These five laws and one treaty provide a significant part of the legal framework protecting people’s rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- New Zealand Bill of Rights
- Human Rights Act
- Privacy Act
- Official Information Act and the Local Govt Official Information and Meetings Act
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi
New Zealand Bill of Rights
The core document protecting our civil liberties in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Introduction to the Bill of Rights – our guide to explaining your rights under our Bill of Rights
- Text of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
Human Rights Act
The right to be free from discrimination.
Privacy Act
We see the right to privacy as vital to protecting our civil liberties.
Official Information Act and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act
The right to find out what our government is doing in our name and on our behalf.
- Some useful information about using the Official Information Act from the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman
- Our list of laws that limit or restrict the Official Information Act
- Text of the Official Information Act 1982
- Text of the Local Goverment Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Te Tiriti of Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi
Te Tiriti of Waitangi helps protects people’s rights in New Zealand seeting out the relationship between Māori and the Crown.
- About the Treaty from the Waitangi Tribunal
- Te Tiriti of Waitangi at Te Ara