1: Title
This Act is the Road User Charges (Temporary RUC Reduction Scheme) Amendment Act 2023.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on 1 March 2023.
3: Principal Act
This Act amends the Road User Charges Act 2012 2023-03-01 Road User Charges Act 2012
1: Amendments to principal Act
4: Section 42A amended (Meaning of temporary reduction period)
1: In the heading to section 42A temporary reduction period and second temporary reduction period
2: After section 42A(2)
2A: In sections 42B to 42G, unless the context otherwise requires, second temporary reduction period
a: beginning on 1 March 2023; and
b: ending on one of the following dates:
i: the date specified by an Order in Council made under subsection (2B)
ii: if no Order in Council has been made under subsection (2B)
2B: The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made before the second temporary reduction period ends, shorten or extend the second temporary reduction period to a date specified in the order.
3: In section 42A(3) subsection (2) or (2B)
5: Section 42B amended (Temporary reduction in rate of road user charges)
1: In section 42B(1) temporary reduction period or second temporary reduction period
2: In section 42B(3) normal rate normal rate
a: for the temporary reduction period, the GST-inclusive rate—
i: applying immediately before the commencement of the temporary reduction period; and
ii: specified for the RUC licence—
A: in the Road User Charges (Rates) Regulations 2015; or
B: by notice given under section 90A(2); and
b: for the second temporary reduction period, the GST-inclusive rate specified for the RUC licence—
i: from time to time in regulations made under section 85; or
ii: by notice given under section 90A(2).
3: In section 42B(6) section 42A(2) or the second temporary reduction period is extended by an Order in Council under section 42A(2B)
6: Section 42G amended (Repeal)
In section 42G(1) 12 months after the end of the temporary reduction period 5 years after the second temporary reduction period ends
2: Consequential amendments
7: Section 42C amended (Road user charges that apply after end of temporary reduction period)
1: In the heading to section 42C temporary reduction period or second temporary reduction period
2: In section 42C temporary reduction period or second temporary reduction period
8: Section 42D amended (When assessments may be issued)
1: In section 42D(2) temporary reduction period or second temporary reduction period
2: In section 42D(3)(a) 2022 or any subsequent orders made from time to time under clause 20 of Schedule 3 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
3: In section 42D(3)(b) temporary reduction period or second temporary reduction period
4: In section 42D(5)(a) section 42A(1) and (2A)
9: Section 42E amended (How assessments are to be calculated)
In section 42E temporary reduction period or second temporary reduction period


1: Title
This Act is the Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Amendment Act 2023.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date of Royal assent.
3: Principal Act
This Act amends the Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015 2023-02-28 Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015
1: Amendments to Parts 1 and 2 (preliminary and substantive provisions)
4: New sections 3A and 3B inserted
After section 3
3A: Act’s provisions apply retrospectively
1: A provision of this Act applies to a person after the provision’s commencement even if all or any of the following occurred before the provision’s commencement:
a: the person’s conduct overseas that constitutes an imprisonable offence in New Zealand:
b: the person’s conviction for an overseas jurisdiction offence for that conduct:
c: the person’s having been sentenced to 1 or more terms of imprisonment overseas for the overseas jurisdiction offence:
d: the end of the person’s sentence of imprisonment overseas for the overseas jurisdiction offence:
e: the person’s release from custody in a prison overseas or, if the person is detained in an immigration or other facility overseas following release from prison overseas, release from that facility overseas:
f: the person’s deportation or removal to New Zealand on grounds that are or include their conviction for the overseas jurisdiction offence:
g: the person’s return to New Zealand:
h: the person’s conviction for the overseas jurisdiction offence being overturned:
i: the person’s being pardoned for the overseas jurisdiction offence:
j: any other conduct of, or event relating to, the person that the provision requires to have occurred in order for the provision to apply.
2: This section does not affect or limit—
a: the validations in clause 8
b: the exception to those validations in clause 9
3: This section overrides any inconsistent other law.
4: In particular, any other law subsection (3)
a: section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1999 (in force after this Act’s commencement until the close of 27 October 2021):
b: section 12 of the Legislation Act 2019 (in force after 27 October 2021):
c: G v Commissioner of Police
3B: Act’s provisions override inconsistent other law
1: This section applies to conduct—
a: mentioned in, or otherwise necessary for carrying out, or giving full effect to, a provision of this Act; and
b: after the provision’s commencement.
2: Examples of the conduct are—
a: making, amending, revoking, or revoking and replacing, a determination or other decision:
b: requesting a person to provide identifying particulars and taking them if the person provides them in response to a request, detaining the person (using reasonable force if necessary) if the person refuses, taking the identifying particulars of a person who has been detained for the purpose of taking them, giving a direction related to exercising those powers, or entering, recording, and storing on a Police information recording system the identifying particulars of a person that are provided in response to a request or otherwise taken:
c: issuing, amending, revoking, revoking and replacing, or serving a notice (for example, a databank compulsion notice under section 14, or a determination notice):
d: applying for, issuing, or executing a warrant for entry to any premises to serve a determination notice:
e: applying for, imposing, varying, discharging, or revoking a standard release condition or a special condition (which, in this section, includes, without limitation, a condition imposed under section 33(1) and to which sections 26 to 31 apply under section 34):
f: suspending under section 28(3) a standard release condition or a special condition:
g: administering a standard release condition or a special condition (for example, monitoring compliance with a standard release condition or a special condition, and investigating and prosecuting an offence of breaching a standard release condition or a special condition):
h: reviewing under section 22 a determination under section 17:
i: doing, or omitting to do, any other act or omission mentioned in, or otherwise necessary for carrying out, or giving full effect to, the provision.
3: The conduct must or may be done or omitted in accordance with the provision even if the conduct is, for an overseas jurisdiction offence for which the relevant person has been convicted and punished overseas, 1 or both of the following:
a: punishment again:
b: a variation and increase of penalty between commission of, and sentencing for, that offence.
4: This section does not affect or limit—
a: the validations in clause 8
b: the exception to those validations in clause 9
5: This section overrides any inconsistent other law.
6: In particular, any other law subsection (5)
a: section 6(1) and (2) of the Sentencing Act 2002:
b: sections 25(g) and 26(2) of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990:
c: G v Commissioner of Police
5: Section 4 amended (Interpretation)
In section 4(1) the provision’s commencement this provision’s commencement
a: this Act’s commencement; and
b: the commencement of any other related provision of this Act inserted, amended, or replaced after this Act’s commencement; and
c: the commencement of any legislation inserting, amending, or replacing the provision
6: New section 18A inserted (Notice and right to be heard)
After section 18
18A: Notice and right to be heard
1: A determination by the Commissioner that a person is a returning prisoner must be made without providing the person with notice or a right to be heard.
2: This section does not prevent a person providing voluntarily to the Commissioner, in response to a request that the Commissioner may (but need not) make, information—
a: about whether the person is a returning prisoner; and
b: adding to other information available to the Commissioner about that matter.
3: This section also does not affect a returning prisoner’s right to apply for—
a: review under section 22 of the Commissioner’s determination:
b: judicial review of the Commissioner’s determination.
7: Section 22 amended (Review of Commissioner’s determination)
In section 22(2) within 15 working days at any time
8: Subpart 4 of Part 2 repealed
Repeal subpart 4
2: Amendments to Schedule 1 (transitional, savings, and related provisions)
9: Schedule 1 amended
In Schedule 1
a: insert the Part set out in the Schedule
b: make all necessary consequential amendments.


1: Title
This Act is the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Act 2023.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
1: Amendments to Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
3: Principal Act
This Part amends the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 2023-03-21 Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
4: New section 28A inserted (Application of temporary provision in Part 1 of Schedule 3)
After section 28
28A: Application of temporary provision in Part 1 of Schedule 3
1: The temporary provision set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3
a: commencing on the day on which this section comes into force; and
b: ending on the close of 30 September 2024.
2: While the temporary provision applies, clause 1 of Schedule 3
3: During the application of the temporary provision, a cross-reference in this Act or any other enactment to section 28, or including section 28, is to be treated as a cross-reference to, or including, clause 1 of Schedule 3
4: This section and Part 1 of Schedule 3
5: New section 30B inserted (Application of temporary provision in Part 2 of Schedule 3)
After section 30A
30B: Application of temporary provision in Part 2 of Schedule 3
1: The temporary provision set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3
a: commencing on the day on which this section comes into force; and
b: ending on the close of 30 September 2024.
2: While the temporary provision applies, clause 2 of Schedule 3
3: During the application of this temporary provision, a cross-reference in this Act or any other enactment to section 30A, or including section 30A, is to be treated as a cross-reference to, or including, clause 2 of Schedule 3
4: This section and Part 2 of Schedule 3
6: New section 73A inserted (Application of temporary provisions in Part 3 of Schedule 3)
After section 73
73A: Application of temporary provisions in Part 3 of Schedule 3
1: The temporary provisions set out in Part 3 of Schedule 3
a: commencing on the day on which this section comes into force; and
b: ending on the close of 30 September 2024.
2: The temporary provisions have the following effect while they apply:
a: clause 3 of Schedule 3
b: clause 4 of Schedule 3
3: During the application of the temporary provisions, a cross-reference in this Act or any other enactment to a replaced provision, or including a replaced provision, is to be treated as a cross-reference to, or including, the corresponding replacement provision.
4: This section and Part 3 of Schedule 3
7: New section 94FA inserted (Application of temporary provisions in Part 4 of Schedule 3)
After section 94F
94FA: Application of temporary provisions in Part 4 of Schedule 3
1: The temporary provisions set out in Part 4 of Schedule 3
a: commencing on the day on which this section comes into force; and
b: ending on the close of 30 September 2024.
2: The temporary provisions have the following effect while they apply:
a: clause 5 of Schedule 3
b: clause 6 of Schedule 3
c: clause 7 of Schedule 3
3: During the application of the temporary provisions, a cross-reference in this Act or any other enactment to a replaced provision, or including a replaced provision, is to be treated as a cross-reference to, or including, the corresponding replacement provision.
4: This section and Part 4 of Schedule 3
8: New Schedule 3 inserted
After Schedule 2 Schedule
2: Amendments to Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations 2015
1: Amendments to Food Act 2014
9: Principal Act
This subpart amends the Food Act 2014 2023-03-21 Food Act 2014
10: Schedule 4 amended
In Schedule 4
3A: Renewal of affected registrations that expire during, or within specified period after, severe weather event
1: In this clause,— affected food business
a: the regions of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay:
b: the districts of Tararua, Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa affected registration
a: of—
i: a food control plan that applies to 1 or more affected food businesses; or
ii: an affected food business that is subject to a national programme; and
b: that expires at any time during the specified period severe weather event
a: Cyclone Hale, which crossed the North Island during the period commencing on 8 January 2023 and ending on 12 January 2023:
b: heavy rainfall commencing on 26 January 2023 and ending on 3 February 2023 in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions:
c: Cyclone Gabrielle, which crossed the North Island during the period commencing on 12 February 2023 and ending on 16 February 2023 specified period
a: commencing on 8 January 2023; and
b: ending on the close of 16 May 2023.
2: Despite clause 3
a: after the expiry of the period during which the affected registration is effective; and
b: whether the expiry occurs before, on, or after the date on which this clause comes into force.
3: An affected registration may be renewed by paying the prescribed fee to the proper authority at any time during the specified period.
4: On payment of the prescribed fee, the proper authority may renew the affected registration for a further period determined by the proper authority, if the proper authority is satisfied that all of the criteria specified in section 56 or 86(b), as the case may be, are continuing to be met.
5: A person may operate an affected food business without the renewal of an affected registration—
a: during the specified period; and
b: after the expiry of the specified period until the date on which the person is notified whether the registration has been renewed, if the prescribed fee for the renewal was paid before the expiry of that period.
6: This clause is repealed at the close of 30 June 2023.
2: Amendments to Food Regulations 2015
11: Principal regulations
This subpart amends the Food Regulations 2015 2023-03-21 Food Regulations 2015
12: New subpart 2B of Part 3 inserted
After regulation 94A
2B: Temporary exemption for affected food businesses
94B: Interpretation
In this subpart,— affected food business
a: the regions of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay:
b: the districts of Tararua, Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa severe weather event
a: Cyclone Hale, which crossed the North Island during the period commencing on 8 January 2023 and ending on 12 January 2023:
b: heavy rainfall commencing on 26 January 2023 and ending on 3 February 2023 in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions:
c: Cyclone Gabrielle, which crossed the North Island during the period commencing on 12 February 2023 and ending on 16 February 2023.
94C: Temporary exemption from verification requirements for affected food businesses because of severe weather event
1: This regulation applies to an operator of an affected food business who—
a: is due to comply with the verification requirements in accordance with regulation 87(1), 88(1), or 90 during the period—
i: commencing on 8 January 2023; and
ii: ending on the close of 16 May 2023; or
b: is due to comply with the verification requirements in accordance with regulation 91(1), 92(1), 93(1), or 94 during the period—
i: commencing on 8 January 2023; and
ii: ending on the close of 16 August 2023.
2: An operator of an affected food business to whom this regulation applies—
a: is exempt from the compliance referred to in subclause (1)
b: must comply with the verification requirements when compliance with those requirements is next due in accordance with regulation 87(1), 88(1), 90, 91(1), 92(1), 93(1), or 94.
3: The exemption in subclause (2)
94D: Revocation
This subpart is revoked 12 months after the date on which it comes into force.
3: Amendments to Local Government Act 2002
13: Principal Act
This Part amends the Local Government Act 2002 2023-03-21 Local Government Act 2002
14: Schedule 1AA amended
1: In Schedule 1AA, clause 27(1) long-term planning for plans that take effect in any period on or after 1 July 2024
2: In Schedule 1AA, clause 27(1)(a) or an amendment to a long-term plan
3: In Schedule 1AA
b: a consultation document related to a long-term plan (other than a consultation document related to the amendment of a long-term plan), and information relied on by the content of that document:
15: Schedule 7 amended
In Schedule 7
25B: Modifications to clause 25A during period 12 February 2023 to 1 April 2024
1: Subclauses (2) to (4)
a: commencing on 12 February 2023; and
b: ending on the close of 30 September 2024.
2: A member of a local authority, or of a committee of a local authority, has, unless lawfully excluded, the right to attend any meeting of the local authority or committee by means of audio link or audiovisual link.
3: To that end, a member may attend a meeting by means of audio link or audiovisual link despite—
a: clause 27(5)(a); and
b: any limitation or condition on the use of an audio link or audiovisual link that is contained in the local authority’s standing orders; and
c: anything else to the contrary in the local authority’s standing orders.
4: For a Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, the reference in subclause (3)
5: Subclause (6)
6: A member of the local authority or committee who attends a meeting by means of audio link or audiovisual link, in accordance with this clause, is to be counted as present for the purposes of clause 23.
7: This clause is repealed on the close of 1 October 2024.
4: Amendments to Resource Management Act 1991
16: Principal Act
This Part amends the Resource Management Act 1991 2023-03-21 Resource Management Act 1991
17: New section 329A inserted (Interpretation)
Before section 330
329A: Interpretation
1: In sections 330AAA, 330AA, and 330C affected area area
a: the regions of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay:
b: the districts of Tararua, Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa severe weather event
a: Cyclone Hale, which crossed the North Island during the period commencing on 8 January 2023 and ending on 12 January 2023:
b: heavy rainfall commencing on 26 January 2023 and ending on 3 February 2023 in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions:
c: Cyclone Gabrielle, which crossed the North Island during the period commencing on 12 February 2023 and ending on 16 February 2023.
2: This section is repealed on the close of 1 October 2024.
18: New section 330AAA inserted (Modification of requirements in section 330(3) for authorities in affected areas)
After section 330
330AAA: Modification of requirements in section 330(3) for authorities in affected areas
1: This section applies if, because of or in connection with the impacts of a severe weather event, a local authority or consent authority acting under section 330(2) enters a place on land within an affected area when the occupier cannot be found there.
2: Section 330(3) is satisfied, and the local authority or consent authority is not required to take further action to contact the occupier, if—
a: there is displayed in a prominent place on the land a notice that gives the date of entry, the reasons for entry, and the contact details of a person who can provide further information; and
b: as soon as practicable after entering the land, the local authority or consent authority serves written notice (containing the same information as in paragraph (a)
3: This section is repealed on the close of 1 October 2024.
19: New section 330AA inserted (Modification of requirements in section 330A for activities undertaken in affected areas)
After section 330A
330AA: Modification of requirements in section 330A for activities undertaken in affected areas
1: This section applies if, because of or in connection with the impacts of a severe weather event, a person, local authority, consent authority, network utility operator, or lifeline utility (or a person acting on their behalf) undertakes an activity in an affected area under section 330.
2: The time within which advice of the activity must be given under section 330A(1) is extended to 100 working days.
3: The time within which any application for a resource consent must be lodged under section 330A(2) is extended to 160 working days.
4: Section 330A(3) applies subject to the time periods as modified by subsections (2) and (3)
5: In this section, lifeline utility
6: This section is repealed on the close of 1 October 2024.
20: New section 330C inserted (Modification of requirements in section 330B for activities undertaken in affected areas)
After section 330B
330C: Modification of requirements in section 330B for activities undertaken in affected areas
1: This section applies if, because of or in connection with the impacts of a severe weather event, a person (or a person acting on their behalf) undertakes an activity to which section 330B applies in a part of an affected area to which a state of emergency or transition period under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 is in force.
2: The time within which advice of the activity must be given under section 330B(2) is extended to 100 working days.
3: The time within which any application for a resource consent must be lodged under section 330B(3) is extended to 160 working days.
4: Section 330B(4) and (5) applies subject to the time periods as modified by subsections (2) and (3)
5: This section is repealed on the close of 1 October 2024.
21: New sections 331A to 331F and cross-heading inserted
After section 331 Emergency activities undertaken by certain rural landowners and occupiers
331A: Application of sections 331B to 331E
1: Sections 331B to 331E
2: In this section and sections 331B, 331C, and 331E rural land
a: has a general rural, rural production, or Māori purpose zoning status (or the nearest equivalent zone) in the relevant district or combined plan; or
b: has located on it any marae, papakāinga, or urupā; or
c: is used for the primary purpose of livestock or horticultural farming.
3: In this section, affected area section 329A
331B: Owner or occupier of rural land may take emergency preventive or remedial measures
1: Subsection (2)
a: because of or in connection with the impacts of a severe weather event, a sudden event or an adverse effect on the environment has caused, is causing, or is likely to cause loss of life or injury to humans, loss of life or serious detriment to the health or well-being of animals, or serious damage to land or property; and
b: the owner or occupier of rural land—
i: considers, on reasonable grounds, that preventive or remedial measures are required to avoid, remedy, or mitigate the loss, injury, detriment, or damage; and
ii: considers that, in the circumstances, the measures are proportionate to the loss, injury, detriment, or damage or the risk of the loss, injury, detriment, or damage; and
iii: undertakes 1 or more activities to implement the measures in a manner that,—
A: so far as is reasonably practicable, avoids, remedies, or mitigates the adverse environmental effects; and
B: will not cause significant adverse effects beyond the boundaries of the owner’s or occupier’s rural land.
2: An activity undertaken under subsection (1)(b)(iii)
a: any relevant plan or proposed plan:
b: any applicable regulations:
c: any applicable national environmental standards.
3: However, an activity is not deemed a permitted activity under subsection (2)
a: is classified as a prohibited activity in any of the following:
i: any relevant plan or proposed plan:
ii: any applicable regulations:
iii: any applicable national environmental standard; or
b: is an activity referred to in section 12; or
c: is undertaken on culturally significant land, or will impact on culturally significant land, without the written permission of the relevant iwi or hapū given following notice to the relevant iwi or hapū by the owner or occupier of the rural land in accordance with subsection (4)
4: The notice referred to in subsection (3)(c)
a: details of the proposed activity to be undertaken; and
b: the proximity of the proposed activity to the wāhi tapu, site of cultural significance, or area subject to a statutory acknowledgement; and
c: the anticipated effect of the proposed activity on the wāhi tapu, site of cultural significance, or area subject to a statutory acknowledgement and proposals to avoid, remedy, or mitigate the effect; and
d: a request for permission from the relevant iwi or hapū to undertake the proposed activity; and
e: a request for protocols or management plans in relation to the wāhi tapu, site of cultural significance, or area subject to a statutory acknowledgement.
5: If an activity undertaken under subsection (1)(b)(iii)
6: Subsection (2)
7: In this section,— culturally significant land
a: is on, or adjoins, a wāhi tapu or a site of cultural significance; or
b: is on, near, or adjoins land that has an area that is subject to a statutory acknowledgement severe weather event section 329A statutory acknowledgement wāhi tapu site of cultural significance
a: a relevant plan or proposed plan:
b: the New Zealand Archaeological Association’s site recording scheme:
c: a list maintained under section 65 or 81 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014:
d: the records of the Maori Land Court as a site set apart as a Maori reservation under Part 17 of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993.
331C: Requirement for owner or occupier to give notice to relevant consent authority
1: An owner or occupier of rural land who has acted under section 331B
2: Notice must be given within 60 working days after the activity begins, or such extended period that the consent authority may allow by written notice.
3: If the owner or occupier fails to comply with the specified or extended notice period in subsection (2)
331D: Duty to gather information, monitor, and keep records
Nothing in section 331B or 331C
331E: Enforcement proceedings
For the purposes of activities undertaken under section 331B
331F: Repeal of this section and sections 331A to 331E
1: This section and sections 331A to 331E section 331A
2: The repeal of section 331B section 331B(2)
3: However, subsection (2) section 331B