Government keen to repeal 152 laws – what they are and why you probably won’t notice they’re gone

The New Zealand government is undertaking a major legislative review, planning to repeal more than 150 laws described as "outdated and obsolete." This initiative, announced by Attorney-General Chris Bishop, is being characterized as one of the most extensive statutory clear-ups in the country's history.

Bishop referred to the effort as a "statutory spring clean," indicating a desire to modernize the legal framework. Many of the laws targeted for repeal are still technically on the books but are no longer in practical use or serve any current purpose.

The move is expected to streamline legislation and remove redundancies, making the legal system more efficient. While the specific list of laws to be repealed is extensive, the government's intention is to clear away legislation that has become irrelevant over time.

The Attorney-General highlighted that the repeal process is aimed at ensuring the laws on the statute books are relevant and necessary for contemporary New Zealand. The government believes this comprehensive review will benefit the legal system by removing archaic provisions.

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statutory spring clean