Source: New Zealand Government
A further 50 of New Zealand’s historic laws have been identified for repeal as part of the Legislation Repeals Project, a once-in-a-generation review of 900 pieces of New Zealand’s oldest legislation, Attorney-General Chris Bishop says.
“While these laws once served a purpose, many of them now sit as relics of New Zealand’s days gone past, providing a window into the times, quirks, and realities of yesteryear,” Mr Bishop says.
“Keeping our statute book up to date avoids unnecessary costs and confusion for users, and round four now brings the total number of Acts identified for repeal to over 200.
“When there was uncertainty around whether Auckland Council had the authority to provide staff with a social room, the Auckland City and Auckland Museum Empowering Act 1924 thankfully deemed it lawful.
“For those wondering how some of Wellington’s quays were built, the Thorndon Reclamation Act 1882 enabled the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company to reclaim a lot of the land that now forms the Wellington railyard, by dumping construction material into the harbour.
“The latest set also includes the unique governance of some of our oldest schools and societies – these were often established through their own Acts rather than under general legislation as they would be today.
“Examples of the various projects include high schools in Ashburton and Akaroa, a technical school in Westport, as well as a racecourse in Te Aroha, a public hall in West Clive, a cemetery in Ngaruawahia, a showground in Wyndham, and an athenaeum in Havelock.
“Some Agricultural and Pastoral society-related Acts enabled activities still enjoyed by Kiwis today, like the Blueskin Market Reserve Ordinance 1871 which provided for a cattle market, exhibiting livestock and agricultural produce and providing prizes for winning exhibits at Blueskin. While A&P shows continue to be a feature of New Zealand rural life, in many cases there is no longer a need for these Acts.
“Parliament now passes legislation with general application across New Zealand, through Acts like the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act, avoiding the need for Parliament to approve things on a case-by-case basis.
“Repealing these Acts doesn’t erase this history. Repealing them makes their status explicitly clear for anyone searching through our stock of in-force legislation, and they will remain permanently accessible on the NZ Legislation website.”
The Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport in relation to local Acts, welcome feedback on the fourth round of 50 Acts identified for repeal. This follows the 152 Acts previously consulted on, bringing the total number of Acts identified for repeal to 202.
“We’ll be consulting on a fifth round of Acts proposed for repeal later this year. That’ll bring the total to around 250 Acts. We’ll then have a Bill to repeal the Acts ready to go for next year,” says Mr Bishop.
“The Bill will go through the normal legislative process, so the public will have a chance to make further submissions on the Acts proposed for repeal at select committee.”
Note to editors:
Each Act identified for repeal is carefully reviewed and consulted on with relevant organisations, agencies, councils, and stakeholders. Public consultation on the 50 Acts identified for repeal is open now and closes on Friday 2 October 2026. The PCO continues to accept late submissions on the 152 Acts previously consulted on. Consultation on another round of Acts is planned for later in 2026.
Following consultation, public submissions will be reviewed to confirm the Acts are suitable for repeal. The Parliamentary Counsel Office will then draft a Bill to repeal the Acts. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament and go through the full parliamentary process including select committee scrutiny. This will provide the public another opportunity to make submissions.
More information, including how to make a submission, is available on the Legislation Repeals Project page.
List of Acts identified in for repeal in Round 4
Local Acts
- Auckland City and Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Act 1914
- Auckland City and Auckland Museum Empowering Act 1924
- Auckland City Empowering Act 1932–33
- Te Aroha Recreation-Ground and Racecourse Act 1892
- Ngaruawahia Cemetery Reserve Leasing Act 1888
- West Clive Public Hall Site Act 1879
- Taranaki Agricultural Society Empowering Act 1909
- Inglewood County Act 1919
- Makerua Drainage Board Empowering Act 1952
- Wellington City Empowering Act 1931
- Thorndon Reclamation Act 1882
- Westport Technical School Site Act 1919
- Havelock Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute Incorporation Act 1877
- Ashburton High School Act 1878
- Opawa Education Reserve Act 1888
- Christchurch City Empowering Repeal Act 1948
- Akaroa High School Act 1881
- Rangiora Drill-shed Site Vesting Act 1913
- Vincent County Empowering (Community Centres) Act 1970
- North Otago Benevolent Society Act 1878
- Oamaru Racecourse Trustees Empowering Act 1892
- Alexandra Borough Race Enabling Act 1900
- Riverton Harbour Loan and Empowering Act 1911
- Wallace County Empowering (Community Centres) Act 1966
- Wyndham Showground Reserve Act 1886
- Wyndham Showground Reserve Act 1910
Public Acts
- Lawrence Recreation Reserve Act 1876
- Dunedin Wharves and Quays Reserves Act 1876
- New Zealand Library Association Act 1939
- Public Reserves Sale Act 1878
- Invercargill Public Offices Site Act 1875
- Newspapers and Printers Act Repeal Act 1995
- Naval and Victualling Stores Act Repeal Act 1998
- Military Manoeuvres Act Repeal Act 2012
- War Funds Act Repeal Act 2003
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Act Repeal Act 1994
- Hotel Association of New Zealand Act 1969
Private Acts
- New Zealand Bible Tract and Book Society Act 1886
- Hamilton Parsonage Site Act 1904
- George and Annie Troup Trust Act 1949
- Presbyterian Church Reserves (Canterbury) Act 1926
- Peggy Joan Boys Voluntary Settlement Act 1951
- Managers of the Saint Paul’s Presbyterian Congregation (Oamaru) Act 1930
- Napier Odd Fellows’ Lodge Site Act 1889
- Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Act 2016
Provincial Acts
- Municipal Councils Reserves Ordinance 1862 (C)
- Otago Harbour Trust Leasing Ordinance 1862 (O)
- Harbour Reclaimed Lands Sale And Leasing Ordinance 1868 (O)
- Blueskin Market Reserve Ordinance 1871 (O)
- Northern Agricultural And Pastoral Reserve Management Ordinance 1871 (O)
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/50-more-acts-up-for-repeal/