Inquiries Act 2013

If you need more information about this Act, please contact the administering agency: Department of Internal Affairs

Version as at 1 July 2022

Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Inquiries Act 2013

Public Act
 
2013 No 60
Date of assent
 
26 August 2013
Commencement
 
see section 2
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 Department of Internal Affairs.

Contents

1Title
2Commencement
Part 1
Preliminary provisions
3Purpose
4Interpretation
5Act binds the Crown
Part 2
Establishment and membership of inquiry
6Types of inquiry
7Establishment instrument to establish inquiry
8Removal from office
9Vacancy in membership of inquiry
Part 3
Duties, powers, immunities, and privileges
Duties and powers of inquiry generally
10Inquiry must act independently, impartially, and fairly
11Limits to scope of power of inquiry
Reporting obligation
12Reporting by inquiry
Counsel assisting
13Counsel to assist inquiry
Powers and duties of inquiry relating to procedure
14Regulation of inquiry procedure
15Power to impose restrictions on access to inquiry
16Power to postpone or temporarily suspend inquiry
Persons participating in inquiry
17Designation of core participants
Legal assistance
18Recommendation as to legal assistance
Evidential matters
19Evidence
20Powers to obtain information
21Delegation
22Disclosure of evidence
23Power to summon witnesses
24Service of summons to witnesses
25Expenses of witnesses and other participants
Immunities and privileges
26Immunity of inquiry
27Other immunities and privileges of participants
Part 4
Sanctions and miscellaneous matters
Subpart 1—Sanctions able to be imposed by or on behalf of inquiry
Orders for award of costs
28Award of costs
Offences and penalties
29Offences
30Penalties
Contempt against inquiry
31Application of Contempt of Court Act 2019
Subpart 2—Miscellaneous matters
Official Information Act 1982 and Public Records Act 2005
32Application of Official Information Act 1982
33Application of Public Records Act 2005
Court proceedings
34Reference of questions of law to High Court
35Inquiry to be cited in judicial review proceedings
Review required
36Review of continuing application of Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908
Repeal, transitional provisions, and consequential amendments
37Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908
38Transitional provision
39Consequential amendments to other Acts
Schedule 1
Acts under which entities have been, or may be, set up and to which Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908 applies
Schedule 2
Consequential amendments to other enactments
Notes

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows: