Know Your Rights — New Zealand
Your rights in New Zealand, in plain English — with the Act behind them and clear next steps.
Explore Your RightsWhat's happening to you?
Choose your country
Understanding New Zealand's Legal System
New Zealand is a unitary parliamentary democracy with a common-law system — there is no single written constitution. Your rights come from the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, the Human Rights Act 1993, Acts of Parliament (all on legislation.govt.nz), and the common law. Specialist bodies resolve most everyday disputes: the Employment Relations Authority for work, the Tenancy Tribunal for renting, and the Disputes Tribunal for consumer claims up to $60,000.
New Zealand is unusual in one big way: the Accident Compensation Act 2001 runs a no-fault injury scheme (ACC) that covers accidental injury — and in return bars most personal-injury lawsuits. Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori also shape parts of the law. Because the law is national, the same rules apply throughout the country, with only minor local council bylaws varying by area.
Browse by Category
Workers' Rights
Minimum wage, personal grievances, leave, unlawful pay deductions, health and safety, and workplace discrimination in New Zealand.
Police Encounters
Your rights when stopped, searched, questioned, arrested or detained by NZ Police — and how to complain.
Housing Rights
Bonds, ending a tenancy, the Tenancy Tribunal, Healthy Homes Standards, rent increases, and repairs for renters in New Zealand.
Tax Rights
Income tax and PAYE, GST, KiwiSaver, disputing an IRD assessment, Working for Families, and the Independent Earner Tax Credit in New Zealand.
Family Law
Care of children, family dispute resolution, divorce (dissolution), relationship property, protection orders and child support in New Zealand.
Consumer Rights
Faulty goods, misleading traders, the Disputes Tribunal, unfair contract terms, credit rights and surcharges in New Zealand.
Immigration Rights
Migrant worker rights, reporting exploitation, visa conditions, deportation appeals, refugee claims, and partner/family visas in New Zealand.
Healthcare Rights
The Code of Health & Disability rights, informed consent, ACC injury claims, health complaints, access to records, and mental health rights in New Zealand.
Immigration Pathways
Work visas, skilled-migrant and Green List residence, partner/dependent visas, parent visas, and New Zealand citizenship.
Benefits & Welfare
Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support, Supported Living Payment, Accommodation Supplement, Working for Families, and benefit appeals in New Zealand.
Scams & Fraud Recovery
Reporting scams, recovering money from your bank, online harm, investment scams, identity theft, and phishing in New Zealand.
Data Privacy & Digital Rights
Access and correct your personal information, notifiable privacy breaches, privacy complaints, Official Information Act requests, and online harm in New Zealand.
How It Works
Find your situation
Browse categories or search for the issue you're facing — employment, housing, police encounters, ACC, taxes, benefits, and more.
Understand your rights
Read a plain-language summary of your rights under New Zealand law — based on Acts of Parliament and official government guidance.
Take action
Get clear next steps: what to say, what to file, who to contact, and where to find free legal help if you need it.