Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wel ington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
16 October 2023
Andrew Lewis
[FYI request #24364 email]
Ref: OIA 107682
Tēnā koe Andrew
Official Information Act request: Constitutional laws
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 9 October
2023 to the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry). Specifically, you requested:
On the web page: https://www.justice.govt.nz/about/learn-about-the-justice-
system/how-the-justice-system-works/the-basis-for-all-law/ The NZ legislation which
forms our constitution is listed. It also states that other aspects of the constitution are
found in UK legislation and other NZ legislation. Please provide me with a list of the
other UK and NZ legislation and any other documents that form the current New
Zealand Constitution.
In response to your request, all United Kingdom legislation that forms part of New Zealand
law is outlined in the Imperial Laws Application Act 1988, specifically schedules 1 and 2. It is
publicly available at: legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1988/0112/latest/DLM135074.html All
other New Zealand legislation of constitutional significance is available at: legislation.govt.nz
Additionally, you may want to consult the
Cabinet Manual, which is the primary source of
information about New Zealand’s government and constitutional arrangements at:
dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/cabinet-office/supporting-work-cabinet/cabinet-manual
You may also want to consult the latest edition of Professor Philip Joseph’s book,
Joseph on
Constitutional and Administrative Law in New Zealand (2021, 5th edition). It is available in
most major public libraries.
There is also helpful information on the Ministry of Justice website at:
• justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/regulatory-stewardship/regulatory-systems/
• justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/regulatory-stewardship/regulatory-
systems/constitutional/
As the information you have sought is publicly available, your request is refused under
section 18(d) of the Act.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at: justice.govt.nz/about/official-information-act-requests/oia-responses
You have the right under section 28 of the Act to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
ombudsman.parliament.nz or call 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Antony Paltridge
Team Leader, Ministerial Relations and Services
