He aratohu ki ngā ture o Aotearoa
Guide to New Zealand legislation

In New Zealand legislation, Acts of Parliament (Statutes) are laws made by Parliament. Learn more about Acts and how to understand them.

Bills are proposed Acts. Learn more about Bills, the stages a Bill typically passes through, and how to read and understand Bills.

In New Zealand legislation, secondary legislation supplements Acts. Learn more about secondary legislation, its publishers, and its different types and formats.

Some New Zealand legislation amends other legislation. Learn more about amendment legislation here.

New Zealand legislation is in force unless it is repealed, revoked, or not yet in force. Legislation is official if it displays the New Zealand Coat of Arms in the legislation.

Legislation published on this website is likely to have a number of versions, made up of the original “as-made” version and consolidations that are published each time the legislation is amended. You can view previous versions that we have published. Learn about versions of legislation available on this website.

In 2026, the PCO updated how we collect and link to agency-published legislation on this website. Learn here about this process.

Find more information about legislation, government, courts, and court judgments in New Zealand from the websites on this page.

New Zealanders can contribute to legislation. Learn here how to comment on legislation and contribute to legislation.