New Zealand legislation

Survey of users of the Tables

Early in 2008, the PCO surveyed users of the Tables of New Zealand Acts and Ordinances and Statutory Regulations, and Deemed Regulations in Force to gauge future demand for the publication. View the survey form (PDF Version 140 Kb)

The PCO included the survey with all printed copies of the 1 January 2008 Tables, and also posted the survey on this website. The survey closed on 9 April 2008.

The 131 responses received are summarised below.

As a result of the consultation exercise, the Tables as at 1 January 2009 will be published in hard copy in the first quarter of 2009. The future of the Tables will be reviewed when the database is officialised and electronic versions are official versions (in the legal sense). The PCO is also considering making a PDF of the Tables available on this website.

The results

Responses to the individual survey questions were as follows (not all respondents answered all questions):

1. 84% (108) currently use the printed version of the Tables.
   16% (16) do not currently use the printed version of the Tables.

   9% (12) refer to the Tables on a daily basis.
   36% (47) refer to the Tables on a weekly basis.
   29% (38) refer to the Tables on a monthly basis.
   9% (11) refer to the Tables on an annual basis.

2. 95% (122) have access to the internet.
   3% (4) do not have access to the internet.

3. 70% (90) use the New Zealand Legislation website.
   29% (37) do not use the New Zealand Legislation website.

4. 12% (16) refer to the legislation website on a daily basis.
   26% (33) refer to the legislation website on a weekly basis.
   26% (33) refer to the legislation website on a monthly basis.
   5% (6) refer to the legislation website on an annual basis.

5. 57% (73) use the Tables to be aware of amendments passed/made in the previous year.
   76% (98) use the Tables as an index to legislation.
   67% (86) use the Tables to check the titles of legislation.
   64% (83) use the Tables to check what legislation is in force.
   29% (38) use the Tables to check which bound volumes of legislation are obsolete.

   Other uses of the Tables:

   • 7 respondents referred to the value in keeping each edition of the Tables:
     • historical value of maintaining the Tables as a series (3)
     • point in time searching (2)
     • to identify the last reprint of repealed legislation (1)
     • to find the date of the last reprint of repealed statutes, or to find statutes prior to a substantial reform (1)
   • quick reference for regulations (2)
   • to check for citations (year and Act/reg numbers) (1)
   • as a practical index to bound volumes (1)

6. 77% (99) are likely to continue to purchase the printed version of the Tables, even though the legislation website is now available
   22% (28) are unlikely to continue to purchase the printed version of the Tables

7. Of the 77% (99) who will continue to purchase the printed version of the Tables, they will do so:

   • because of the uses to which it is put—listed under question 4 of the survey (39)
   • quick reference/index (13)
   • for ease of use with bound volumes (9)
   • as backup because internet connection is not reliable or may be unavailable (9)
   • preference for hard copy (8)
   • as a public (library) resource (8)
   • because it is convenient and doesn’t require computer access/portability (6)
   • to check what is in force/reprinted (5)
   • historical/legal research (5)
   • teaching purposes (2)

8. Ten respondents commented that electronic access is not a substitute for hard copy.
   If the Tables were no longer printed, 44% (56) respondents indicated that the legislation site would need to provide the following in its place:

   • an electronic version of the Tables (2)
   • more historical information (2)
   • PDF version of the hardcopy (1)
   • alphabetical tables that can be searched at the same speed as one can turn a page/several pages
   • a list of all legislation that can be browsed to find likely legislation when the actual name of the Act is unknown (1)