Presentation of New Zealand statute law

The Law Commission was undertaken this project in conjunction with the Parliamentary Counsel Office. The project involved the Commission investigating and recommending methods of making New Zealand Statute Law more accessible. In September 2007, the Law Commission released an Issues Paper, Presentation of New Zealand Statute Law, produced in conjunction with the Parliamentary Counsel Office. The Issues Paper investigates and suggests a range of methods of achieving greater accessibility. Among the solutions discussed are the introduction of a subject index and a systematic revision of the New Zealand statutes. Following consultation and public submissions, a final Report is being produced, which will be released before the end of 2008.

The Commission, in conjunction with the Parliamentary Council Office, will investigate and recommend methods of making New Zealand Stature Law more accessible by the introduction of a more systematic method of classifying and/or indexing Acts of Parliament. This will include: 

a) Carrying out preliminary research; 
b) Investigating statutory classification or indexing initiatives in order jurisdictions; 
c) Reviewing electronic subject based indexing and searching methods; 
d) Developing a discussion paper for public consultation; and 
e) Making final recommendation to Government

Presentation of New Zealand Statute Law (NZLC IP2, 2007)

The Commission's Issues Paper, Presentation of New Zealand Statute Law (NZLC IP2, 2007), produced in conjunction with the Parliamentary Counsel Office, investigates and suggests methods of making New Zealand Statute Law more accessible.

Presentation of New Zealand Statute Law (NZLC R104, 2008)

The Commission's Report, Presentation of New Zealand Statute Law (NZLC R104, 2008) discusses the problem of access to New Zealand Acts of Parliament. It notes that the law is often difficult to find, and difficult to understand when it has been found. The report recommends that an index of Acts of Parliament be produced; that there be a programme to rewrite and revise old Acts so as to make them easier to understand; and that dead wood be repealed.

Most of the Commission's recommendations were implemented in the Legislation Act 2012.

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).