Accident compensation

This project examined and reviewed that part of the Accident Compensation Act 1982 which recognised and was intended to promote the general principles of community responsibility, comprehensive entitlement, complete rehabilitation, real compensation and in particular administrative efficiency as propounded by the 1967 Royal Commission Report on Personal Injury in New Zealand.

The Law Commission was asked to examine and review that part of the Accident Compensation Act 1982 which recognised and was intended to promote the general principles of community responsibility, comprehensive entitlement, complete rehabilitation, real compensation and in particular administrative efficiency as propounded by the 1967 Royal Commission Report on Personal Injury in New Zealand. It may be accepted that those principles are broadly acceptable and deserve to be supported.

The basis upon which the Accident Compensation Corporation or its predecessor has made provision for time to time for the annual amounts needed by the accident compensation scheme for benefits, administration and contingency or other reserves together with the principles and methods applied in their allocation or distribution will form part of the overall inquiry.

The Accident Compensation Scheme: a Discussion Paper (NZLC PP2, 1987)

The Commission's Preliminary Paper, The Accident Compensation Scheme: a Discussion Paper (NZLC PP2, 1987).

The Accident Compensation Scheme: Interim Report on Aspects of Funding (NZLC R3, 1987)

The Commission's Report, The Accident Compensation Scheme: Interim Report on Aspects of Funding (NZLC R3, 1987).

Personal Injury: Prevention and Recovery: Report on the Accident Compensation Scheme (NZLC R4, 1988)

The Commission's Report, Personal Injury: Prevention and Recovery: Report on the Accident Compensation Scheme (NZLC R4, 1988)

Some of the Commission’s recommendations were reflected in the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992 and in the implementing regulations undertaken in 1994.

There was no requirement for the Government to present a formal response to Commission reports before April 2009.

See Official Government response process | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).