Protected Disclosures Act 2000

1: Title
This Act is the Protected Disclosures Act 2000.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on 1 January 2001.
3: Interpretation
1: In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— appropriate authority
a: includes—
i: the Commissioner of Police:
ii: the Controller and Auditor-General:
iii: the Director of the Serious Fraud Office:
iv: the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security:
v: an Ombudsman:
vi: the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment:
vii: the Independent Police Conduct
viii: the Solicitor-General:
ix: the Public Service Commissioner
x: the Health and Disability Commissioner; and
b: includes the head of every public sector organisation, whether or not mentioned in paragraph (a); and
c: includes a private sector body which comprises members of a particular profession or calling and which has power to discipline its members; but
d: does not include—
i: a Minister of the Crown; or
ii: a member of Parliament classified information section 78AA employee
a: a former employee:
b: a homeworker within the meaning of section 5
c: a person seconded to the organisation:
d: an individual who is engaged or contracted under a contract for services to do work for the organisation:
e: a person concerned in the management of the organisation (including a person who is a member of the board or governing body of the organisation)
f: in relation to the New Zealand Defence Force, a member of the Armed Forces:
g: a person who works for the organisation as a volunteer without reward or expectation of reward for that work environment section 2 intelligence and security agency section 4 Ombudsman Ombudsmen Act 1975 section 13
a: any person holding office under an Ombudsman to whom any of the powers of an Ombudsman have been delegated under section 28
b: any person whom the Chief Ombudsman organisation protected disclosure of information section 6(2) public official public sector organisation
a: an organisation named or specified in Schedule 1
b: an organisation named in Schedule 1
c: a local authority or public body named or specified in Schedule 1
d: the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives:
e: the Parliamentary Service:
f: an intelligence and security agency:
g: a council-controlled organisation within the meaning of section 6 serious wrongdoing
a: an unlawful, corrupt, or irregular use of funds or resources of a public sector organisation
b: an act, omission, or course of conduct that constitutes a serious risk to public health or public safety or the environment; or
c: an act, omission, or course of conduct that constitutes a serious risk to the maintenance of law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences and the right to a fair trial; or
d: an act, omission, or course of conduct that constitutes an offence; or
e: an act, omission, or course of conduct by a public official that is oppressive, improperly discriminatory, or grossly negligent, or that constitutes gross mismanagement,— whether the wrongdoing occurs before or after the commencement of this Act working day
a: a Saturday, a Sunday, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, the Sovereign’s birthday, Te Rā Aro ki a Matariki/Matariki Observance Day, and Labour Day; and
ab: if Waitangi Day or Anzac Day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following Monday; and
b: a day in the period beginning on 25 December in any year and ending on 15 January (both dates inclusive) in the following year.
2: An example used in this Act has the following status:
a: the example is only illustrative of the provision to which it relates and does not limit the provision; and
b: if the example and the provision to which it relates are inconsistent, the provision prevails. Section 3(1) appropriate authority amended 29 November 2007 section 26 Independent Police Conduct Authority Amendment Act 2007 Section 3(1) appropriate authority amended 7 August 2020 section 135 Public Service Act 2020 Section 3(1) classified information inserted 28 September 2017 section 319 Intelligence and Security Act 2017 Section 3(1) employee substituted 2 October 2000 section 240 Employment Relations Act 2000 Section 3(1) employee amended 6 May 2009 section 4(1) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 3(1) employee added 6 May 2009 section 4(2) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 3(1) intelligence and security agency replaced 28 September 2017 section 335 Intelligence and Security Act 2017 Section 3(1) Ombudsman amended 6 May 2009 section 4(3) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 3(1) public funds or public resources repealed 1 July 2001 section 53 Public Audit Act 2001 Section 3(1) public official substituted 6 May 2009 section 4(4) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 3(1) public sector organisation substituted 1 July 2003 section 262 Local Government Act 2002 Section 3(1) serious wrongdoing amended 1 July 2001 section 53 Public Audit Act 2001 Section 3(1) working day replaced 12 April 2022 wehenga 7 Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o te Kāhui o Matariki 2022 section 7 Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act 2022 Section 3(1) working day inserted 1 January 2014 section 8 Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Act 2013 Section 3(2) added 6 May 2009 section 4(5) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
4: Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown
5: Purpose of Act
The purpose of this Act is to promote the public interest—
a: by facilitating the disclosure and investigation of matters of serious wrongdoing in or by an organisation; and
b: by protecting employees who, in accordance with this Act, make disclosures of information about serious wrongdoing in or by an organisation. Protected disclosures
6: Disclosures to which Act applies
1: An employee of an organisation may disclose information in accordance with
a: the information is about serious wrongdoing in or by that organisation; and
b: the employee believes on reasonable grounds that the information is true or likely to be true; and
c: the employee wishes to disclose the information so that the serious wrongdoing can be investigated; and
d: the employee wishes the disclosure to be protected.
2: Any disclosure made in accordance with subsection (1)
3: If an employee of an organisation believes on reasonable grounds that the information he or she discloses is about serious wrongdoing in or by that organisation but the belief is mistaken, the information must be treated as complying with subsection (1)﻿(a) for the purposes of the protections conferred by this Act and by section 66(1)﻿(a)
4: This section is subject to section 6A Section 6(1) amended 6 May 2009 section 5(1) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 6(3) added 6 May 2009 section 5(2) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 6(4) added 6 May 2009 section 5(2) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
6A: Technical failure to comply with or refer to Act
1: A disclosure of information is not prevented from being a protected disclosure of information for the purposes of this Act merely because—
a: of a technical failure to comply with sections 7 to 10 section 6
b: the employee does not expressly refer to the name of this Act when the disclosure is made. Example
Person A is an employee of Organisation B. B’s internal procedures for receiving and dealing with information about serious wrongdoing require the information to be provided to B’s Human Resources Manager using a particular form. Person A provides the information using the form to B’s chief executive rather than the Human Resources Manager. Person A otherwise substantially complies with the Act. The failure to comply is merely technical. Under this section, the disclosure is still a protected disclosure for the purposes of this Act.
2: This section applies despite anything to the contrary expressed or implied in the relevant internal procedures. Section 6A inserted 6 May 2009 section 6 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
6B: Role of Ombudsmen in providing information and guidance
1: An Ombudsman may provide information and guidance to an employee on any matter concerning this Act (either on a request made at any time or at the Ombudsman’s discretion).
2: If an employee notifies the Office of the Ombudsmen, orally or in writing, that he or she has disclosed, or is considering the disclosure of, information under this Act, an Ombudsman must provide information and guidance to that employee on the following matters:
a: the kinds of disclosures that are protected under this Act:
b: the manner in which, and the persons to whom, information may be disclosed under this Act:
c: the broad role of each authority referred to in paragraph (a)﻿(i) to (x) of the definition of appropriate authority in section 3(1)
d: the protections and remedies available under this Act and the Human Rights Act 1993
e: how particular information disclosed to an appropriate authority may be referred to another appropriate authority under this Act. Section 6B inserted 6 May 2009 section 6 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
6C: Information about internal procedures
(1): For the purpose of this Act, an Ombudsman may request 1 or more of the following from an organisation:
a: information concerning whether the organisation has established and published internal procedures for receiving and dealing with information about serious wrongdoing; and
b: a copy of those procedures; and
c: information about how those procedures operate.
2: An organisation is not required to comply with a request made under subsection (1) if it is not a public sector organisation. Section 6C inserted 6 May 2009 section 6 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
7: Disclosure must be made in accordance with internal procedures
1: An employee must disclose information in the manner provided by internal procedures established by and published in the organisation, or the relevant part of the organisation, for receiving and dealing with information about serious wrongdoing.
2: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14
8: Disclosure may be made to head of organisation in certain circumstances
1: A disclosure of information may be made to the head or a deputy head of the organisation if—
a: the organisation has no internal procedures established and published for receiving and dealing with information about serious wrongdoing; or
b: the employee making the disclosure believes on reasonable grounds that the person to whom the wrongdoing should be reported in accordance with the internal procedures is or may be involved in the serious wrongdoing alleged in the disclosure; or
c: the employee making the disclosure believes on reasonable grounds that the person to whom the wrongdoing should be reported in accordance with the internal procedures is, by reason of any relationship or association with a person who is or may be involved in the serious wrongdoing alleged in the disclosure, not a person to whom it is appropriate to make the disclosure.
2: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14
9: Disclosure may be made to appropriate authority in certain circumstances
1: A disclosure of information may be made to an appropriate authority if the employee making the disclosure believes on reasonable grounds—
a: that the head of the organisation is or may be involved in the serious wrongdoing alleged in the disclosure; or
b: that immediate reference to an appropriate authority is justified by reason of the urgency of the matter to which the disclosure relates, or some other exceptional circumstances; or
c: that there has been no action or recommended action on the matter to which the disclosure relates within 20 working days after the date on which the disclosure was made.
2: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14
10: Disclosure may be made to Minister of the Crown or Ombudsman in certain circumstances
1: A disclosure of information may be made to a Minister of the Crown or an Ombudsman if the employee making the disclosure—
a: has already made substantially the same disclosure in accordance with section 7 section 8 section 9
b: believes on reasonable grounds that the person or appropriate authority to whom the disclosure was made—
i: has decided not to investigate the matter; or
ii: has decided to investigate the matter but has not made progress with the investigation within a reasonable time after the date on which the disclosure was made to the person or appropriate authority; or
iii: has investigated the matter but has not taken any action in respect of the matter nor recommended the taking of action in respect of the matter, as the case may require; and
c: continues to believe on reasonable grounds that the information disclosed is true or likely to be true.
2: A disclosure under this section may be made to an Ombudsman only if—
a: it is in respect of a public sector organisation and it has not already been made to an Ombudsman under section 9
b: it is in respect of an organisation other than a public sector organisation and the disclosure is made for the purpose of allowing the Ombudsman to act under section 15 16
3: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14 Section 10(2) substituted 6 May 2009 section 7 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
11: Public sector organisations to establish internal procedures
1: Every public sector organisation must have in operation appropriate internal procedures for receiving and dealing with information about serious wrongdoing in or by that organisation.
2: The internal procedures must—
a: comply with the principles of natural justice; and
b: identify the persons in the organisation to whom a disclosure may be made; and
c: include reference to the effect of sections 8 to 10
3: Information about the existence of the internal procedures, and adequate information on how to use the procedures, must be published widely in the organisation and must be republished at regular intervals. Intelligence and security and international relations
12: Special rules on procedures of organisations relating to intelligence and security matters
1: This section applies to—
a: an intelligence and security agency; and
b: any other organisation in the public sector that holds or has access to—
i: classified information; or
ii: information relating to the activities of an intelligence and security agency.
2: An organisation to which this section applies must have internal procedures that—
a: provide that the persons to whom a disclosure of information described in subsection (1)﻿(b) may be made must be persons holding an appropriate security clearance and be authorised to have access to the information; and
b: state that the only appropriate authority to whom information described in subsection (1)﻿(b) may be disclosed is the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security; and
c: invite any employee who has disclosed, or is considering the disclosure of, information described in subsection (1)﻿(b) under this Act to seek information and guidance from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, and not from an Ombudsman; and
d: state that no disclosure of information described in subsection (1)﻿(b) may be made to an Ombudsman or to a Minister of the Crown other than—
i: the Minister responsible for an intelligence and security agency; or
ii: the Prime Minister. Section 12 replaced 28 September 2017 section 320 Intelligence and Security Act 2017
13: Special rules on procedures of certain organisations relating to international relations
1: This section applies to the internal procedures of the following agencies to the extent that those procedures relate to the disclosure of information (other than classified information) concerning the international relations of the Government of New Zealand:
a: the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; and
b: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and
c: the Ministry of Defence; and
d: the New Zealand Defence Force.
2: The internal procedures must—
a: state that the only appropriate authority to whom information may be disclosed is an Ombudsman; and
b: invite any employee who has disclosed, or is considering the disclosure of, information under this Act to seek information and guidance from an Ombudsman; and
c: state that no disclosure may be made to a Minister of the Crown other than—
i: the Prime Minister; or
ii: the Minister responsible for foreign affairs and trade. Section 13 replaced 28 September 2017 section 320 Intelligence and Security Act 2017
14: Further protection of information relating to intelligence and security and international relations
Neither the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security nor an Ombudsman may disclose information referred to in section 12 section 13 subpart 1 Ombudsmen Act 1975 Section 14 amended 28 September 2017 section 335 Intelligence and Security Act 2017 Further provisions concerning Ombudsmen Heading substituted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
15: Ombudsmen may escalate disclosure to appropriate authority or Minister or investigate disclosure
1: An Ombudsman may, with the consent of an employee who has made a protected disclosure of information to any organisation, appropriate authority, or other person in accordance with this Act,—
a: refer the disclosure to an appropriate authority or to another appropriate authority if the Ombudsman considers, after consultation with that appropriate authority, that any of the circumstances in section 9(1)﻿(a) to (c)
b: refer the disclosure to a Minister of the Crown if the Ombudsman considers, after consultation with that Minister, that any of the circumstances in section 10(1)﻿(b)﻿(i) to (iii)
c: investigate the disclosure if the Ombudsman considers that—
i: the disclosure relates to a public sector organisation; and
ii: any of the circumstances in section 9(1)﻿(a) to (c) section 10(1)﻿(b)﻿(i) to (iii)
2: Subsection (1)—
a: applies despite sections 7 to 10
b: does not authorise an Ombudsman to act if the protected disclosure of information is in respect of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
3: If an Ombudsman makes a referral under this section, he or she must promptly notify any organisation or other person that he or she is aware may be investigating the disclosure that the information disclosed has been referred under this section to an appropriate authority or Minister of the Crown for investigation.
4: A protected disclosure of information does not, by reason of an Ombudsman acting under subsection (1), cease to be a protected disclosure of information.
5: Nothing in this section prevents a protected disclosure of information being referred under—
a: this section on more than 1 occasion; or
b: section 16
6: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14 Section 15 substituted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
15A: Ombudsmen may take over some investigations or investigate in conjunction with public sector organisation
1: An Ombudsman may take over an investigation of a disclosure of information by a public sector organisation, or investigate a disclosure of information in conjunction with a public sector organisation, if—
a: the disclosure is in respect of the public sector organisation; and
b: the Ombudsman considers that any of the circumstances in section 10(1)﻿(b)﻿(i) to (iii)
c: the employee who made the disclosure consents to the Ombudsman acting under this section; and
d: in the case of an investigation in conjunction with a public sector organisation, the public sector organisation consents to the Ombudsman acting under this section.
2: However, subsection (1) does not authorise an Ombudsman to act if the protected disclosure of information is in respect of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
3: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14 Section 15A inserted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
15B: Ombudsmen may review and guide investigations by public sector organisations
1: An Ombudsman may review and guide any investigation of a protected disclosure of information by a public sector organisation (either on the organisation’s request or at the Ombudsman’s discretion).
2: Subsection (1) does not authorise an Ombudsman to issue a direction to a public sector organisation requiring it to act in a particular manner in relation to an investigation.
3: Subsection (1) does not apply if the public sector organisation is the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
4: This section is subject to sections 12 to 14 Section 15B inserted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
15C: Ombudsmen may receive reports on investigations and include information in annual report
1: The Ombudsmen may receive reports on the following investigations:
a: investigations referred under section 15
b: investigations in relation to which an Ombudsman has acted under section 15B
c: investigations in relation to which an Ombudsman has otherwise provided information or guidance under this Act.
2: The Ombudsmen may include (among other matters) in their annual report under section 29
a: current guidance issued by the Ombudsmen in respect of this Act:
b: the number and types of information and guidance inquiries made to the Ombudsmen in respect of this Act:
c: the number of protected disclosures of information made to the Ombudsmen:
d: the number of investigations of disclosures of information undertaken or taken over by the Ombudsmen:
e: the number of investigations referred under section 15
f: the outcome of the matters referred to in paragraphs (b) to (e) (if known by the Ombudsmen). Section 15C inserted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
15D: Chief Ombudsman may appoint persons to perform Ombudsman’s functions under this Act
The Chief Ombudsman may, by written notice, appoint a person to perform an Ombudsman’s functions under this Act. Section 15D inserted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
15E: Miscellaneous provisions relating to Ombudsmen
1: The functions and powers of Ombudsmen under the Ombudsmen Act 1975 section 13(3)
2: The Ombudsmen have the same powers in relation to investigating a disclosure of information made under this Act as Ombudsmen have in relation to a complaint under the Ombudsmen Act 1975
3: Sections 19 20 30 section 6C 15B 15C Section 15E inserted 6 May 2009 section 8 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Reference from one appropriate authority to another of information disclosed Heading inserted 6 May 2009 section 9 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
16: Reference from one appropriate authority to another of information disclosed
1: Where an appropriate authority to whom a protected disclosure of information is made considers, after consultation with another appropriate authority, that the information disclosed can be more suitably and conveniently investigated by that other appropriate authority, the appropriate authority to whom the information is disclosed may refer that information to that other appropriate authority.
2: Where, under subsection (1), information is referred from one appropriate authority to another, the appropriate authority to whom the information has been referred must promptly notify the person by whom the protected disclosure of information was made that the information disclosed has been so referred.
3: A protected disclosure of information does not, by reason of the information being referred under subsection (1), cease to be a protected disclosure of information.
4: Nothing in this section prevents a protected disclosure of information being transferred from one appropriate authority to another on more than 1 occasion. Protections
17: Personal grievance
1: Where an employee who makes a protected disclosure of information under this Act claims to have suffered retaliatory action from his or her employer or former employer, that employee,—
a: if that retaliatory action consists of or includes dismissal, may have a personal grievance, for the purposes of paragraph (a) of section 103(1) Part 9
b: if that retaliatory action consists of action other than dismissal or includes an action in addition to dismissal, may have a personal grievance, for the purposes of paragraph (b) of section 103(1) Part 9
2: This section applies only to employees within the meaning of the Employment Relations Act 2000 Section 17 substituted 2 October 2000 section 240 Employment Relations Act 2000
18: Immunity from civil and criminal proceedings
1: No person who—
a: makes a protected disclosure of information; or
b: refers a protected disclosure of information to an appropriate authority for investigation— is liable to any civil or criminal proceeding or to a disciplinary proceeding by reason of having made or referred that disclosure of information.
2: Subsection (1) applies despite any prohibition of or restriction on the disclosure of information under any enactment, rule of law, contract, oath, or practice.
19: Confidentiality
1: Every person to whom a protected disclosure is made or referred must use his or her best endeavours not to disclose information that might identify the person who made the protected disclosure unless—
a: that person consents in writing to the disclosure of that information; or
b: the person who has acquired knowledge of the protected disclosure reasonably believes that disclosure of identifying information—
i: is essential to the effective investigation of the allegations in the protected disclosure; or
ii: is essential to prevent serious risk to public health or public safety or the environment; or
iii: is essential having regard to the principles of natural justice.
2: A request for information under the Official Information Act 1982 or under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 constable
3: An Ombudsman may—
a: provide information and guidance to organisations and employees concerning the circumstances in which anonymous disclosures of information may be made under this Act; and
b: otherwise provide advice and assistance to organisations and other persons in relation to the duty specified in subsection (1). Section 19(2) amended 6 May 2009 section 10(1) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 19(2) amended 1 October 2008 section 116(a)﻿(ii) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Section 19(3) added 6 May 2009 section 10(2) Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
19A: Protections extend to volunteers of supporting information
1: The protections conferred by sections 17 to 19
2: In this section, a person volunteers supporting information if the person—
a: provides information, in support of a protected disclosure of information made by another person, to—
i: a person investigating the disclosure; or
ii: the person who made the disclosure; and
b: is an employee of the organisation in respect of which the disclosure was made; and
c: wishes to provide the supporting information so that the serious wrongdoing can be investigated.
3: However, a person does not volunteer supporting information if the person provides the supporting information only after being—
a: required to do so under any enactment, rule of law, or contract for the purposes of the investigation; or
b: approached during the course of the investigation by, or on behalf of, the person investigating the matter. Section 19A inserted 6 May 2009 section 11 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Miscellaneous provisions
20: False allegations
The protections conferred by this Act and by section 66(1)﻿(a)
21: Other protections preserved
This Act does not limit any protection, privilege, immunity, or defence, whether statutory or otherwise, relating to the disclosure of information.
22: Legal professional privilege
1: Nothing in this Act authorises a person to disclose information protected by legal professional privilege.
2: A disclosure of such information is not a protected disclosure for the purposes of this Act.
23: No contracting out of Act
1: This Act has effect despite any provision to the contrary in any agreement or contract.
2: Any provision in any agreement or contract that purports to require an employee to withdraw or abandon a disclosure of information made under this Act is of no effect. Section 23 substituted 6 May 2009 section 12 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009
24: Review of operation of Act
Section 24 repealed 6 May 2009 section 12 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2009 Amendment to Human Rights Act 1993
25: Victimisation
Amendment(s) incorporated in the Act(s)