Human Rights Act 1993

Human Rights Act 1993
File:Coat of arms of New Zealand.svg
New Zealand Parliament
Long title An Act to consolidate and amend the Race Relations Act 1971 and the Human Rights Commission Act 1977 and to provide better protection of human rights in New Zealand in general accordance with United Nations Covenants or Conventions on Human Rights
Royal assent	10 August 1993
Commenced	1 February 1994
Administered by	Ministry of Justice
Related legislation
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
Status: Current legislation

The Human Rights Act 1993 is an Act of the Parliament of New Zealand that deals with discrimination. It was a consolidation and amendment of the Race Relations Act 1971 and the Human Rights Commission Act 1977. It came into force on 1 February 1994. The Act governs the work of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.

Legislative features

The act outlawed discrimination on a wide variety of grounds, including:

1. Sex (including pregnancy and childbirth)
2. Marital status
3. Religious belief
4. Ethical belief
5. Colour
6. Race
7. Ethnic or national origins
8. Disability
9. Age
10. Political opinion
11. Employment status
12. Family status

There are a significant number of caveats, including "genuine occupational qualification," "domestic employment in a private household," "to preserve reasonable standards of privacy," "national security" and "organised religion."

See also

• Human rights in New Zealand
• New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990

External links

• Text of the Act