of Rights),—
    (a) hold any provision of the enactment to be impliedly repealed or revoked, or to be in any way invalid or ineffective; or
    (b) decline to apply any provision of the enactment—by reason only that the provision is inconsistent with any provision of this Bill of Rights. (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 4)
Status of the Constitution
  • English
    This Act shall bind the Crown. (Human Rights Act 1993, Sec. 3)
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).