Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (No. 30 of 1996).

The purpose of this Act is to protect the environment by preventing or managing the adverse effects of hazardous substances and new organisms. The definition of new organisms is given in the text.
The Act establishes the Environmental Risk Management Authority and specifies its powers, functions and duties, along with those of the Minister of Environment and of enforcement officers. A committee called Nga Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao shall also be established in order to provide advice and assistance to the Authority on matters relating to policy, process, and applications. The Act further prohibits the import, manufacture, release, etc. of hazardous substances, new organisms, persistent organic pollutants, etc. unless authorized and assessed by the Authority who shall grant permits and licences. The Governor-General shall establish a hazard classification system. The text also contains provisions on powers of inspection, offences, penalties, appeals, emergencies, and miscellaneous and transitional provisions. In the Schedules of the Act various Acts and Regulations have been amended or repealed.