50 more Acts up for repeal

A further 50 of New Zealand’s historic laws have been identified for repeal as part of the Legislation Repeals Project, a once-in-a-generation review of 900 pieces of New Zealand’s oldest legislation, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says.

“While these laws once served a purpose, many of them now sit as relics of New Zealand’s

days gone past, providing a window into the times, quirks, and realities of yesteryear,” Mr Bishop says.

“Keeping our statute book up to date avoids unnecessary costs and confusion for users, and round four now brings the total number of Acts identified for repeal to over 200.

“When there was uncertainty around whether Auckland Council had the authority to provide staff with a social room, the Auckland City and Auckland Museum Empowering Act 1924 thankfully deemed it lawful.

For those wondering how some of Wellington’s quays were built, the Thorndon Reclamation Act 1882 enabled the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company to reclaim a lot of the land that now forms the Wellington railyard, by dumping construction material into the harbour.

“The latest set also includes the unique governance of some of our oldest schools and societies – these were often established through their own Acts rather than under general legislation as they would be today.

“Examples of the various projects include high schools in Ashburton and Akaroa, a technical school in Westport, as well as a racecourse in Te Aroha, a public hall in West Clive, a cemetery in Ngaruawahia, a showground in Wyndham, and an athenaeum in Havelock.

“Some Agricultural and Pastoral society-related Acts enabled activities still enjoyed by Kiwis today, like the Blueskin Market Reserve Ordinance 1871 which provided for a cattle market, exhibiting livestock and agricultural produce and providing prizes for winning exhibits at Blueskin. While A&P shows continue to be a feature of New Zealand rural life, in many cases there is no longer a need for these Acts.

“Parliament now passes legislation with general application across New Zealand, through Acts like the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act, avoiding the need for Parliament to approve things on a case-by-case basis.

“Repealing these Acts doesn’t erase this history. Repealing them makes their status explicitly clear for anyone searching through our stock of in-force legislation, and they will remain permanently accessible on the NZ Legislation website.”

The Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport in relation to local Acts, welcome feedback on the fourth round of 50 Acts identified for repeal. This follows the 152 Acts previously consulted on, bringing the total number of Acts identified for repeal to 202.

“We’ll be consulting on a fifth round of Acts proposed for repeal later this year. That’ll bring the total to around 250 Acts. We’ll then have a Bill to repeal the Acts ready to go for next year,” says Mr Bishop.

“The Bill will go through the normal legislative process, so the public will have a chance to make further submissions on the Acts proposed for repeal at select committee.”