NZQA registered unit standard
19904 version 3
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of legislation
Level
3
Credits
5
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate
knowledge of an Act; explain statutory interpretation; explain
sections of an Act or Acts; and describe and explain
subordinate legislation.
Classification
Public Sector Services > Public Sector Core Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard is intended for people who are, or seek to be employed in the
public sector.
2
Assessment against this unit standard should take place in the context of the
legislation, regulations, bylaws, and/or rules that apply in a specified work context.
This context may be central or local government.
3
Definitions
Plain terms refer to language readily understood by the general populace.
Subordinate legislation refers to laws made under the delegated authority of
Parliament. Subordinate legislation includes but is not limited to – Regulations,
Bylaws, Rules, licence conditions, consent conditions. Subordinate legislation is
sometimes referred to as delegated legislation.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
19904 version 3
Page 2 of 4
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of an Act.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Components of an Act are described.
Range
1.2
components must include – purpose and objectives, parts,
interpretation section, sections and sub-sections;
two other components which may include but are not limited to –
title, date of Royal Assent, commencement date, table of contents,
headings, history of amendments, schedules, amendments,
savings, explanatory notes.
Three sections of an Act are formally referred to for a third party.
Range
conveyed orally, cited in writing.
Outcome 2
Explain statutory interpretation.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Basic rules of statutory interpretation are explained.
Range
2.2
three of – literal rule, purposive rule, golden rule, mischief rule.
Specialist terms commonly used in an Act are identified and defined.
Range
terms may include but are not limited to – and, or, provided that,
notwithstanding, subject to, deemed, except as expressly provided
for, includes, means, may, shall;
definitions of four terms are required.
Outcome 3
Explain sections of an Act or Acts.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The meanings of sections of an Act or Acts are explained in plain terms.
Range
3.2
two sections of an Act or one section from each of two Acts is
required.
The meaning of sections of an Act or Acts which are reliant on provisions of
another Act are explained in plain terms, and taking into account both sources
of law and any conflicts.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
Range
19904 version 3
Page 3 of 4
two sections of an Act or one section from each of two Acts is
required.
Outcome 4
Describe and explain subordinate legislation.
Range
two items of different types of subordinate legislation.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Subordinate legislation is described in terms of type, purpose, and legislative
authority.
4.2
Each item of subordinate legislation is explained in relation to two different
situations.
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
27 May 2003
31 December 2012
Rollover and
Revision
2
11 December 2009
31 December 2012
Review
3
20 May 2011
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0121
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
19904 version 3
Page 4 of 4
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation info@skills.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes
to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016