16 Introduction to New Zealand Legislation
Tracey Thomas and Theresa Buller
Learning Outcomes
After reading this chapter you will be able to:
- understand the two main types of legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand;
- identify the parts of an Act;
- identify the date on which an Act commences;
- understand the online and print sources of legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand;
- understand the process in which a Bill becomes an Act.
In New Zealand, the law is made in our courts by judges (case law) and by legislation made under the authority of Parliament.
This chapter will focus on legislation and:
- finding New Zealand Acts and secondary legislation;
- developing an understanding of the legislative process.
There are two main types of legislation:
- Acts – laws passed by Parliament are known as Acts or statutes.
- Secondary legislation – laws made under a power that Parliament has formally delegated in a particular Act.
