The President of Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission, Hon Judith Collins KC, says the Commission welcomes the Government’s response to the Commission’s recommendations for significant reform of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (PPPR Act).

The Commission delivered its report to the Minister of Justice in January. It recommends that the PPPR Act be repealed and replaced by a new Act. A new Act is required to properly reflect the importance of decision-making support, ensure representative decision-making is centred on the rights, wishes and values of the represented person, and strengthen safeguards and oversight of decision-making arrangements.

In its response, the Government accepted in principle the central recommendation that legislative reform is required, and indicated an intention to commence substantive work on that reform as a priority next Parliamentary term.

“We welcome the Government’s recognition of the substantial work that has gone into the report from Law Commission staff and its acknowledgment of the many people who shared with us their experiences and views along the way.”

“The PPPR Act touches the lives of thousands of New Zealanders, and those numbers are projected to increase dramatically in coming years” says Collins. “It is imperative that the law be updated to reflect modern expectations, to comply with New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to protect and promote the dignity, autonomy and equality of people with affected decision making.”