Other sources of New Zealand legal information
Community Law is not alone in making legal information that is freely accessible to the New Zealand public and we recognise our resources don’t cover everything. You may wish to look at the following resources produced by the state or by other non-profit organisations. These are grouped broadly in categories, but many fulfil more than a single purpose (for example, a site primarily used to access legal documents may also provide some explanations of the law).
If you are looking for information about international law, other countries’ laws, or how to access services similar to those offered by Community Law overseas, see International and overseas law resources.
General legal information
Citizens Advice Bureau – the Citizens Advice Bureau website provides information on a wide range of topics, presented in a question and answer format.
Guides to specific areas of law
New Zealand Accident Compensation Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to accident compensation law, including what ACC covers and how to appeal ACC decision.
New Zealand Enduring Power of Attorney Guide – a guide to enduring power of attorney (EPOA) and its alternatives, providing practical information on a range of matters, including creating an EPOA and keeping it up to date.
New Zealand Independent Police Conduct Authority Guide – a guide written by a former IPCA staff member to assist those making complaints about the police.
New Zealand JP Traffic Court Guide – a guide for those appearing before Justices of the Peace in the District Court on low-level charges or to contest infringement notices.
New Zealand Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal Guide – a guide for those taking a claim about a defective motor vehicle to the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.
Information about the legal system and writing on legal topics
New Zealand Laws Primer – a guide that aims to demystify the legal system and help people navigate it. It covers a range of important topics, including how legislation is made and interpreted, case law, and the court hierarchy.
New Zealand Law Style Guide – a useful resource if you need to write documents dealing with legal matters, including details of how to cite legislation, case law, and other sources.
Legal glossaries and dictionaries
Ministry of Justice Glossary – provides explanations of common term you may encounter when dealing with the law or the legal system.
Maori Land Court Glossary – provides explanations of terms and abbreviations used in the Māori Land Court and Māori Appellate Court.
Māori Land Court Kuputaka – a list of English terms used in the Māori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal and the equivalent terms in te reo Māori.
Te Kaupapa Reo-a-Ture | The Legal Māori Project – a Victoria University of Wellington project that produced resources including a Legal Māori Lexicon.
Those seeking to understand general legal terminology may also find the Glossary from the Fitzroy Legal Service’s Law Handbook to be a useful resource. It should be noted, however, that, while the legal systems of Victoria (about which this resource was prepared) and New Zealand are in many respects very similar, some content in this glossary will not apply in New Zealand.
Legislation, court decisions, and other parliamentary and legal documents
New Zealand Legal Information Institute (NZLII) – provides access to current and historical legislation, court and tribunal decisions, and other legal material. A page of Frequently Asked Questions may help you navigate NZLII to find the information you are looking for.
New Zealand Legislation – a website run by the Parliamentary Counsel Office that provides access to Acts of Parliament, secondary legislation (for example, regulations, orders, rules, and bylaws) and Bills.
New Zealand Parliament – Parliament’s website allows you to track the progress of Bills through the parliamentary process, make and view submissions to select committees, and read transcripts of parliamentary debates (“Hansard”).
Courts of New Zealand – provides information about the courts and court processes and access to judgments, bench books and other documents.
Government department policy and operational manuals
Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual – the manual that sets out Immigration NZ’s decision-making processes and the requirements for people applying for visas, existing visa holders, and those entering and leaving New Zealand.
Map: The Guide to Social Development Policy – the guide to operational policy for Ministry of Social Development (MSD) staff. Here you will find practical information about matters such as benefit rates and also be able to see how MSD interprets relevant legislation and the processes it uses in making decisions.
Prison Operations Manual – the manual published by the Department of Corrections that provides instructions to employees on day-to-day management of prisons and prisoners.
Access to official information
FYI.org.nz – provides basic information about the Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA), facilitates the making of OIA and LGOIMA requests, and publishes responses to requests received from authorities.
