Project discussion: Allow oaths and declarations in other languages
Oaths And Declarations (Other Languages) Amendment Bill
Member's Bill
Explanatory Note
(TBD)
Oaths and Declarations (Other Languages) Amendment Bill
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1. Title
This Act is the Oaths and Declarations (Other Languages) Amendment Act.
2. Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to amend the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 to allow oaths and declarations to be made in languages other than English and te reo Māori.
4. Principal Act amended
This Act amends the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957.
5. New sections 4B and 4C inserted
The following sections are inserted after section 4A:
4B. Oaths and affirmations in New Zealand Sign Language
(1) If a New Zealand Sign Language equivalent of any of the oaths or affirmations set out in this Act is prescribed by regulations made under section 30A, using that New Zealand Sign Language equivalent has the same effect as using the oath or affirmation set out in this Act.(2) This section applies despite anything in section 4 or in any of sections 16 to 21.
4C. Oaths and affirmations in other languages
(1) If an equivalent in any other language of any of the oaths or affirmations set out in this Act is prescribed by regulations made under section 30A, using that equivalent has the same effect as using the oath or affirmation set out in this Act.(2) This section applies despite anything in section 4 or in any of sections 16 to 21.
6. Section 30A amended
Section 30A is amended by omitting "te reo Maori equivalents" and substituting "equivalents in te reo Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, or any other language".
