Weights and Measures Act 1987

Schedule 1
Weights and measures of the metric system

s 2

Measures of length

UnitEquivalent
Metre (m)The New Zealand standard of measure of the metre, and compound units derived from it, shall be the same magnitude as the standard of measurement thereof for the time being accepted by the nations adhering to the Convention of the Metre 1875.
Derived units 
Kilometre (km)1 000 metres
Decimetre (dm)0.1 metre
Centimetre (cm)0.01 metre
Millimetre (mm)0.001 metre

Measures of area

UnitEquivalent
Square metre (m2)An area equal to that of a square each side of which measures 1 metre.
Derived units 
Hectare (ha)10 000 square metres
Are (a)100 square metres
Square centimetre (cm2)0.0001 square metre
Square millimetre (mm2)0.000001 square metre

Measures of volume

UnitEquivalent
Cubic metre (m3)A volume equal to that of a cube each edge of which measures 1 metre.
Derived units 
Cubic decimetre (dm3)0.001 cubic metre
Cubic centimetre (cm3)0.001 cubic decimetre
Litre (ℓ)0.001 cubic metre
Hectolitre (hl)100 litres
Centilitre (cl)0.01 litre
Millilitre (ml)0.001 litre

Measures of weight

UnitEquivalent
Kilogram (kg)The New Zealand standard of measurement of the kilogram, and compound units derived from it, shall be the same magnitude as the standard of measurement thereof for the time being accepted by the nations adhering to the Convention of the Metre 1875.
Derived units 
Tonne (t)1 000 kilograms
Gram (g)0.001 kilogram
Milligram (mg)0.001 gram
Metric carat (CM)0.2 gram

  • Schedule 1: amended, on 4 June 1999, by section 5 of the Weights and Measures Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 51).