# New Zealand Legislation

> website providing providing access to New Zealand acts, bills, secondary legislation, and supplementary order papers

**Wikidata**: [Q101073903](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101073903)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/new-zealand-legislation

## Summary
New Zealand Legislation is the official government website providing free public access to New Zealand's laws, including acts, bills, and secondary legislation. Operated by the Parliamentary Counsel Office, it serves as the primary source for current and historical legal documents in both English and Māori. The platform ensures transparency and accessibility to the country's statutory framework.

## Key Facts
- **Website URL**: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ (available in English and Māori).
- **Operator/Publisher**: Parliamentary Counsel Office, as stated on the site's "About" page.
- **Content Scope**: Acts, bills, delegated legislation, proclamations, and supplementary order papers.
- **Inception Year**: 1990 (website domain registration).
- **Legal Status**: Official repository for New Zealand's statutory instruments and parliamentary documents.
- **Languages**: English (primary) and Māori (indigenous language support).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the New Zealand Legislation website?
A: The website provides free, public access to New Zealand’s laws, including acts, bills, and secondary legislation, ensuring transparency and legal clarity for citizens and organizations.

### Q: Who operates the New Zealand Legislation website?
A: The site is operated by the Parliamentary Counsel Office, the government department responsible for drafting and publishing New Zealand’s legislation.

### Q: What types of legal documents are available on the platform?
A: Users can access current and historical acts, bills, delegated legislation (e.g., regulations), proclamations, and supplementary order papers.

## Why It Matters
New Zealand Legislation is critical to the country’s legal infrastructure, democratizing access to laws that govern civic, commercial, and governmental activities. By consolidating statutes and parliamentary documents in a single, searchable platform, it simplifies legal research for professionals, businesses, and the public. This accessibility supports informed decision-making, compliance with regulatory requirements, and the exercise of rights under New Zealand law. As the definitive source for legislation, the site reduces ambiguity and ensures accountability, reflecting New Zealand’s commitment to open governance. It also preserves the legal history of Aotearoa, incorporating Māori language content to honor the nation’s bilingual heritage.

## Notable For
- **Official Legal Repository**: The only government-endorsed platform for authoritative New Zealand statutory content.
- **Bilingual Accessibility**: Offers documents in both English and Māori, reflecting New Zealand’s official language status.
- **Comprehensive Coverage**: Includes historical legislation dating back to the 19th century alongside current laws.
- **Free Public Resource**: Eliminates barriers to legal information, promoting civic engagement and education.

## Body
### Website Role and Content
New Zealand Legislation (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/) is a legal information system and online catalog managed by the Parliamentary Counsel Office. It publishes acts, bills, delegated legislation, proclamations, and supplementary order papers, with content categorized by type and publication date. The platform supports searching, browsing, and tracking of legislative changes.

### Operator and Governance
The Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) oversees the site’s operation and content publication. As the government’s legislative drafting agency, the PCO ensures accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements. The website’s “About” page (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/about.aspx) details its mandate and operational framework.

### Language and Accessibility
Documents are published in English, with key content also available in Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous language. This bilingual approach aligns with the country’s language policy and promotes inclusivity for Māori speakers.

### Historical and Current Coverage
The site provides access to legislation enacted since New Zealand’s founding, including colonial-era statutes and modern amendments. This historical scope facilitates legal research and contextual understanding of legislative evolution.

### Technical Specifications
- **Domain Inception**: Registered in 1990, reflecting early adoption of digital governance tools.
- **Classification**: Functions as a legal information system, website, and online catalog under Wikidata definitions.
- **References**: Cited in academic and governmental sources as the authoritative source for New Zealand law.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.legislation.govt.nz/about.aspx)