Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Order 2019
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Version as at 13 June 2024
Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Order 2019
(LI 2019/100)
Patsy Reddy, Governor-General
Order in Council
At Wellington this 13th day of May 2019
Present:
Her Excellency the Governor-General in Council
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 order is administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
This order is made under section 4 of the Commodity Levies Act 1990 (as applied by section 305 of the Fisheries Act 1996)—
(a)
on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council; and
(b)
on the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries given in accordance with sections 5 and 6 of the Commodity Levies Act 1990 (as modified by section 305 of the Fisheries Act 1996).
Contents
Order
1 Title
This order is the Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Order 2019.
2 Commencement
This order comes into force on 14 June 2019.
Order: confirmed, on 20 December 2019, by section 12(l) of the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Act 2019 (2019 No 82).
2A Extension and revocation
This order is extended until the close of 13 June 2030 and, unless further extended or sooner revoked, is revoked on that date.
Clause 2A: inserted, on 13 June 2024, by clause 4 of the Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Amendment Order 2024 (SL 2024/69).
3 Interpretation
In this order, unless the context otherwise requires,—
Act means the Commodity Levies Act 1990
Aquaculture New Zealand means New Zealand Aquaculture Limited, trading as Aquaculture New Zealand
conversion factor means the relevant conversion factor in the Fisheries (Conversion Factors) Notice 2014 (Gazette 2014, p 3249)
declared port price means the price determined by Aquaculture New Zealand for mussels, oysters, or salmon (as the case may be) using the average port price for those species in each 12-month period of the 3 years before the levy year to which the levy relates
fish farmer—
(a)
has the meaning given to it in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996; but
(b)
includes only farmers whose business is, or includes, farming mussels, oysters, or salmon
greenweight tonne means a tonne of mussels, oysters, or salmon (as the case may be) before any processing commences and before any part is removed
GST means goods and services tax payable under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985
harvested means harvested for sale
levy means the levy imposed by clause 4 on mussels, oysters, and salmon
levy collector means a person whose business is, or includes being, a licensed fish receiver
levy money means the money paid under this order as a levy
levy year means,—
(a)
for the first levy year, the period starting on 14 June 2019 and ending on 31 August 2019; and
(b)
for the last levy year, the period starting on 1 September 2029 and ending on 13 June 2030; and
(c)
for every other year, a period of 12 months starting on 1 September and ending on 31 August
licensed fish receiver—
(a)
has the meaning given to it in section 2(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996; but
(b)
includes only receivers whose business is, or includes, dealing with mussels, oysters, or salmon
mediator means a person appointed under clause 25
mussel—
(a)
means a Greenshell™ mussel, being a shellfish of the species Perna canaliculus (green-lipped mussel); but
(b)
does not include mussel spat (mussels less than 40 mm long)
oyster—
(a)
means a Pacific oyster of the species Crassostrea gigas; but
(b)
does not include oyster spat (oysters less than 37 mm long)
relative dollar value means the total greenweight tonnage of mussels, oysters, or salmon (as the case may be) produced by fish farmers multiplied by the declared port price
salmon—
(a)
means fish of the species Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (chinook or quinnat salmon); but
(b)
does not include salmon fingerlings that are harvested, whether or not on-sold, for the purpose of transferring them in their live state from one fish farm to another fish farm or other location.
Clause 3 levy year paragraph (b): amended, on 13 June 2024, by clause 5 of the Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Amendment Order 2024 (SL 2024/69).
Levies imposed
4 Levies imposed
(1)
A levy is imposed on all mussels, oysters, and salmon harvested by a fish farmer.
(2)
The levy is payable to Aquaculture New Zealand.
Responsibility for payment of levy
5 Fish farmers primarily responsible for paying levy
(1)
The persons primarily responsible for paying the levy are fish farmers.
(2)
No fish farmer is exempt from paying the levy.
6 Responsibility of levy collectors for payment of levy
(1)
A levy collector must pay the levy to Aquaculture New Zealand if the levy collector receives mussels, oysters, or salmon from a fish farmer.
(2)
A levy collector may recover the levy from a fish farmer—
(a)
by deducting the amount of the levy from the payment to be made to the fish farmer; or
(b)
as a debt due from the fish farmer.
7 No collection fee
A levy collector who pays a levy to Aquaculture New Zealand must not charge a collection fee.
Determination of levy
8 Levy may be set at different rates
The levy may be set at different rates for mussels, oysters, and salmon.
9 Basis of calculation of levy
(1)
The levy payable in a levy year must be calculated on the basis of,—
(a)
for mussels, the greenweight tonnage of all mussels harvested by fish farmers in that year; and
(b)
for oysters, the greenweight tonnage of all oysters harvested by fish farmers in that year; and
(c)
for salmon, the greenweight tonnage of all salmon harvested by fish farmers in that year, calculated by multiplying the gilled and gutted weight of the salmon by the conversion factor.
(2)
If a levy year is shorter than a 12-month period, the levy payable in the levy year is to be pro rated in proportion to the length of the levy year.
10 Levy rates for first levy year
The rates of levy payable for the levy year starting on 14 June 2019 and ending on 31 August 2019 are as follows:
(a)
for mussels, $10.79 (excluding GST) per greenweight tonne:
(b)
for oysters, $30.97 (excluding GST) per greenweight tonne:
(c)
for salmon, $14.69 (excluding GST) per greenweight tonne.
11 Maximum levy rates for subsequent levy years
The maximum rate of levy payable for the levy year starting on 1 September 2019 and for each subsequent levy year must not exceed 2% of the relative dollar value of each greenweight tonne of mussels, oysters, or salmon (as the case may be) harvested.
12 Aquaculture New Zealand must set levy rates
Aquaculture New Zealand must set the rates of levy payable for the levy year starting on 1 September 2019 and for each subsequent levy year—
(a)
in accordance with its rules; and
(b)
following consultation with fish farmers; and
(c)
at a rate that does not exceed the maximum rate of levy specified in clause 11; and
(d)
by ratification at the annual general meeting of Aquaculture New Zealand immediately preceding the levy year to which the rate applies; and
(e)
before the start of that levy year.
13 Previous levy rates to apply
If Aquaculture New Zealand does not set the rates of levy before the start of a levy year, the rates of levy for that year are payable at the rates last fixed under clause 12.
14 Notification of levy rates
(1)
As soon as practicable after setting the levy rates for a levy year, Aquaculture New Zealand must notify the levy rates to—
(a)
all fish farmers known to Aquaculture New Zealand; and
(b)
all licensed fish receivers known to Aquaculture New Zealand.
(2)
The notification must be given—
(a)
in writing; and
(b)
within 14 days of Aquaculture New Zealand setting the rates of levy.
(3)
As soon as is reasonably practicable after setting the levy rates for a levy year, Aquaculture New Zealand must also notify the levy rates in the Gazette.
Payment of levy
15 When levy payable
(1)
The due date for payment of a levy is the date on which the mussels, oysters, or salmon (as the case may be) are harvested.
(2)
The latest date for payment of the levy is the 20th day of the month after the month in which the mussels, oysters, or salmon (as the case may be) are harvested.
16 Penalty for late payment
Aquaculture New Zealand may—
(a)
recover from a fish farmer or levy collector, as a debt due, the amount of any levy payable (including GST payable on that amount) that has not been paid by the latest date for payment; and
(b)
impose and recover a penalty charge of 10% of the debt due.
Expenditure of levy money
17 Aquaculture New Zealand must spend levy money
(1)
Aquaculture New Zealand—
(a)
must spend all levy money; and
(b)
pending its expenditure, may invest levy money.
(2)
Aquaculture New Zealand must not spend levy money on commercial or trading activities.
18 Purposes for which levy money may be spent
Aquaculture New Zealand may spend levy money on the development and management of the aquaculture industry, as determined by Aquaculture New Zealand in its annual budget and business plan, including on any or all of the following:
(a)
promotion of aquaculture industry activities and market development plans:
(b)
research, including biological, environmental, and market research:
(c)
public relations and representation activities associated with the aquaculture industry:
(d)
trade mark and patent searches, applications, and protection:
(e)
iwi consultation and the promotion of iwi participation in aquaculture:
(f)
developing and updating codes of practice:
(g)
protection of property rights, including making submissions on coastal plans, seabed claims, and coastal tendering:
(h)
administration of approved annual activities and legal responsibilities of Aquaculture New Zealand, including the collection of the levy and Aquaculture New Zealand’s management costs:
(i)
development, and implementation, of quality assurance programmes, including food safety, water quality, and ecological performance programmes:
(j)
protection, and improvement, of the health of mussels, oysters, and salmon.
19 Consultation on how levy money to be spent
Aquaculture New Zealand must, prior to each of its annual general meetings, consult fish farmers on its budget and proposed levy expenditure for the levy year immediately following that annual general meeting.
Returns, record-keeping requirements, and confidentiality of information
20 Returns
(1)
Aquaculture New Zealand may request, in writing, from each fish farmer or levy collector any information that Aquaculture New Zealand reasonably requires for the purpose of determining the amount of levy payable by the fish farmer or levy collector.
(2)
Each fish farmer or levy collector must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after receiving a request from Aquaculture New Zealand, supply Aquaculture New Zealand with a written return of the information requested.
(3)
The return must be supplied in the manner (if any) specified by Aquaculture New Zealand.
21 Records
(1)
Aquaculture New Zealand must keep records of the following matters for each levy year:
(a)
the amount of levy paid to it; and
(b)
the name of the fish farmer or levy collector who paid the levy; and
(c)
the date on which the levy is received.
(2)
Every fish farmer who pays a levy directly to Aquaculture New Zealand must keep the following records:
(a)
the greenweight tonnage of mussels, oysters, or salmon harvested; and
(b)
in the case of salmon, the conversion factor; and
(c)
the amount of levy paid to Aquaculture New Zealand; and
(d)
the date of payment of the levy.
(3)
Every levy collector must retain the following records:
(a)
the name of the fish farmer from whose farm mussels, oysters, or salmon are received; and
(b)
the farm number of the relevant farm; and
(c)
the greenweight tonnage of mussels, oysters, or salmon received; and
(d)
the date on which the mussels, oysters, or salmon are received by the levy collector.
(4)
Aquaculture New Zealand may require fish farmers and levy collectors to keep the records referred to in subclauses (2) and (3) in a form approved by Aquaculture New Zealand.
(5)
The records referred to in this clause must be kept for at least 7 years after the end of the levy year to which the records relate
22 Confidentiality of information
(1)
No officer or employee of Aquaculture New Zealand may disclose (except to another officer or employee of Aquaculture New Zealand) any information obtained—
(a)
under or because of this order; or
(b)
under the Act in relation to this order.
(2)
Subclause (1) does not affect or prevent information being disclosed for any of the following reasons:
(a)
the disclosure is required by law:
(b)
the person or organisation from whom the information was obtained consents to the information being disclosed:
(c)
the disclosure is for the purpose of section 17(1) of the Act (power of auditors to require production of records):
(d)
the disclosure is for the purpose of section 25 of the Act (annual report and statements):
(e)
the disclosure is in the form of evidence presented in proceedings relating to this order, or to the Act in connection with this order:
(f)
the disclosure is for statistical or research purposes:
(g)
the disclosure is for the purposes of collecting the levy.
(3)
Disclosure under subclause (2)(f) must be in a form that does not identify individual persons.
Miscellaneous
23 Conscientious objectors
(1)
Any fish farmer or levy collector who objects on conscientious or religious grounds to the manner of recovery by Aquaculture New Zealand of an amount of levy money may pay the amount concerned to the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries.
(2)
The Director-General must pay the amount to Aquaculture New Zealand.
24 Remuneration of persons conducting compliance audits
A person appointed as auditor under section 15 of the Act must be remunerated by Aquaculture New Zealand at a rate determined by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries after consultation with Aquaculture New Zealand.
Clause 24: amended, on 13 June 2024, by clause 6 of the Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Amendment Order 2024 (SL 2024/69).
Mediation of disputes
25 Appointment of mediators
(1)
This clause applies if a dispute arises about—
(a)
whether a person is required to pay a levy; or
(b)
the amount of levy money payable.
(2)
A party to the dispute may ask the President of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand Incorporated (the President) to appoint a person to—
(a)
organise and preside at a conference of the parties; and
(b)
attempt to resolve the dispute by mediation.
(3)
On receiving a request under subclause (2), the President (or a person authorised by the President to do so) may appoint a person to resolve the dispute by mediation.
(4)
The mediator’s appointment ends when—
(a)
the parties resolve the dispute themselves; or
(b)
the mediator resolves the dispute under clause 32.
26 Remuneration of mediators
(1)
A mediator must be paid remuneration (by way of fees and allowances) agreed to by the parties.
(2)
However, if the parties cannot agree on a mediator’s remuneration, the President (or a person authorised by the President to do so) must—
(a)
fix an amount or several amounts to be paid to the mediator as remuneration; and
(b)
specify the amount (if any) that each party must pay.
(3)
Each party must pay to the mediator the amount fixed by the President (or authorised person) and specified as an amount to be paid by that party.
27 Time and place of conference
Every conference of the parties organised by a mediator is to be held on a day and at a time and place fixed, and notified in writing to the parties, by the mediator.
28 Conference to be held in private
Except as provided in clause 29, only the parties and the mediator may attend a conference organised by the mediator.
29 Representatives
If satisfied that in all the circumstances it is appropriate to do so, a mediator may allow a representative of a party to attend a conference of the parties organised by the mediator.
30 Right to be heard
Every party, and every representative of a party allowed by the mediator to attend a conference of the parties organised by a mediator, may be heard at the conference.
31 Evidence
(1)
A mediator may hear and take into account any relevant evidence or information, whether or not it would be admissible in a court of law.
(2)
A mediator may, on the mediator’s own initiative, seek and receive any evidence, and make any investigations and inquiries, that the mediator thinks desirable to resolve a dispute.
(3)
A mediator may require any person giving evidence at a conference of the parties to verify the evidence by statutory declaration.
32 Mediator may resolve dispute in certain cases
(1)
A mediator may resolve a dispute for the parties if the mediator—
(a)
has organised and presided at a conference of the parties but the dispute has not been resolved; or
(b)
believes that the parties are unlikely to resolve the dispute, whether or not the parties confer directly.
(2)
If the mediator resolves a dispute, the mediator must give each of the parties written notice of the mediator’s decision and the reasons for the decision.
(3)
The parties must comply with a decision of the mediator.
33 Costs of mediation
Each party must pay the party’s own costs in relation to the mediation.
34 Appeal to District Court
(1)
A party who is dissatisfied with a decision made by a mediator under clause 32 may appeal against the decision to the District Court.
(2)
An appeal is to be brought by the filing of a notice of appeal within 28 days of the making of the decision concerned, or within any longer time a District Court Judge allows.
(3)
The Registrar of the District Court must—
(a)
serve a copy of the notice of appeal on every other party to the dispute; and
(b)
fix the time and place for the hearing of the appeal; and
(c)
notify the appellant and the other parties of the time and place for the hearing of the appeal.
(4)
Every party may appear and be heard at the hearing of the appeal.
(5)
On hearing the appeal, the District Court may confirm, vary, or reverse the decision appealed against.
(6)
The filing of a notice of appeal does not operate as a stay of any process for the enforcement of the decision appealed against.
Revocation
35 Order revoked
The Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Order 2013 (SR 2013/274) is revoked.
Michael Webster,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Date of notification in Gazette: 16 May 2019.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Order 2019 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation
Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Amendment Order 2024 (SL 2024/69)
Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Act 2019 (2019 No 82): section 12(l)
Versions
Commodity Levies (Mussels, Oysters, and Salmon) Order 2019
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