6
Annual Report
Presidentfs Foreword
The 2007/08 year was an extremely productive year for the Law
Commission, both in terms of the number of publications and for the
amount of legislation passed in Parliament based on Commission
proposals.
This workload was carried out on the back of some important building
blocks put in place the previous year. 2007/08 was the first full year of
operation under streamlined processes that enhance collaboration
between agencies and the Commission, with an emphasis on the
implementation of reform through legislation. Working together
throughout the life of projects, right through to implementation, has
transformed our relationships with other agencies.
The success of this approach and recognition of its value in terms of law
reform is demonstrated by our increased productivity and achievements
in the year under review. The full record of our work is described later
in this publication but I would like to highlight some major achievements
this year.
Search and Surveillance Powers (NZLC R97), one of largest and most
complex reports of the Commission, was published at the end of last
year. By the end of this year drafting of the Search and Surveillance
Powers Bill
was almost completed and it was
in August 2008. This legislation will affect all enforcement agencies
and is the culmination of several years of inter-agency consultation
and co-operation led by the Commission. To have this large bill ready
for introduction in just over a year is a huge achievement and a credit
to all involved.
Another speedy legislative achievement, albeit on a much smaller scale,
was the publication of our final reportA New Inquiries Act
in May including a draft bill. Our recommendations for a new Act were
accepted by government, which then introduced a Bill to Parliament in
October 2008.
Advising on ways New Zealand law can be made as understandable and
accessible as practicable informs all of our work. But I would like to
mention two projects of particular relevance to this objective where
significant progress was achieved last year.
In September 2007 we sought public submissions on an Issues Paper
Presentation of New Zealand Statute Law
make statute law more accessible to the general public by its more
