Last Change:
11/01/2024
New Zealand Bill of Rights
Year: 1990
Type: Domestic law
Rights Category: Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
Description
The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 outlines the civil and political rights of individuals in New Zealand. The Act aims to affirm, protect, and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the principles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It provides a broad range of rights, including the right to life, freedom from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, and freedom of religion, expression, and assembly.
Selected provisions
Every person has the right to the observance of principles of natural justice, the right to judicially review decisions by the Crown, any tribunal or other public authority, and the right to bring and defend civil proceedings against the Crown, any tribunal or other public authority.
(1) Everyone lawfully in New Zealand has the right to freedom of movement and residence in New Zealand.
(2) Every New Zealand citizen has the right to enter New Zealand.
(3) Everyone has the right to leave New Zealand.
(4) No one who is not a New Zealand citizen and who is lawfully in New Zealand shall be required to leave New Zealand except under a decision taken on grounds prescribed by law.
Contents
Title
1 Short Title and commencement
Part 1 - General provisions
2 Rights affirmed
3 Application
4 Other enactments not affected
5 Justified limitations
6 Interpretation consistent with Bill of Rights to be preferred
7 Attorney-General to report to Parliament where Bill appears to be inconsistent with Bill of Rights
Required actions after declarations of inconsistency
7A Attorney-General to notify Parliament of declaration of inconsistency
7B Responsible Minister to report to Parliament Government’s response to declaration
Part 2 - Civil and political rights
Life and security of the person
8 Right not to be deprived of life
9 Right not to be subjected to torture or cruel treatment
10 Right not to be subjected to medical or scientific experimentation
11 Right to refuse to undergo medical treatment
Democratic and civil rights
12 Electoral rights
13 Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
14 Freedom of expression
15 Manifestation of religion and belief
16 Freedom of peaceful assembly
17 Freedom of association
18 Freedom of movement
Non-discrimination and minority rights
19 Freedom from discrimination
20 Rights of minorities
Search, arrest, and detention
21 Unreasonable search and seizure
22 Liberty of the person
23 Rights of persons arrested or detained
24 Rights of persons charged
25 Minimum standards of criminal procedure
26 Retroactive penalties and double jeopardy
27 Right to justice
Part 3 - Miscellaneous provisions
28 Other rights and freedoms not affected
29 Application to legal persons
Notes