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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
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 International Law
- English
(1) The primary functions of the [Human Rights] Commission are—
(a) to advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand society;
…
(2) The Commission has, in order to carry out its primary functions under subsection (1), the following functions:
…
(c) to make public statements in relation to any matter that may affect or infringe human rights (whether or not those human rights are affirmed in New Zealand domestic human rights law or international human rights law), including statements commenting on the position of the Government in relation to that matter:
…
(d) to promote by research, education, and discussion a better understanding of the human rights dimensions of the Treaty of Waitangi and their relationship with domestic and international human rights law:
…
(k) to report to the Prime Minister on—
(i) any matter affecting human rights, including the desirability of legislative, administrative, or other action to give better protection to human rights and to ensure better compliance with standards laid down in international instruments on human rights:
(ii) the desirability of New Zealand becoming bound by any international instrument on human rights:
…
(ka) to report to either or both of the Prime Minister and the Minister responsible on any existing or proposed legislation (including subordinate legislation), administrative provision, or policy of the Government that the Commission considers may affect human rights:
(kb) to promote the development of new international instruments on human rights:
(kc) to promote and monitor compliance by New Zealand with, and the reporting by New Zealand on, the implementation of international instruments on human rights ratified by New Zealand:
… (Human Rights Act 1993, Sec. 5)
Obligations of the State
- EnglishWherever 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
- EnglishThis 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
- EnglishAn 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)
Obligations of the State
- EnglishWhere 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)
Judicial Protection
- EnglishThe Tribunal constituted by section 45 of the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 and, immediately before 1 January 2002 (being the date of the commencement of the Human Rights Amendment Act 2001), known as the Complaints Review Tribunal shall continue in being, and, on and after 1 January 2002, is called the Human Rights Review Tribunal. (Human Rights Act 1993, Sec. 93)
Judicial Protection
- English(1) Every person has the right to the observance of the principles of natural justice by any tribunal or other public authority which has the power to make a determination in respect of that person's rights, obligations, or interests protected or recognised by law.
(2) Every person whose rights, obligations, or interests protected or recognised by law have been affected by a determination of any tribunal or other public authority has the right to apply, in accordance with law, for judicial review of that determination.
… (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 27)
Judicial Protection
- EnglishNo 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)
Judicial Protection
- EnglishThis Bill of Rights applies only to acts done—
(a) by the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of the Government of New Zealand;
… (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 3)