Protected Disclosures Act 2000

Before its repeal, this Act was administered by: Public Service Commission
  • repealed
  • Protected Disclosures Act 2000: repealed, on 1 July 2022, by section 41 of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 (2022 No 20).

Version as at 1 July 2022

Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Protected Disclosures Act 2000

Public Act
 
2000 No 7
Date of assent
 
3 April 2000
Commencement
 
see section 2

Protected Disclosures Act 2000: repealed, on 1 July 2022, by section 41 of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 (2022 No 20).

Note

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Public Service Commission.

Contents

1Title
2Commencement
3Interpretation
4Act binds the Crown
5Purpose of Act
Protected disclosures
6Disclosures to which Act applies
6ATechnical failure to comply with or refer to Act
6BRole of Ombudsmen in providing information and guidance
6CInformation about internal procedures
7Disclosure must be made in accordance with internal procedures
8Disclosure may be made to head of organisation in certain circumstances
9Disclosure may be made to appropriate authority in certain circumstances
10Disclosure may be made to Minister of the Crown or Ombudsman in certain circumstances
11Public sector organisations to establish internal procedures
Intelligence and security and international relations
12Special rules on procedures of organisations relating to intelligence and security matters
13Special rules on procedures of certain organisations relating to international relations
14Further protection of information relating to intelligence and security and international relations
Further provisions concerning Ombudsmen
15Ombudsmen may escalate disclosure to appropriate authority or Minister or investigate disclosure
15AOmbudsmen may take over some investigations or investigate in conjunction with public sector organisation
15BOmbudsmen may review and guide investigations by public sector organisations
15COmbudsmen may receive reports on investigations and include information in annual report
15DChief Ombudsman may appoint persons to perform Ombudsman’s functions under this Act
15EMiscellaneous provisions relating to Ombudsmen
Reference from one appropriate authority to another of information disclosed
16Reference from one appropriate authority to another of information disclosed
Protections
17Personal grievance
18Immunity from civil and criminal proceedings
19Confidentiality
19AProtections extend to volunteers of supporting information
Miscellaneous provisions
20False allegations
21Other protections preserved
22Legal professional privilege
23No contracting out of Act
24Review of operation of Act [Repealed]
Amendment to Human Rights Act 1993
25Victimisation
Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
Notes