Search

8.2 The government holds a large quantity of information of all kinds. The law governing the creation, collection, storage, and use of this information is set out mainly in the Public Records Act 2005 and the Privacy Act 2020 . These Acts, together with…

The Cabinet Manual is an authoritative guide to central government decision making for Ministers, their offices, and those working within the public service . It is also a primary source of information on New Zealand's constitutional arrangements, as seen…

Purpose, 1 This circular sets out the requirements and procedures for the proactive release of Cabinet material (Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers and minutes). It updates and replaces previous advice, introducing the new requirement for departments to…

The Cost-of-Living Implications section of the Cabinet policy paper template should be used to summarise the likely impacts that the proposal in the Cabinet paper will have on the cost of living. The section is primarily descriptive and seeks to…

Accessible version If you require an accessible version please contact [email protected] and cite "Proactive Release: Review into Hon Stuart Nash’s ministerial communications with donors" as a reference., Proactive Release, This proactive release…

Accessible version If you require an accessible version please contact [email protected] and cite "Proactive Release: Emergency Management Bill: Approval for Introduction (LEG-22-SUB-0239)" as a reference. The following documents have been…

Accessible version If you require an accessible version please contact [email protected] and cite "Proactive Release: Emergency Management System Reform Proposals (GOV-22-SUB-0031)" as a reference. This page provides links to proactively released…

Accessible version If you require an accessible version please contact [email protected] and cite "Regulatory Impact Statement: Emergency Management System Reforms" as a reference.

Accessible version If you require an accessible version please contact [email protected] and cite "Regulatory Impact Statement: Emergency Management System Reforms - iwi and Māori contributions to emergency management, legal framework and critical…

Accessible version If you require an accessible version please contact [email protected] and cite "Proactive Release: Cabinet Manual 2023 (CAB-23-SUB-0061)" as a reference. The following document has been proactively released by the Department of…

The 2023 edition of the Cabinet Manual has been published. You can see the Cabinet Manual here .  If you’d like a hard copy, please email [email protected] .

2.86 As far as possible, Ministers should not use their personal email account or phone number to conduct ministerial business. Where the use of a personal account or phone number for ministerial business is unavoidable (for example, when Ministers are…

Information about the Law Commission and its work programme is on its website, lawcom.govt.nz . The Legislation Design and Advisory Committee guidelines can be found on its website, ldac.org.nz . Information about requirements for impact analysis and…

The Treaty of Waitangi is regarded as a founding document of government in New Zealand. The Treaty has two texts: one in te reo Māori (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) and one in English. They were signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and…

Items for consideration by Cabinet 5.11 As a general rule, Ministers should put before their colleagues the sorts of issues on which they themselves would wish to be consulted. Ministers should keep their colleagues informed about matters of public…

Preparing and submitting Cabinet papers 5.39 Papers are submitted to Cabinet committees and Cabinet to enable Ministers to make collective decisions based on sound information and analysis. Good papers reflect robust policy development and consultation…

5.84 The Cabinet Office is a government secretariat, providing continuity and impartial support for operations at the centre of government. The Cabinet Office is a unit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, headed by the Secretary of…

6.1 This chapter describes the principles and procedures that apply to elections, transitions, and government formation. It covers: the electoral cycle and its impact on government decision-making; the principles and procedures that apply to transitions…

General 6.2 The term of Parliament in New Zealand is three years from the date fixed for the return of the writs issued for the previous general election (see section 17 of the Constitution Act 1986 ). Parliament may, however, be dissolved before the…

General 6.16 The formation of a government following a general election is the usual process by which executive power is transferred from one government administration to another. For information on a mid-term change of government, see paragraphs 6.58 - 6…

General 6.41 The process of government formation occurs most commonly following an election, but may be necessary if the government loses the confidence of the House mid-term. The principles and processes set out in paragraphs 6.42 - 6.47 apply in…

General 6.54 Some transitions between administrations may occur during the electoral term. There may be a transition to a new Prime Minister, or to a new governing party or coalition. The guidance in paragraphs 6.55 - 6.61 sets out the established…

6.62 As the Governor-General's principal adviser, the Prime Minister may advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament and call an election (see paragraphs 2.4 and 2.6 ). Usually this advice will be timed in accordance with the electoral cycle. 6.63…

6.65 The neutrality of the public sector must be protected throughout the pre-election period and the government formation process. 6.66 Before and after an election, the incumbent Ministers should ensure that any requests they make for advice or…

7.1 This chapter provides an overview of the main principles and procedures concerning the development of government legislation (Acts of Parliament and secondary legislation) at the executive level. The chapter covers: the Speech from the Throne and the…

7.3 The first formal opportunity for a government to outline its legislative intentions is the delivery of the Speech from the Throne. The Speech from the Throne is given by the Governor-General or the Sovereign (if in New Zealand) on the second sitting…

7.5 In most years the Prime Minister presents a statement to the House on the first sitting day. This statement is to review public affairs and to outline the government's legislative and other policy intentions for the next 12 months (see the section…

Purpose of the legislation programme 7.6 The legislation programme provides an annual framework within which priorities are established for preparing, and managing the progress of, the government's proposed bills. 7.7 The programme arranges groups of…

7.16 The Legislation Act 2019 contains a mechanism for systematically revising the presentation of some New Zealand Acts to make them more accessible. After being revised, they are introduced as revision bills into Parliament for re-enactment. Revision is…

7.20 The Law Commission is an independent Crown entity established by statute to undertake the systematic review, reform, and development of the law of New Zealand. Projects for the Law Commission may be proposed by any Minister or by the Law Commission.…