Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021
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Version as at 1 July 2026
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021
Public Act |
2021 No 31 |
|
Date of assent |
16 August 2021 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
Note
The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.
This Act is administered by the Treasury.
Contents
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021.
2 Commencement
(1)
Section 6, subpart 6 of Part 6, and Schedule 1 come into force on the day after the date of Royal assent.
(2)
The rest of this Act comes into force on a date or dates to be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council, and 1 or more Orders in Council may be made appointing different dates for different provisions and for different purposes.
(3)
However, any provision that has not earlier been brought into force comes into force on 1 October 2022.
(4)
An Order in Council made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 2(2): this Act (except section 6, subpart 6 of Part 6, and Schedule 1) brought into force, on 1 July 2022, by clause 2 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 Commencement Order 2022 (SL 2022/145).
Part 1 Preliminary provisions
3 Purposes
The purposes of this Act are to—
(a)
provide for the continuation of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand; and
(b)
promote the prosperity and well-being of New Zealanders and contribute to a sustainable and productive economy.
4 Overview
(1)
This section is a guide to the general scheme and effect of this Act.
(2)
This Part deals with preliminary matters, including specifying the purposes of this Act and definitions of terms used in this Act.
(3)
Part 2 provides for the continuation of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (the Bank). The Part provides for—
(a)
the Bank’s objectives, including the economic objective and the financial stability objective; and
(b)
the Bank’s functions, including acting as New Zealand’s central bank, acting as a prudential regulator and supervisor of banks, insurers, and other financial institutions, and monitoring the financial system; and
(c)
the Bank to be a body corporate with the power to do anything that a natural person may do; and
(d)
the role of the Minister to oversee and manage the Crown’s interests in, and relationship with, the Bank; and
(e)
a board to act as the governing body of the Bank; and
(f)
a Governor of the Bank to be its chief executive and a member of the board; and
(g)
a monetary policy committee (the MPC) to perform the function of formulating monetary policy.
(4)
Part 3 relates to the Bank’s function to act as New Zealand’s central bank. This function includes—
(a)
formulating (through the MPC) and implementing a monetary policy directed to the economic objective; and
(b)
managing foreign reserves and otherwise dealing in foreign exchange; and
(c)
issuing bank notes and coins in New Zealand; and
(d)
providing liquidity facilities; and
(e)
providing settlement accounts; and
(f)
operating or otherwise participating in payments and settlement systems.
(5)
Part 4 provides for operational matters, including—
(a)
Government directions to the Bank; and
(b)
an obligation on the Bank to be a good employer; and
(c)
protections from liability for the Bank and other persons; and
(d)
providing for how the Bank enters into contracts and other enforceable obligations; and
(e)
a power for the Minister to review the Bank’s operations and performance and a power for the Minister and certain other Ministers to request that the Bank supply information.
(6)
Part 5 relates to financial and accountability matters for the Bank. The Part provides for—
(a)
the Minister to issue a financial policy remit. The board must have regard to the remit under section 49; and
(b)
the Minister to give directions to the Bank relating to its minimum level of capital and financial risk management; and
(c)
the Minister and the Bank to enter into a funding agreement concerning the Bank’s expenditure; and
(d)
the Bank to pay an annual dividend to the Crown; and
(e)
reporting obligations, including a statement of intent, a statement of performance expectations, and an annual report; and
(f)
other statements and reports to support accountability, including a statement about the Bank’s management of financial risks, a statement about its policies for acting as a prudential regulator and supervisor, and reports on the regulatory impacts of its policies.
(7)
Part 6 contains miscellaneous provisions, including—
(a)
a power for the Bank to gather information relating to its central banking and financial system oversight functions; and
(b)
a power for the Bank to share information; and
(c)
providing for the Council of Financial Regulators to facilitate co-operation and co-ordination between financial regulators; and
(d)
setting out regulation-making powers (including powers to prescribe fees and levies).
5 Interpretation
(1)
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
Bank or Reserve Bank means the Reserve Bank of New Zealand continued under this Act
Bank group has the meaning set out in section 215
bank note means any negotiable instrument used or circulated, or intended for use or circulation, as currency
board means the members of the Bank’s board who number not less than the required quorum acting together as a board
class of outputs has the meaning set out in section 215
committee—
(a)
means a committee appointed under clause 14 of Schedule 2; but
(b)
does not include the MPC
committee member means a member of a committee
chairperson—
(a)
means the chairperson of the board; but
(b)
in relation to the MPC, means the Governor (or a person who is acting under clause 36 of Schedule 3)
charter means a charter that is in force under section 101
code of conduct means a code of conduct for members of the MPC that is in force under section 106
department has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989
deputy chairperson means the deputy chairperson of the board
designated FMI has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Financial Market Infrastructures Act 2021
direction means a direction given by a Minister to the Bank under this Act or the prudential legislation (for example, a direction on government policy or a direction to perform an additional function)
economic objective means an economic objective set out in section 9(1)(a) (or in an Order in Council made under section 125)
excluded act or omission, for the purposes of sections 181 to 188, has the meaning set out in section 180
fees framework means the framework determined by the Government from time to time for the classification and remuneration of statutory and other bodies in which the Crown has an interest
financial policy remit means a remit issued under section 203
financial product has the same meaning as in section 7 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013
financial stability objective means the objective of protecting and promoting the stability of New Zealand’s financial system
financial year means the 12 months ending on the close of 30 June or any other date determined for the Bank by the Minister of Finance
foreign exchange means—
(a)
the currency of a country other than New Zealand:
(b)
a financial product in respect of which any amount payable is payable in a foreign currency
foreign reserves means foreign exchange held by the Bank
formulating, in relation to monetary policy, has the meaning set out in section 117(2)
generally accepted accounting practice has the meaning set out in section 215
Governor means a person who occupies the position of Governor of the Bank (whether the person is appointed under section 82 or 96)
information includes documents (within the meaning of section 4 of the Evidence Act 2006) and data
infringement fee, in relation to an infringement offence, means the infringement fee for the offence specified in section 166 or 265
infringement offence means an offence under section 166 or 265
interested or interests has the meaning set out in section 61
law enforcement or regulatory agency means any of the following:
(a)
any department that, with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of any part of this Act, the prudential legislation, the Financial Markets Authority Act 2011, the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, or the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003:
(b)
the Inland Revenue Department:
(c)
[Repealed](d)
the Treasury:
(e)
the Financial Markets Authority:
(f)
the Commerce Commission:
(g)
the Director of the Serious Fraud Office:
(h)
the New Zealand Police:
(i)
the Registrar of Companies:
(j)
the Registrar of Financial Service Providers:
(k)
the Registrar of Friendly Societies and Credit Unions:
(l)
the regulator within the meaning of section 30 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 and the regulating department referred to in that section:
(m)
a person or agency that is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition
licensed insurer has the same meaning as in section 6(1) of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010
licensed NBDT has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Non-bank Deposit Takers Act 2013
member—
(a)
means a person who occupies the position of member of the board of the Bank (including the Governor); but
(b)
in relation to the MPC, means a member of the MPC
Minister means the Minister of the Crown who, under the authority of a warrant or with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of this Act
monitor means the department appointed under section 80(1)
MPC or monetary policy committee means the committee of the Bank that is continued under section 97
MPC remit means a remit issued under this Act (see section 122)
prudential legislation means—
(c)
(e)
the secondary legislation made under any Act referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d)
registered bank has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989
regulated entity means any of the following:
(a)
a registered bank:
(b)
a licensed insurer:
(c)
a licensed NBDT:
(d)
an operator of a designated FMI
regulations means regulations made under this Act
remit advice means the advice given by the Bank under clause 2 of Schedule 3
subsidiary has the meaning set out in section 110(2).
(2)
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, references to a person performing functions and exercising powers, or carrying out responsibilities, includes carrying out duties.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 10
Section 5(1) AML Act: repealed, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Section 5(1) direction: amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Section 5(1) law enforcement or regulatory agency paragraph (a): amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Section 5(1) law enforcement or regulatory agency paragraph (c): repealed, on 1 September 2022, by section 107(1) of the Data and Statistics Act 2022 (2022 No 39).
6 Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1 have effect according to their terms.
7 Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
Part 2 Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Subpart 1—Continuation of Reserve Bank of New Zealand
8 Continuation of Reserve Bank of New Zealand
(1)
There continues to be an organisation called the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
(2)
The Bank is the same body as the Reserve Bank constituted under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 5
9 Bank’s objectives
(1)
The Bank’s main objectives are—
Economic objective
(a)
the economic objective of achieving and maintaining stability in the general level of prices over the medium term; and
Financial stability objective
(b)
the financial stability objective of protecting and promoting the stability of New Zealand’s financial system; and
Central bank objective
(c)
otherwise acting as New Zealand’s central bank in a way that furthers the purposes of this Act.
(2)
However, if an Order in Council is in force under section 125, the economic objective or objectives that apply under subsection (1)(a) are those that are specified in the order.
(3)
When the Bank is performing or exercising a function or power that is conferred or imposed by other legislation, the Bank also has the objective of acting in a way that furthers the objectives or purposes of that other legislation.
Section 9(1)(a) heading: replaced, on 20 December 2023, by section 4 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 9(1)(a): replaced, on 20 December 2023, by section 4 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
10 Bank’s functions
(1)
The Bank’s functions are as follows:
(a)
to act as the central bank for New Zealand, including by—
(i)
formulating (through the MPC) and implementing a monetary policy directed to the economic objective, while recognising the Crown’s right to determine economic policy (see subpart 2 of Part 3); and
(ii)
doing the other things set out in section 116:
(b)
to act as a prudential regulator and supervisor under prudential legislation, including by—
(i)
carrying out prudential supervision; and
(ii)
imposing prudential standards or other requirements; and
(iii)
monitoring compliance with, investigating conduct that constitutes or may constitute a contravention of, and enforcing that legislation; and
(iv)
taking appropriate action in respect of persons that have contravened, are contravening, or are likely to contravene that legislation or are otherwise in financial or other difficulties:
(ba)
to manage and administer the depositor compensation scheme under the Deposit Takers Act 2023, including doing the things set out in section 195 of that Act:
(c)
to monitor the financial system, including by collecting and analysing information and publishing statistics and other information in connection with the financial system (for example, publishing a financial stability report under section 170); and
(d)
to monitor the needs of the public for bank notes and coins; and
(e)
to co-operate with—
(i)
other law enforcement or regulatory agencies (see, for example, subpart 3 of Part 6, which relates to information sharing); and
(ii)
overseas central banks and relevant international institutions; and
(iii)
Australian financial authorities prescribed under section 68A of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989; and
(iv)
other overseas bodies that perform functions that correspond with, or are similar to, any of those conferred on the Bank:
(f)
to provide, or facilitate the provision of,—
(i)
information to the public that is relevant to the Bank’s objectives; and
(ii)
other information in connection with the functions or powers conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act, the prudential legislation, or any other legislation (including promoting public awareness and understanding of the Bank’s activities and operations):
(g)
to keep under review the law, policies, and practices that are relevant to its other functions under this section (including overseas law, policies, and practices):
(h)
to perform any other functions that the Minister may direct the Bank to perform under section 11:
(i)
to perform and exercise the functions or powers conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act, the prudential legislation, or any other legislation:
(j)
any functions that are incidental and related to, or consequential on, its functions set out in this subsection.
(2)
In performing its functions, the Bank must act consistently with its objectives.
(3)
The function in subsection (1)(e) includes acting as a member of the Council of Financial Regulators and as a chairperson of the council (jointly with the Financial Markets Authority or in accordance with section 287(2)).
(4)
Subsection (1)(f) is subject to any provision of the legislation referred to in that paragraph that restricts the publication or disclosure of information by the Bank (for example, section 105 of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 14
Section 10(1)(a)(i): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 10(1)(ba): inserted, on 1 April 2025, by section 479(3) of the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (2023 No 35).
Section 10(1)(f)(ii): amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Section 10(1)(i): amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
11 Minister may add functions on Bank’s request
(1)
The Bank may request the Minister to direct the Bank to perform any additional function that is consistent with the Bank’s objectives.
(2)
The Minister may, if the Minister thinks fit, give the Bank a direction to perform the additional function that is requested under subsection (1).
(3)
Sections 173 and 174 apply to the direction.
12 Status of Bank
The Bank—
(a)
is a body corporate; and
(b)
is accordingly a legal entity separate from its members, office holders, employees, and the Crown; and
(c)
continues in existence until it is dissolved by an Act.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 15
13 Core things Bank can do
The Bank may do anything authorised by—
(a)
this Act; or
(b)
the prudential legislation; or
(c)
[Repealed](d)
any other legislation.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 16
Section 13(c): repealed, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
14 Other things Bank can do
(1)
The Bank may do anything that a natural person of full age and capacity may do.
(2)
Subsection (1) applies except as provided in this Act or another Act or rule of law.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 17
15 Acts must be for purpose of functions
The Bank may do an act under section 13 or 14 only for the purpose of performing its functions.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 18
Subpart 2—Validity of acts
16 Acts in breach of statute are invalid
(1)
An act of the Bank is invalid, unless section 17 applies, if it is—
(a)
an act that is contrary to, or outside the authority of, an Act; or
(b)
an act that is done otherwise than for the purpose of performing its functions.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not limit any discretion of a court to grant relief in respect of a minor or technical breach.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 19
17 Some natural person acts protected
(1)
Section 16, or any rule of law to similar effect, does not prevent a person dealing with the Bank from enforcing a transaction that is a natural person act unless the person dealing with the Bank had, or ought reasonably to have had, knowledge—
(a)
of an express restriction in an Act that makes the act contrary to, or outside the authority of, the Act; or
(b)
that the act is done otherwise than for the purpose of performing the Bank’s functions.
(2)
A person who relies on subsection (1) has the onus of proving that that person did not have, and ought not reasonably to have had, the knowledge referred to in that subsection.
(3)
The Bank must report, in its annual report, each transaction that the Bank has performed in the year to which the report relates that was invalid under section 16 but enforced in reliance on this section.
(4)
This section does not affect any person’s other remedies (for example, remedies in contract) under the general law.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 20
18 Limits on protection of natural person acts
Section 17 does not limit—
(a)
section 59 (which provides for orders to require or restrain acts); or
(b)
the board bringing an action against a member who voted for or otherwise authorised the act for breach of their individual duties as a member; or
(c)
a member who voted for or otherwise authorised the act being removed from office for breach of the individual duties of members or the collective duties of the board; or
(d)
an application, in accordance with the law, for judicial review; or
(e)
section 69 (which allows the Bank to avoid certain acts done in breach of conflict of interest rules).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 21
19 Acts that are not in best interests of Bank
It is irrelevant to the validity of an act that the act is not, or would not be, in the best interests of the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 22
20 Dealings between Bank and other persons
(1)
The Bank may not assert against a person dealing with the Bank that—
(a)
a person held out by the Bank to be a member, the Governor, an office holder, an employee, or an agent of the Bank (as the case may be)—
(i)
has not been duly appointed in that capacity or has ceased to be appointed in that capacity; or
(ii)
does not have the authority to exercise a power that, given the nature of the Bank, a person appointed to that capacity customarily has authority to exercise; or
(iii)
does not have the authority to exercise a power that the Bank holds them out as having; or
(b)
a document issued on behalf of the Bank by a member, the Governor, an office holder, an employee, or an agent of the Bank with actual or usual authority to issue the document is not valid or genuine.
(2)
However, the Bank may assert any of those matters if the person dealing with the Bank had, or ought reasonably to have had, knowledge of the matter.
(3)
Nothing in this section affects a person’s right to apply, in accordance with the law, for judicial review.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 23
21 Interpretation for sections 12 to 20
In sections 12 to 20, unless the context otherwise requires,—
act includes a transfer of property, rights, or interests to or by the Bank
do includes—
(a)
to do an act; and
(b)
to have a capacity; and
(c)
to have or exercise a power, right, or privilege
natural person act—
(a)
means an act that a natural person of full age and capacity can do (whether or not the act is something that is also authorised by an Act); and
(b)
includes entry into a contract for, or relating to, 1 or more of the following:
(i)
the acquisition of financial products or borrowing:
(ii)
the purchase, leasing, or sale of, or other dealings with, property:
(iii)
the employment, or engagement of the services, of a person
person dealing—
(a)
means the other party to the transaction, if the act of the Bank is a transaction; and
(b)
includes a person who has acquired property, rights, or interests from the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 24
Subpart 3—Minister’s role
22 Minister’s role
(1)
The role of the Minister is to oversee and manage the Crown’s interests in, and relationship with, the Bank and to exercise any statutory responsibilities given to the Minister, including functions and powers—
Governance
(a)
in relation to the appointment and removal of—
(i)
members of the board (see subpart 4); and
(ii)
the Governor (see subpart 6); and
(iii)
members of the MPC (see subpart 7 and Schedule 3):
Monetary policy functions
(b)
to issue a remit for the MPC (see section 122):
(c)
to give advice relating to different economic objectives (see section 125):
Financial policy
(d)
to issue a financial policy remit (see section 203):
Minimum level of capital and financial risk management
(e)
to give directions to the Bank relating to its minimum level of capital and financial risk management (see section 208):
Foreign exchange functions
(f)
to give directions to the Bank to deal in foreign exchange within guidelines and to agree with the Bank on a framework for the management and co-ordination of foreign reserves (see subpart 3 of Part 3):
Prudential and regulatory functions
(g)
under the prudential legislation (for example, giving consent for the Bank to exercise certain powers and giving advice to the Governor-General about putting an entity into statutory management):
Other functions
(h)
to add functions if requested by the Bank (see section 11):
Funding
(i)
to enter into a funding agreement with the Bank and to determine the Bank’s annual dividend (see subpart 3 of Part 5):
Other
(j)
to review the operations and performance of the Bank under section 194:
(k)
to request information from the Bank under sections 196 and 197, whether for a review or otherwise:
(l)
to participate in the process of setting the Bank’s strategic direction and performance expectations and monitoring the Bank’s performance (see Part 5):
(m)
in relation to other matters in this Act or other legislation.
(2)
This section does not limit another Minister’s relationship with the Bank under any other authority.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 27(1), (2)
23 When Minister may delegate powers
(1)
Despite clause 5 of Schedule 6 of the Public Service Act 2020, the Minister may not delegate any power under this Act except as provided in this section.
(2)
The Minister may delegate the power in section 196 or 197 to request information to the chief executive of the monitor (who may subdelegate this delegation to an employee of the monitor or to an individual working for the monitor as a contractor in relation to a function, duty, or power of the monitor).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 27(3), (4)
Subpart 4—Board of Bank and its members
Role, membership, and accountability
24 Board’s role
(1)
The board is the governing body of the Bank, with the authority, in the Bank’s name, to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Bank.
(2)
All decisions relating to the operation of the Bank must be made by, or under the authority of, the board in accordance with this Act.
(3)
However, this section does not apply to—
(a)
the functions or powers of the MPC under section 98:
(b)
any statutory responsibilities given to the Minister, including in relation to the appointment or removal of the Governor (see section 22).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 25
25 Membership of board
(1)
The board of the Bank consists of not fewer than 5, and not more than 9, members.
(2)
See section 82, which provides for the Governor to be one of those members.
26 Accountability of members to Minister
(1)
Members of the board must comply with—
(a)
the board’s collective duties (in sections 45 to 49); and
(b)
their individual duties as members (in sections 50 to 54); and
(c)
any directions applicable to the Bank under this Act, the prudential legislation, or any other legislation.
(2)
Members are accountable to the Minister for performing their duties as members.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 26
Section 26(1)(c): amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Appointment, removal, and conditions of members
27 Method of appointment of members
(1)
A member of the board is appointed by the Governor-General, on the recommendation of the Minister.
(2)
The appointment must be made by written notice to the member (with a copy to the Bank).
(3)
The notice must—
(a)
state the date on which the appointment takes effect, which must not be earlier than the date on which the notice is received; and
(b)
state the term of the appointment.
(4)
The Minister must ensure that the following are notified in the Gazette as soon as is reasonably practicable after an appointment is made:
(a)
the name of the appointee and the Bank; and
(b)
the date on which the appointment takes effect; and
(c)
the term of the appointment.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 28
28 Provisions that do not apply to Governor
Sections 27, 29 to 33, and 36 to 44 do not apply to the Governor as a member of the board (see instead subpart 6).
29 Criteria for recommendations by Minister
(1)
The Minister must recommend the appointment of members under section 27 in accordance with the criteria for members and the process for appointment under this Act.
(2)
The Minister may only recommend a person who, in the Minister’s opinion, has the appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience to assist the Bank to achieve its objectives and perform its functions.
(3)
In recommending an appointment, the Minister must take into account the desirability of promoting diversity in the membership of the board.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 29
30 Minister must consult other political parties
The Minister must consult with representatives of other political parties in Parliament before recommending that the Governor-General appoints a person to the board.
Compare: 2001 No 84 s 56(6)
31 Qualifications of members
(1)
A natural person who is not disqualified by this section may be a member of the board.
(2)
The following persons are disqualified from being members:
(a)
a person who is a director or an employee of a regulated entity:
(b)
a person who is a member of the MPC:
(c)
an employee of the Bank or of a subsidiary of the Bank:
(d)
a person who is an undischarged bankrupt:
(e)
a person who is prohibited from being a director or promoter of, or being concerned or taking part in the management of, an incorporated or unincorporated body under the Companies Act 1993, the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, or the Takeovers Act 1993:
(f)
a person who is subject to a property order under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988:
(g)
a person in respect of whom a personal order has been made under that Act that reflects adversely on the person’s—
(i)
competence to manage their own affairs in relation to their property; or
(ii)
capacity to make or to communicate decisions relating to any particular aspect or aspects of their personal care and welfare:
(h)
a person who has been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty as defined in section 2(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 within the past 5 years:
(i)
a person who has been convicted within the past 5 years, in a country other than New Zealand, of an offence that is substantially similar to an offence specified in paragraph (h):
(j)
a person who has been convicted of any other offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 2 years or more, or who has been sentenced to imprisonment for any other offence, unless that person has obtained a pardon, served the sentence, or otherwise suffered the penalty imposed on the person:
(k)
a member of Parliament:
(l)
a person who is a chief executive of a department or an employee of a department:
(m)
a person who is disqualified under another Act.
(3)
Nothing in this section prevents the Governor from being a member of the board in their capacity as the Governor (see instead section 87, which provides for the qualifications of the Governor).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 30
32 Requirements before appointment
(1)
Before a person is appointed as a member of the board, the person must—
(a)
consent in writing to being a member; and
(b)
certify that they are not disqualified from being a member; and
(c)
disclose to the Minister the nature and extent (including monetary value, if quantifiable) of all interests that the person has at that time, or is likely to have, in matters relating to the Bank.
(2)
The board must notify the Minister of a failure to comply with subsection (1)(c) as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the failure.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 31
33 Term of office of members
(1)
A member of the board holds office for 5 years or any shorter period stated in the notice of appointment.
(2)
A member may be reappointed for 2 further terms, but no member may be appointed to hold office for more than 10 years in total.
(3)
A member continues in office despite the expiry of their term of office until—
(a)
the member is reappointed; or
(b)
the member’s successor is appointed; or
(c)
the Governor-General informs the member by written notice (with a copy to the Bank) that the member is not to be reappointed and no successor is to be appointed at that time.
(4)
This section is subject to section 42.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 32
34 Former Governor may be appointed as member
(1)
If a person (A) has previously served for a period as a member of the board in their capacity as the Governor,—
(a)
that service does not prevent A from being subsequently appointed under section 27; and
(b)
that period of service does not reduce any length of a term of office for A under section 33.
(2)
However, A may not be appointed under section 27 during the 3-year period after A ceases to hold office as the Governor.
35 Validity of members’ acts
The acts of a person as a member, chairperson, or deputy chairperson of the board are valid even though—
(a)
a defect existed in the appointment of the person; or
(b)
the person is or was disqualified from being a member; or
(c)
the occasion for the person acting, or for their appointment, had not arisen or had ended.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 34
36 Validity of appointments
(1)
The appointment of a person as a member, chairperson, or deputy chairperson of the board is not invalid only because a defect existed in the appointment of the person.
(2)
This section does not apply to a defect in the qualifications for appointment of a member, chairperson, or deputy chairperson.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 35
37 Removal of members
(1)
The Governor-General may, at any time for just cause, on the advice of the Minister given after consultation with the Attorney-General, remove a member of the board from office.
(2)
The removal must be made by written notice to the member (with a copy to the Bank).
(3)
The notice must—
(a)
state the date on which the removal takes effect, which must not be earlier than the date on which the notice is received; and
(b)
state the reasons for the removal.
(4)
The Minister must notify the removal in the Gazette as soon as practicable after the notice is given.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 39
38 Just cause for removal of members
(1)
In section 37, just cause includes—
(a)
misconduct, inability to perform the functions of office, neglect of duty, and breach of any of the collective duties of the board or the individual duties of members (depending on the seriousness of the breach):
(b)
obstructing, hindering, or preventing the MPC from discharging the responsibilities of the MPC under this Act.
(2)
Subsection (1)(b) does not limit subsection (1)(a).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 40
39 Process for removal of members
The Minister may advise the removal of a member with as little formality and technicality, and as much expedition, as is permitted by—
(a)
the principles of natural justice; and
(b)
a proper consideration of the matter.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 41
40 No compensation for member’s loss of office
A member of the board is not entitled to any compensation or other payment or benefit relating to their ceasing, for any reason, to hold office as a member.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 43
41 Resignation of members
(1)
A member of the board may resign from office by written notice to the Minister (with a copy to the Bank) signed by the member.
(2)
The resignation is effective on receipt by the Minister of the notice or at any later time specified in the notice.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 44
42 Members ceasing to hold office
A member of the board ceases to hold office if the member—
(a)
dies; or
(b)
resigns in accordance with section 41; or
(c)
is removed from office in accordance with section 37; or
(d)
becomes disqualified from being a member under section 31; or
(e)
otherwise ceases to hold office in accordance with any legislation.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 45
Remuneration and expenses
43 Remuneration of members
A member of the board is entitled to receive, from the funds of the Bank, remuneration not within section 44 for services as a member at a rate and of a kind determined by the Remuneration Authority in accordance with the Remuneration Authority Act 1977.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 47
44 Expenses of members
A member of the board is entitled, in accordance with the fees framework, to be reimbursed, out of the funds of the Bank, for actual and reasonable travelling and other expenses incurred in carrying out their office as a member.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 48
Collective duties of board
45 Bank must act consistently with objectives, functions, statement of intent, and statement of performance expectations
(1)
The board must ensure that the Bank acts in a manner consistent with its objectives, functions, current statement of intent, and current statement of performance expectations under Part 5.
(2)
This section does not apply to the functions of the MPC under section 98.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 49
46 Manner in which functions must be performed
The board must ensure that the Bank performs its functions—
(a)
efficiently and effectively; and
(b)
in a manner consistent with the spirit of service to the public; and
(c)
in collaboration with other public entities (within the meaning of that term in the Public Audit Act 2001) where practicable.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 50
47 Bank must operate in financially responsible manner
(1)
The board must ensure that the Bank operates in a financially responsible manner and, for this purpose, that it prudently manages its assets and liabilities.
(2)
In particular, the board must take all reasonable steps to ensure that—
(a)
the Bank’s expenditure complies with the requirements imposed under section 210(1)(c); and
(b)
the Bank complies with a direction given under section 208.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 51
48 Subsidiaries and other interests
The board must ensure that the Bank complies with subpart 8.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 52
49 Board must have regard to financial policy remit when acting in relation to prudential strategic intentions and prudential standards
(1)
The board must have regard to the financial policy remit when—
(a)
the board is setting the prudential strategic intentions in the Bank’s statement of intent; and
(b)
the board is making significant policy decisions about how to achieve those prudential strategic intentions; and
(c)
the board is monitoring, and reporting on, the Bank’s performance in achieving those prudential strategic intentions; and
(d)
the Bank is issuing and reviewing standards.
(2)
In this section,—
prudential strategic intentions means the strategic objectives that the Bank intends to achieve or contribute to in relation to—
(a)
the financial stability objective; and
(b)
the objective of acting in a way that furthers the objectives or purposes of the prudential legislation; and
(c)
the Bank’s function under section 10(1)(b) (which relates to acting as a prudential regulator and supervisor under the prudential legislation)
standards means any of the following:
(a)
fit and proper standards issued under section 36 of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010:
(b)
solvency standards issued under section 55 of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010:
(c)
standards issued under section 31 of the Financial Market Infrastructures Act 2021:
(d)
standards issued under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Deposit Takers Act 2023.
Section 49(2) standards paragraph (d): inserted, on 1 April 2025, by section 495(1) of the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (2023 No 35).
Individual duties of members
50 Duty to comply with relevant legislation
A member of the board must not contravene, or cause the contravention of, or agree to the Bank contravening,—
(a)
this Act; or
(b)
the prudential legislation.
(c)
[Repealed]Compare: 2004 No 115 s 53
Section 50(c): repealed, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
51 Duty to act with honesty and integrity
A member of the board must, when acting as a member, act with honesty and integrity.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 54
52 Duty to act in good faith and not at expense of Bank’s interests
A member of the board must, when acting as a member, act in good faith and not pursue the member’s own interests at the expense of the Bank’s interests.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 55
53 Duty to act with reasonable care, diligence, and skill
A member of the board must, when acting as a member, exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable person would exercise in the same circumstances, taking into account (without limitation)—
(a)
the nature of the Bank; and
(b)
the nature of the action; and
(c)
the position of the member and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by them.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 56
54 Duty not to disclose information
(1)
A member of the board who has information in their capacity as a member that would not otherwise be available to them must not disclose that information to any person, or make use of, or act on, that information, except—
(a)
in the performance of the Bank’s functions; or
(b)
as required or permitted by law; or
(c)
in accordance with subsection (2); or
(d)
in complying with the requirements for members to disclose interests.
(2)
A member may disclose, make use of, or act on the information if—
(a)
the member is first authorised to do so by the board; and
(b)
the disclosure, use, or act in question will not, or will be unlikely to, prejudice the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 57
Effect of non-compliance with duties
55 Accountability for collective board duties
(1)
The duties of the board and members of the board under sections 45 to 49 (collective duties) are duties owed to the Minister.
(2)
If the board does not comply with any of its collective duties, all or any of the members may be removed from office (subject to any requirements in sections 37 to 39 or, in the case of the Governor, sections 90 to 93).
(3)
However, subsection (2) does not apply to a member if—
(a)
the member did not know and could not reasonably be expected to know that the duty was to be or was being breached; or
(b)
the member took all reasonable steps in the circumstances to prevent the duty being breached.
(4)
The taking of reasonable steps does not require a member to apply to a court for an order under section 59.
(5)
This section and section 56 do not affect any other ground for removing a member from office.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 58(1)–(4), (7)
56 Member’s liability for breach of collective duty
(1)
A member is not liable for a breach of a collective duty under this Act.
(2)
However, subsection (1) does not limit section 55(2).
(3)
Subsection (1) does not affect—
(a)
anything else for which the member may be liable under any other Act or rule of law arising from the act or omission that constitutes the breach; or
(b)
the right to apply for a court order under section 59.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 58(5), (6), (8)
57 Accountability for individual duties
(1)
The duties of the members of the board under sections 50 to 54 (individual duties) are duties owed to the Minister and the Bank.
(2)
If a member does not comply with their individual duties, that member may be removed from office (subject to any requirements in sections 37 to 39 or, in the case of the Governor, sections 90 to 93).
(3)
The Bank may bring an action against a member for breach of any individual duty.
(4)
This section and section 58 do not affect any other ground for removing a member from office.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 59(1)–(3), (5)
58 Member’s liability for breach of individual duty
(1)
A member is not liable for a breach of an individual duty under this Act except as provided in section 57(2) and (3).
(2)
Subsection (1) does not affect—
(a)
anything else for which the member may be liable under any other Act or rule of law arising from the act or omission that constitutes the breach; or
(b)
the right to apply for a court order under section 59.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 59(4), (6)
59 Court actions requiring or restraining board or members
(1)
The Minister or a member of the board may apply to a court for an order—
(a)
restraining the board or a member of the board from engaging in conduct that would contravene any requirement under this Act or any prudential legislation; and
(b)
granting any consequential relief.
(2)
The Minister may apply to a court for an order—
(a)
requiring the board or a member to take any action that is required to be taken under this Act or any prudential legislation; and
(b)
granting any consequential relief.
(3)
The court may make an order on the application subject to the following rules:
(a)
an order may be made only if it is just and equitable to do so:
(b)
no order may be made in respect of conduct that has been completed.
(4)
The court may, at any time before the final determination of an application, make as an interim order any order that it is empowered to make as a final order.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 60
Section 59(1)(a): amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Section 59(2)(a): amended, on 1 July 2026, by section 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17).
Reliance on information and advice
60 When members may rely on certain information and advice
(1)
A member, when acting as a member, may rely on reports, statements, financial data, and other information prepared or supplied, and on professional or expert advice given, by any of the following persons:
(a)
the Governor:
(b)
an employee of the Bank whom the member believes on reasonable grounds to be reliable and competent in relation to the matters concerned:
(c)
a professional adviser or expert in relation to matters that the member believes on reasonable grounds to be within the person’s professional or expert competence:
(d)
the MPC in relation to matters within the MPC’s designated authority:
(e)
any other member or a committee on which the member did not serve in relation to matters within the member’s or committee’s designated authority.
(2)
A member, when acting as a member, may rely on reports, statements, financial data, and other information supplied by the Crown.
(3)
This section applies to a member only if the member—
(a)
acts in good faith; and
(b)
makes proper inquiry if the need for inquiry is indicated by the circumstances; and
(c)
has no knowledge that the reliance is unwarranted.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 61
Conflict of interest disclosure rules
61 When person is interested
(1)
A person is interested in a matter if the person—
(a)
may derive a financial benefit, or suffer a financial loss, from the matter; or
(b)
is the spouse, civil union partner, de facto partner, child, or parent of a person who may derive a financial benefit, or suffer a financial loss, from the matter; or
(c)
may have a financial interest in a person to whom the matter relates; or
(d)
is a partner, director, officer, board member, or trustee of a person who may have a financial interest in a person to whom the matter relates; or
(e)
is otherwise directly or indirectly interested in the matter.
(2)
However, a person is not interested in a matter—
(a)
only because they hold office as the Governor; or
(b)
only because they are a member or an officer of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank; or
(c)
because the person receives an indemnity, insurance cover, remuneration, or other benefits authorised under this Act or another Act; or
(d)
if the person’s interest is so remote or insignificant that it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to influence them in carrying out their responsibilities under this Act or another Act; or
(e)
only because the person has past or current involvement in the relevant sector, industry, or practice.
(3)
In this section, matter means—
(a)
the Bank’s performance of its functions or exercise of its powers; or
(b)
an arrangement, agreement, or contract made or entered into, or proposed to be entered into, by the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 62
62 Obligation to disclose interest
(1)
A member who is interested in a matter relating to the Bank must disclose details of the interest in accordance with section 63 as soon as practicable after the member becomes aware that they are interested.
(2)
A general notice of an interest in a matter relating to the Bank, or in a matter that may in future relate to the Bank, that is disclosed in accordance with section 63 is a standing disclosure of that interest for the purposes of this section.
(3)
A standing disclosure ceases to have effect if the nature of the interest materially alters or the extent of the interest materially increases.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 63
63 Who disclosure of interests must be made to
The member must disclose details of the interest in an interests register kept by the Bank and to—
(a)
the chairperson or, if there is no chairperson or if the chairperson is unavailable or interested, the deputy or temporary deputy chairperson; or
(b)
the Minister, if there is neither a chairperson nor a deputy or temporary deputy chairperson, or if both the chairperson and the deputy or temporary deputy chairperson are unavailable or interested.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 64
64 What must be disclosed
The details that must be disclosed under section 63 are—
(a)
the nature of the interest and the monetary value of the interest (if the monetary value can be quantified); or
(b)
the nature and extent of the interest (if the monetary value cannot be quantified).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 65
65 Consequences of being interested in matter
A member who is interested in a matter relating to the Bank—
(a)
must not vote or take part in any discussion or decision of the board or any committee relating to the matter, or otherwise participate in any activity of the Bank that relates to the matter; and
(b)
must not sign any document relating to the entry into a transaction or the initiation of the matter; and
(c)
is to be disregarded for the purpose of forming a quorum for that part of a meeting of the board or committee during which a discussion or decision relating to the matter occurs or is made.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 66
66 Consequences of failing to disclose interest
(1)
The board must notify the Minister of a failure to comply with section 62 or 65, and of the acts affected, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the failure.
(2)
A failure to comply with section 62 or 65 does not affect the validity of an act or matter.
(3)
However, subsection (2) does not limit the right of any person to apply, in accordance with law, for judicial review.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 67
67 Permission to act despite being interested in matter
(1)
The chairperson of the board may, by prior written notice to the board, permit 1 or more members, or members with a specified class of interest, to do anything otherwise prohibited by section 65, if the chairperson is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.
(2)
The permission may state conditions that the member must comply with.
(3)
The deputy or temporary deputy chairperson may give the permission if there is no chairperson, or if the chairperson is unavailable or interested.
(4)
The Minister may give the permission if there is neither a chairperson nor a deputy or temporary deputy chairperson, or if both the chairperson and the deputy or temporary deputy chairperson are unavailable or interested.
(5)
The permission may be amended or revoked in the same way as it may be given.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 68(1)–(5)
68 Permission must be disclosed in annual report
The Bank must disclose an interest to which a permission relates in its annual report, together with a statement of who gave the permission and any conditions or amendments to, or revocation of, the permission.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 68(6)
69 Bank may avoid certain acts done in breach of conflict of interest rules
(1)
The Bank may avoid a natural person act done by the Bank in respect of which a member was in breach of section 65.
(2)
However, the act—
(a)
may be avoided only within 3 months of the affected act being notified to the Minister under section 66; and
(b)
cannot be avoided if the Bank receives fair value in respect of the act.
(3)
An act in which a member is interested can be avoided on the ground of the member’s interest only in accordance with this section.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 69
70 What is fair value
(1)
The Bank is presumed to receive fair value in respect of an act that is done by the Bank in the ordinary course of its business and on usual terms and conditions.
(2)
Whether the Bank receives fair value in respect of an act must be determined on the basis of the information known to the Bank and to the interested member at the time the act is done.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 70
71 Onus of proving fair value
(1)
A person seeking to prevent an act being avoided, and who knew, or ought reasonably to have known, of the member’s interest at the time the act was done, has the onus of establishing fair value.
(2)
In any other case, the Bank has the onus of establishing that it did not receive fair value.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 71
72 Effect of avoidance on third parties
The avoidance of an act under section 69 does not affect the title or interest of a person to or in property that that person has acquired if the property was acquired—
(a)
from a person other than the Bank; and
(b)
for valuable consideration; and
(c)
without knowledge of the circumstances of the act under which the person referred to in paragraph (a) acquired the property from the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 72
When Governor may not act as member of board
73 When Governor may not act as member of board
(1)
This section applies to the following matters:
(a)
nominating a person for appointment as the Governor:
(b)
recommending or giving advice about the removal of the Governor:
(c)
agreeing the terms and conditions of the Governor:
(d)
reviewing the performance of the MPC and its members:
(e)
reviewing the performance of the Governor.
(2)
The Governor—
(a)
must not vote or take part in any discussion or decision of the board or any committee relating to the matter; and
(b)
must not sign on behalf of the board any document relating to the entry into a transaction or the initiation of the matter; and
(c)
is to be disregarded for the purpose of forming a quorum for that part of a meeting of the board or committee during which a discussion or decision relating to the matter occurs or is made.
Delegation
74 Ability to delegate
(1)
The board may delegate any of the functions or powers of the Bank or the board, either generally or specifically, to any of the following persons by resolution and written notice to the person or persons:
(a)
a member or members of the board:
(b)
the Governor:
(c)
any employee or employees of the Bank:
(d)
a committee:
(e)
any other person or persons approved by the Minister:
(f)
any class of persons comprising any of the persons listed in paragraphs (a) to (e):
(g)
a subsidiary of the Bank.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to—
(a)
any functions or powers of the MPC; or
(b)
any other functions or powers specified in this Act as not being capable of delegation.
(3)
The board must not delegate the general power of delegation.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 73
75 Powers of delegate
(1)
A delegate to whom any functions or powers of the Bank or board are delegated—
(a)
may, unless the delegation provides otherwise, perform the function or exercise the power in the same manner, subject to the same restrictions, and with the same effect as if the delegate were the Bank or the board; and
(b)
may delegate the function or power only—
(i)
with the prior written consent of the board; and
(ii)
subject to the same restrictions, and with the same effect, as if the subdelegate were the delegate.
(2)
A delegate who purports to perform a function or exercise a power under a delegation—
(a)
is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, presumed to do so in accordance with the terms of that delegation; and
(b)
must produce evidence of their authority to do so, if reasonably requested to do so.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 74
76 Effect of delegation on Bank or board
No delegation in accordance with this Act—
(a)
affects or prevents the performance of any function or the exercise of any power by the Bank or the board; or
(b)
affects the responsibility of the board for the actions of any delegate acting under the delegation; or
(c)
is affected by any change in the membership of the board or of any committee or class of persons or by any change in the Governor or any employee.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 75
77 Revocations of delegations
(1)
A delegation under section 74 may be revoked at will by—
(a)
resolution of the board and written notice to the delegate; or
(b)
any other method provided for in the delegation.
(2)
A delegation under section 75(1)(b) may be revoked at will by written notice of the delegate to the subdelegate.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 76
Miscellaneous provisions relating to board
78 Vacancies in membership of board
The powers and functions of the Bank are not affected by any vacancy in the membership of the board.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 77
79 Appointment of chairperson, etc, and board procedure
Schedule 2 governs the appointment of a chairperson and deputy chairperson (including a temporary deputy chairperson) and the proceedings of the board.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 78
Subpart 5—Monitor of Bank
80 Appointment and role of monitor
(1)
The Minister may appoint a department as the monitor of the Bank.
(2)
The role of the monitor is, in relation to the Bank,—
(a)
to assist the Minister to carry out the Minister’s role (which is described in section 22); and
(b)
to perform or exercise any or all of the following functions or powers:
(i)
administering appropriations:
(ii)
administering legislation:
(iii)
tendering advice to Ministers:
(iv)
any other functions or powers in this Act or another Act that may, or must, be performed or exercised by the monitor.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 27A
81 Minister must set expectations
(1)
The Minister must give a written notice to the monitor that sets out the Minister’s expectations relating to the monitor carrying out that role.
(2)
After the first notice is given, a notice must be in force under this section.
Subpart 6—Governor
82 Governor
(1)
The Governor of the Bank is—
(a)
the chief executive of the Bank; and
(b)
a member of the board (by virtue of holding office as the Governor).
(2)
The Governor must be appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister.
(3)
The Governor is not an employee of the Bank.
(4)
The office of Governor includes—
(a)
performing and exercising functions and powers delegated by the board (see sections 74 to 77); and
(b)
performing and exercising functions and powers as the chairperson and a member of the MPC (see clause 35 of Schedule 3 for the Governor’s duties as chairperson).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 40
83 Process requirements relating to Minister’s recommendation
(1)
The Minister may recommend that the Governor-General appoint a person as the Governor only if that person has been nominated by the board.
(2)
The Minister must consult with representatives of other political parties in Parliament before making the recommendation.
84 Term of appointment of Governor
(1)
The Governor must be appointed under section 82 for a term of 5 years and may be reappointed under that section for 1 further term of up to 5 years.
(2)
See section 96 (which provides for a single term of up to 6 months for a Governor appointed under that section).
(3)
If a person (A) who serves as the Governor under section 96 is subsequently appointed under section 82, the term of the appointment under section 96 does not reduce the length of A’s term under subsection (1).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 42(1)–(1B)
85 Terms and conditions of appointment of Governor
(1)
The Governor is entitled to receive, from the funds of the Bank, remuneration at a rate and of a kind determined by the Remuneration Authority in accordance with the Remuneration Authority Act 1977.
(2)
The terms and conditions of appointment of the Governor (other than remuneration) must be determined by agreement between the board and the Governor.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 42(2)
86 Extension of term of Governor
(1)
The Minister may extend the Governor’s term of appointment by up to 6 months by written notice to the Governor (with a copy to the board).
(2)
If the Governor’s term is extended and that person is reappointed for a further term in the same office, the length of the further term must be reduced by the length of the extension.
(3)
Subsection (2) does not prevent the further term from being extended under subsection (1).
(4)
The Minister must ensure that the following are notified in the Gazette as soon as practicable after an extension is made:
(a)
the fact that the Governor’s term of appointment has been extended; and
(b)
the period of the extension.
(5)
This section applies only to a Governor appointed under section 82.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 45
87 Qualifications of Governor
(1)
A natural person who is not disqualified by this section may be a Governor of the Bank.
(2)
The following persons are disqualified from being a Governor:
(a)
a person who is a director or an employee of a regulated entity:
(b)
an employee of a subsidiary of the Bank:
(c)
a person who is an undischarged bankrupt:
(d)
a person who is prohibited from being a director or promoter of, or being concerned or taking part in the management of, an incorporated or unincorporated body under the Companies Act 1993, the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, or the Takeovers Act 1993:
(e)
a person who is subject to a property order under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988:
(f)
a person in respect of whom a personal order has been made under that Act that reflects adversely on the person’s—
(i)
competence to manage their own affairs in relation to their property; or
(ii)
capacity to make or to communicate decisions relating to any particular aspect or aspects of their personal care and welfare:
(g)
a person who has been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty as defined in section 2(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 within the past 5 years:
(h)
a person who has been convicted within the past 5 years, in a country other than New Zealand, of an offence that is substantially similar to an offence specified in paragraph (g):
(i)
a person who has been convicted of any other offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 2 years or more, or who has been sentenced to imprisonment for any other offence, unless that person has obtained a pardon, served the sentence, or otherwise suffered the penalty imposed on the person:
(j)
a member of Parliament:
(k)
a person who is a chief executive of a department or an employee of a department.
(3)
If the Governor becomes aware that they are likely to become disqualified, they must disclose that fact to the board and the Minister as soon as practicable.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 46
88 Appointment procedure for Governor
(1)
The appointment of the Governor must be made by written notice to the appointee (with a copy to the board).
(2)
The notice must state—
(a)
the date on which the appointment takes effect, which must not be earlier than the date on which the notice is received; and
(b)
the term of the appointment.
(3)
The Minister must ensure that the following are notified in the Gazette as soon as practicable after an appointment is made:
(a)
the name of the appointee; and
(b)
the date on which the appointment takes effect; and
(c)
the term of the appointment.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63N
89 Validity of appointments
(1)
The appointment of a person as the Governor under section 82 or 96 is not invalid only because a defect existed in the appointment of the person.
(2)
This section does not apply to a defect in the qualifications for appointment of a Governor.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 45A
90 Removal of Governor from office
(1)
The Governor-General may, at any time for just cause, on the advice of the Minister given after consultation with the Attorney-General, remove the Governor from office.
(2)
The Minister may give the advice—
(a)
for a cause referred to in section 92(1)(c) or (f) only if the board has made a recommendation under section 91 that the Governor be removed from office:
(b)
for any other just cause whether or not the board has made a recommendation under section 91 that the Governor be removed from office.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 49
91 Board must advise Minister of just cause and may recommend removal
(1)
If the board is satisfied that there is just cause for the removal of the Governor, the board—
(a)
must advise the Minister in writing; and
(b)
may recommend to the Minister that the Governor be removed from office.
(2)
The board may act under this section with as little formality and technicality, and as much expedition, as is permitted by—
(a)
the principles of natural justice; and
(b)
a proper consideration of the matter.
(3)
This section does not apply to the causes referred to in section 92(1)(b), (d), and (e).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 53(3)
92 Just cause for removal of Governor
(1)
In sections 90 and 91, just cause includes—
(a)
misconduct, inability to perform the functions of office, and neglect of duty (other than in respect of a matter referred to in paragraph (b), (c), or (f)); and
(b)
breach of any of the collective duties of the board or the individual duties of members (depending on the seriousness of the breach); and
(c)
failure to adequately perform or exercise the functions or powers that are delegated by the board; and
(d)
failure to adequately perform or exercise the functions or powers as chairperson of the MPC; and
(e)
any of the matters set out in clause 25(1) of Schedule 3 applying to the Governor as a member of the MPC; and
(f)
obstructing, hindering, or preventing the board from discharging responsibilities under this Act (for example, by failing to give the board information that is necessary to discharge those responsibilities); and
(g)
the Governor, while holding office as Governor,—
(i)
holding any other office of profit; or
(ii)
engaging in any other occupation for reward; or
(iii)
having an ownership interest in a regulated entity; or
(iv)
having an ownership interest in a bank carrying on business outside New Zealand.
(2)
Subsection (1)(c) and (f) is subject to section 90(2)(a).
(3)
Subsection (1)(g) does not apply to the extent that the Governor holds the office, engages in the occupation, or has the ownership interest in accordance with the Governor’s terms and conditions of appointment.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 49(2)
93 Process for removal of Governor
(1)
The Minister may advise the removal of the Governor with as little formality and technicality, and as much expedition, as is permitted by—
(a)
the principles of natural justice; and
(b)
a proper consideration of the matter.
(2)
The Minister may have regard to the process undertaken by the board under section 91 in considering what is required for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) and (b).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 41
94 Resignation of Governor
(1)
The Governor may resign from office by written notice to the Minister (with a copy to the Bank) signed by the Governor.
(2)
The resignation is effective on receipt by the Minister of the notice or at any later time specified in the notice.
95 When Governor ceases to hold office
(1)
The Governor ceases to hold office if—
(a)
the Governor dies; or
(b)
the Governor becomes disqualified from being a Governor under section 87; or
(c)
the Governor is removed from office in accordance with section 90; or
(d)
the Governor resigns in accordance with section 94; or
(e)
the Governor’s term of office expires, unless the Governor is reappointed for a further term (see also section 86, which allows the term to be extended); or
(f)
the board advises the Minister in writing that the person holding office as Governor has been substantially unable to carry out the functions and responsibilities of the Governor due to illness or other incapacity for a total consecutive period of 3 months or more; or
(g)
the Governor otherwise ceases to hold office in accordance with any legislation.
(2)
Subsection (1)(f) does not apply if the Minister gives a notice to the Bank that that provision does not apply in the particular circumstances.
96 Minister must make temporary appointment if office of Governor is vacant
(1)
If the office of Governor becomes vacant, the Minister must, on the recommendation of the board, appoint a person (A) as Governor for a period not exceeding 6 months.
(2)
The board must make a recommendation within 28 days after the office of Governor becomes vacant.
(3)
The Minister may extend A’s term of appointment by up to 3 months by written notice to A (with a copy to the board).
(4)
A Governor who has ceased to hold office (for example, at the end of the Governor’s term) may not be appointed under subsection (1).
(5)
A may separately hold a position as an employee of the Bank, but A is not an employee in their capacity as the Governor.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 48
Subpart 7—Monetary policy committee
97 Monetary policy committee continues
(1)
The monetary policy committee (the MPC) is continued.
(2)
The MPC is a committee of the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63A
98 Functions of MPC
The MPC must—
(a)
perform the function of formulating monetary policy in accordance with this Act; and
(b)
perform or exercise any other function, power, or duty conferred on it under this Act.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63B
99 Board must regularly review performance of MPC and members
(1)
For the purpose of performing or exercising its functions or powers in relation to the MPC, the board must regularly review the performance of the MPC, and each member of the MPC, in discharging responsibilities under this Act.
(2)
See section 240(1)(m) relating to requirements for the Bank’s annual report.
(3)
See also clause 26 of Schedule 3 (which provides that the board must advise the Minister if there are grounds for removal of a member of the MPC and may recommend removal).
100 Membership of MPC
(1)
The MPC must have not fewer than 5 members and not more than 7 members.
(2)
The members of the MPC must comprise—
(a)
the Governor (subject to any vacancy in the office of Governor):
(b)
2 or 3 persons who are employees of the Bank (the internal members):
(c)
2 or 3 persons who are not employees of the Bank (the external members).
(3)
The internal members, together with the Governor, must be a majority of the membership of the MPC (subject to any vacancies in the membership).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63C
Charter for MPC
101 Charter for MPC
(1)
A charter must be in force under this Act (see clause 7 of Schedule 1 and section 103).
(2)
The purpose of the charter is to provide for the following to the extent that those matters are not otherwise provided for in this Act:
(a)
requirements to promote transparency and accountability in connection with the performance of the MPC’s functions; and
(b)
decision-making procedures.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63D
102 Content of charter
(1)
The charter must include the following:
(a)
requirements for summary records of the MPC’s meetings under clause 55 of Schedule 3 (including the content of the records, when and how those records must be published, and matters relating to the record of votes); and
(b)
guidelines or requirements relating to the publication or disclosure by a member of the MPC of any matter relating to the MPC or its functions or powers.
(2)
The charter may also include—
(a)
requirements relating to other information that must or may be published by or on behalf of the MPC, including when and how that information must or may be published; and
(b)
decision-making procedures; and
(c)
any other matters that—
(i)
this Act provides are to be or may be dealt with by the charter; or
(ii)
are otherwise for the purpose set out in section 101.
(3)
The charter must not be inconsistent with anything in this Act.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63E
103 Replacement charter
(1)
The Minister and the MPC may agree to issue a replacement charter at any time.
(2)
The Minister and the MPC must consider whether it is necessary or desirable to issue a replacement charter when a new MPC remit is to be issued by the Minister.
(3)
If a report is provided under section 104, the Minister and the MPC must have regard to the report.
(4)
A replacement charter takes effect on and from—
(a)
the date on which it is issued; or
(b)
a later date specified in the charter.
(5)
Until a replacement charter is issued, the existing charter continues in force.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63F
104 Consultation about replacement charter
(1)
(2)
The Bank must, before remit advice is given under clause 2 of Schedule 3, seek the views of members of the public on the matters that the Bank considers would assist the Minister and the MPC when considering—
(a)
whether it is necessary or desirable to issue a replacement charter; and
(b)
the content of a replacement charter (if any).
(3)
The Bank must, when the remit advice is given under clause 2 of Schedule 3, ensure that the Minister and the MPC are given a report that summarises the comments that are provided by those members of the public within the time and in the manner specified by the Bank.
(4)
The Bank must, as soon as practicable after the MPC remit is issued, publish a copy of the report on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63G
105 Publication of charter
The charter must be published on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63H
Code of conduct
106 Code of conduct
(1)
A code of conduct for the members of the MPC must be approved by the board.
(2)
The board must ensure that a code is in force at all times.
(3)
The code may be amended or replaced at any time with the approval of the board, but the board may give its approval only if it is satisfied that the code (as amended or replaced) adequately addresses the matters in section 107.
(4)
The code (or the code as amended or replaced) comes into force on—
(a)
the date on which the board gives its approval; or
(b)
a later date specified by the board in the resolution that gives its approval.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63J
107 Content of code
(1)
The code must provide for minimum standards of conduct that must be demonstrated when acting as a member of the MPC, including—
(a)
rules for managing and avoiding conflicts of interest; and
(b)
rules for maintaining the confidentiality of information; and
(c)
rules to promote active participation and preparation; and
(d)
any other minimum standards of ethical behaviour.
(2)
The rules about conflicts of interest may provide for the disclosure of interests, including—
(a)
defining the nature of interests to be disclosed; and
(b)
providing for what must be disclosed, to whom disclosure must be made, and how disclosures of interests must be made; and
(c)
providing for the consequences of non-disclosure; and
(d)
regulating or prohibiting participation of an interested member in decision making; and
(e)
providing for the establishment and maintenance of an interests register.
(3)
The code must not be inconsistent with anything in this Act or the charter.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63K
108 Publication of code
The code of conduct must be published on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63L
Other matters
Subpart 8—Subsidiaries
110 Acquisition of subsidiaries
(1)
The Bank must ensure that the Bank acquires or forms a subsidiary only after written notice to the Minister.
(2)
In this Act, subsidiary means a company that is a subsidiary of the Bank under sections 5 to 8 of the Companies Act 1993.
(3)
Despite section 5(3) of the Companies Act 1993, a subsidiary of the Bank must be a company incorporated under that Act.
Compare: 2004 No 115 ss 7(1)(c), (1A), 96
111 General duty relating to subsidiaries
The Bank must ensure, to the extent that it is reasonably able to do so, that each of its subsidiaries—
(a)
does not do anything that the Bank itself does not have the power to do; and
(b)
acts consistently with the Bank’s objectives and current statement of intent (to the extent they relate to the subsidiary); and
(c)
exercises its powers only for the purpose of performing, or assisting the Bank to perform, the Bank’s functions; and
(d)
does not contravene this Act to the extent that it relates to a subsidiary; and
(e)
complies with a direction given to the Bank (to the extent that it relates to the subsidiary); and
(f)
does not pay directors of the subsidiary any compensation or other payment or benefit, on any basis, for ceasing for any reason to hold office; and
(g)
has a constitution and that the constitution contains a statement to the effect that the entity is a subsidiary of the Bank; and
(h)
complies with the statutory requirements as to employees that apply to the Bank; and
(i)
does not have a member of Parliament as a member.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 97
112 Duties relating to performance, remuneration of directors, and chief executives
(1)
The Bank must ensure, to the extent that it is reasonably able to do so, that each of its subsidiaries—
(a)
performs its functions—
(i)
efficiently and effectively; and
(ii)
in a manner consistent with the spirit of service to the public; and
(iii)
in collaboration with other public entities (within the meaning of that term in the Public Audit Act 2001) where practicable; and
(b)
pays remuneration to directors of the subsidiary only at a rate and of a kind determined by the Bank in accordance with the fees framework or after consulting with the Minister; and
(c)
complies with the requirements for chief executives set out in subsection (2).
(2)
The requirements are as follows:
(a)
a chief executive of a subsidiary must be appointed by its board for a term of not more than 5 years, but may be reappointed:
(b)
the terms and conditions of employment of a chief executive of a subsidiary must be determined by agreement between its board and the chief executive.
(3)
A failure to comply with subsection (2) does not invalidate the acts of a chief executive of a subsidiary.
(4)
If a director of a subsidiary (A) is an employee of the Bank, subsection (1)(b) does not apply to A’s remuneration as an employee of the Bank.
(5)
The requirements of this section are additional to those in section 111.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 98
113 Acquisition of shares or interests in companies, trusts, and partnerships, etc
(1)
The Bank may do the following only in accordance with subsection (2):
(a)
acquire shares in a company that gives the Bank substantial influence in or over that company:
(b)
acquire an interest in any partnership, joint venture, or other association of persons, or an interest in a company other than in its shares:
(c)
settle, or be or appoint a trustee of, a trust.
(2)
The Bank may do that thing—
(a)
after written notice to the Minister; and
(b)
for the purpose of the Bank carrying out any of its functions, and acting consistently with its objectives, under any Act.
(3)
Substantial influence, in relation to a company, means the capacity to affect substantially either the financial or operating policies, or both, of the company.
(4)
This section does not apply if the Bank acquires the subsidiary (in which case section 110 applies).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 100
114 Relationship with Companies Act 1993 and other Acts
(1)
Section 178 of the Companies Act 1993 (which relates to information for shareholders and, among other things, sets out some reasons for which a company can refuse to provide information) does not entitle a subsidiary of the Bank to refuse to provide information that must be provided under this Act or otherwise made available to any person under the Official Information Act 1982.
(2)
Section 161(1)(b) of the Companies Act 1993 (which relates to payment to a director or former director of compensation for loss of office) does not apply to a subsidiary of the Bank.
(3)
In all other respects, both the Companies Act 1993 and this Act apply to the subsidiary of the Bank in respect of a matter, but anything done under one Act counts towards compliance with the other Act.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 102
Part 3 Central bank functions
Subpart 1—Bank to act as central bank
115 Bank to act as central bank
The Bank must act as the central bank for New Zealand.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 7
116 Central bank functions
The central bank functions include—
(a)
formulating (through the MPC) and implementing a monetary policy directed to the economic objective, while recognising the Crown’s right to determine economic policy (see subpart 2); and
(b)
managing foreign reserves and otherwise dealing in foreign exchange for the purposes of the Bank’s objectives (see subpart 3); and
(c)
doing the following to ensure that bank notes and coins in New Zealand meet the needs of the public (see subparts 4 and 5):
(i)
issuing bank notes and coins:
(ii)
monitoring the distribution of bank notes and coins (and, if the Bank thinks fit, distributing bank notes and coins):
(iii)
managing the quality of bank notes and coins:
(iv)
monitoring the impact of technological innovation on the needs of the public for bank notes and coins; and
(d)
providing liquidity facilities to entities approved by the Bank (on the terms and conditions the Bank thinks fit) in order to do either or both of the following:
(i)
manage liquidity in the financial system:
(ii)
protect or promote the stability of the financial system; and
(e)
providing settlement accounts for persons approved by the Bank; and
(f)
operating or otherwise participating in payments and settlement systems; and
(g)
liaising and co-operating with other central banks and relevant international institutions; and
(h)
carrying out any other central banking activities that are consistent with the Bank’s objectives and the purposes of this Act.
Section 116(a): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 7 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Subpart 2—Monetary policy
Formulating monetary policy
117 Function to formulate monetary policy through MPC
(1)
The Bank, acting through the MPC, has the function of formulating a monetary policy directed to the economic objective of achieving and maintaining stability in the general level of prices over the medium term.
(2)
The function of formulating monetary policy includes deciding the approach by which the operational objectives set out in an MPC remit are intended to be achieved.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 8(1), (3)
Section 117(1): replaced, on 20 December 2023, by section 8 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
118 MPC must formulate monetary policy in manner consistent with economic objective and MPC remit
The MPC must formulate monetary policy in a manner consistent with—
(a)
the economic objective; and
(b)
the MPC remit.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 31(1)
Section 118 heading: amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 9(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 118(a): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 9(2) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
119 What MPC must have regard to in formulating monetary policy
(1)
The MPC must, in acting under section 117, have regard to—
(a)
the importance of protecting and promoting the stability of New Zealand’s financial system; and
(b)
any matter provided for in an MPC remit under section 123(2)(d).
(2)
Subsection (1) is subject to section 125.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 8(2)
Implementing monetary policy
120 Function to implement monetary policy
The Bank has the function of implementing, in accordance with this Act, the monetary policy formulated by the MPC.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 9
121 Bank not required to implement monetary policy that is inconsistent with financial responsibility duties
Despite section 120, the Bank is not required to implement a monetary policy formulated by the MPC to the extent that the board considers that implementing the policy would be inconsistent with either or both of the following:
(a)
the board’s duty under section 47:
(b)
the Bank’s duty to comply with a direction given under section 208.
Remit for MPC
122 Remit for MPC
(1)
The Minister must take all reasonable steps to ensure that an MPC remit is in force at all times (whether the remit is issued by the Minister under this section or is otherwise in force under this Act).
(2)
The Minister may issue an MPC remit at any time (whether or not any remit advice has been given).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 10(1), (5)
123 Contents of MPC remit
(1)
The MPC remit must set out operational objectives for carrying out the function of formulating monetary policy.
(2)
The MPC remit may specify or provide for the operational objectives in any way that the Minister thinks fit, including by specifying or providing for 1 or more of the following matters:
(a)
a target or targets for the economic objective:
(b)
a framework for weighting the economic objectives (if an Order in Council in force under section 125 provides for more than 1 economic objective):
(c)
defining any matters in connection with the economic objective:
(d)
a requirement for the MPC to have regard to 1 or more matters in connection with seeking to achieve the economic objective.
(3)
A matter under subsection (2) must not be inconsistent with the economic objective.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 10(2)–(4)
Section 123(2)(a): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 10(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 123(2)(b): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 10(2) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 123(2)(c): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 10(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 123(2)(d): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 10(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 123(3): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 10(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
124 Other matters relating to MPC remit
Part 1 of Schedule 3 provides for other matters relating to the MPC remit.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 11
Order providing for different economic objective or objectives
125 Order providing for different economic objective or objectives
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the advice of the Minister, direct the MPC to formulate, and the Bank to implement, monetary policy for 1 or more economic objectives for a period not exceeding 12 months that is specified in the order.
(2)
The economic objective or objectives may be in addition to or instead of the economic objective specified in section 9(1)(a).
(3)
While the Order in Council is in force,—
(a)
the MPC must formulate, and the Bank must implement, monetary policy in accordance with the economic objective or objectives specified in the Order in Council; and
(b)
the MPC and the Bank must disregard the economic objective specified in section 9(1)(a) if so required by the Order in Council.
(4)
An Order in Council made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 12
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 125(2): replaced, on 20 December 2023, by section 11(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
Section 125(3)(b): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 11(2) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
126 Minister must consider replacing or amending MPC remit
(1)
The Minister must, before giving advice under section 125(1), consider whether the MPC remit should be amended, replaced, or remain in force without amendment.
(2)
The Minister must, before an order under section 125 is revoked, consider whether the MPC remit should be amended, replaced, or remain in force without amendment.
127 Period may be extended
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the advice of the Minister, extend the period specified in an order under section 125 for a period not exceeding 12 months, and may in the same manner extend that period on successive occasions.
(2)
An extension may only be made before the end of the period to be extended.
(3)
An Order in Council made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 15
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
128 Revocation of order at end of period
If an order under section 125 is not earlier revoked, the order is revoked on the close of the last day of the period specified in the order or of any extension of that period under section 127.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 15A
Reports on monetary policy
129 Regular reports on monetary policy
(1)
The Bank must, at least 4 times a year (or more frequently if required by the charter),—
(a)
deliver reports on monetary policy to the Minister; and
(b)
publish a copy of each report on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
The Bank must ensure that the report has been approved by the MPC before it is delivered to the Minister.
(3)
Every report under this section stands referred, by virtue of this section, to the House of Representatives.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 15C(1), (2), (4)
130 Contents of reports on monetary policy
Every report under section 129 must—
(a)
specify the approach by which the MPC intends to achieve the operational objectives; and
(b)
state the MPC’s reasons for adopting that approach; and
(c)
contain all other information required by the charter (if any).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 15C(3)
131 Longer-term report on formulation and implementation of monetary policy
(1)
The Bank must review and assess the formulation and implementation of monetary policy at least every 5 years (or more frequently if required by the charter).
(2)
The Bank must—
(a)
deliver a report on the review and assessment to the Minister as soon as practicable after the review and assessment is completed; and
(b)
publish a copy of the report on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(3)
The Bank must ensure that the MPC has been consulted on a draft of the report under this section.
(4)
Every report under this section stands referred, by virtue of this section, to the House of Representatives.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 15D(1)–(3), (5)
132 Longer-term report must contain information required by charter
The report under section 131 must contain the information required by the charter (if any).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 15D(4)
Subpart 3—Foreign exchange
Dealing in foreign exchange
133 Dealing in foreign exchange by Bank
(1)
For the purposes of furthering 1 or more of the Bank’s objectives, the Bank may deal in foreign exchange, on the terms and conditions that it thinks fit,—
(a)
with any person, including the Crown; and
(b)
on behalf of any person, including the Crown.
(2)
This section is subject to section 134.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 16
134 Power of Minister to direct Bank to deal in foreign exchange within guidelines
(1)
The Minister may, for the purpose of influencing the exchange rate or exchange rate trends, by notice in writing to the Bank, direct the Bank to deal in foreign exchange within guidelines set out by the Minister in the notice.
(2)
Section 171 does not apply to the direction.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 17
135 Minister may defer publication and presentation to House of Representatives
(1)
The Minister may defer complying with section 174(2) in relation to the whole or any part of a direction given under section 134 if the Minister is satisfied that complying with that provision would, or is likely to, prejudice the Bank’s ability to efficiently and effectively—
(a)
comply with the direction; or
(b)
otherwise perform or exercise its functions or powers.
(2)
The Minister must consider whether the Minister continues to be satisfied under subsection (1) at least once in every 12-month period after the direction is given.
(3)
The Minister must comply with section 174(2) when the Minister ceases to be satisfied under subsection (1).
136 Effect of directions on operational objectives
(1)
This section applies if the Bank considers that giving effect to a direction under section 134 (while not being inconsistent with the economic objective) would be inconsistent with 1 or more operational objectives set out in an MPC remit.
(2)
The Bank may, by notice in writing,—
(a)
advise the Minister that the Bank will, in giving effect to the direction, be unable to give effect to those operational objectives; and
(b)
request that the operational objectives be amended or replaced.
(3)
The Bank may only give a notice with the approval of the MPC.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 19(1)–(3)
Section 136(1): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 12 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
137 Effect of Bank’s notice on duty to give effect to operational objectives
(1)
If a notice is given under section 136, the MPC and the Bank are not required to give effect to the existing operational objectives.
(2)
The Minister must, within 1 month after the notice is given under section 136, amend or replace the MPC remit to amend or replace the operational objectives.
(3)
This section does not apply if the Minister withdraws the direction.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 19(4), (5)
138 Effect of directions on monetary policy
(1)
If the Bank considers that giving effect to a direction under section 134 would be inconsistent with the economic objective, the Bank may, by notice in writing, advise the Minister that the MPC and the Bank do not propose to give effect to the direction.
(2)
The Bank may only give a notice with the approval of the MPC.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 20(1), (2)
Section 138(1): amended, on 20 December 2023, by section 13 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64).
139 Effect of Bank’s notice on duty to comply with Minister’s direction
If a notice is given under section 138, the MPC and the Bank are not required to comply with the direction unless an Order in Council is made under section 125 that requires the MPC to formulate, and the Bank to implement, monetary policy in accordance with 1 or more economic objectives that are consistent with the direction.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 20(3)
Foreign exchange gains and losses
140 Foreign exchange gains and losses
(1)
The Bank must pay into a Crown Bank Account any exchange gains (whether realised or unrealised) made by the Bank as a result of dealing in foreign exchange under section 134.
(2)
The Minister must, without further appropriation, pay to the Bank out of a Crown Bank Account the amount of any exchange losses (whether realised or unrealised) incurred by the Bank as a result of dealing in foreign exchange under section 134.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 21
Foreign reserves management and co-ordination framework
141 Bank must hold and manage foreign reserves in accordance with framework
The Bank must—
(a)
hold and manage foreign reserves in accordance with a foreign reserves management and co-ordination framework (the framework); and
(b)
comply with all the other duties relating to foreign reserves that are specified in the framework (for example, duties relating to the publication of information); and
(c)
otherwise have regard to the framework when it is performing or exercising its functions or powers in relation to foreign reserves.
142 Purposes of framework
(1)
The purposes of the framework are to—
(a)
facilitate the Bank’s ability to—
(i)
achieve its main objectives in section 9(1); and
(ii)
comply with directions given under section 134; and
(b)
recognise both the Crown’s and the Bank’s interests and roles in relation to the management and use of foreign reserves and to provide a mechanism to identify and co-ordinate those interests and roles.
(2)
The Minister and the Bank must ensure that the framework is consistent with these purposes.
143 Minister and Bank must agree on framework
(1)
The Minister and the Bank must agree on the framework.
(2)
The framework must set out the following matters:
(a)
requirements and arrangements for the Bank’s management and use of foreign reserves for either or both of the purposes referred to in section 142 (and different requirements or arrangements may be specified for different parts of those reserves):
(b)
requirements for those foreign reserves (or for different parts of those foreign reserves) to be maintained at a specified level or within specified levels.
(3)
The framework may include—
(a)
requirements for the publication of information on the management and use of the foreign reserves and the Bank’s investment performance in relation to those reserves:
(b)
any other matters that the Minister and the Bank think fit.
(4)
The Bank must ensure that the MPC has been consulted on a proposed framework before it is agreed to.
144 Form and publication of framework
(1)
The framework must be in writing, be dated, and be signed by the Minister and by 2 members on behalf of the board.
(2)
The Bank must publish a copy of the framework or a variation of the framework on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank as soon as practicable after the framework or variation is signed.
145 Minister and Bank must ensure framework is in force
(1)
The Minister and the Bank must take all reasonable steps to ensure that a framework is in force at all times.
(2)
This section applies only after the first framework is agreed and signed (see clause 13 of Schedule 1).
146 Minister must have regard to framework when issuing direction under section 134
The Minister must have regard to the framework before issuing a direction under section 134.
147 Review of framework
(1)
The Bank and the Treasury—
(a)
must review the operation of the framework within 5 years after the first framework comes into force and then at subsequent intervals of not more than 5 years; and
(b)
must review the operation of the framework as soon as practicable after a direction is issued under section 134; and
(c)
may review the operation of the framework at any other time.
(2)
In carrying out the review, the Bank and the Treasury must—
(a)
consider whether any amendments to the framework are necessary or desirable; and
(b)
report on the findings to the Minister.
(3)
The Bank must publish the report on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank as soon as practicable after giving it to the Minister.
(4)
If a direction is issued under section 134,—
(a)
the Minister and the Bank must take all reasonable steps to agree on any amendments to the framework that are necessary or desirable to ensure that the framework is consistent with the direction; but
(b)
the Minister may impose amendments on the framework if the Minister is satisfied that—
(i)
the amendments are necessary or desirable to ensure that the framework is consistent with the direction; and
(ii)
the Minister has been unable to reach agreement with the Bank on those amendments after having taken all reasonable steps to do so.
(5)
This section does not prevent the Minister and the Bank from agreeing to amend or replace the framework at any time.
148 Bank must defer publishing information relating to certain directions
(1)
This section applies if, under section 135, the Minister has deferred complying with section 174(2) in relation to the whole or any part of a direction.
(2)
Section 147(3) does not apply to a report on the review of the operation of the framework that is carried out after the direction is issued.
(3)
If the framework is amended under section 147(4), section 144(2) does not apply to the amendment.
(4)
However, this section ceases to apply when the Minister complies with section 174(2) in relation to the direction or the part of the direction.
Subpart 4—Currency
149 Issue of currency by Bank
(1)
The Bank has the sole right to issue bank notes and coins in New Zealand.
(2)
The Bank must determine the denominations, form, design, content, weight, and composition of its bank notes and coins.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 25(1), (2)
150 Power of Bank to call in currency
(1)
The Bank may, by notice in the Gazette, call in any bank notes or coins issued or treated as having been issued under this Act.
(2)
The Bank may act under subsection (1) only with the prior consent of the Minister.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 26(1)
151 Effect of call-in notice
(1)
When the notice under section 150 takes effect, all bank notes or coins to which it applies cease to be legal tender.
(2)
However, the Bank continues to be liable to pay any such bank note or coin on presentation at the head office of the Bank.
(3)
The notice takes effect on the date specified in it.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 26(2), (3)
152 Legal tender: bank notes
(1)
Every bank note issued, or treated as issued, under this Act is legal tender for the amount expressed in the note.
(2)
The reference to bank notes in this section does not include bank notes that have been called in.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 27(1), (3)
153 Legal tender: coins
(1)
A tender of payment of money, to the extent that it is made in coins issued, or treated as issued, under this Act is legal tender,—
(a)
in the case of coins of a denomination of $10 or more, for the payment of any amount:
(b)
in the case of coins of a denomination of $1 or more but less than $10, for the payment of any amount not exceeding $100:
(c)
in the case of coins of a denomination of 50 cents or more, but less than $1, for the payment of any amount not exceeding $10:
(d)
in the case of any coins of a denomination of less than 50 cents, for the payment of any amount not exceeding $5.
(2)
The reference to coins in this section does not include coins that have been called in.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 27(2), (3)
154 Defacing bank notes
(1)
A person must not intentionally deface, disfigure, or mutilate a bank note.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply if the Bank has given its prior consent.
(3)
A person who is a party to the defacement, disfigurement, or mutilation of a bank note must not intentionally—
(a)
use the bank note for the tender of any amount; or
(b)
part with the bank note; or
(c)
put in circulation the bank note; or
(d)
demand payment of the bank note; or
(e)
deposit or offer to deposit the bank note in a bank or licensed NBDT.
(4)
A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 28
155 Making or issuing of other bank notes or coins
(1)
A person must not intentionally make or issue any bank note or coin, other than a bank note or coin issued under this Act.
(2)
Every person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction,—
(a)
in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $200,000 (or both):
(b)
in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $600,000.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 29
156 Reproduction or imitation of currency
(1)
A person must not intentionally—
(a)
make, design, engrave, print, or reproduce any reproduction or imitation currency; or
(b)
use, issue, or publish any reproduction or imitation currency.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply if the Bank has given its prior consent.
(3)
Every person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction,—
(a)
in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding $20,000 (or both):
(b)
in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $50,000.
(4)
In this section and section 157, reproduction or imitation currency means any article or thing resembling a bank note or coin or so nearly resembling or having such a likeness to a bank note or coin as to be likely to be confused with or mistaken for it.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 30(1), (2)
157 Court may order imitation currency and other things to be destroyed
If a person is convicted of an offence under section 156, the court may order any of the following in the possession of that person to be destroyed:
(a)
the reproduction or imitation currency:
(b)
any copy of the reproduction or imitation currency:
(c)
any plate, block, die, printer, copy of a computer program, copy of a digital file, and other article or thing used or capable of being used for printing or reproducing the reproduction or imitation currency.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 30(3)
158 Time for filing charging document
Despite anything to the contrary in section 25 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, the limitation period in respect of an offence under section 154 or 156 ends on the date that is 3 years after the date on which the offence was committed.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 177(a)
Subpart 5—Regulating bank note handling machines
159 Interpretation in this subpart
In this subpart,—
bank note handling machine means a machine that—
(a)
automatically does any 1 or more of accepting, counting, sorting, or dispensing bank notes issued by the Bank; and
(b)
determines, without human assistance, either or both of the following:
(i)
whether a note handled by the machine is, in fact, a bank note issued by the Bank:
(ii)
whether a bank note is at least of a minimum quality so as to be fit to be used or to be circulated as currency
operator means an operator of a bank note handling machine
prepare for sale includes activities in connection with collating bank notes for sale
standards means standards issued under this subpart.
160 Bank may issue standards for bank note handling machines
(1)
The Bank may issue standards to provide reasonable assurance that a bank note handling machine dispenses a note, or prepares a note for sale to another person, only if that note is—
(a)
a bank note issued by the Bank; and
(b)
at least of a minimum quality so as to be fit to be used or to be circulated as currency.
(2)
A standard issued under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • notify it in the Gazette, stating its name, a brief description of its content, and where it is available for inspection and purchase | ||||
| • publish it on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank | ||||
| • make it available for inspection free of charge at the Bank’s head office | ||||
| • make it available for purchase at a reasonable price | ||||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
161 Procedure for issuing standards
(1)
Before issuing a standard (the proposed standard), the Bank must consult the persons, or representatives of the persons, that the Bank considers will be substantially affected by the issue of the proposed standard.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to a standard that amends another standard if the Bank is satisfied that the amendment—
(a)
is only correcting a minor error; or
(b)
is otherwise of a minor nature only.
162 Content of standards
(1)
The standards may do 1 or more of the following:
(a)
specify physical characteristics that define or determine the quality and authenticity of a bank note that a bank note handling machine must be able to recognise:
(b)
set minimum standards of quality for a bank note that a bank note handling machine may dispense or prepare for sale:
(c)
set requirements to ensure that a bank note handling machine does not dispense or prepare for sale a note if the machine determines that the note—
(i)
is not a bank note issued by the Bank; or
(ii)
does not meet those minimum standards of quality:
(d)
set requirements for how a bank note handling machine deals with a note referred to in paragraph (c) (which may require, for example, the machine to withhold the note):
(e)
set a minimum number of sensors for a bank note handling machine:
(f)
provide that, if specified software or software versions are used, particular standards or parts of standards will be treated as satisfied:
(g)
provide that, if specified hardware or hardware versions are used, particular standards or parts of standards will be treated as satisfied:
(h)
specify requirements for—
(i)
the regular testing of a bank note handling machine to ensure it maintains compliance with the standards; and
(ii)
testing under section 164; and
(iii)
record-keeping relating to that testing:
(i)
specify any other requirements that a bank note handling machine must comply with in order to provide the reasonable assurance referred to in section 160.
(2)
Standards under subsection (1)(f) and (g) must not require specified software or software versions, or specified hardware or hardware versions, to be used.
(3)
Different matters may be specified, set, or required in respect of different types of bank note handling machines or other circumstances.
163 Standards do not prevent return to Bank of unfit bank notes
Nothing in the standards prevents any activity that facilitates the return to the Bank of bank notes that are not of a minimum quality so as to be fit to be used or to be circulated as currency.
164 Bank may require operator to test bank note handling machines and to report
The Bank may, by written notice, require an operator to—
(a)
ensure that all or any of the bank note handling machines that it operates are tested in accordance with the standards for the purpose of verifying that those machines meet the standards; and
(b)
give a report to the Bank on the testing within the time and in the manner specified by the Bank.
165 Bank may require operator to cease operating machine until operator verifies compliance
(1)
This section applies if the Bank considers that a bank note handling machine does not, or may not, meet any standards.
(2)
The Bank may, by written notice, require the operator of the machine to cease to operate the machine until the operator can verify, to the Bank’s satisfaction, that the machine meets the standards.
166 Infringement offence to fail to comply with notice
(1)
An operator commits an infringement offence if it fails to comply with a notice under section 164 or 165, or any requirements of the Bank under either of those sections.
(2)
An operator that commits the infringement offence is liable to—
(a)
an infringement fee of—
(i)
$1,000 in the case of an individual; or
(ii)
$3,000 in any other case; or
(b)
a fine imposed by a court not exceeding—
(i)
$3,000 in the case of an individual; or
(ii)
$9,000 in any other case.
167 Offence of intentionally or recklessly failing to comply with notice to cease operating machine
(1)
An operator commits an offence if—
(a)
the operator has intentionally or recklessly failed to comply with a notice under section 165 or any requirements of the Bank under that section; and
(b)
the notice referred to in paragraph (a) was given within 6 months after a previous notice was given to the operator under that section.
(2)
An operator that commits the offence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding—
(a)
$50,000 in the case of an individual; or
(b)
$200,000 in any other case.
168 District Court may make orders about bank note handling machines
(1)
The District Court may, on the application of the Bank, order that 1 or more bank note handling machines be—
(a)
forfeited to the Crown; or
(b)
deactivated or destroyed; or
(c)
otherwise dealt with as the court thinks fit.
(2)
The District Court may make an order in relation to a bank note handling machine only if the court is satisfied that—
(a)
the operator of the machine has failed to comply with a notice in relation to the machine under section 165 or any requirements of the Bank under that section; and
(b)
the notice referred to in paragraph (a) was given within 6 months after a previous notice was given to the operator under that section.
(3)
The District Court must specify in an order under subsection (1)(a) the machines to which the order applies and that the machines—
(a)
vest in the Crown absolutely; and
(b)
are in the custody and control of the Official Assignee.
(4)
The Official Assignee may sell, use, destroy, or otherwise dispose of any bank note handling machines in their custody and control in any manner that they think fit.
Subpart 6—Financial stability reports
169 Purposes of financial stability report
(1)
The purposes of a financial stability report are to—
(a)
provide publicly accessible information about the following matters to promote public awareness and understanding of those matters:
(i)
the stability of New Zealand’s financial system:
(ii)
other matters associated with the Bank’s prudential objective; and
(b)
identify and report on risks to the stability of New Zealand’s financial system; and
(c)
allow assessments to be made of the effectiveness of the Bank’s use of its powers to—
(i)
protect and promote the stability of New Zealand’s financial system; and
(ii)
achieve the prudential objective.
(2)
In this subpart, prudential objective means the Bank’s objective under section 9(3) to act in a way that furthers the objectives or purposes of the prudential legislation.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 162AA(c)
170 Financial stability reports
(1)
The Bank must, not less than twice in every calendar year,—
(a)
deliver a financial stability report to the Minister; and
(b)
publish the report on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
A financial stability report must—
(a)
report on matters relating to—
(i)
the stability of New Zealand’s financial system; and
(ii)
other matters associated with the Bank’s prudential objective; and
(b)
contain the information that is necessary or desirable to allow an assessment to be made of the effectiveness of the Bank’s use of its powers to—
(i)
protect and promote the stability of New Zealand’s financial system; and
(ii)
achieve the prudential objective.
(3)
The Minister must present the report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after receiving it.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 165A
Part 4 Operation of Reserve Bank
Independence of Bank
171 Safeguarding independence of Bank
(1)
This Act does not authorise a Minister to direct the Bank, or a member, an employee, or an office holder of the Bank, to require the performance or non-performance of a particular act, or the bringing about of a particular result, in respect of a particular person or persons.
(2)
This section applies to all ministerial directions given under this Act, including directions under section 172 but not including directions under section 134.
(3)
Nothing in this section limits—
(a)
section 77 of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989; or
(b)
any other direction given under any other Act.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 113
Whole of government directions
172 Directions to support whole of government approach
(1)
The Minister of State Services and the Minister of Finance may jointly give the Bank a direction under section 107 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
(2)
For that purpose, sections 107 to 111 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 apply to the Bank with all necessary modifications as if it were an independent Crown entity.
(3)
A direction given to the Bank under this section must be treated as being a direction given under this Act (rather than the Crown Entities Act 2004).
Government directions to Bank
173 Bank must comply with directions given under statutory power of direction
(1)
The Bank must, in performing its functions, comply with any direction given to it under a power of direction in this Act or another Act.
(2)
Comply, in this section, means to give effect to the direction or to have regard to the direction, as the context requires.
(3)
Subsection (1) applies—
(a)
subject to sections 138 and 139 (which provide for when the Bank is not required to comply with a direction relating to dealing in foreign exchange); and
(b)
except as provided in section 171; and
(c)
to a direction given by a Minister, only if it is in writing and signed by a Minister entitled to give the direction.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 114
174 Procedure for ministerial directions
(1)
A Minister who proposes to give a direction to the Bank under this Act or another Act must consult with the Bank before giving the direction to the Bank.
(2)
As soon as practicable after giving the direction, the Minister must—
(a)
publish it in the Gazette; and
(b)
present a copy of it to the House of Representatives.
(3)
The direction may be amended or replaced in the same way as it may be given.
(4)
A Minister who is entitled to give a direction to the Bank is also entitled to revoke it by notice in writing to the Bank, and, as soon as practicable after doing so, the Minister must publish that notice in the Gazette.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 115(1)–(3A)
175 When procedural requirements for directions do not apply
(1)
Section 174 does not apply to directions under section 172.
(2)
Section 174 does not apply to directions under section 77 of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989.
(3)
Section 174 does not apply, in the case of any other directions given under another Act, if the other Act contains a procedure for giving directions.
(4)
Section 174 is subject to section 135.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 115(4), (5)
176 Review and expiry of all directions given to Bank
(1)
A ministerial direction given to the Bank under this Act or another Act may specify its expiry date.
(2)
A direction that does not specify its expiry date must be reviewed by the Minister or Ministers within 5 years after the direction was given.
(3)
A Minister or Ministers reviewing a direction must, to the extent that they consider it necessary in the circumstances,—
(a)
consult the Bank; and
(b)
consult any persons that they consider are representative of the interests of persons likely to be substantially affected by the direction.
(4)
As soon as practicable after completing the review, the Minister or Ministers must notify the outcome of the review to—
(a)
the Bank; and
(b)
persons that were consulted under subsection (3)(b).
(5)
This section—
(a)
does not apply to directions under section 77 of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989; and
(b)
does not apply, in the case of any other directions given under another Act, if the other Act contains a procedure for reviewing directions.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 115A
Employees
177 Bank must be good employer
The Bank must—
(a)
operate a personnel policy that complies with the principle of being a good employer; and
(b)
make that policy (including the equal employment opportunities programme) available to its employees; and
(c)
ensure its compliance with that policy (including its equal employment opportunities programme) and report in its annual report on the extent of its compliance.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 118(1)
178 Meaning of good employer
(1)
For the purposes of section 177, a good employer is an employer who operates a personnel policy containing provisions generally accepted as necessary for the fair and proper treatment of employees in all aspects of their employment, including provisions requiring—
(a)
good and safe working conditions; and
(b)
an equal employment opportunities programme; and
(c)
the impartial selection of suitably qualified persons for appointment; and
(d)
recognition of—
(i)
the aims and aspirations of Māori; and
(ii)
the employment requirements of Māori; and
(iii)
the need for involvement of Māori as employees of the Bank; and
(e)
opportunities for the enhancement of the abilities of individual employees; and
(f)
recognition of the aims and aspirations and employment requirements, and the cultural differences, of ethnic or minority groups; and
(g)
recognition of the employment requirements of women; and
(h)
recognition of the employment requirements of persons with disabilities.
(2)
For the purposes of this section, an equal employment opportunities programme is a programme that is aimed at the identification and elimination of all aspects of policies, procedures, and other institutional barriers that cause or perpetuate, or tend to cause or perpetuate, inequality in respect of the employment of any persons or group of persons.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 118(2), (3)
179 Application of clauses 12 and 13 of Schedule 8 of Public Service Act 2020
(1)
The Bank is an employer in the State services for the purposes of clauses 12 and 13 of Schedule 8 of the Public Service Act 2020.
(2)
Clauses 12 and 13 of Schedule 8 of the Public Service Act 2020 apply to the Governor and employees of the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 119
Protections from liability
180 Definitions for protections from liability
(1)
In sections 181 to 188,—
effect insurance includes pay, whether directly or indirectly, the costs of the insurance
excluded act or omission means an act or omission by a person referred to in section 182(1) that is done or omitted to be done in good faith and in the performance or exercise, or intended performance or exercise, of—
(a)
the Bank’s functions or powers under—
(i)
this Act; or
(ii)
the prudential legislation; or
(iii)
any other legislation that confers or imposes functions or powers on the Bank; and
(b)
the functions or powers that are conferred or imposed separately on the person by—
(i)
this Act; or
(ii)
the prudential legislation; or
(iii)
any other legislation that confers or imposes functions or powers on the Bank
indemnify includes relieve or excuse from liability, whether before or after the liability arises, and indemnity has a corresponding meaning.
(2)
In sections 181 to 188, a reference to—
(a)
a person of a particular kind (for example, an employee) includes a person who was a person of that kind but who is no longer a person of that kind (for example, a former employee):
(b)
a person referred to in particular provisions includes a person who was a person of the kind referred to in those provisions but who is no longer a person of that kind.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 126
181 Protection from liability for Bank
(1)
The Bank is not liable for any act or omission that is done or omitted to be done in good faith and in the performance or exercise, or intended performance or exercise, of the Bank’s functions or powers under—
(a)
this Act; or
(b)
the prudential legislation; or
(c)
any other legislation that confers or imposes functions or powers on the Bank.
(2)
Nothing in this section applies in respect of proceedings for—
(a)
(b)
the offence of conspiring to commit an offence under any of those sections of the Crimes Act 1961; or
(c)
the offence of attempting to commit an offence under any of those sections of the Crimes Act 1961.
(3)
This section does not limit any liability that the Bank has in relation to any contract or other enforceable obligation entered into by the Bank (see section 191).
Section 181(2)(a): amended, on 27 November 2025, by section 17 of the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 71).
182 Protection for certain persons
(1)
This section applies to the following persons:
(a)
a member of the board; and
(b)
a member of the MPC; and
(c)
the Governor; and
(d)
a member of a committee; and
(e)
an employee of the Bank; and
(f)
an investigator appointed under any provision of the prudential legislation; and
(g)
a statutory manager appointed under any provision of the prudential legislation.
(2)
A person to whom this section applies is not liable for any excluded act or omission.
(3)
Nothing in subsection (2) applies in respect of proceedings for—
(a)
(b)
the offence of conspiring to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (a); or
(c)
the offence of attempting to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (a).
(4)
This section does not apply to the liability of a member of the board to the Bank (see section 184).
(5)
This section is subject to sections 165 to 168 of the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (which provide for immunities in relation to orders and warrants, and entry, search, and surveillance powers).
Section 182(3)(a): amended, on 27 November 2025, by section 17 of the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 71).
183 Protections from liabilities of Bank
A person referred to in section 182(1)(a) to (e) is not liable for any liability of the Bank by reason only of being a person of the kind referred to in that section.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 120
184 Liability of member of board to Bank
A member of the board is not liable, in respect of an excluded act or omission, to the Bank, unless it is also a breach of an individual duty under any of sections 50 to 54.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 121(1)(a)
185 Protections do not affect other actions
Nothing in section 182 or 184 affects—
(a)
the making of an order under section 59:
(b)
the right of any person to apply, in accordance with the law, for judicial review.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 121(3)
186 Indemnities in relation to act or omission
The Bank may only indemnify a person referred to in section 182(1)(a) to (f) in respect of an act or omission for which the person is protected from liability under this subpart (including costs incurred in defending or settling any claim or proceeding relating to the act or omission).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 122
187 Insurance for liability
(1)
The Bank may effect insurance cover for a person referred to in section 182(1)(a) to (f) in relation to the person’s acts or omissions, except an act or omission that is—
(a)
in bad faith; or
(b)
not in the performance or exercise, or intended performance or exercise, of the relevant functions or powers.
(2)
The relevant functions or powers are—
(a)
the Bank’s functions or powers under—
(i)
this Act; or
(ii)
the prudential legislation; or
(iii)
any other legislation that confers or imposes functions or powers on the Bank; or
(b)
the functions or powers that are conferred or imposed separately on the person by—
(i)
this Act; or
(ii)
the prudential legislation; or
(iii)
any other legislation that confers or imposes functions or powers on the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 123
188 Breach of indemnity and insurance limits
(1)
A person referred to in section 182(1)(a) to (f) who is indemnified or insured by the Bank in breach of this Act must repay to the Bank the cost of providing or effecting that indemnity or insurance cover, to the extent that the indemnity or insurance cover exceeds that which could have been provided or effected under this Act.
(2)
The Bank may recover the amount as a debt due in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 125
189 Crown indemnities in relation to statutory management
The Crown indemnifies—
(a)
each statutory manager appointed under any prudential legislation for any liability that arises from any act or omission that is done or omitted to be done in good faith and in the performance or exercise, or intended performance or exercise, of the statutory manager’s functions or powers; and
(b)
the Bank for any liability that arises from any act or omission that is done or omitted to be done in good faith and in the performance or exercise, or intended performance or exercise, of the Bank’s functions or powers in connection with statutory management under any prudential legislation or any other legislation.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 179A(1) and (2)(a)
190 Other provisions relating to Crown indemnities
(1)
Any money paid by the Crown under an indemnity under section 189 and any expenses incurred by the Crown in relation to that indemnity may be incurred without further appropriation, and must be paid without further authority, than this section.
(2)
The indemnities conferred by section 189 extend to legal costs incurred in defending a proceeding.
(3)
Within 12 sitting days of the making of any payment under this section, the Minister must present to the House of Representatives a report that contains details of the circumstances giving rise to the liability of the Crown, the amount of the payment, the person to whom the payment was made, and any other relevant matters.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 179A(3) to (5)
Dealings with third parties
191 Method of contracting
(1)
A contract or other enforceable obligation may be entered into by the Bank as provided in this section.
(2)
An obligation that, if entered into by an individual, is required to be by deed may be entered into on behalf of the Bank in writing, signed under the name of the Bank,—
(a)
by 2 or more of its members; or
(b)
by 1 or more attorneys appointed by the Bank under section 192(1).
(3)
An obligation that, if entered into by an individual, is required to be in writing may be entered into on behalf of the Bank in writing by a person acting under the Bank’s express or implied authority.
(4)
An obligation that, if entered into by an individual, is not required to be in writing may be entered into on behalf of the Bank in writing or orally by a person acting under the Bank’s express or implied authority.
(5)
This section applies to a contract or other obligation—
(a)
whether or not that obligation was entered into in New Zealand; and
(b)
whether or not the law governing that obligation is the law of New Zealand.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 127
192 Attorneys
(1)
The Bank may, by an instrument in writing executed in accordance with section 191(2)(a), appoint a person as its attorney either generally or in relation to a specified matter.
(2)
An act of the attorney in accordance with the instrument binds the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 129
193 Address for service
The address for service in New Zealand of the Bank is the address of the head office of the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 130
Review of Bank’s operations and performance
194 Review of Bank’s operations and performance
(1)
The Minister may review the operations and performance of the Bank at any time.
(2)
This section does not limit powers of review in the Public Service Act 2020 or the Public Audit Act 2001 or under any other Act.
(3)
Before a Minister undertakes a review under this section, the Minister must—
(a)
consult with the Bank on the purpose and nature of the review; and
(b)
consider any submissions made by the Bank on the proposed review.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 132(1)–(3)
195 Bank must co-operate with review
The Bank must take all reasonable steps to co-operate with the review.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 132(4)
Power to request information from Bank
196 Power to request information about operations and performance
The board of the Bank must supply to the Minister any information relating to the operations and performance of the Bank or any of its subsidiaries that the Minister requests.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 133(1)
197 Power to request information about reporting and financial obligations
The board of the Bank must supply to the Minister of Finance any information requested by the Minister in connection with the exercise of the Minister of Finance’s powers under Part 5.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 133(2)
198 Power to request information about assessing capability and performance of State services
(1)
The Minister of State Services may request the Bank to supply information under section 133(2A) to (2C) of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
(2)
For that purpose, section 133(2A) to (2C) of the Crown Entities Act 2004 applies to the Bank with all necessary modifications as if it were an independent Crown entity.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 133(2A)–(2C)
199 Good reasons for refusing to supply requested information
(1)
A request for information under any of sections 196, 197, and 198 may be refused if—
(a)
the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of a person (whether or not a natural person or a deceased person); or
(b)
the supply of the information would materially limit the ability of the Bank to perform its functions in relation to a particular matter.
(2)
The reason in subsection (1)(a) or (b) applies only if it is not outweighed by the relevant Minister’s need to have the information in order to discharge the relevant Minister’s ministerial duties.
(3)
The information cannot be withheld other than for the reasons in subsection (1), and cannot be withheld at all if it could not properly be withheld under the Official Information Act 1982.
(4)
In particular, the information cannot be withheld under section 269 (or any other provision in the prudential legislation that restricts the publication or disclosure of any information).
(5)
If the Bank withholds information for a reason in subsection (1), the Bank must give to the relevant Minister a written statement that explains why the information is being withheld.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 134
Miscellaneous
200 Members, Governor, office holders, and employees are officials
(1)
This section applies to members of the board, members of the MPC, the Governor, and office holders and employees of the Bank or of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank.
(2)
In this section, individuals working for the Bank as contractors or secondees in relation to a function, duty, or power of the Bank are to be treated as if they are employees.
(3)
This section also applies to a person who was formerly a person described in subsection (1) or (2) in respect of any acts or omissions or decisions made—
(a)
while that person was a person described in subsection (1) or (2); and
(b)
after the commencement of this subsection.
(4)
A person to whom this section applies is an official for the purposes of sections 105 and 105A of the Crimes Act 1961.
(5)
This section does not limit the meaning of official in section 99 of the Crimes Act 1961.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 135
201 Evidence
(1)
In any proceeding under this Act or any other legislation, a copy of a decision of the Bank certified by the chairperson of the board (the chairperson) to be correct is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, sufficient evidence of the decision.
(2)
A certificate signed by the chairperson to the following effect is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, sufficient evidence of the matters stated in it in any proceeding under this Act or any other legislation:
(a)
any approval or consent required under this Act or any other legislation has or has not been given by the Bank, or is or is not for the time being in force; or
(b)
any document has been signed by, or on behalf of, the Bank, the board, or the chairperson.
(3)
A certificate purporting to have been signed by the chairperson must, in the absence of proof to the contrary, be treated for all purposes to have been duly signed by the chairperson.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 178
202 Policy advice
(1)
On request by the Minister, the Bank must provide advice to the Minister on any matter that is connected with the functions of the Bank.
(2)
The Bank may also provide advice to the Minister, at any time, on any matters or subjects within the responsibility of the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 33
202A Consent to licence under Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013
If the Financial Markets Authority has asked for the Bank’s consent under section 409A or clause 91 of Schedule 4 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, the Bank must consider that request in accordance with that provision.
Section 202A: inserted, on 31 March 2025, by section 26 of the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 36).
Part 5 Financial and accountability matters
Subpart 1—Financial policy remit
203 Financial policy remit
(1)
The Minister must, after consulting the Bank, issue a financial policy remit.
(2)
See section 49, which requires the board to have regard to the financial policy remit when it is acting in relation to the Bank’s prudential strategic intentions and prudential standards.
(3)
The Minister must take all reasonable steps to ensure that a financial policy remit is in force at all times.
204 Contents of financial policy remit
(1)
The financial policy remit may specify or provide for matters that the Minister considers are desirable for the Bank to have regard to in relation to 1 or more of the following:
(a)
achieving the financial stability objective:
(b)
acting in a way that furthers the objectives or purposes of the prudential legislation:
(c)
performing the Bank’s function under section 10(1)(b) (which relates to acting as a prudential regulator and supervisor under the prudential legislation).
(2)
A matter under subsection (1) must not be inconsistent with any of the following:
(a)
the financial stability objective:
(b)
the objectives or purposes of the prudential legislation:
(c)
any other provision of this Act or the prudential legislation.
205 Form, publication, and presentation of financial policy remit
(1)
The financial policy remit must be in writing and signed by the Minister.
(2)
The Bank must publish the financial policy remit on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(3)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after a financial policy remit is issued,—
(a)
notify the issue of the remit in the Gazette; and
(b)
present a copy of the remit to the House of Representatives.
206 Review of financial policy remit
(1)
The Treasury must, within 5 years after the commencement of this section and then at subsequent intervals of not more than 5 years,—
(a)
review the operation of the financial policy remit; and
(b)
consider whether any amendments to the financial policy remit are necessary or desirable; and
(c)
report on its findings to the Minister.
(2)
As soon as practicable after receiving a report, the Minister must present a copy of the report to the House of Representatives.
(3)
This section does not prevent the Minister from amending or replacing the financial policy remit at any time.
207 Safeguarding independence of Bank
This subpart does not authorise the Minister to require the performance or non-performance of a particular act by the Bank, the Governor, or any employee or office holder of the Bank, or the bringing about of a particular result, in respect of a particular person.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 68B(5)
Subpart 2—Direction relating to Bank’s minimum level of capital and financial risk management
208 Power of Minister to direct Bank relating to minimum level of capital and financial risk management
(1)
The Minister may direct the Bank to do either or both of the following:
(a)
take all reasonable steps to maintain a minimum level of capital specified by the Minister:
(b)
have regard to the expectations referred to in subsection (2)(c).
(2)
The direction may do 1 or more of the following:
(a)
define capital:
(b)
specify other matters relating to the calculation of the minimum capital required:
(c)
set out the Minister’s expectations as to the Bank’s financial risk management.
Subpart 3—Funding agreements and annual dividend
Funding agreements
209 Funding agreements
(1)
The Minister and the Bank may enter into a funding agreement that specifies the amounts that may be paid or applied in meeting the expenditure incurred by the Bank in each financial year in performing or exercising its functions or powers under this Act or any other legislation.
(2)
The Minister and the Bank must take all reasonable steps to ensure that there is a funding agreement applying for every financial year and each funding agreement must apply to a period that comprises 5 consecutive financial years.
(3)
A funding agreement comes into effect when signed under section 210.
(4)
The Minister and the Bank may by agreement—
(a)
vary the provisions of a funding agreement; or
(b)
terminate a funding agreement and enter into a new funding agreement.
(5)
In this section and section 210, expenditure, in relation to a financial year,—
(a)
includes all expenditure (whether operating or capital) that is incurred by the Bank and that will be reported in its financial statements for that year; but
(b)
does not include—
(i)
interest expenditure incurred by the Bank (for example, interest paid by the Bank in relation to settlement accounts and borrowings); or
(ii)
foreign exchange losses; or
(iii)
losses (or provision for losses) on financial instruments or revaluation of financial instruments; or
(iv)
any payments made to the Crown under section 140; or
(v)
the cost of inventories; or
(vi)
the cost of purchasing or acquiring financial assets; or
(vii)
the cost of purchasing or acquiring any ownership interest in an entity; or
(viii)
any expenditure agreed by the Minister and the Bank to be exempt expenditure.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 159
210 Contents of funding agreements
(1)
A funding agreement must—
(a)
be in writing, be dated, and be signed by the Minister and by 2 members on behalf of the board; and
(b)
provide for the Bank’s expenditure for each of the 5 consecutive financial years to which it applies; and
(c)
provide for the Bank’s total expenditure over that period of 5 consecutive financial years; and
(d)
separately provide for capital expenditure and operating expenditure; and
(e)
provide for the items that may, in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice, properly be taken into account in determining the operating and capital expenditure applicable to the Bank’s functions or powers; and
(f)
be accompanied by a budget for the Bank’s expenditure over the 5 consecutive financial years to which the agreement applies, which must contain sufficient detail to determine the main expenditure classes the Bank proposes to undertake.
(2)
A funding agreement may provide for—
(a)
funding for items of expenditure that may be required to extend beyond the 5 consecutive financial years to which the agreement applies:
(b)
the extent, if any, to which any material change in the Bank’s operating environment will require the level or levels of expenditure to be redetermined between the Bank and the Minister:
(c)
any other matters that the Bank and the Minister think fit (not being matters that are inconsistent with this section).
(3)
The budget under subsection (1)(f) is not part of the funding agreement.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 160
211 Funding agreements to be published and presented to House of Representatives
(1)
The Bank must publish a copy of a funding agreement or a variation of a funding agreement on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank as soon as practicable after the agreement or variation is entered into.
(2)
The Minister must present a copy of a funding agreement or a variation of a funding agreement to the House of Representatives within 12 sitting days after the agreement or variation is entered into.
(3)
The funding agreement or variation of a funding agreement must be accompanied by the latest budget under section 210(1)(f) when the agreement or variation is published or presented under this section.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 161
212 Expenditure where there is no current funding agreement
If, despite section 209(2), there is no funding agreement in place for a financial year (year A), the board must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Bank’s expenditure complies with the requirements in the most recent funding agreement for the last financial year to which that agreement applies (and those requirements apply to year A with all necessary modifications).
Annual dividend
213 Determination of annual dividend
(1)
The Bank must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, recommend to the Minister the amount appropriately payable by the Bank to the Crown as an annual dividend for the financial year.
(2)
The Bank must determine the amount it recommends to the Minister in accordance with the principles set out in the statement of financial risk management.
(3)
The Minister must determine the amount that the Bank must pay to the Crown as an annual dividend for the financial year having regard to—
(a)
the recommendation of the Bank; and
(b)
the principles set out in the statement of financial risk management; and
(c)
any other relevant matters.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 162(1)–(3)
214 Bank must publish matters relating to annual dividend
The Bank must publish in its annual report—
(a)
the amount it recommends to the Minister under section 213; and
(b)
the determination made by the Minister under that section.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 162(4)
Subpart 4—Reporting obligations
215 Interpretation for subpart
(1)
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
Bank group means a group comprising—
(a)
the Bank; and
(b)
its subsidiaries; and
(c)
any entity that is its subsidiary for the purpose of any financial reporting standard that applies to the Bank under generally accepted accounting practice
class of outputs or class has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989
generally accepted accounting practice has the same meaning as in section 8 of the Financial Reporting Act 2013
Minister has the meaning set out in section 5(1)
next Budget day means the day on which the Minister of Finance will next deliver a Budget under the Public Finance Act 1989
outputs does not include outputs that are produced for purchase or consumption solely within the Bank group
pre-Budget period means—
(a)
the period of 3 months ending when the Minister of Finance next delivers a Budget under the Public Finance Act 1989; or
(b)
if the Minister of Finance gives less than 3 months’ notice of the next Budget day, the period commencing on the day on which the Minister of Finance gives that notice and ending when the Minister of Finance delivers the Budget
reportable class of outputs, in respect of a financial year, means a class of outputs—
(a)
that the Bank proposes to supply in the financial year; and
(b)
that is not exempted for that financial year under section 231
working day has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989.
(2)
Any term or expression that is defined in the Public Finance Act 1989 and used, but not defined, in this subpart has the same meaning as in the Public Finance Act 1989.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 136
Planning: statement of intent
216 Purpose of statement of intent
The purpose of a statement of intent is to promote the public accountability of the Bank by—
(a)
enabling the Crown to participate in the process of setting the Bank’s strategic intentions and medium-term undertakings:
(b)
setting out for the House of Representatives those intentions and undertakings:
(c)
providing a base against which the Bank’s actual performance can later be assessed.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 138
217 Obligation to prepare statement of intent
(1)
The Bank must provide to the Minister a statement of intent for the Bank that complies with this section and section 220.
(2)
A statement of intent must relate to the forthcoming financial year and at least the following 3 financial years.
(3)
The Bank must provide a statement of intent at least once in every 3-year period.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 139
218 Minister may require Bank to prepare new statement of intent at any time
(1)
The Minister may, if the Minister considers it necessary or desirable, require the Bank to provide a new statement of intent at any time.
(2)
A statement of intent provided under this section must comply with sections 217 and 220.
(3)
Despite section 217(2), the Minister may require the new statement of intent to relate to the remainder of the current financial year in addition to the forthcoming financial year and at least the following 3 financial years.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 139A
219 Minister may grant extension of time for requirement to provide statement of intent
(1)
If the Bank is likely to have a significant change in the nature or scope of its functions, the Minister may grant the Bank an extension, of up to 1 year, of the period specified in section 217(3).
(2)
However, the Minister must not grant an extension unless the Minister is satisfied that the extension will enable the Bank to improve the quality of the statement of intent that it provides.
(3)
If the Minister grants an extension,—
(a)
the Minister must, as soon as practicable after granting the extension, notify the Bank of the extension and the Minister’s reasons for granting it; and
(b)
the Bank must, as soon as practicable after receiving the notice, publish the notice, and the Minister’s reasons for granting the extension, on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank; and
(c)
the Bank must include, in the next annual report that it provides to the Minister under section 239(1), a statement of the extension and the Minister’s reasons for granting it.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 139B
220 Content of statement of intent
(1)
A statement of intent must, for the period to which it relates, set out the strategic objectives that the Bank intends to achieve or contribute to (strategic intentions).
(2)
A statement of intent must also, for the period to which it relates,—
(a)
explain the nature and scope of the Bank’s functions and intended operations:
(b)
explain how the Bank intends to manage its functions and operations to meet its strategic intentions:
(c)
explain how the Bank has had regard to the financial policy remit in preparing the statement of intent:
(d)
explain how the Bank proposes to manage its organisational health and capability:
(e)
explain how the Bank proposes to assess its performance:
(f)
set out and explain any other matters—
(i)
that are reasonably necessary to achieve an understanding of the Bank’s strategic intentions and capability:
(ii)
that the Bank is required to include in its statement of intent under this Act or another Act.
(3)
A statement of intent—
(a)
must be in writing, be dated, and be signed on behalf of the board by 2 members; and
(b)
is a final statement of intent when it has been signed in accordance with paragraph (a).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 141
221 Application and term of statement of intent
A statement of intent is in force—
(a)
from the later of—
(i)
the date on which the final statement of intent is provided to the Minister; and
(ii)
the first day of the period to which the statement of intent relates; and
(b)
until a new statement of intent is in force in relation to the Bank (despite the end of any financial year to which the statement relates); and
(c)
with any amendments that are made as described in section 224.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 144
222 Ministerial involvement in statement of intent
The Minister may participate in determining the content of statements of intent as follows:
(a)
the Minister may agree with the Bank that information additional to that required by section 220 be included in the statement of intent:
(b)
the Minister may, by written notice to the Bank, specify the particular form in which any information in the statement of intent must be disclosed:
(c)
the Minister may make comments on a draft statement of intent under section 223 or on an amendment to a statement of intent proposed by the Bank under section 224.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 145
223 Process for providing statement of intent to Minister
(1)
The Bank must provide a statement of intent to the Minister.
(2)
The process that must be followed in providing a statement of intent is as follows:
(a)
the Bank must provide a draft statement of intent to the Minister—
(i)
not later than 2 months before the start of the first financial year to which the statement of intent relates; or
(ii)
if the Minister has requested the statement of intent under section 218, within the time frame specified by the Minister; and
(b)
the Minister must provide to the Bank any comments that they may have on the draft not later than 15 working days after receiving it; and
(c)
the Bank must consider the comments (if any) on the draft and provide the final statement of intent to the Minister—
(i)
as soon as practicable after receiving the comments (if any) but before the start of the first financial year to which the statement of intent relates; or
(ii)
if the Minister has requested the statement of intent under section 218,—
(A)
as soon as practicable, but not later than 25 working days, after receiving the comments; or
(B)
if the Minister does not provide comments within the period specified in paragraph (b), not later than 25 working days after the end of that period.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 146
224 Amendments to final statement of intent by Bank
(1)
The Bank may amend its final statement of intent.
(2)
The Bank must amend its statement of intent if—
(a)
the information contained in the statement of intent is false or misleading in a material particular; or
(b)
the intentions and undertakings in the statement of intent are significantly altered or affected by—
(i)
a direction given to the Bank by a Minister; or
(ii)
a direction under section 172; or
(iii)
any change to the financial policy remit; or
(iv)
any change in the law; or
(v)
any other change in the Bank’s operating environment.
(3)
The Bank must make the amendment required under subsection (2) as soon as practicable after the Bank becomes aware of the facts that give rise to the obligation to amend under this section.
(4)
The Bank may, instead of amending its final statement of intent, provide to the Minister under section 223 a new statement of intent that complies with sections 217 and 220.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 148(1)–(3), (7)
225 Process for amendments to statement of intent
(1)
The following process applies to an amendment under section 224:
(a)
the Bank must provide a draft amendment to the Minister; and
(b)
the Minister must provide to the Bank any comments that they may have no later than 15 working days after receiving the draft; and
(c)
the Bank must consider the comments (if any) and must provide the final amendment to the Minister as soon as practicable.
(2)
An amendment under section 224—
(a)
must be in writing, be dated, and be signed on behalf of the board by 2 members; and
(b)
is a final amendment when it has been signed in accordance with paragraph (a).
(3)
A final amendment is in force from the date on which it is provided to the Minister.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 148(4)–(6)
226 Obligation to publish and present statement of intent
(1)
The Bank must, as soon as practicable after providing a final statement of intent to the Minister, publish the statement of intent on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
However, if a final statement of intent relates to a period commencing on or after the next Budget day, the Minister may require the Bank not to publish the statement in the pre-Budget period.
(3)
The Minister must present a copy of the final statement of intent to the House of Representatives—
(a)
in the same document as the Bank’s annual report for the financial year before the first full financial year to which the statement of intent relates (see section 239); or
(b)
in any other document presented on or before the date on which the annual report described in paragraph (a) is presented.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149
227 Obligation to publish and present amendments to statement of intent
(1)
As soon as practicable after an amendment to a statement of intent is finalised under section 225,—
(a)
the Bank must publish the amendment on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank; and
(b)
the Minister must present a copy of the amendment to the House of Representatives.
(2)
However,—
(a)
if the amendment will come into force on or after the next Budget day, the Minister—
(i)
may require the Bank not to publish the amendment in the pre-Budget period; and
(ii)
need not present the amendment to the House of Representatives in that period; and
(b)
the Bank must not publish an amendment to a statement of intent before publishing the statement of intent under section 226; and
(c)
the Minister must not present a copy of an amendment to a statement of intent to the House of Representatives before presenting a copy of the statement of intent to the House of Representatives under section 226; and
(d)
if Parliament is not in session, subsection (1)(b) does not apply, but the Minister must present a copy of the amendment to the House of Representatives as soon as possible after the commencement of the next session of Parliament.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149A
Planning: statement of performance expectations
228 Purpose of statement of performance expectations
The purpose of a statement of performance expectations for the Bank is to—
(a)
enable the Minister to participate in the process of setting annual performance expectations; and
(b)
enable the House of Representatives to be informed of those expectations; and
(c)
provide a base against which actual performance can be assessed.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149B
229 Obligation to prepare statement of performance expectations
Before the start of each financial year, the Bank must prepare a statement of performance expectations for that financial year that complies with section 230.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149C
230 Content of statement of performance expectations
(1)
Each statement of performance expectations must, in relation to the Bank and a financial year,—
(a)
identify each reportable class of outputs for the financial year; and
(b)
identify each exemption granted under section 231(1)(a) for the financial year; and
(c)
state whether the Bank proposes to supply any class of outputs in the financial year that is not a reportable class of outputs; and
(d)
contain a forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense that complies with section 232.
(2)
For each reportable class of outputs, the statement of performance expectations must—
(a)
include a concise explanation of what the class of outputs is intended to achieve; and
(b)
identify the expected revenue and proposed expenses for the class of outputs; and
(c)
include a concise explanation of how the performance of the class of outputs will be assessed.
(3)
A statement of performance expectations—
(a)
must be in writing, be dated, and be signed on behalf of the board by 2 members; and
(b)
is a final statement of performance expectations when it has been signed in accordance with paragraph (a).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149E
231 Exemption for certain outputs
(1)
The Minister of Finance may exempt, for 1 or more financial years or until further notice, 1 or more classes of outputs from—
(a)
any statement of performance expectations required under section 229; or
(b)
any statement of performance required under section 240(1)(b).
(2)
The Minister of Finance must not exempt a class of outputs from a statement of performance expectations or a statement of performance unless the Minister is satisfied that—
(a)
the class of outputs is not material to the statement; or
(b)
the class of outputs will be adequately reported on to the House of Representatives by a Minister, a department, or another public entity; or
(c)
for any other reason, the exemption does not unreasonably compromise accountability for the performance of the Bank.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149F
232 Forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense
(1)
Each statement of performance expectations, in relation to the Bank and a financial year, must contain a forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense for the financial year.
(2)
The forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense must—
(a)
be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice; and
(b)
include—
(i)
a statement of all significant assumptions underlying the statement; and
(ii)
any additional information and explanations needed to fairly reflect the forecast financial operations of the Bank; and
(c)
be prepared in a manner that allows for a comparison with actual revenues and output expenses.
(3)
Nothing in this Act requires a statement of performance expectations to contain any financial statements other than a forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149G
233 Ministerial involvement in statement of performance expectations
(1)
The Minister may participate in determining the contents of statements of performance expectations as follows:
(a)
the Minister may agree with the Bank that information additional to that required by section 230 be included in the statement of performance expectations:
(b)
the Minister may, by written notice to the Bank, specify the particular form in which any information in the statement of performance expectations must be disclosed:
(c)
the Minister may make comments on a draft statement of performance expectations under section 234 or on an amendment to a final statement of performance expectations proposed by the Bank under section 235.
(2)
The Minister may require a statement of performance expectations to contain any information about how the performance of a class of reportable outputs will be assessed.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149H
234 Process for providing statement of performance expectations to Minister
(1)
The Bank must provide a statement of performance expectations to the Minister.
(2)
The process that must be followed in providing a statement of performance expectations is as follows:
(a)
the Bank must provide a draft statement of performance expectations to the Minister not later than 2 months before the start of the financial year to which the statement of performance expectations relates; and
(b)
the Minister must provide to the Bank any comments that they may have on the draft not later than 15 working days after receiving it; and
(c)
the Bank must consider the comments (if any) on the draft and provide the final statement of performance expectations to the Minister as soon as practicable after receiving the comments (if any), but before the start of the financial year to which the statement of performance expectations relates.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149I
235 Amendments to final statement of performance expectations by Bank
(1)
The Bank may amend its final statement of performance expectations at any time.
(2)
The Bank must amend its final statement of performance expectations if—
(a)
the information contained in the final statement of performance expectations is false or misleading in a material particular; or
(b)
the intentions and undertakings in the final statement of performance expectations are significantly altered or affected by—
(i)
a direction given to the Bank by a Minister; or
(ii)
a direction under section 172; or
(iii)
any change to the financial policy remit; or
(iv)
any change in the law; or
(v)
any other change in the Bank’s operating environment.
(3)
The Bank must make an amendment required under subsection (2) as soon as practicable after the Bank becomes aware of the facts that give rise to the obligation to amend under this section.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149K(1)–(3)
236 Process for amendments to statement of performance expectations
(1)
The Bank must amend its statement of performance expectations in accordance with the following process:
(a)
the Bank must provide a draft amendment to the Minister; and
(b)
the Minister must provide to the Bank any comments that the Minister may have not later than 15 working days after receiving the draft; and
(c)
the Bank must consider the comments (if any) and provide the final amendment to the Minister as soon as practicable.
(2)
An amendment under this section—
(a)
must be in writing, be dated, and be signed on behalf of the board by 2 members; and
(b)
is a final amendment when it has been signed in accordance with paragraph (a).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149K(4), (5)
237 Obligation to publish and present statement of performance expectations
(1)
The Bank must, as soon as practicable after providing a final statement of performance expectations to the Minister, publish the statement on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
However, if the final statement of performance expectations relates to a period commencing on or after the next Budget day, the Minister may require the Bank not to publish the statement in the pre-Budget period.
(3)
The Minister must present a copy of the final statement of performance expectations to the House of Representatives—
(a)
in the same document as the Bank’s annual report for the previous financial year (see section 239); or
(b)
in any other document presented on or before the date on which the annual report described in paragraph (a) is presented.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149L
238 Obligation to publish and present amendments to statement of performance expectations
(1)
As soon as practicable after an amendment to a final statement of performance expectations is finalised under section 236,—
(a)
the Bank must publish the amendment on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank; and
(b)
the Minister must present a copy of the amendment to the House of Representatives.
(2)
However,—
(a)
if the amendment will come into force on or after the next Budget day, the Minister—
(i)
may require the Bank not to publish the amendment in the pre-Budget period; and
(ii)
need not present the amendment to the House of Representatives in that period; and
(b)
the Bank must not publish an amendment to a statement of performance expectations before publishing the statement of performance expectations under section 237; and
(c)
the Minister must not present a copy of an amendment to a statement of performance expectations to the House of Representatives before presenting a copy of the statement of performance expectations to the House of Representatives under section 237; and
(d)
if Parliament is not in session, subsection (1)(b) does not apply, but the Minister must present a copy of the amendment to the House of Representatives as soon as possible after the commencement of the next session of Parliament.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 149M
Reporting: annual report
239 Obligation to prepare, present, and publish annual report
(1)
The Bank must provide to the Minister an annual report on the affairs of the Bank within 3 months after the end of each financial year.
(2)
The Minister must present the Bank’s annual report to the House of Representatives within 5 working days after the Minister receives the annual report or, if Parliament is not in session, as soon as possible after the commencement of the next session of Parliament.
(3)
The Bank must publish its annual report as soon as practicable after it has been presented to the House of Representatives, but in any case not later than 10 working days after the annual report is received by the Minister, in a manner consistent with any instructions given under section 259.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 150
240 Form and content of annual report
(1)
An annual report must contain the following information and reports in respect of the financial year to which it relates:
(a)
information on operations that complies with subsection (2); and
(b)
a statement of performance in accordance with section 243; and
(c)
the annual financial statements for the Bank in accordance with section 244; and
(d)
a statement of responsibility in accordance with section 246; and
(e)
the audit report in accordance with section 247; and
(f)
the current statement of financial risk management in accordance with section 251; and
(g)
any new direction given to the Bank by a Minister in writing under this Act or any other legislation during that financial year, as well as other such directions that remain current (subject to section 241); and
(h)
information on compliance with its obligation to be a good employer (including its equal employment opportunities programme); and
(i)
information required by section 242 (which relates to payments in respect of members, the Governor, external members of the MPC, committee members, and employees during that financial year); and
(j)
information required by section 17(3) (which relates to the enforcement of certain natural person transactions); and
(k)
information required by section 68 (which relates to permission to act despite being interested in a matter); and
(l)
information about how the board has complied with section 49 (which requires the board to have regard to the financial policy remit when acting in relation to the Bank’s prudential strategic intentions and prudential standards); and
(m)
a statement as to whether, in the board’s opinion, the MPC and the members of the MPC have adequately discharged their respective responsibilities during the financial year (see section 99); and
(n)
a description of how the board has assessed the matter under paragraph (m); and
(na)
the financial statements of the depositor compensation fund, and the statement of responsibility and audit report for those statements, required under subpart 9 of Part 6 of the Deposit Takers Act 2023; and
(o)
any matters that relate to or affect the Bank’s operations that the Bank is otherwise required, or has undertaken, or wishes to report on in its annual report.
(2)
The annual report must provide the information that is necessary to enable an informed assessment to be made of the Bank’s operations and performance for that financial year, including an assessment of the Bank’s progress in relation to its strategic intentions as set out in the most recent statement of intent.
(3)
An annual report must be in writing, be dated, and be signed on behalf of the board by 2 members.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 53A(1A); 2004 No 115 s 15
Section 240(1)(na): inserted, on 1 July 2025, by section 484 of the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (2023 No 35).
241 Bank must defer including information in annual report about certain directions
(1)
This section applies if, under section 135, the Minister has deferred complying with section 174(2) in relation to the whole or any part of a direction.
(2)
The Bank must not include information in its annual report under section 240(1)(g) about the direction or the part of the direction.
(3)
However, after the Minister complies with section 174(2) in relation to the direction or the part of the direction, the Bank must include the information about the direction or part in its next annual report.
242 Disclosure of remuneration and of details of indemnities and insurance cover
(1)
The annual report must include, in respect of the Bank,—
(a)
for each member of the board (other than the Governor), the total value of the remuneration paid or payable to the member in their capacity as a member of the board from the Bank during that financial year; and
(b)
for the Governor, the total value of the remuneration paid or payable to the Governor from the Bank during that financial year; and
(c)
for each external member of the MPC, the total value of the remuneration paid or payable to the member in their capacity as an external member from the Bank during that financial year; and
(d)
for each committee member who is not a board member or an employee, the total value of the remuneration paid or payable to the member in their capacity as a committee member from the Bank during that financial year; and
(e)
the number of employees to whom, during the financial year, remuneration was paid or payable in their capacity as employees, the total value of which is or exceeds $100,000 per annum, and the number of those employees in brackets of $10,000; and
(f)
the total value of any compensation or other benefits paid or payable to persons who ceased to be the Governor, a committee member, or an employee during the financial year in relation to that cessation and the number of persons to whom all or part of that total was paid or payable; and
(g)
details of any indemnity provided by the Bank during the financial year to any member of the board, the Governor, any member of the MPC, any committee member, or any employee; and
(h)
details of any insurance cover effected by the Bank during the financial year in respect of the liability or costs of any member of the board, the Governor, any member of the MPC, any committee member, or any employee.
(2)
Despite section 248, the annual report of the Bank must include the information specified in subsection (1) in respect of each subsidiary of the Bank as well as in respect of the Bank.
(3)
In subsection (1)(a) to (e), remuneration does not include compensation or other benefits referred to in subsection (1)(f).
(4)
In subsection (1), a reference to a person of a particular kind (for example, an employee) includes a person who was a person of that kind but who is no longer a person of that kind (for example, a former employee).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 152
243 Form and content of statement of performance
A statement of performance must, in relation to the Bank and a financial year,—
(a)
be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice; and
(b)
describe each reportable class of outputs for the financial year; and
(c)
include, for each reportable class of outputs identified in the Bank’s statement of performance expectations for the financial year,—
(i)
the standards of delivery performance achieved by the Bank, as compared with the forecast standards included in the Bank’s statement of performance expectations for the financial year; and
(ii)
the actual revenue earned and output expenses incurred, as compared with the expected revenues and proposed output expenses included in the Bank’s statement of performance expectations for the financial year.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 153
244 Annual financial statements
(1)
As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the Bank must prepare financial statements in relation to the Bank for that financial year.
(2)
The financial statements must—
(a)
comply with generally accepted accounting practice; and
(b)
include any other information or explanations needed to fairly reflect the financial operations and financial position; and
(c)
include the forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense prepared at the start of the financial year, for comparison with the actual financial statements.
(3)
The financial statements must show separately—
(a)
any payments made by the Bank under section 140(1); and
(b)
any payments made by the Minister to the Bank under section 140(2).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 154
245 Information about each class of excluded expenditure
(1)
The Bank must ensure that information about the expenditure referred to in section 209(5)(b) for a financial year is included in a note to, or accompanies, the financial statements for that year.
(2)
The information must specify the amount expended for each of subparagraphs (i) to (viii) of section 209(5)(b).
246 Statement of responsibility
The statement of responsibility must—
(a)
contain a statement of the signatories’ responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements and statement of performance and for the judgments in them; and
(b)
contain a statement of the signatories’ responsibility for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of financial reporting; and
(c)
contain a statement that, in the opinion of the signatories, the financial statements and statement of performance for the financial year fairly reflect the financial position and operations of the Bank; and
(d)
be dated and signed on behalf of the board by 2 members.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 155
247 Audit report
(1)
The Bank must forward to the Auditor-General the following statements and information:
(a)
the Bank’s annual financial statements and statement of performance (if applicable):
(b)
all other information that the Auditor-General has agreed, or is required, to audit.
(2)
The statements and information must be forwarded under subsection (1) before the end of the second month following the end of the financial year to which the statements relate.
(3)
The Bank must also forward to the Auditor-General the Bank’s annual report in a timely manner to enable the Auditor-General to review that report before providing the audit report required under subsection (4).
(4)
The Auditor-General must—
(a)
audit the statements and information referred to in subsection (1); and
(b)
provide an audit report on those statements and that information to the Bank within 30 days after receiving them.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 156
Application of this subpart to Bank group
248 Application of this subpart to Bank group
(1)
This section and section 249 apply if, at the relevant time, the Bank has 1 or more subsidiaries.
(2)
This subpart—
(a)
must be read as if it required a statement or report to include consolidated information in respect of the Bank group, rather than information in respect of the Bank only; and
(b)
otherwise applies with any necessary modifications.
(2A)
This section is subject to section 256 of the Deposit Takers Act 2023, which provides for consolidation of financial information about the Depositor Compensation Fund only if consolidation is required by applicable financial reporting standards.
(3)
In this section,—
relevant time, in relation to a statement or report, means—
(a)
the end of the period to which the statement or report relates; or
(b)
if the statement or report relates to a period that includes a future period, the time when the statement or report is provided to the Minister
statement or report means any of the following:
(a)
statement of intent (see section 217):
(b)
statement of performance expectations (see section 229):
(c)
forecast statement of comprehensive revenue and expense (see section 232):
(d)
annual report (see section 239):
(e)
statement of performance (see section 243):
(f)
annual financial statements (see section 244)
subsidiary means a subsidiary within the meaning of paragraph (b) or (c) of the definition of Bank group in section 215(1).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 156A
Section 248(2A): inserted, on 1 July 2025, by section 495(1) of the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (2023 No 35).
249 Minister of Finance may require additional reporting
(1)
Despite section 248, the Minister of Finance may, by notice in writing, require the Bank or any other member of the Bank group (a specified entity) to prepare 1 or more statements or reports under this subpart as if it were not a member of the Bank group.
(2)
A notice must specify—
(a)
which statements and reports are required; and
(b)
the financial years or other period (which may be until further notice) for which each statement or report is required.
(3)
Before issuing a notice, the Minister of Finance must—
(a)
consider the operations and functions of the specified entity; and
(b)
be satisfied that each statement or report is necessary or desirable to enhance public accountability of the specified entity.
(4)
If a specified entity is required under this section to prepare a statement or report, this subpart applies with any necessary modifications.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 156B
Subpart 5—Other accountability statements and reports
Financial risk management
250 Purposes of statement of financial risk management
The purposes of the statement of financial risk management are to—
(a)
report on matters relating to the board’s duty to ensure that the Bank operates in a financially responsible manner (see section 47); and
(b)
report on the Bank’s management of financial risks; and
(c)
ensure the accountability of the Bank for its management of those risks; and
(d)
provide for principles for determining the Bank’s annual dividend; and
(e)
facilitate the role of the monitor.
251 Obligation to prepare statement of financial risk management
(1)
The Bank must—
(a)
prepare and keep up to date a statement of financial risk management; and
(b)
publish a copy of the current statement on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
A statement under this section must—
(a)
set out—
(i)
the board’s approach to complying with its duty under section 47; and
(ii)
information about how the board has complied with that duty during the most recently completed financial year; and
(b)
set out the Bank’s approach to financial risk management, including—
(i)
its approach to complying with any direction given under section 208; and
(ii)
all other information that is necessary to allow an assessment of how the Bank manages financial risks that may impact on its ability to perform its functions; and
(c)
set out information about how the Bank has complied with any direction given under section 208 during the most recently completed financial year; and
(d)
identify the significant financial risks that—
(i)
the Bank was exposed to at any time during the most recently completed financial year (including identifying the impact of those risks on the Bank’s statement of financial position for that financial year); and
(ii)
the Bank is currently exposed to; and
(iii)
the Bank expects it will be exposed to over the medium term; and
(e)
include a statement of principles—
(i)
in accordance with which the Bank will make a recommendation under section 213 (which relates to the determination of the Bank’s annual dividend); and
(ii)
that the Minister must have regard to under that section; and
(f)
contain all other information reasonably required by the Minister.
(3)
The principles under subsection (2)(e) must be as agreed by the Minister and the Bank under section 252.
252 Minister and Bank must take reasonable steps to agree on annual dividend principles
The Minister and the Bank must take all reasonable steps to agree on the principles under section 251(2)(e).
Statements of prudential policy
253 Purposes of statements of prudential policy
The purposes of statements of prudential policy are to—
(a)
provide transparency about how the Bank acts, or proposes to act, when performing the function under section 10(1)(b) (which relates to acting as a prudential regulator and supervisor under the prudential legislation); and
(b)
promote public awareness and understanding of the Bank’s activities and operations under the prudential legislation.
254 Obligation to prepare statements of prudential policy
(1)
The Bank must—
(a)
prepare and keep up to date 1 or more statements of prudential policy; and
(b)
publish a copy of the current statements on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
The statements under this section must—
(a)
outline in general terms the Bank’s policies about how the Bank acts, or proposes to act, when performing the function under section 10(1)(b); and
(b)
contain all other information reasonably required by the Minister.
Assessment of regulatory impacts of policies
255 Assessment of regulatory impacts of policies
(1)
The Bank must—
(a)
assess the expected regulatory impacts of any policy that it intends to adopt under the prudential legislation (a proposed policy); and
(b)
assess the regulatory impacts of the policies adopted and applied under that legislation at intervals appropriate to the nature of the policy being assessed; and
(c)
give reports on the assessments to the Minister.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to any policy that is of a minor or technical nature.
(3)
The Bank may provide reports on the assessments of regulatory impacts to the Minister—
(a)
as part of another document or other report required by this Part; or
(b)
as a stand-alone report prepared following a request by the Minister or on the Bank’s own initiative.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 162AB(1)–(3)
256 Content of assessment of proposed policy
An assessment of the expected regulatory impacts of any proposed policy must include—
(a)
an outline of the problem or issue that the policy is intended to address:
(b)
the objectives of the policy:
(c)
an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the policy:
(d)
an evaluation of alternative means of achieving the objectives of the policy:
(e)
a statement of the Bank’s proposed approach to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the policy:
(f)
a statement that explains how the board has had regard to the financial policy remit in preparing the proposed policy:
(g)
a description of any consultation or other engagement the Bank has had with interested persons in relation to the policy and an explanation of how the Bank has had regard to any views expressed.
257 Bank must publish report on assessment of regulatory impacts
(1)
The Bank must publish every report on the assessment of regulatory impacts on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
However, the Bank may omit information from any report published if it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that it is proper to omit the information on the ground of commercial confidentiality.
(3)
The publication of an accountability document that includes a report on the assessments of regulatory impacts satisfies the obligation in subsection (1).
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 162AB(4)–(6)
Subpart 6—Accounting records
258 Board must ensure that proper accounting records are kept
(1)
The board of the Bank must cause accounting records to be kept that—
(a)
correctly record and explain the transactions of the Bank; and
(b)
will at any time enable the financial position of the Bank to be determined with reasonable accuracy; and
(c)
will enable the members of the board to ensure that the financial statements of the Bank comply with section 244; and
(d)
will enable the financial statements of the Bank to be readily and properly audited.
(2)
The accounting records must be in written form or in a manner in which they are easily accessible and convertible into written form.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 168(1), (2)
Subpart 7—Miscellaneous
259 Minister of Finance instructions
(1)
The Minister of Finance may issue instructions to the Bank that—
(a)
prescribe minimum requirements concerning the Bank’s annual report, statement of intent, or statement of performance expectations:
(b)
prescribe the non-financial reporting standards that the Bank must apply and the form in which the Bank must provide the information that is required to be presented to the House of Representatives by or under this Act.
(2)
For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister of Finance may issue instructions that apply any instructions issued under section 174 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 to the Bank (whether in whole or in part).
(3)
The instructions must be consistent, in the opinion of the Minister, with generally accepted accounting practice and any reporting standard imposed by or under any other Act, to the extent that those matters are relevant to the instructions.
(4)
Instructions issued under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 174
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | The maker must: | LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| • notify it in the Gazette | ||||
| • publish it on the Internet | ||||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
260 Consultation with House of Representatives on reporting standards
(1)
The Minister must prepare and submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives a draft of any instruction proposed to be issued under section 259(1)(b).
(2)
The Speaker must present the draft instruction to the House of Representatives as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(3)
The Minister, after considering any comments of the Speaker or any committee of the House of Representatives that considered the draft instruction, may amend the draft instruction as the Minister thinks fit.
(4)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after issuing an instruction, present it to the House of Representatives.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 175
Part 6 Miscellaneous provisions
Subpart 1—Information-gathering power
261 Interpretation for this subpart
(1)
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—
associated has the meaning set out in subsection (2)
provider means a person who carries on a business of providing a relevant service (whether or not the business is the person’s only business or the person’s principal business)
relevant person means any of the following:
(a)
a provider:
(b)
a person that is associated with a provider:
(c)
a person who was previously a provider or a person that was associated with a provider
relevant service means—
(a)
a financial service within the meaning of section 5 of the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008; or
(b)
without limiting paragraph (a), a service of processing payments on behalf of other persons, including—
(i)
administering interchange services or electronic payment systems; or
(ii)
providing or making available hardware, software, or other technology to support interchange services or electronic payment systems; or
(c)
a service of transporting, storing, or distributing bank notes or coins
voting product has the same meaning as in section 6(1) of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
(2)
In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires, a person (A) is associated with another person (B) if—
(a)
B is A’s holding entity or subsidiary; or
(b)
more than half of the voting products of A, other than voting products that carry no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital, are held by B and persons that are associated with B (whether directly or indirectly, but other than in a fiduciary capacity); or
(c)
more than half of the voting products of each of A and B, other than voting products that carry no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital, are held by members of the other (whether directly or indirectly, but other than in a fiduciary capacity); or
(d)
the businesses of A and B have been so carried on that the separate business of each person, or a substantial part of it, is not readily identifiable; or
(e)
there is another person with which both A and B are associated.
(3)
In subsection (2), a person is another person’s holding entity if, and only if, that other person is its subsidiary.
Bank’s information-gathering power
262 Bank may require relevant person to supply information for central banking and financial system oversight functions
(1)
If the Bank considers it necessary or desirable for the purposes of performing or exercising its functions or powers under section 10(1)(a), (c), or (d) or Part 3, the Bank may, by written notice to a relevant person, require the person to supply to the Bank any information, or class of information, that is specified in the notice.
(2)
The information must be supplied—
(a)
for the periods, and in the manner and form (including consolidated form), that may be specified in the notice; and
(b)
in respect of a provider of a relevant service; and
(c)
in respect of relevant services provided in New Zealand or elsewhere and whether as principal, broker, agent, or intermediary; and
(d)
within the period, and otherwise in the manner, that is specified in the notice.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 36
263 Information about particular customer, client, or natural person not required
(1)
A relevant person is not required to supply information under section 262 relating to the affairs of—
(a)
a particular customer or client; or
(b)
a particular natural person (unless the natural person is itself a relevant person).
(2)
If a relevant person is required to supply information under section 262 relating to the affairs of a natural person, the Bank must comply with the information privacy principles set out in section 22 of the Privacy Act 2020.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 36(5)
264 Person required to supply information has same privileges as witnesses in court
A person who is required to supply information under section 262 has the same privileges in relation to that duty as witnesses have in a proceeding before a court.
Offences relating to information-gathering power
265 Infringement offence to fail to supply information
(1)
A relevant person commits an infringement offence if it fails to comply with section 262 or any requirements of the Bank under that section.
(2)
A relevant person that commits the infringement offence is liable to—
(a)
an infringement fee of—
(i)
$1,000 in the case of an individual; or
(ii)
$3,000 in any other case; or
(b)
a fine imposed by a court not exceeding—
(i)
$3,000 in the case of an individual; or
(ii)
$9,000 in any other case.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 37(a)
266 Offence of intentionally or recklessly failing to comply with notice to supply information
(1)
A relevant person commits an offence if the person—
(a)
intentionally or recklessly fails to comply with section 262 or any requirements of the Bank under that section; or
(b)
supplies any information under section 262 knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, the information is false or misleading in a material particular.
(2)
A relevant person that commits the offence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding—
(a)
$50,000 in the case of an individual; or
(b)
$200,000 in any other case.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 37(b)
Requirement that information be reviewed
267 Requirement that information be reviewed
(1)
This section applies if—
(a)
information is supplied by a relevant person under section 262; and
(b)
the Bank has reasonable grounds to believe that the information is inadequate or inaccurate.
(2)
The Bank may, by written notice, require the relevant person to—
(a)
obtain a review of the information; and
(b)
give the results of the review to the Bank.
(3)
The review must be carried out—
(a)
by a suitably qualified independent person approved by the Bank; and
(b)
in the manner specified by the Bank in the notice.
(4)
The results of the review must be given to the Bank within the period, and otherwise in the manner, that is specified in the notice.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 38(1)
268 Offence of failing to comply with review requirements
(1)
A relevant person commits an offence if the person, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with section 267 or any requirements of the Bank under that section.
(2)
A relevant person that commits the offence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding—
(a)
$50,000 in the case of an individual; or
(b)
$200,000 in any other case.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 38(2)
Confidentiality
269 Publication or disclosure of information by Bank
(1)
This section applies to the following:
(a)
information provided to the Bank under this subpart:
(b)
information derived from or based on information referred to in paragraph (a).
(2)
The Bank may publish or disclose any information to which this section applies only if—
(a)
the information is available to the public under an Act (other than the Official Information Act 1982) or is otherwise publicly available information; or
(b)
the information is in a statistical or summary form; or
(c)
the publication or disclosure is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function or power conferred or imposed on the Bank by this Act or any other legislation; or
(d)
the publication or disclosure is made under subpart 3 (which relates to information sharing); or
(e)
the publication or disclosure is to a person who the Bank is satisfied has a proper interest in receiving the information; or
(f)
the publication or disclosure is with the consent of the person who supplied the information or to whom the information relates.
(3)
The Bank may not publish or disclose information under subsection (2)(e) unless satisfied that satisfactory provision exists to protect the confidentiality of the information.
(4)
A member, the Governor, any other office holder of the Bank, or any employee of the Bank must not publish or disclose any information to which this section applies except for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function or power under this Act or any other legislation.
(5)
Nothing in any legislation, other than this Act or the Official Information Act 1982, requires the Bank or any person to whom information has been published or disclosed under this section to make that information available to any other person.
(6)
The Bank may make information to which this section applies available under the Official Information Act 1982 only if 1 or more grounds under subsection (2) apply.
(7)
Nothing in this section limits or prevents the provision of information to the Government Statistician for the production of official statistics or research under the Data and Statistics Act 2022.
Section 269(7): inserted, on 1 September 2022, by section 107(1) of the Data and Statistics Act 2022 (2022 No 39).
270 Offence of unauthorised publication or disclosure
A member, the Governor, any other office holder of the Bank, or any employee of the Bank who intentionally publishes or discloses information in contravention of section 269 commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000.
271 Conditions relating to publication or disclosure of information
(1)
The Bank may, by written notice to a person to whom any information is disclosed under section 269(2)(c), (e), or (f), impose any conditions in relation to the publication, disclosure, or use of the information by the person.
(2)
Conditions imposed may include, without limitation, conditions relating to—
(a)
maintaining the confidentiality of anything provided:
(b)
the storing of, the use of, or access to anything provided:
(c)
the copying, returning, or disposing of copies of documents provided.
272 Restrictions on further publication or disclosure of information
(1)
If information is disclosed to a person under section 269(2)(c), the person may publish, disclose, or use the information only—
(a)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, functions or powers referred to in section 269(2)(c); and
(b)
in accordance with any conditions imposed by the Bank.
(2)
If information is published or disclosed to a person under section 269(2)(e), the person may publish, disclose, or use the information only if the publication, disclosure, or use—
(a)
is authorised by the Bank and is in accordance with any conditions imposed by the Bank; or
(b)
is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the functions or powers of a person under any legislation.
(3)
If information is published or disclosed to a person under section 269(2)(f), the person may publish, disclose, or use the information only in accordance with the conditions of the consent (if any).
273 Offence of unauthorised publication, disclosure, or use
A person who intentionally publishes, discloses, or uses information in contravention of section 272 commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding—
(a)
$50,000 in the case of an individual; or
(b)
$200,000 in any other case.
Privacy Act 2020
274 Subpart does not limit Privacy Act 2020
Nothing in this subpart limits the Privacy Act 2020.
Subpart 2—Provisions relating to infringement offences
275 Proceedings for infringement offences
(1)
A person who is alleged to have committed an infringement offence may—
(a)
be proceeded against by the filing of a charging document under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011; or
(b)
be issued with an infringement notice under section 276.
(2)
Proceedings commenced in the way described in subsection (1)(a) do not require the leave of a District Court Judge or Registrar under section 21(1)(a) of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957.
(3)
See section 21 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957 for the procedure that applies if an infringement notice is issued.
276 When infringement notice may be issued
The Bank may issue an infringement notice to a person if the Bank believes on reasonable grounds that the person is committing, or has committed, an infringement offence.
277 Revocation of infringement notice before payment made
(1)
The Bank may revoke an infringement notice before—
(a)
the infringement fee is paid; or
(b)
an order for payment of a fine is made or deemed to be made by a court under section 21 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957.
(2)
The Bank must take reasonable steps to ensure that the person to whom the notice was issued is made aware of the revocation of the notice.
(3)
The revocation of an infringement notice before the infringement fee is paid is not a bar to any further action as described in section 275(1)(a) or (b) against the person to whom the notice was issued in respect of the same matter.
278 What infringement notice must contain
An infringement notice must be in the form prescribed in the regulations and must contain the following particulars:
(a)
details of the alleged infringement offence that fairly inform a person of the time, place, and nature of the alleged offence:
(b)
the amount of the infringement fee:
(c)
the address of the Bank:
(d)
how the infringement fee may be paid:
(e)
the time within which the infringement fee must be paid:
(f)
a summary of the provisions of section 21(10) of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957:
(g)
a statement that the person served with the notice has a right to request a hearing:
(h)
a statement of what will happen if the person served with the notice neither pays the infringement fee nor requests a hearing:
(i)
any other matters prescribed in the regulations.
279 How infringement notice may be served
(1)
An infringement notice may be served on the person who the Bank believes is committing or has committed the infringement offence by—
(a)
delivering it to the person or, if the person refuses to accept it, bringing it to the person’s notice; or
(b)
leaving it for the person at the person’s last known place of residence with another person who appears to be of or over the age of 14 years; or
(c)
leaving it for the person at the person’s place of business or work with another person; or
(d)
sending it to the person by prepaid post addressed to the person’s last known place of residence or place of business or work; or
(e)
sending it to an electronic address of the person in any case where the person does not have a known place of residence or business in New Zealand.
(2)
Unless the contrary is shown,—
(a)
an infringement notice (or a copy of it) sent by prepaid post to a person under subsection (1) is to be treated as having been served on that person on the fifth working day after the date on which it was posted:
(b)
an infringement notice sent to a valid electronic address is to be treated as having been served at the time the electronic communication first enters an information system that is outside the control of the Bank.
280 Payment of infringement fees
All infringement fees paid in respect of infringement offences must be paid into a Crown Bank Account.
281 Reminder notices
A reminder notice must be in the form prescribed in the regulations, and must include the same particulars, or substantially the same particulars, as the infringement notice.
Subpart 3—Information sharing
282 Sharing of information with certain law enforcement or regulatory agencies
(1)
The Bank may provide to a person or an agency specified in subsection (2) any information that the Bank—
(a)
holds in relation to the performance or exercise of the Bank’s functions or powers under this Act or any other legislation; and
(b)
considers may—
(i)
assist the person or agency to perform or exercise the person’s functions or powers under any legislation; or
(ii)
assist any department, a chief executive of a department, or a Minister to perform or exercise any of their functions, responsibilities, or powers (whether or not under any legislation); or
(iii)
assist the agency (or a Minister) to administer any legislation; or
(iv)
assist an overseas person or agency to perform or exercise the overseas person’s or agency’s functions, responsibilities, or powers (whether or not under foreign law); or
(v)
assist an overseas person or agency (or an overseas Minister) to administer any foreign law.
(2)
The persons or agencies are any of the following:
(a)
a law enforcement or regulatory agency:
(b)
overseas central banks:
(c)
Australian financial authorities prescribed under section 68A of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989:
(d)
other overseas bodies that perform functions that correspond with, or are similar to, any of those conferred on the Bank.
(3)
However, the Bank may provide information to an overseas person or agency under this section only if the Bank is satisfied that appropriate protections are or will be in place for the purpose of maintaining the confidentiality of anything provided (in particular, information that is personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 2020).
(4)
The Bank may use any information provided to it by any person or agency referred to in subsection (2) in the Bank’s performance or exercise of its functions or powers under this Act or any other legislation.
(5)
This section applies despite anything to the contrary in any contract, deed, or document.
(6)
This section does not limit any provision of this Act or any other legislation that allows the Bank to use or disclose information.
283 Conditions that may be imposed on providing information under this subpart
(1)
The Bank may impose any conditions in relation to providing information under this subpart.
(2)
The Bank must, in considering what conditions to impose, have regard to whether conditions are necessary or desirable in order to protect the privacy of any individual.
(3)
The conditions may include, without limitation, conditions relating to—
(a)
maintaining the confidentiality of anything provided (in particular, information that is personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 2020):
(b)
the storing of, the use of, or access to anything provided:
(c)
the copying, returning, or disposing of copies of documents provided:
(d)
payment of the costs incurred by the Bank in providing any information under this subpart.
284 Restriction on publication, disclosure, or use
If information is provided to a person or an agency under this subpart, the person or agency may publish, disclose, or use the information only if the publication, disclosure, or use—
(a)
is authorised by the Bank and is in accordance with any conditions imposed by the Bank; or
(b)
is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the functions or powers of a person under any legislation.
Subpart 4—Council of Financial Regulators
285 Council of Financial Regulators
This section continues the Council of Financial Regulators (the council).
286 Function of council
The function of the council is to facilitate co-operation and co-ordination between members of the council to support effective and responsive regulation of the financial system in New Zealand.
287 Chairpersons of council
(1)
The chairpersons of the council are the Bank and the Financial Markets Authority.
(2)
The Bank and the Financial Markets Authority may agree that one of them is to carry out the chairperson’s functions in relation to a matter or class of matters.
288 Members of council
(1)
The council consists of—
(a)
the Bank; and
(b)
the Financial Markets Authority; and
(c)
the Treasury; and
(d)
the department that, with the authority of the Prime Minister, is responsible for the administration of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013; and
(e)
any other department, entity, or agency that joins the council with the agreement of a chairperson of the council.
(2)
A department, an entity, or an agency referred to in subsection (1)(e) may—
(a)
resign as a member of the council; or
(b)
by written notice, be removed for any reason as a member of the council by a chairperson of the council; or
(c)
be a member of the council for a term specified by a chairperson of the council (subject to paragraphs (a) and (b)).
Subpart 5—General offences
289 Offences
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person knowingly—
(a)
refuses or fails to produce any information that is in the person’s possession or under the person’s control in relation to the management, performance, or operations of the Bank when required to do so under this Act; or
(b)
resists or obstructs any Minister acting in the discharge of that Minister’s functions or in the exercise of that Minister’s powers under this Act; or
(c)
resists or obstructs the monitor acting in the discharge of the monitor’s functions or in the exercise of the monitor’s powers under this Act; or
(d)
represents directly or indirectly that the person holds any authority under this Act knowing that the person does not hold that authority.
(2)
A person commits an offence if the person makes any statement or declaration, or gives any information or certificate, required by or under this Act knowing it to be false or misleading.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 171
290 Penalties for offences
(1)
Every person who commits an offence against section 289(1) is liable on conviction,—
(a)
in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding $2,000; or
(b)
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
(2)
Every person who commits an offence against section 289(2) is liable on conviction,—
(a)
in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $5,000 (or both); or
(b)
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $15,000.
Compare: 2004 No 115 s 172
Subpart 6—Regulations
291 General regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
(a)
prescribing persons or agencies for the purposes of paragraph (m) of the definition of law enforcement or regulatory agency in section 5(1):
(b)
prescribing information to be included in infringement notices and reminder notices and the form of notices:
(c)
providing for any other matters contemplated by this Act, necessary for its administration, or necessary for giving it full effect.
(2)
The Minister must consult the Bank before making a recommendation under this section.
(3)
Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
292 Regulations relating to fees, charges, and costs
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
(a)
requiring the payment to the Bank of fees and charges—
(i)
in connection with the performance or exercise by the Bank of any function, power, or duty under this Act, the prudential legislation, or any other legislation:
(ii)
on an application or a request to the Bank to perform or exercise any function, power, or duty under this Act, the prudential legislation, or any other legislation:
(b)
prescribing the amounts of those fees and charges or the manner in which those fees and charges are to be calculated:
(c)
authorising the Bank to require payment of any costs incurred by the Bank in connection with any matter referred to in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii).
(2)
The Minister must consult the Bank before making a recommendation under this section.
(3)
The regulations may authorise the Bank to refund or waive, in whole or in part and on any conditions as may be prescribed, payment of any fee, charge, or cost payable in relation to any person or class of persons.
(4)
If the regulations authorise the Bank to grant a refund or waiver to a class of persons,—
(a)
the instrument granting the refund or waiver is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements); and
(b)
the regulations must contain a statement to that effect.
(5)
The Bank may refuse to perform or exercise a function, power, or duty until the prescribed fee, charge, or cost is paid.
(6)
Any fee, charge, or cost payable to the Bank is recoverable by the Bank in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Bank.
(7)
Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 2011 No 5 s 67
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subsection (7) | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subsection (4)(a) | ||||
| Publication | See the relevant publication, presentation, and disallowance table in the secondary legislation referred to in subsection (7) | LA19 ss 73, 74, Sch 1 cl 14 | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives, unless a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019 | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
293 Regulated entities must pay levy to Bank
(1)
Every person that is included in a prescribed class of regulated entities must pay to the Bank, or a prescribed person on behalf of the Bank, a levy prescribed by the regulations made under section 294.
(2)
If a person is in 2 or more classes of regulated entity in respect of which different levies have been prescribed, the person must pay each of those levies (unless the regulations provide otherwise).
(3)
The amount of any unpaid levy is recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Bank.
Compare: 2011 No 5 s 68(1), (2), (7), (9)
294 Levy regulations
(1)
The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations providing for the levies.
(2)
Before making a recommendation under this section, the Minister must—
(a)
consult the Bank; and
(b)
comply with section 296.
(3)
Levies must be prescribed on the basis that the following costs should be met fully out of the levies:
(a)
a portion of the costs of the Bank in performing or exercising its functions or powers under prudential legislation, where the size of the portion to be met by levies under this Act is determined by the Minister; and
(b)
the costs of collecting the levy money.
(4)
The regulations may—
(a)
specify the class or classes of regulated entities that are required to pay a levy:
(b)
specify the amount of levies, or the method of calculating or ascertaining the amount of levies:
(c)
include in levies, or provide for the inclusion in levies of, any shortfall in recovering the actual costs:
(d)
refund, or provide for refunds of, any over-recovery of the actual costs:
(e)
provide for the payment and collection of levies:
(f)
provide different levies for different classes of regulated entities:
(g)
specify the financial year or part financial year to which a levy applies, and apply that levy to that financial year or part financial year and each subsequent financial year until the levy is revoked or replaced:
(h)
require payment of a levy for a financial year or part financial year, irrespective of the fact that the regulations may be made after that financial year has commenced:
(i)
provide for waivers or refunds of the whole or any part of a levy for any case or class of cases.
(5)
Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
Compare: 2011 No 5 s 68(3), (4), (6)
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114, Sch 1 cl 32(1)(a) | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
295 Other provisions relating to levy regulations
(1)
Levies may be prescribed on the basis that any actual cost that could have been, but has not been, recovered as a levy shortfall for a year may be recovered (along with any financing charge) over any period of up to 5 years.
(2)
A levy for a financial year that starts after the Bank begins to carry out any additional function under any prudential legislation may recover the costs of performing that additional function, irrespective of the fact that the regulations may be made and come into effect after the start of the financial year.
(3)
The Bank, or any other person prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, must ensure that each levy payment is separately accounted for.
Compare: 2011 No 5 s 68(5), (8), (10)
296 Consultation about proposed levy regulations
(1)
The Minister must, before making a recommendation under section 294, ensure that the following are consulted:
(a)
the persons or organisations that the Minister considers are able to represent the views of those regulated entities that are liable to pay a levy under section 293; and
(b)
any other representatives of persons who the Minister believes are significantly affected by a levy.
(2)
The consultation must include consultation relating to—
(a)
the portion of the costs referred to in section 294(3)(a) that should be met by the levies; and
(b)
the amount of levies or method of calculating or ascertaining the amount of levies.
(3)
The Bank may carry out the consultation on the Minister’s behalf if the Minister and the Bank agree to the Bank acting under this subsection.
(4)
A failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of any regulations made under section 294.
Compare: 2011 No 5 s 69
Subpart 7—Amendments to other legislation
297 Title of Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 changed
Section 298 amends the Act that was previously called the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989.
298 Section 1 amended (Short Title and commencement)
(1)
In the heading to section 1, delete “Short”
.
(2)
In section 1(1), replace “may be cited as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand”
with “is the Banking (Prudential Supervision)”
.
299 Other amendments to Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989
(1)
Amend the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 4.
(2)
Repeal the provisions of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 set out in Part 2 of Schedule 4.
Schedule 1 Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Contents
Part 1 Provisions relating to this Act as enacted
1 Interpretation
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
1989 Act means the Act previously called the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989
main commencement date means the date on which section 8 comes into force.
2 References to previous Title of 1989 Act
On and after the main commencement date, every reference in any legislation and in any document to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 must, unless the context otherwise requires, be read as a reference to the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989.
3 Board under 1989 Act disestablished
(1)
On the main commencement date, the board of directors of the Bank under the 1989 Act is disestablished and each of those directors ceases to hold office.
(2)
A director of the Bank is not entitled to any compensation or other payment or benefit relating to their ceasing to hold office as a director.
4 Other officeholders
(1)
The person holding office as the Governor of the Reserve Bank immediately before the main commencement date—
(a)
must be treated as continuing to hold that office for the balance of the term for which that person was appointed (and may be reappointed under section 82 for 1 further term of up to 5 years); and
(b)
is entitled to terms and conditions of appointment no less favourable than the terms and conditions applying to the person immediately before the main commencement date.
(2)
The person holding office as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank immediately before the main commencement date—
(a)
ceases to hold that office on that date but must be treated on and after that date as being an employee of the Bank for a fixed term that is equal to the balance of the term for which that person was appointed as Deputy Governor; and
(b)
must be treated as continuing to hold office as an internal member of the MPC for the balance of the term for which that person was appointed as Deputy Governor (and may be reappointed under clause 17(1) of Schedule 3 for 2 further terms of up to 5 years); and
(c)
is entitled to terms and conditions of employment no less favourable than the terms and conditions applying to the person immediately before the main commencement date.
(3)
Each person who holds office as an internal member or an external member of the MPC immediately before the main commencement date must be treated as continuing to hold that office for the balance of the term for which that person was appointed.
(4)
Subclauses (1) to (3) do not limit any provision of this Act under which a person referred to in those subclauses may be removed from office or under which that person otherwise ceases to hold office.
5 Governor’s acts to have continuing effect
(1)
This clause applies in relation to a provision (provision A) in the 1989 Act or any other legislation—
(a)
that imposes or confers a function or power on the Governor; and
(b)
that—
(i)
has been amended by this Act to impose or confer the function or power (or substantially the same function or power) on the Bank or the board; or
(ii)
with or without modification, has been replaced by this Act by a provision (the provision B) that imposes or confers the function or power (or substantially the same function or power) on the Bank or the board.
(2)
Unless the context otherwise requires, anything done by the Governor in the performance or exercise of a function or a power under provision A, and that is in effect immediately before the main commencement date, continues to have effect as if it had been performed or exercised by the Bank or the board under provision A (as amended) or provision B.
6 First notice of Minister’s expectations under section 81
The Minister must give the first notice under section 81 as soon as practicable after the main commencement date.
7 Existing charter continues in force
The charter that is in force under the 1989 Act immediately before the main commencement date—
(a)
continues in force as if it were issued under this Act; and
(b)
may be replaced under section 103 of this Act.
8 Existing code of conduct continues in force
The code of conduct that is in force under the 1989 Act immediately before the main commencement date—
(a)
continues in force as if it had been approved under section 106 of this Act; and
(b)
may be amended or replaced under that section.
9 Existing MPC remit continues in force
(1)
The following applies to the remit for the MPC that is in force under the 1989 Act immediately before the main commencement date:
(a)
the remit continues in force as the MPC remit as if it were issued under this Act:
(b)
the remit may not be amended:
(c)
the remit is revoked on the earlier of the following:
(i)
the close of 13 February 2024:
(ii)
the close of a date specified under subclause (2).
(2)
The Minister may publish a notice in the Gazette that specifies a date for the purposes of subclause (1)(c)(ii).
(3)
The Minister must send a copy of that notice to the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
(4)
See section 122, which provides for the Minister to issue an MPC remit that replaces the remit referred to in subclause (1).
10 First remit advice
The Bank must give the first remit advice under clause 2 of Schedule 3 on or before 13 November 2023.
11 Order providing for different economic objective or objectives
An Order in Council made under section 12 of the 1989 Act, and that is in force immediately before the main commencement date,—
(a)
continues in force as if it had been made under section 125 of this Act; and
(b)
may be amended or revoked as if made under that section.
12 Existing foreign exchange direction continues in force
A direction that is in force under section 17 of the 1989 Act immediately before the main commencement date—
(a)
continues in force as if it were given under section 134; and
(b)
may be amended or replaced under that section.
13 First foreign reserves management and co-ordination framework
The Minister and the Bank must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the first foreign reserves management and co-ordination framework is agreed and signed under sections 143 and 144 within 6 months after the main commencement date.
14 Foreign reserve determinations under section 24 of 1989 Act
(1)
Section 24(1) of the 1989 Act continues to apply until the first foreign reserves management and co-ordination framework agreed and signed under sections 143 and 144 comes into force (whether or not section 24(1) of that Act has been previously repealed).
(2)
The Bank must continue to hold and maintain foreign reserves at the level or within those levels determined under section 24(1) of the 1989 Act until the first foreign reserves management and co-ordination framework comes into force.
15 Bank notes and coins continue as legal tender
Every bank note and every coin issued by the Bank before the main commencement date, and every coin issued by the Minister under the Decimal Currency Act 1964 or under the Coinage Act 1933 by virtue of the Decimal Currency Act 1964, that is legal tender immediately before the main commencement date must be treated for all purposes to have been made or issued under this Act.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 25(3)
16 Bank continues to be liable to pay bank notes or coins that have ceased to be legal tender
(1)
This clause applies to any bank note or coin issued before the main commencement date that ceased to be legal tender before that date and that the Bank was, immediately before that date, liable to pay.
(2)
The Bank continues to be liable to pay the bank note or coin on presentation of the bank note or coin at the head office of the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 26(4), (5)
17 First financial policy remit
(1)
The Minister must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the first financial policy remit comes into force on the main commencement date.
(2)
The Minister must, before issuing the first financial policy remit under section 203, consult the Governor and the appointed members.
(3)
In this clause, appointed member, at the time of consultation under subclause (2), means a person who has been appointed as a member of the board under section 27, whether or not the appointment has taken effect (see also section 43 of the Legislation Act 2019).
(4)
This clause does not limit the Minister’s duty to consult the Bank under section 203.
18 Current funding agreement continues
(1)
A funding agreement that is in force immediately before the main commencement date under section 159 of the 1989 Act must be treated as continuing in force as a funding agreement under sections 209 to 212 of this Act (and may be varied or terminated under section 209(4)).
(2)
However,—
(a)
the content of the funding agreement described in subclause (1) (whether or not it is varied) must continue to comply with section 160 of the 1989 Act as in force immediately before its repeal instead of section 210 of this Act; and
(b)
section 211(3) of this Act does not apply to the funding agreement or a variation of the funding agreement.
19 Determination of annual dividend for financial year that starts on 1 July 2021
(1)
Section 213 (instead of section 162 of the 1989 Act) applies to the annual dividend for the financial year that starts on 1 July 2021.
(2)
The Bank must make a recommendation under section 213 for the financial year that starts on 1 July 2021 as soon as practicable after a statement of financial risk management is first published under section 251.
(3)
Subclause (2) applies despite anything to the contrary in section 213.
20 Former statement of intent requirements cease to apply
(1)
Sections 162A and 162C of the 1989 Act cease to apply on 31 December 2021.
(2)
However, section 162B of the 1989 Act continues to apply for the purposes of any amendment under section 162D of that Act.
21 First statement of intent under this Act
(1)
This clause applies to the first statement of intent under sections 216 to 227 (despite anything to the contrary in those sections).
(2)
The Bank must provide to the Minister—
(a)
a draft of the statement of intent as soon as practicable after the main commencement date; and
(b)
the final statement of intent as soon as practicable after receiving the comments (if any) provided under section 223(2)(b).
(3)
The statement of intent must relate to the financial year that starts on 1 July 2022 and at least the following 3 financial years.
(4)
The Minister must present a copy of the final statement of intent to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after receiving it under subclause (2)(b).
(5)
Section 223(2)(a) and (c)(i) and 226(3) do not apply to the statement of intent.
22 First statement of performance expectations under this Act
(1)
This clause applies to the first statement of performance expectations under sections 228 to 238 (despite anything to the contrary in those sections).
(2)
The Bank must provide to the Minister—
(a)
a draft of the statement of performance expectations as soon as practicable after the main commencement date; and
(b)
the final statement of performance expectations as soon as practicable after receiving the comments (if any) provided under section 234(2)(b).
(3)
The statement of performance expectations must relate to the financial year that starts on 1 July 2022.
(4)
The Minister must present a copy of the final statement of performance expectations to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after receiving it under subclause (2)(b).
(5)
The following do not apply to the statement of performance expectations:
(a)
section 229 to the extent that it requires the statement of performance expectations to be prepared before the start of the financial year to which it relates:
(b)
(c)
section 234(2)(c) to the extent that it requires the final statement of performance expectations to be provided to the Minister before the start of the financial year to which the statement of performance expectations relates:
(d)
23 First annual report
(1)
This clause applies to the first annual report under sections 239 to 247 (despite anything to the contrary in those sections).
(2)
The annual report must relate to the financial year that starts on 1 July 2021 (and, accordingly, sections 163, 164, and 165 of the 1989 Act do not apply to that financial year).
(3)
The Bank must provide to the Minister the annual report under section 239 before the later of the following:
(a)
1 October 2022:
(b)
the date that is 3 months after the main commencement date.
(4)
The statements and information referred to in section 247(1) that will be included in the annual report must be forwarded to the Auditor-General under that section before the later of the following:
(a)
1 September 2022:
(b)
the date that is 2 months after the main commencement date.
(5)
The annual report does not have to contain information under section 240(1)(b), (f), (l), (m), and (n).
(6)
Despite section 214, the Bank may, but is not required to, include the information referred to in that section in the annual report. If the information is not included in the annual report, the Bank must instead publish the information on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(7)
The financial statements for the financial year to which the annual report relates are not required to contain the forecast statement referred to in section 244(2)(c).
(8)
For the purpose of including in the annual report the information required by section 242, references in that section to a member of the board include each person who was a director of the Bank under the 1989 Act at any time during the financial year to which the annual report relates.
(9)
Section 246 does not apply to the extent that it relates to a statement of performance.
24 Former board of directors must report on matters not included in annual report
(1)
The board of directors of the Bank under the 1989 Act must provide to the Minister—
(a)
a statement as to whether, in the board’s opinion, the MPC, the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the other members of the MPC have adequately discharged their respective responsibilities during the financial year to which the annual report under clause 23 relates; and
(b)
a description of how the board has assessed the matter under paragraph (a).
(2)
The information must be provided before the board is disestablished under clause 3 but not earlier than 20 working days before that disestablishment.
(3)
The information is not required to cover any period after the information is provided.
(4)
The annual report for the financial year referred to in subclause (1) must be accompanied by the information provided under this clause when it is presented under section 239(2) and when it is published under section 239(3).
25 First statement of financial risk management
(1)
This clause applies to the statement of financial risk management under sections 250 to 252 (despite anything to the contrary in those sections).
(2)
Section 251(2)(a)(ii), (c), and (d)(i) applies only to financial years that start on or after the main commencement date.
(3)
The first statement of financial risk management must be prepared and published under section 251(1) as soon as practicable after the main commencement date.
26 First statement of prudential policy
(1)
This clause applies to the first statement of prudential policy under sections 253 and 254 (despite anything to the contrary in those sections).
(2)
The statement of prudential policy must be prepared and published under section 254(1) as soon as practicable after the main commencement date.
27 Fees regulations continue in force under this Act
(1)
This clause applies to regulations made under any of the following that are in force immediately before the main commencement date:
(a)
section 237(1)(u) or (6) of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010:
(b)
section 73(1)(g) of the Non-bank Deposit Takers Act 2013:
(c)
section 173(1)(i) of the 1989 Act.
(2)
The regulations—
(a)
continue in force as if made under section 292 of this Act; and
(b)
may be amended or revoked as if made under that section.
28 References to designated FMIs
(1)
This clause applies until the repeal date (as defined in clause 1 of Schedule 1 of the Financial Market Infrastructures Act 2021).
(2)
A reference in this Act to a designated FMI must be treated as a reference to a designated settlement system within the meaning of section 156M of the 1989 Act.
Part 2 Provisions relating to Legislation Act 2019
29 Application of this Part
This Part applies until the main commencement date (as defined in clause 2 of Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019).
30 Standards: status and publication
(1)
A standard issued under section 160 is a disallowable instrument, but not a legislative instrument, for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.
(2)
The Bank must give notice of the issue of a standard in the Gazette.
(3)
The notice in the Gazette—
(a)
must—
(i)
state the name of the standard; and
(ii)
briefly describe the nature of the standard; and
(iii)
state where copies of the standard are available for inspection and purchase; but
(b)
need not contain the text of the standard.
(4)
The Bank must make a standard available to the public by making copies of it available—
(a)
for inspection at all reasonable times, free of charge,—
(i)
at the head office of the Bank; and
(ii)
on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank; and
(b)
for purchase at all reasonable times and at a reasonable price.
31 Minister of Finance instructions
(1)
An instruction issued under section 259 is a disallowable instrument, but not a legislative instrument, for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.
(2)
The Minister must notify the instruction in the Gazette, and publish it on the Internet, as soon as practicable after issuing it.
Schedule 2 Appointment of chairperson, etc, and board procedure
Contents
Chairperson and deputy chairperson of board
1 Appointment
(1)
The Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the Minister, appoint one of the members as the chairperson, and another member as the deputy chairperson, of the board by written notice to the member (with a copy to the board).
(2)
The Governor may not be appointed under subclause (1).
(3)
The notice of appointment must state the date on which the appointment takes effect.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 1
2 Term of appointment
The chairperson and the deputy chairperson each hold that office until—
(a)
they resign from that office; or
(b)
they are removed from it by the Governor-General; or
(c)
they cease to hold office as a member; or
(d)
the term of office that may have been specified on appointment expires, unless they continue to hold office as a member in accordance with section 33(3) or are reappointed for a further term.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 2
3 Resignation
(1)
A chairperson or deputy chairperson may, without resigning as a member, resign from that office by written notice to the Minister (with a copy to the board).
(2)
The notice of resignation must state the date on which the resignation takes effect.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 3
4 Removal
(1)
The Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the Minister and after consultation with the person concerned, remove a chairperson or deputy chairperson of the board from that office by written notice to the person (with a copy to the board).
(2)
The notice of removal must state the date on which the removal takes effect.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 4
5 Exercise of chairperson’s functions and powers during vacancy
(1)
The deputy chairperson of a board has and may exercise all of the functions and powers of the chairperson in relation to a matter if—
(a)
the chairperson is unavailable; or
(b)
the chairperson is interested in the matter.
(2)
The board may, by resolution, appoint a temporary deputy chairperson, who may exercise all the functions and powers of the chairperson in relation to a matter if—
(a)
there is no deputy chairperson; or
(b)
the deputy chairperson is unavailable; or
(c)
the deputy chairperson is interested in the matter.
(3)
The Governor may not be appointed under subclause (2).
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 5
Procedure of board
6 Procedure generally
(1)
The members of the board may regulate their own procedure.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies except as otherwise provided under this or another Act.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 6
7 Notice of meetings
(1)
The board or the chairperson must appoint the times and places of ordinary meetings of the board, and give notice of those meetings to each member not present when the appointment is made.
(2)
The chairperson or any 2 members may call a special meeting of the board by giving at least 5 working days’ notice (or any shorter notice period that all the members agree) of the special meeting, and the business to be transacted at the meeting, to each member for the time being in New Zealand.
(3)
Only the business stated in the notice of special meeting may be transacted at the special meeting.
(4)
Notice of a meeting—
(a)
must be written, and state the time and place of the meeting; and
(b)
may be given by post, delivery, or electronic communication; and
(c)
must be given or sent to each member’s current postal or electronic address.
(5)
An irregularity in a notice of a meeting is waived if all members entitled to receive the notice either—
(a)
attend the meeting without protesting about the irregularity; or
(b)
do not attend the meeting, but agree before the meeting is held to the waiver of the irregularity.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 7
8 Methods of holding meetings
A meeting of the board may be held—
(a)
by a quorum of the members, being assembled together at the time and place appointed for the meeting; or
(b)
by means of audio, audio and visual, or electronic communication, provided that—
(i)
all of the members who wish to participate in the meeting have access to the technology needed to participate in the meeting; and
(ii)
a quorum of members can simultaneously communicate with each other throughout the meeting.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 8
9 Quorum
(1)
A quorum for a meeting of the board is the number that is—
(a)
half the number of members (if the board has an even number of members); or
(b)
a majority of the members (if the board has an odd number of members).
(2)
No business may be transacted at a meeting of the board if a quorum is not present.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 9
10 Special provisions for boards with only 1 member available to act
(1)
This clause applies while a board has only 1 member who is available (for example, because of a vacancy or because section 65, but not section 67, applies to 1 or more members).
(2)
The quorum for a meeting of the board is 1.
(3)
The available member—
(a)
may appoint the times and places of ordinary meetings; and
(b)
may call a special meeting; and
(c)
need not send a notice of meeting for those meetings; and
(d)
may enter into any obligation that, under section 191(2), may be entered into by 2 or more members.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 10
11 Presiding at meetings
(1)
At a meeting of the board, the following person presides:
(a)
if there is a chairperson and the chairperson is present and is not interested in the matter, the chairperson; or
(b)
if there is no chairperson or the chairperson is not present or is interested in the matter, the deputy chairperson; or
(c)
in any other case, the temporary deputy chairperson.
(2)
A person referred to in subclause (1)(b) or (c) may exercise all the powers and functions of the chairperson for the purposes of the meeting.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 11
12 Voting at meetings
(1)
Each member has 1 vote.
(2)
In addition to their general vote, the chairperson at a meeting has, in the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote.
(3)
A resolution of the board is passed if it is agreed to by all members present without dissent or if a majority of the votes cast on it are in favour of it.
(4)
A member present at a meeting of the board is presumed to have agreed to, and to have voted in favour of, a resolution of the board unless they expressly dissent from or vote against the resolution at the meeting.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 12
13 Unanimous written resolutions
(1)
A resolution signed or assented to in writing (whether sent by post, delivery, or electronic communication) by all members who are entitled to vote on the matter is as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the board duly called and constituted.
(2)
The resolution may consist of several documents containing the same resolution, each signed or assented to in writing by 1 or more members.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 13
14 Board may appoint committees
(1)
The board may, by resolution, appoint committees—
(a)
to advise it on any matters relating to the Bank’s functions and powers that are referred to the committee by the board; or
(b)
to perform or exercise any of the Bank’s functions and powers that are delegated to the committee, if the committee includes at least 1 member of the board and any other person or persons that the board thinks fit.
(2)
A person must not be appointed as a member of a committee unless, before appointment, the person discloses to the board the details of any interest the person may have if the person were a member of that committee.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 14
15 Provisions relating to committee members
(1)
Sections 40, 43, 44, 54, 78, 177, 180 to 188, 200, 242(1)(g) and (h) and (4) apply to each member of a committee who is not a member of the board with necessary modifications.
(2)
Sections 61 to 72 apply to each member of a committee who is not a member of the board as if the committee member were a board member and as if the disclosure must be made to both the committee and the board, and with other necessary modifications.
Compare: 2004 No 115 Schedule 5 cl 15
Schedule 3 Remit and monetary policy committee
Contents
1 Interpretation
In this schedule,—
chairperson—
(a)
means the chairperson of the MPC; and
(b)
includes a person acting as chairperson under clause 36
external member means a member of the MPC who is not an employee of the Bank (but does not include the Governor)
individual duty means a duty under clauses 40 to 46
internal member means a member of the MPC who is an employee of the Bank
member means a member of the MPC.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 1
Part 1 MPC remit
2 Bank’s advice on MPC remit
(1)
The Bank must, at least every 5 years, give the Minister advice about the MPC remit (remit advice).
(2)
The Bank must, as soon as practicable, update remit advice that it has previously given if the Minister requests the Bank to update the advice.
(3)
A failure by the Bank to comply with this clause does not prevent the Minister from replacing or amending the MPC remit at any time.
3 Minister must consider remit advice
(1)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after receiving the remit advice,—
(a)
have regard to that advice; and
(b)
decide whether the MPC remit should be amended, replaced, or remain in force without amendment.
(2)
As soon as practicable after acting under subclause (1), the Minister must—
(a)
publish a notice in the Gazette of what the Minister has decided; and
(b)
present a copy of that notice to the House of Representatives.
4 Bank must publish remit advice
The Bank must publish a copy of its remit advice on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank as soon as practicable after the Minister has published a notice under clause 3(2)(a) in relation to that advice.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 2(3)
5 Process for developing advice
(1)
The Bank must, before the remit advice is given, consult the MPC.
(2)
The Bank must, before the remit advice is given,—
(a)
seek the views of members of the public on the matters that the Bank considers would assist it to prepare the advice; and
(b)
have regard to the comments that are provided by those members of the public within the time and in the manner specified by the Bank; and
(c)
consult the Minister on the scope of the remit advice.
(3)
See section 104, which provides for the Bank to seek the views of members of the public on a replacement charter.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 3
6 MPC remit continues in force until replaced
An MPC remit continues in force until it is replaced.
7 Publication and presentation of remit
(1)
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after an MPC remit is issued under section 122,—
(a)
notify the issue of the remit in the Gazette; and
(b)
present a copy of the remit to the House of Representatives.
(2)
If an MPC remit is issued under section 122, the Bank must publish a copy of the remit on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 5
8 Minister’s duty to consult before issuing MPC remit
The Minister must consult the Bank before issuing an MPC remit.
Part 2 MPC and its members
Appointment of members
9 Appointment of internal and external members
The Minister must appoint the internal and external members on the recommendation of the board.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 8
10 Board must consult chairperson
The board must consult the chairperson before making a recommendation under clause 9 in respect of an internal member.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 9
11 Validity of members’ acts
The acts of a person as a member or chairperson are valid even though—
(a)
a defect existed in the appointment of the person; or
(b)
the person is or was disqualified from being a member; or
(c)
the occasion for the person acting, or for their appointment, had not arisen or had ended.
12 Validity of appointments
(1)
The appointment of a person as an internal or external member is not invalid only because a defect existed in the appointment of the person.
(2)
This clause does not apply to a defect in the qualifications for appointment of an internal or external member.
13 Vacancies in membership of MPC
The powers and functions of the MPC are not affected by any vacancy in the membership of the MPC.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 10(2)(a); 2004 No 115 s 77
14 Qualifications of internal and external members
(1)
A natural person who is not disqualified by this clause may be an internal or external member.
(2)
The following persons are disqualified from being an internal or external member:
(a)
a person who is a director or an employee of a regulated entity:
(b)
a member of the board:
(c)
a person who is an undischarged bankrupt:
(d)
a person who is prohibited from being a director or promoter of, or being concerned or taking part in the management of, an incorporated or unincorporated body under the Companies Act 1993, the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, or the Takeovers Act 1993:
(e)
a person who is subject to a property order under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988:
(f)
a person in respect of whom a personal order has been made under that Act that reflects adversely on the person’s—
(i)
competence to manage their own affairs in relation to their property; or
(ii)
capacity to make or to communicate decisions relating to any particular aspect or aspects of their personal care and welfare:
(g)
a person who has been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty as defined in section 2(1) of the Crimes Act 1961 within the past 5 years:
(h)
a person who has been convicted within the past 5 years, in a country other than New Zealand, of an offence that is substantially similar to an offence specified in paragraph (g):
(i)
a person who has been convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term of 2 years or more, or who has been sentenced to imprisonment for any other offence, unless that person has obtained a pardon, served the sentence, or otherwise suffered the penalty imposed on the person:
(j)
a person who is a chief executive of a department or an employee of a department.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 11
15 Requirements before appointment
(1)
Before a person is appointed under clause 9, the person must—
(a)
consent in writing to being a member; and
(b)
certify that the person is not disqualified from being a member; and
(c)
disclose to the Minister the nature and extent (including monetary value, if quantifiable) of all interests that the person has at that time, or is likely to have, in matters relating to the MPC.
(2)
The board must notify the Minister of a failure to comply with subclause (1)(c) as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the failure.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 12
16 Appointment procedure for internal or external members
(1)
The appointment of an internal or external member of the MPC must be made by written notice to the appointee (with a copy to the board and to the chairperson).
(2)
The notice must state—
(a)
the date on which the appointment takes effect, which must not be earlier than the date on which the notice is received; and
(b)
the term of the appointment; and
(c)
the conditions of appointment.
(3)
The Minister must ensure that the following are notified in the Gazette as soon as practicable after an appointment is made:
(a)
the name of the appointee; and
(b)
the date on which the appointment takes effect; and
(c)
the term of the appointment.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 63N
17 Term of appointment
(1)
An internal member must be appointed for a term of up to 5 years and may be reappointed for 2 further terms as an internal member of up to 5 years each.
(2)
An external member must be appointed for a term of up to 4 years and may be reappointed for 1 further term as an external member of up to 4 years.
(3)
This clause does not prevent a person who has served as a member in a particular capacity from being appointed, or holding office, as a member in a different capacity.
Example
A, as an employee of the Bank, has been an internal member of the MPC for 3 terms.
If A ceases to be an employee of the Bank, A may be appointed as an external member for 1 or 2 further terms.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 13
18 Extension of term
(1)
The Minister may, by written notice to an internal or external member (with a copy to the chairperson and the board), extend the member’s term of appointment by up to 6 months.
(2)
If a member’s term is extended and the member is reappointed for a further term in the same capacity (for example, as an employee of the Bank), the length of the further term must be reduced by the length of the extension.
(3)
Subclause (2) does not prevent the further term from being extended under subclause (1).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 14(1)–(3)
19 Minister must notify extension
The Minister must ensure that the following are notified in the Gazette as soon as practicable after an extension under clause 18 is made:
(a)
the name of the member; and
(b)
the period of the extension.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 14(4)
20 Criteria for appointment of internal or external members
(1)
The Minister may only appoint as an internal or external member a person who, in the Minister’s opinion, has the appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience to assist the MPC to perform its functions (for example, in economics, banking, or public policy).
(2)
A person must not be appointed on the basis that the person represents a particular industry sector.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 15
When members cease to hold office
21 Internal or external member ceasing to hold office
(1)
An internal or external member ceases to hold office if the member—
(a)
dies; or
(b)
resigns in accordance with clause 23; or
(c)
is removed from office in accordance with clause 24; or
(d)
becomes disqualified from being a member under clause 14; or
(e)
otherwise ceases to hold office under this Act.
(2)
An internal member ceases to hold office if they cease to be an employee of the Bank (but this does not prevent the person from being subsequently appointed as an external member).
22 Internal or external member may continue in office at end of term
(1)
An internal or external member continues in office despite the expiry of the member’s term of office until—
(a)
the member is reappointed; or
(b)
the member’s successor is appointed; or
(c)
the Minister informs the member by written notice (with a copy to the chairperson and the board) that the member is not to be reappointed and no successor is to be appointed at that time.
(2)
The Minister must, before acting under subclause (1)(c), be satisfied that there is a good reason for not appointing a successor at that time.
(3)
This clause is subject to clause 21.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 17
23 Resignation of internal or external member
(1)
An internal or external member may resign from office by written notice to the Minister (with a copy to the chairperson and the board) signed by the member.
(2)
The resignation is effective on receipt by the Minister of the notice or at any later time specified in the notice.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 18
24 Removal of internal or external member
The Governor-General may, at any time, on the advice of the Minister given after consultation with the Attorney-General, remove an internal or external member from office.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 19(1)
25 When Minister may give advice for removal
(1)
The Minister may only give the advice under clause 24 in relation to a member (M) if the Minister is satisfied that—
(a)
the MPC has breached a collective duty (but see subclause (2)); or
(b)
M has breached an individual duty; or
(c)
M has been absent from 3 or more meetings within a term of appointment without the consent of the chairperson; or
(d)
M has been guilty of misconduct (including a breach of the code of conduct); or
(e)
M has obstructed, hindered, or prevented the MPC or the board from discharging responsibilities under this Act.
(2)
Subclause (1)(a) applies to M only if the Minister is satisfied that M has agreed or consented to 1 or more decisions or acts of the MPC that have materially contributed to the breach of the collective duty.
(3)
The Minister may tender advice under this clause whether or not the board has made a recommendation under clause 26 that the member be removed from office.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 19(2)–(4)
26 Board must advise Minister of grounds for removal and may recommend removal
If the board is satisfied of any matter referred to in clause 25(1)(a) to (e) in relation to a member of the MPC, the board—
(a)
must advise the Minister in writing; and
(b)
may recommend that the member be removed from office.
Compare: 1989 No 157 s 53(5)
27 Other provisions relating to removal
(1)
The Minister may advise the removal of an internal or external member with as little formality and technicality, and as much expedition, as is permitted by—
(a)
the principles of natural justice; and
(b)
a proper consideration of the matter.
(2)
The Minister may have regard to the process undertaken by the board under clause 26 in considering what is required for the purposes of subclause (1)(a) and (b).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 20
28 No compensation for loss of office
An internal or external member is not entitled to any compensation or other payment or benefit relating to the member ceasing, for any reason, to hold office as a member.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 21
29 Effect of removal on other positions
An employee of the Bank who is removed as a member under clause 24 is not, because of that removal, removed from their position as an employee.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 22
Treasury observer
30 Treasury observer
(1)
The Secretary to the Treasury must ensure that the Secretary, a Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, or any other Treasury officer or employee is nominated to be a Treasury observer.
(2)
The Treasury observer has the same rights to attend and speak at a meeting of the MPC as a member but has no right to vote on any question before the MPC and is not subject to the duties that apply to members.
(3)
The nomination must be made by written notice to the chairperson (with a copy to the officer or employee if it is a person other than the Secretary to the Treasury).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 23
31 Conditions of performing role as Treasury observer
(1)
The Treasury observer must perform that role subject to any conditions that are agreed by the Secretary to the Treasury and the chairperson.
(2)
Those conditions must include matters relating to confidentiality and avoiding conflicts of interest.
(3)
Those conditions remain in effect until the Secretary to the Treasury and the chairperson agree to amend the conditions (regardless of changes to the person who holds any office or role).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 24
32 Replacing Treasury observer
The Secretary to the Treasury may, at any time and entirely at the Secretary’s discretion, replace the Treasury observer by giving written notice to the chairperson.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 25
33 Function of Treasury observer
The function of the Treasury observer is to—
(a)
support decision making by the MPC (for example, by sharing information on fiscal policy); and
(b)
facilitate the co-ordination of monetary and fiscal policy; and
(c)
carry out any other function agreed between the chairperson and the Secretary to the Treasury.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 26
Chairperson of MPC
35 Duties of chairperson
The chairperson must—
(a)
preside at meetings of the MPC; and
(b)
perform all other duties imposed on the chairperson by this Act or the charter.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 28
36 Who may act as chairperson if Governor is absent or incapacitated or office is vacant
If the Governor is absent or incapacitated or the office of Governor is vacant, an internal member appointed by the board must act as chairperson of the MPC (and that person has all the duties, responsibilities, functions, and powers of the chairperson).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 29
Accountability for duties
37 Accountability of members to Minister
(1)
Members of the MPC must comply with—
(a)
the MPC’s collective duties; and
(b)
their individual duties as members.
(2)
Members are accountable to the Minister for performing their duties as members.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 30
Collective duties
38 Formulating monetary policy
(1)
The MPC must formulate monetary policy in accordance with section 118.
(2)
The MPC must perform or exercise its functions or powers in a manner that is consistent with this Act.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 31
39 Compliance with charter
The MPC must ensure that it complies with the charter.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 32
Individual duties of members
40 Member must act consistently with MPC remit, charter, code, and Act
A member must act in a manner that is consistent with—
(a)
the MPC remit; and
(b)
the charter; and
(c)
the code of conduct; and
(d)
this Act.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 33
41 Member must act with honesty and integrity
A member must, when acting as a member, act with honesty and integrity.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 34
42 Member must act in good faith
A member, when acting as a member, must act in good faith and without regard to the member’s own interests.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 35
43 Member must act with reasonable care, diligence, and skill
A member must, when acting as a member, exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable member would exercise in the same circumstances, taking into account (without limitation)—
(a)
the nature of the functions of the MPC; and
(b)
the nature of the action; and
(c)
the position of the member and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by the member.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 36
44 Member must disclose if member is likely to become disqualified
If an internal or external member becomes aware that the member is likely to become disqualified under clause 14, the member must, as soon as practicable, disclose that fact to—
(a)
the chairperson (unless the member is the chairperson); and
(b)
the board; and
(c)
the Minister.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 37
45 Use of information by external member
An external member who has information in the member’s capacity as a member, being information that would not otherwise be available to the member, must not disclose that information to any person, or make use of or act on the information, except—
(a)
for the purposes of the performance or exercise of the functions or powers of the MPC; or
(b)
as permitted or required by the charter; or
(c)
to comply with the provisions of the code of conduct that relate to the disclosure of interests; or
(d)
as otherwise required by law.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 38
46 Other individual duties of chairperson
The duties imposed under this schedule on the chairperson are individual duties of the Governor (and of a person acting under clause 36).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 39
Meeting procedures
47 Regular meetings
The MPC must hold a meeting at least 4 times a year.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 40
48 Methods of holding meetings
(1)
A meeting of the MPC may be held—
(a)
by a quorum of the members, being assembled together at the time and place appointed for the meeting; or
(b)
by means of audio, audio and visual, or electronic communication, provided that—
(i)
all of the members who wish to participate in the meeting have access to the technology needed to participate in the meeting; and
(ii)
a quorum of members can simultaneously communicate with each other throughout the meeting.
(2)
This clause is subject to clause 51.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 41
49 Quorum
(1)
A quorum for a meeting of the MPC is the number that is a majority of the members.
(2)
However, the quorum must include—
(a)
the Governor; and
(b)
at least 1 internal member; and
(c)
at least 1 external member.
(3)
If an internal member is acting as chairperson under clause 36,—
(a)
subclause (2)(a) does not apply; and
(b)
the quorum must include the internal member who is acting as chairperson and at least 1 other internal member under subclause (2)(b).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 42(1), (2)
50 No business may be transacted without quorum
(1)
No business may be transacted at a meeting of the MPC if a quorum is not present.
(2)
This clause is subject to clause 51.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 42(3), (4)
51 Emergency procedures
(1)
Despite the lack of a quorum, the chairperson and other members of the MPC that are available (if any) may make any decision on behalf of the MPC or perform or exercise any other function, power, or duty of the MPC if the chairperson is satisfied that—
(a)
exceptional circumstances exist; and
(b)
an urgent action is necessary to prevent, correct, or mitigate harm to the economy; and
(c)
despite the use of all reasonable means available, other members of the MPC have not been able to be contacted on the matter or are unable to fully participate in dealing with the matter; and
(d)
action on the matter is required before a quorum will be able to be obtained.
(2)
If a decision is made or other thing is done under this clause,—
(a)
the chairperson must make a record of—
(i)
the chairperson’s reasons for being satisfied of the matters referred to in subclause (1); and
(ii)
the decision or thing; and
(b)
the chairperson must, as soon as practicable, provide a copy of that record to—
(i)
the Minister; and
(ii)
the board; and
(iii)
the members of the MPC that were not available when the decision was made or the other thing was done.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 43
52 Voting at meetings
(1)
Each member has 1 vote.
(2)
In addition to the chairperson’s general vote, the chairperson at a meeting has, in the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote.
(3)
A resolution of the MPC is passed if it is agreed to by all members present without dissent or if a majority of the votes cast on it are in favour of it.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 44(1)–(3)
53 When member presumed to have agreed and voted in favour
(1)
A member present at a meeting of the MPC is presumed to have agreed to, and to have voted in favour of, a resolution of the MPC unless the member expressly dissents from or votes against the resolution at the meeting.
(2)
Subclause (1) is subject to the charter (which may vary or disapply the matter referred to in that subclause or provide for an alternative matter).
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 44(4), (5)
54 Unanimous written resolutions
(1)
A resolution signed or assented to in writing (whether sent by delivery or electronic communication) by all members who are entitled to vote on the matter is as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the MPC duly called and constituted.
(2)
The resolution may consist of several documents containing the same resolution, each signed or assented to in writing by 1 or more members.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 45
55 Meeting record
(1)
The Bank must publish a summary record of each meeting of the MPC on an Internet site maintained by, or on behalf of, the Bank.
(2)
The summary record must include the information required by the charter.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 46
Procedure generally
56 Procedure generally
The MPC may regulate its own procedure except as provided in this Act and in the charter and code of conduct.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 47
Remuneration of external members
57 Remuneration of external members
An external member is entitled to be—
(a)
paid remuneration by the Bank for services as an external member at a rate and of a kind determined by the Minister in accordance with the fees framework; and
(b)
reimbursed by the Bank for actual and reasonable travelling and other expenses incurred in carrying out the member’s duties as a member in accordance with the fees framework.
Compare: 1989 No 157 Schedule 2 cl 48
Schedule 4 Amendments to other legislation
Part 1Amendments to Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989
Replace section 1A with:
1A Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to promote the prosperity and well-being of New Zealanders, and contribute to a sustainable and productive economy, by providing for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, as the central bank, to be responsible for—
(a)
registering banks and undertaking prudential supervision of registered banks; and
(b)
carrying out other functions, and exercising powers, specified in this Act.
1B Overview
(1)
In this Act,—
(a)
Part 4 imposes limits on the use of the words “bank”
, “banker”
, and “banking”
:
(b)
Part 5 provides for the registration of banks and the prudential supervision of registered banks:
(c)
Part 5A provides for the retention of documents by banks:
(d)
Part 5B provides for oversight of payment systems:
(e)
Part 5C regulates designated settlement systems:
(f)
Part 7 deals with regulations, offences, and other miscellaneous matters.
(2)
This section is only a guide to the general scheme and effect of this Act.
(3)
In addition, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 provides for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
In section 2(1), repeal the definitions of bank note or note, charter, code of conduct, Deputy Governor, economic objective, financial year, foreign exchange, formulating, MPC or monetary policy committee, net income, operating expenses, remit, and remit advice.
In section 2(1), replace the definition of Governor with:
Governor means a person who occupies the position of Governor of the Bank (whether the person is appointed under section 82 or 96 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021)
In section 2(1), replace the definition of Reserve Bank or the Bank with:
Reserve Bank or the Bank means the Reserve Bank of New Zealand continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021
In section 2(2), replace “section 36, Parts 4 and 5, and sections 179 and 179A”
with “Parts 4 and 5”
.
Replace section 66G(2)(c) with:
(c)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on the Bank by this Act or any other legislation; or
Replace section 66G(2)(e) with:
(e)
under subpart 3 of Part 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 (which relates to information sharing); or
Replace section 66H(1)(b)(i) with:
(i)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty referred to in that paragraph; and
Replace section 105(2)(d) with:
(d)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on the Bank by this Act or any other legislation:
Replace section 105(2)(f) with:
(f)
under subpart 3 of Part 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 (which relates to information sharing):
Replace section 105(5)(a) with:
(a)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty referred to in that paragraph; and
Replace section 156G(1)(c) and (d) with:
(c)
the publication or disclosure of the information or data is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on the Bank by this Act or any other legislation; or
(d)
the publication or disclosure of the information or data is under subpart 3 of Part 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 (which relates to information sharing); or
Replace section 156H(1)(a)(i) with:
(i)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty referred to in that paragraph; and
Replace section 156ZN(1)(c) and (d) with:
(c)
the publication or disclosure of the information or data is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on the Bank or the FMA by this Act or any other legislation; or
(d)
the publication or disclosure of the information or data is under subpart 3 of Part 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 or section 30 of the Financial Markets Authority Act 2011 (which relate to information sharing); or
Replace section 156ZO(1)(a)(i) with:
(i)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty referred to in that paragraph; and
Part 2Repeal of provisions in Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989
Sections 168, 169, and 171
Sections 175A and 175B
Schedule 1, Part 1
Part 3Amendments to other Acts
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (2009 No 35)
In section 5(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 18(2)(n), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Replace section 48(b)(v) with:
(v)
the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 and the Acts that are prudential legislation (within the meaning of section 5 of that Act):
In section 137(2) and (3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021, the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 140(2)(t), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Biosecurity Act 1993 (1993 No 95)
In section 100O(3)(a)(i), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 100ZE(3)(a)(i), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 140A(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Burial and Cremation Act 1964 (1964 No 75)
In section 2(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Chartered Professional Engineers of New Zealand Act 2002 (2002 No 17)
In Schedule 1, clause 41(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Child Support Act 1991 (1991 No 142)
In section 155(4)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Community Trusts Act 1999 (1999 No 54)
In the heading to section 20, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 20, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Companies Act 1993 (1993 No 105)
In section 2(1), definition of designated settlement system, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 239ABMA(3) and (4), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 248(3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 269(2)(b)(iii), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 271(3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 365(3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 7, clause 2(3B) and (3C), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Compensation for Live Organ Donors Act 2016 (2016 No 96)
In Schedule 2, clause 1(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Construction Contracts Act 2002 (2002 No 46)
In section 18FB(8), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Corporations (Investigation and Management) Act 1989 (1989 No 11)
In section 8(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
in each place.
In section 38(5), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 42(8), (8A), (9), (11), and (12), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 43(4), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 44(4) and (5), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 45(3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 51(9) and (10), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Crown Entities Act 2004 (2004 No 115)
In section 136(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Customs and Excise Act 2018 (2018 No 4)
In section 415(7), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Electoral Act 1993 (1993 No 87)
In section 212, definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Evidence Act 2006 (2006 No 69)
In section 75(3)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Financial Markets Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 5)
After section 9(2), insert:
(2A)
The function in subsection (1)(f) includes acting as a member of the Council of Financial Regulators and as chairperson of the council (jointly with the Reserve Bank or in accordance with section 287(2) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021).
In Schedule 1, Part 2, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (2013 No 69)
In section 6(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 60(3), definition of approved rating agency, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 238(1)(h), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 338(4), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 389(1)(b), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 426(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Financial Market Infrastructures Act 2021 (2021 No 13)
In section 5, definition of insolvency manager, paragraph (c)(ii), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 5, definition of RBNZ, replace “(see Part 1 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989)”
with “(see Part 2 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021)”
.
In section 5, definition of RBNZ Minister, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
In section 59(1)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Repeal section 154.
In section 163(3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 1, clause 1, replace the definition of RBNZ Act 1989 with:
BPS Act 1989 means the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989 (being the Act that was previously called the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989)
In Schedule 1, heading to clause 2, replace “RBNZ Act 1989”
with “BPS Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 1, clause 2, replace “RBNZ Act 1989”
with “BPS Act 1989”
in each place.
In Schedule 1, clause 3(1) and (2), replace “RBNZ Act 1989”
with “BPS Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 1, clause 4(5), replace “RBNZ Act 1989”
with “BPS Act 1989”
in each place.
In Schedule 3, item relating to section 42(8) of the Corporations (Investigation and Management) Act 1989, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 3, item relating to section 44(4) of the Corporations (Investigation and Management) Act 1989, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 3, item relating to Schedule 1 of the Financial Markets Authority Act 2011, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 3, item relating to section 338(4) of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 3, heading to item relating to Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 (2008 No 97)
In section 67(1)(c)(i), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 2, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Fisheries Act 1996 (1996 No 88)
In section 59(11)(c), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 78(12)(c), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 79(6)(c), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 255(6), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Gambling Act 2003 (2003 No 51)
In section 4(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Income Tax Act 2007 (2007 No 97)
In section FE 20(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section HD 15(2)(c), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section HD 16(7), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section RE 10C(2) and (6)(b), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section RP 6(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section YA 1, definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47)
In section 106, definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Insolvency Act 2006 (2006 No 55)
In section 202(3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Insolvency (Cross-border) Act 2006 (2006 No 57)
In Schedule 1, Article 1(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Insurance Intermediaries Act 1994 (1994 No 41)
In section 17(1)(e), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010 (2010 No 111)
In section 6(1), replace the definition of Bank with:
Bank means the Reserve Bank of New Zealand continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021
In section 6(1), replace the definition of Governor with:
Governor means a person who occupies the position of Governor of the Bank (whether the person is appointed under section 82 or 96 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021)
In section 6(1), definitions of voting right and voting security, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Repeal section 13.
In section 36(1), delete “, by a notice signed by the Governor,”
.
Repeal section 54 and the cross-heading above section 54.
In section 55(1), delete “, by a notice signed by the Governor,”
.
In section 73(3), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
.
In section 99(6)(a)(i), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 100(2)(b), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 135(2)(a), after “Act”
, insert “(other than the Official Information Act 1982)”
.
Replace section 135(2)(c) and (d) with:
(c)
the publication or disclosure of the information, data, document, or forecast is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on the Bank by this Act or any other legislation; or
(d)
the publication or disclosure is made under subpart 3 of Part 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 (which relates to information sharing); or
In section 135(3), replace “(2)(d) or (e)”
with “(2)(e)”
.
After section 135(5), insert:
(6)
The Bank may make information, data, a document, or a forecast to which this section applies available under the Official Information Act 1982 only if 1 or more grounds under subsection (2) apply.
Replace section 136(1)(a)(i) with:
(i)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty referred to in that paragraph; and
In section 170(4), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Repeal sections 230 and 231 and the cross-heading above section 230.
In section 236(1), delete “, by a notice signed by the Governor,”
.
In Schedule 1, clause 3(1)(c), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
.
In Schedule 1, clause 6(2)(c), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
.
International Finance Agreements Act 1961 (1961 No 3)
In section 4(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
KiwiSaver Act 2006 (2006 No 40)
In section 221(4), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (2006 No 1)
In section 6, definition of bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 322(3)(b)(ii), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Legal Services Act 2011 (2011 No 4)
In section 41E(2), replace “established under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58)
In Schedule 4, Part 1, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Limitation Act 2010 (2010 No 110)
In section 16(1)(j) and (2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 38(1)(e) and (2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Māori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Māori) Act 2003 (2003 No 21)
In Schedule 2, clause 31(1)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Masterton Trust Lands Act 2003 (2003 No 1(L))
In Schedule 2, clause 10(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Non-bank Deposit Takers Act 2013 (2013 No 104)
In section 4(1), replace the definition of Bank with:
Bank means the Reserve Bank of New Zealand continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021
In section 4(1), replace the definition of Governor with:
Governor means a person who occupies the position of Governor of the Bank (whether the person is appointed under section 82 or 96 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021)
In section 5(2)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Repeal section 9.
In section 27(3), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
.
In section 53(3) and (4), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
.
Replace section 54(2)(d) with:
(d)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on the Bank by this Act or any other legislation; or
(da)
under subpart 3 of Part 6 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 (which relates to information sharing); or
Repeal section 54(2)(f).
Replace section 54(3)(a) with:
(a)
for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance or exercise of any function, power, or duty referred to in that paragraph; or
In section 54(5), replace “(2)(f), (g),”
with “(2)(g)”
.
Repeal section 73(1)(g).
Repeal sections 80 and 81 and the cross-heading above section 80.
Repeal section 89.
In Schedule 1, clause 5(1)(b), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
.
In Schedule 1, clause 6(1), replace “Governor”
with “Bank”
in each place.
Ombudsmen Act 1975 (1975 No 9)
In Schedule 1, Part 2, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
Reserve Bank of New Zealand and any subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Overseas Investment Act 2005 (2005 No 82)
In section 111(1)(a), (b), and (e), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (1999 No 126)
In section 103A(6) and (7), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
in each place.
In section 103B(2) and (3), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Pork Industry Board Act 1997 (1997 No 106)
In section 41(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Primary Products Marketing Act 1953 (1953 No 10)
In section 3(7)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Act 2005 (2005 No 74)
In section 54(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Property Law Act 2007 (2007 No 91)
In section 153(8) and (9), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992 (1992 No 76)
In section 150(2), replace “established under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
Public Audit Act 2001 (2001 No 10)
Replace section 16(3) with:
(3)
Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to any registered bank (as defined in section 2(1) of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989).
Replace section 18(2) with:
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to any registered bank (as defined in section 2(1) of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989).
Public Finance Act 1989 (1989 No 44)
In section 2(1), definition of bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Repeal section 71AA(3)(c).
Receiverships Act 1993 (1993 No 122)
In section 30(7) and (8), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Registered Architects Act 2005 (2005 No 38)
In the Schedule, clause 41(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Remuneration Authority Act 1977 (1977 No 110)
In Schedule 4, insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The members of the board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (2012 No 24)
In the Schedule, item relating to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
in each place and reposition the item in its appropriate alphabetical order.
Social Security Act 2018 (2018 No 32)
In section 111(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 (1986 No 124)
In section 30(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Summary Proceedings Act 1957 (1957 No 87)
In section 2(1), definition of bank, paragraph (b), replace “established under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
In section 2(1), definition of infringement notice, after paragraph (hb), insert:
(hc)
section 276 of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021; or
Tax Administration Act 1994 (1994 No 166)
In section 25MB(2) and (7)(b), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In section 80KL(2)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Wages Protection Act 1983 (1983 No 143)
In section 2, definition of financial institution, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Part 4Amendments to secondary legislation
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Class Exemptions) Notice 2018 (LI 2018/101)
In the Schedule, Part 13, clause 2, definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Commodity Levies (Meat) Order 2015 (LI 2015/307)
In clause 3, definition of trust account, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Companies Act 1993 Liquidation Regulations 1994 (SR 1994/130)
In regulation 2, definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Regulations 2004 (SR 2004/240)
In regulation 18D(5), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In regulation 18E(4), definition of non-bank lender, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Customs Import Prohibition (Coins and Bank Notes) Order 2019 (LI 2019/210)
In clause 3, replace “section 2(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “section 5(1) of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
Deer Industry New Zealand Regulations 2004 (SR 2004/323)
In regulation 16(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Electronic Identity Verification Regulations 2013 (SR 2013/9)
In regulation 4(1)(c), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Financial Markets Authority (Levies) Regulations 2012 (SR 2012/121)
In regulation 3(1), definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In regulation 4(1)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Financial Markets Conduct Regulations 2014 (LI 2014/326)
In regulation 238(1), definition of hedging counterparty, paragraph (c), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In regulation 238(2)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 6, clause 14(3)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 6, clause 29(b), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 8, clause 26(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In Schedule 9, clause 6(2)(a) and (4), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Insolvency (Personal Insolvency) Regulations 2007 (SR 2007/333)
In regulation 6(4)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Trust Account) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/183)
In regulation 39(2)(b), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Non-bank Deposit Takers (Declared-out Entities) Regulations 2015 (LI 2015/9)
In regulation 3, definition of registered bank, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In regulation 9, definition of condition of registration, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Australian Financial Authorities) Regulations 2006 (SR 2006/373)
In regulation 3, replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Designated Settlement System—NZClear) Order 2012 (SR 2012/258)
In clause 3(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In the Schedule, clause 1(h), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Designated Settlement Systems) Order 2004 (SR 2004/376)
In clause 4(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In clause 12(2), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Registration and Supervision of Banks) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/342)
In regulation 3(1), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
Social Security Regulations 2018 (LI 2018/202)
In regulation 221(2)(a), replace “Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989”
.
In regulation 221(2)(f), replace “established under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989”
with “continued under the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021”
.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Supervisor, Levy, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2026 (2026 No 17): section 38
Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 71): section 17
Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective) Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 64)
Deposit Takers Act 2023 (2023 No 35): sections 479(3), 484, 495(1)
Data and Statistics Act 2022 (2022 No 39): section 107(1)
Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 36): section 26
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 Commencement Order 2022 (SL 2022/145): clause 2
Versions
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021
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