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.

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:

1 Title

This Act is the Utilities Access Act 2010.

2 Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

3 Purpose of Act

The purpose of this Act is to—

(a)

require utility operators and corridor managers to comply with a national code of practice that regulates access to transport corridors; and

(b)

provide for the making and administration of that code.

4 Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

Code means—

(a)

the national code of practice that is approved under section 12 and has taken effect, along with all amendments to it that have taken effect; or

(b)

if there is no Code approved under section 12, but regulations have been made under section 18, the code set out in those regulations

corridor manager means,—

(a)

in relation to a road (as defined in section 315(1) of the Local Government Act 1974, and which includes State highways and Government roads), the local authority or other person that has jurisdiction over the road:

(b)

in relation to a motorway (as defined in section 2(1) of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989), the New Zealand Transport Agency:

(c)

in relation to railway land, the licensed access provider who controls access to the land

eligible infrastructure has the same meaning as in section 8 of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020

Minister means the Minister of the Crown who, under the authority of any warrant or with the authority of the Prime Minister, is for the time being responsible for the administration of this Act

Ministry means the department of State that, with the authority of the Prime Minister, is for the time being responsible for the administration of this Act

railway land means any land upon which a railway line (as defined in section 4 of the Railways Act 2005) is constructed, along with any adjacent land that is held or used in connection with operating a railway on that railway line

related Ministers means the Ministers of the Crown who are responsible for the administration of the Local Government Act 1974, the Electricity Act 1992, the Gas Act 1992, the Government Roading Powers Act 1989, the Telecommunications Act 2001, and the Railways Act 2005

SPV means a responsible SPV that is identified by a levy order made under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 as having responsibility for the construction of eligible infrastructure

transport corridor means any road (as defined in section 315(1) of the Local Government Act 1974), motorway (as defined in section 2(1) of the Government Roading Powers Act 1989), or railway land

utility operator means,—

(a)

in relation to electricity infrastructure, an electricity operator as defined in section 2(1) of the Electricity Act 1992:

(b)

in relation to gas infrastructure, a gas operator as defined in section 2(1) of the Gas Act 1992:

(c)

in relation to telecommunications infrastructure, a network operator as defined in section 5 of the Telecommunications Act 2001:

(d)

in relation to water and wastewater infrastructure,—

(i)

a local authority as defined in section 5 of the Local Government Act 2002; or

(ii)

a person acting on behalf of a local authority in relation to that infrastructure; or

(iia)

a water service provider as defined in section 4 of the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025; or

(iii)

a responsible SPV that is responsible for the construction of eligible infrastructure under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020:

(e)

in relation to public letterboxes, a postal operator as defined in section 2(1) of the Postal Services Act 1998.

Section 4 eligible infrastructure: inserted, on 7 August 2020, by section 161 of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47).

Section 4 SPV: inserted, on 7 August 2020, by section 161 of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47).

Section 4 utility operator paragraph (d): replaced, on 7 August 2020, by section 161 of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47).

Section 4 utility operator paragraph (d)(iia): inserted, on 27 August 2025, by section 172 of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).

5 Act binds the Crown

This Act binds the Crown.

Obligation to comply with Code

6 Obligation to comply with Code

(1)

Utility operators and corridor managers must—

(a)

co-ordinate work done in transport corridors by complying with the processes and rules set out in the Code; and

(b)

before applying to the court for an order under section 7, use any appropriate dispute resolution procedures set out in the Code.

(2)

In setting reasonable conditions relating to access to the transport corridor, corridor managers must comply with the Code (but only to the extent that the Code is not inconsistent with any applicable criteria for reasonable conditions that are published under an enactment).

(3)

When carrying out work in a transport corridor, utility operators must comply with the Code—

(a)

except to the extent that any particular provision of the Code is inconsistent with an enactment, or any standard or other instrument that the utility operator is obliged to comply with; or

(b)

unless, in a particular situation, the manager of the transport corridor and all affected utility operators agree that the Code need not be complied with.

(4)

To avoid doubt, an agreement not to comply with the Code does not affect a corridor manager’s or utility operator’s obligations under an enactment, or under any standard or other instrument with which it is obliged to comply.

(5)

This section does not apply if there is no Code.

7 Court may order compliance with Code

(1)

On the application of any utility operator or corridor manager, the District Court may require another utility operator or corridor manager to comply with any of its obligations under section 6.

(2)

The order may require the person against whom it is made to comply with it within a specified time.

(3)

In considering an application for an order, the court may take into account the practicality and cost of complying with the Code as compared with the practicality and cost of taking other steps that will, in the particular situation under consideration, achieve substantially the same outcome as compliance with the Code.

Section 7(1): amended, on 1 March 2017, by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).

8 Offence to fail to comply with order

A person who, knowing that the person is subject to an order made under section 7, fails to comply with the order, or fails to comply with the order within the time specified in the order, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000.

Section 8: amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).

Nature of Code

9 Purpose of Code

The purpose of the Code is to enable access by utility operators to transport corridors to be managed in a way that—

(a)

maximises the benefit to the public while ensuring that all utility operators are treated fairly; and

(b)

ensures that disruptions to roads, motorways, and railways caused by work by utility operators are kept to a minimum, while maintaining safety; and

(c)

provides a nationally consistent approach to managing access to transport corridors.

10 Content of Code

(1)

In order to achieve its purpose, the Code must set out the following:

(a)

who it applies to:

(b)

the principles governing how corridor managers deal with utility operators, and how utility operators deal with corridor managers and other utility operators, on issues relating to access to transport corridors:

(c)

the processes and rules for co-ordinating work done in transport corridors by utility operators, or that affects utility operators’ assets:

(d)

processes for dealing with conflicts of interest arising from the same person being both a corridor manager and a utility operator, or being the operator of different utilities:

(e)

how the statutory criteria for setting reasonable conditions, when utility operators have a right of access, are to be applied:

(f)

whether, what, and how any other conditions relating to access may be imposed by corridor managers when utility operators have a right of access:

(g)

how the criteria (published in accordance with a statutory requirement) for granting access are to be applied when utility operators request access:

(h)

processes and rules for utility operators and corridor managers to share information:

(i)

how compliance with the provisions of the Code is to be encouraged and provided for, including 1 or more dispute resolution procedures:

(j)

operational processes and rules about work done by utility operators within transport corridors:

(k)

if the Code refers to standards, guidelines, or other documents that are not set out in the Code,—

(i)

how those standards, guidelines, or other documents (including any amendments and replacements) may be viewed and how copies may be obtained; and

(ii)

which edition or version of the standard, guidelines, or other document is referred to and whether the reference includes subsequent amendments or replacements.

(2)

The Code may also—

(a)

provide for its provisions to be applied differently in different geographic locations, provided the variations comply with subsection (3); and

(b)

include any other matter that is consistent with the purpose of the Code and not inconsistent with any enactment.

(3)

Variations referred to in subsection (2)(a) may be allowed by the Code only if the variations—

(a)

are generally consistent with paragraphs (a) and (b) of the purpose of the Code set out in section 9; and

(b)

are in response to particular geographic factors that would result in inefficient or uneconomic outcomes if the standard requirements of the Code were adopted; and

(c)

have been sought and agreed to by the corridor managers and utility operators in that region; and

(d)

fairly balance the interests of corridor managers and utility operators.

How Code made and administered

11 Preparation of Code

(1)

A draft Code may be prepared by the Ministry, or by any person or body of persons, using whatever processes the Ministry, person, or body considers appropriate.

(2)

The process for developing a draft Code must include, at a minimum, the following steps:

(a)

consultation with utility operators and corridor managers likely to be affected by the Code:

(b)

publication of a draft Code and release to the public:

(c)

consideration of comment received on the draft Code:

(d)

preparation of a revised draft Code in response to comments received.

(3)

A draft Code may be submitted to the Minister for approval at any time after the steps referred to in subsection (2) have been taken.

(4)

Any consultation done before this Act comes into force does not count as consultation for the purposes of subsection (2).

12 Approval of Code

(1)

Within 3 months after receiving a draft Code, the Minister must either approve or reject it.

(2)

The Minister may approve a draft Code only if—

(a)

he or she has consulted with the related Ministers; and

(b)

he or she is satisfied that the draft Code—

(i)

is capable of achieving the purpose set out in section 9; and

(ii)

adequately sets out the matters referred to in section 10(1); and

(iii)

has been developed by a process that includes the steps set out in section 11(2); and

(iv)

is broadly agreed to by the corridor managers and utility operators likely to be affected by the draft Code; and

(v)

reflects a balance between the interests of corridor managers and those of utility operators.

(3)

The Minister’s decision under this section must be given in writing to whoever submitted the draft Code to the Minister for approval.

(4)

A Code is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

(5)

That Act applies as if—

(a)

the Minister were the maker of the Code; and

(b)

the Code were made by the Minister approving it.

Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation referred to in subsection (4)
Publication	The maker must:	LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14
	• notify it in the Gazette with a statement of where it is available for purchase and in the Internet
	• make it available for sale at a reasonable price at the head office of the Ministry
	• publish it on an Internet site that is publicly available at all reasonable times
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 12(4): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 12(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

13 Effect of commencement or revocation of Code

(1)

[Repealed]

(2)

[Repealed]

(3)

It is not intended that any processes, notices, conditions, or other matters that were previously settled should be affected by the Code taking effect or by any subsequent revocation or amendment of the Code.

Section 13 heading: replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 13(1): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 13(2): repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 13(3): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

14 Publication of Code

[Repealed]

Section 14: repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

15 Status of Code

[Repealed]

Section 15: repealed, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

16 Amendment of Code

(1)

The Minister may at any time approve an amendment to the Code.

(2)

Sections 11 to 13, with all necessary modifications, apply to an amendment as if it were a draft Code.

(3)

Proposals for amendments to the Code must include the following:

(a)

a statement of the proposed amendment and how it will affect the Code:

(b)

the reasons for the proposed amendment:

(c)

a description of the process used to arrive at the proposal, including a description of the parties involved and the level of agreement achieved among them:

(d)

a description of how the amendments will affect corridor managers and utility operators.

(4)

However, in the case of a minor amendment that does not materially affect the Code,—

(a)

section 12(2) does not apply; and

(b)

the proposed amendment need not—

(i)

include the matters referred to in subsection (3)(c) and (d); or

(ii)

comply with section 11(2)(b) to (d).

Section 16(2): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

17 Revocation of Code

(1)

The Minister may revoke the Code if he or she is satisfied that—

(a)

the Code no longer adequately reflects a balance between the interests of corridor managers and those of utility operators; or

(b)

the Code is not achieving its purpose; or

(c)

utility operators and corridor managers have significant concerns with, or differences over, the Code, and resolution of the issues appears unlikely.

(2)

A revocation 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 publish it in the Gazette	LA19 ss 73, 74(1)(a), Sch 1 cl 14
Presentation	It is not required to be presented to the House of Representatives because a transitional exemption applies under Schedule 1 of the Legislation Act 2019	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 17 heading: amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 17(1): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 17(2): replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Regulations in place of Code

18 Power to make regulations if no Code

(1)

The Governor-General may, on the recommendation of the Minister given in accordance with subsection (2), make regulations regulating how access by utility operators to transport corridors is managed.

(2)

The Minister may not recommend making regulations under this section unless he or she is satisfied that—

(a)

either—

(i)

no Code has taken effect and no Code is likely to take effect; or

(ii)

an existing Code is or is likely to be revoked; and

(b)

the regulations set out a code that has the purpose set out in section 9 and includes the matters set out in section 10(1); and

(c)

the regulations are likely to improve the efficiency of utility operators’ access to transport corridors, without compromising road or rail safety; and

(d)

the regulations reflect, as far as possible, any agreements reached by utility operators and corridor managers; and

(e)

the related Ministers have been consulted and concur in the desirability of making the regulations and the content of the regulations.

(3)

Regulations made under this section may incorporate by reference any written material that prescribes, defines, or makes other provision for goods, services, processes, or practices that are relevant to the regulations.

(4)

If material is incorporated by reference in regulations made under this section, the Schedule applies to that material, unless the material is a New Zealand Standard (as defined in section 2 of the Standards Act 1988), in which case that Act applies.

(5)

Regulations 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.

Section 18(2)(a)(ii): amended, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Section 18(5): inserted, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

Schedule Provisions applying where material is incorporated by reference in regulations made under section 18

s 18(4)

1 Incorporation of material by reference in regulations

(1)

Material incorporated by reference in regulations made under section 18 may be incorporated—

(a)

in whole or in part; and

(b)

with modifications, additions, or variations specified in the regulations.

(2)

The material incorporated by reference has legal effect as part of the regulations.

2 Effect of amendments to, replacement of, and expiry of, material incorporated by reference

(1)

An amendment to, or replacement of, existing material incorporated by reference into regulations made under section 18 has legal effect as part of the regulations only if—

(a)

the regulations provide that a reference to that particular existing material includes a reference to the material as subsequently amended or replaced; or

(b)

the regulations are amended to refer to the material as amended or replaced.

(2)

If material that is incorporated by reference expires or ceases to have effect, and is not replaced, the material continues to have effect for the purpose of the regulations unless or until the regulations are amended in a way that means the material is no longer incorporated by reference.

3 Proof of material incorporated by reference

(1)

A copy of material incorporated by reference in regulations made under section 18, including any amendment to, or replacement of, the material, must be—

(a)

certified as a correct copy of the material by the chief executive of the Ministry; and

(b)

retained by the chief executive of the Ministry.

(2)

The production in proceedings of a certified copy of the material is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, sufficient evidence of the incorporation in the regulations of the material.

4 Requirement to consult

(1)

Subclause (2) does not apply if, in relation to particular material (including amendment or replacement material) proposed to be incorporated by reference into regulations made under section 18,—

(a)

the material would amend or replace existing material incorporated by reference, and the regulations provide that references to that existing material include references to any amendment to, or replacement of, the material; or

(b)

the Minister is satisfied that corridor managers and network operators already use, or have been adequately consulted on, the material proposed to be incorporated by reference.

(2)

Before regulations are made that incorporate material by reference (including amendment or replacement material), the chief executive of the Ministry must—

(a)

make copies of the material available for inspection during working hours for a reasonable period, free of charge, at the head office of the Ministry; and

(b)

ensure that copies of the material are available for purchase; and

(c)

give notice in the Gazette of where and when the material may be inspected free of charge, and how it may be purchased; and

(d)

allow a reasonable opportunity for persons to comment on the proposal to incorporate the material by reference; and

(e)

consider any comments made.

(3)

A failure to comply with subclause (2) does not invalidate regulations that incorporate material by reference.

5 Access to material incorporated by reference

(1)

The chief executive of the Ministry—

(a)

must make any material that is incorporated by reference into regulations made under section 18 available for inspection at the head office of the Ministry during working hours, free of charge; and

(b)

must ensure that copies of the material are available for purchase; and

(c)

may make copies of the material available in any other way that the chief executive considers appropriate (for example, on an Internet site); and

(d)

must give notice in the Gazette—

(i)

stating that the material is incorporated in the regulations and giving the date on which the regulations were made; and

(ii)

setting out where and when the material may be inspected free of charge, and how it may be purchased.

(2)

A failure to comply with subclause (1) does not invalidate the regulations that incorporate the material by reference.

6 Application of Legislation Act 2019 to material incorporated by reference

Subpart 1 of Part 3 and section 114 of the Legislation Act 2019 do not apply to material that is incorporated by reference in regulations merely because it is incorporated.

Schedule clause 6: replaced, on 28 October 2021, by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).

7 Application of Regulations (Disallowance) Act 1989

[Repealed]

Schedule clause 7: repealed, on 5 August 2013, by section 77(3) of the Legislation Act 2012 (2012 No 119).

Notes

1 General

This is a consolidation of the Utilities Access Act 2010 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

Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43): section 172

Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7): section 3

Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (2020 No 47): section 161

District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49): section 261

Legislation Act 2012 (2012 No 119): section 77(3)

Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81): section 413