New Zealand Legislation: Acts

5 Powers to be exercised with proper respect for cultural identity and personal beliefs

• (1) This section applies to—

  • (a) a court, tribunal, or person exercising a power under this Act in respect of a person; and

  • (b) a court or tribunal conducting proceedings under this Act in respect of a person.

  (2) The power must be exercised, or the proceedings conducted,—

  • (a) with proper recognition of the importance and significance to the person of the person's ties with his or her family, whanau, hapu, iwi, and family group; and

  • (b) with proper recognition of the contribution those ties make to the person's wellbeing; and

  • (c) with proper respect for the person's cultural and ethnic identity, language, and religious or ethical beliefs.

  Section 5: substituted, on 1 April 2000, by section 5 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 140).