New Zealand Legislation: Acts

16 Time limits and waivers

• (1) The Director-General must,—

  • (a) Where section 14 applies to an application, allow 30 working days from the date of public notification for the receipt of submissions:

  • (b) Fix a date for consideration of the application being,—

    • (i) Where sections 15 and 26(2) apply to the application, not more than 25 working days after the receipt of the application; or

    • (ii) Where the application is publicly notified, not more than 25 working days after the closing date for submissions.

  (2) The Director-General must, unless the agricultural compound is also a hazardous substance or new organism, publicly notify his or her decision not later than 15 working days after the consideration of the application.

  (3) If the trade name product contains an agricultural compound that is also a hazardous substance or new organism and the time limits under subsections (1) and (2) have expired, the Director-General must publicly notify his or her decision not later than 5 working days after the decision under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.

  (4) A person may apply to the Director-General to—

  • (a) Waive a requirement of this Act concerning—

    • (i) The time within which any action must be carried out; or

    • (ii) The information that must be supplied; or

  • (b) Give a direction concerning—

    • (i) The time within which any action must be carried out; or

    • (ii) The terms on which any information must be supplied.

  (5) The Director-General must not extend any time period or grant an application under this section to waive a requirement as to the time within which any action must be carried out unless he or she is satisfied that—

  • (a) The applicant and the persons making submissions consent to that waiver; or

  • (b) Any of those parties who have not so consented will not be unduly prejudiced.

  (6) The Minister may at any time extend any time limit under this Act, whether or not an application has been made under this section or that time limit has expired, if he or she is satisfied that—

  • (a) The applicant and the persons making submissions consent to the extension; or

  • (b) Any of those parties who have not so consented will not be unduly prejudiced,—

  but in all cases must ensure the matter is carried out as promptly as is reasonable in the circumstances.