Human Rights Act 1993
| Human Rights Act 1993 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| New Zealand Parliament | |
| |
| 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)
- Marital status
- Religious belief
- Ethical belief
- Colour
- Race
- Ethnic or national origins
- Disability
- Age
- Political opinion
- Employment status
- Family status
- Sexual orientation
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."
The Act does not explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity, however it is interpreted by the solicitor general of the time that gender identity is protected under the basis of sex or sexual orientation.[2] Despite this interpretation, concerns remain that this decision is easily reversed.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Human Rights Act 1993, s 21
- ↑ "Trans rights are human rights. A guide to your rights and protections as a transgender person" (PDF). Tikatangata.org. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
- ↑ Activist's Guide to the Yogyakarta Principles, p. 112 in Yogyakarta Principles in Action