General policy statement

The Military Manoeuvres Act 1915 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may, by proclamation, declare that any land, for the period specified, be available for military manoeuvres. After the manoeuvres are completed the officer commanding the forces engaged in them must, so far as possible, restore the land to its former condition.

To the best of the New Zealand Defence Force's knowledge, the Act has not been used for at least 30 years, largely as it was enacted specifically to deal with the extraordinary circumstances of mobilisation for the First World War. It is believed there are no current proclamations remaining in force nor are there any outstanding claims relating to past proclamations and military manoeuvres.

The repeal of the Act would not cause any disadvantages to the New Zealand Defence Force, so it is unnecessary to retain this Act as a precaution. If Parliament deemed it necessary in the future to conduct such military manoeuvres, it could enact legislation to do so as a matter of urgency.

Clause by clause analysis

Clause 1 is the Title clause.

Clause 2 is the commencement clause. The Bill comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

Clause 3 sets out the purpose of the Bill, which is to repeal the Military Manoeuvres Act 1915.

Clause 4 provides that the Bill binds the Crown.

Clause 5 provides that the Bill repeals the Military Manoeuvres Act 1915.