PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
This new piece of legislation has at it's core two key elements
1) Requirement to create and maintain records under the Public Records Act
The Act applies to all public offices as defined in Section 4 of the Act including all government departments, CRI's,SOE's and tertiary education providers. Local Government is covered by a slightly different regime. Those covered by the Act are required to create and maintain full and accurate records in accordance with normal, prudent business practice. The records must be accessible over time.
2) Authority of the Chief Archivist
The Public Records Act continues the Archives Act requirement , to gain the Chief Archivist's authorisation before disposing of public records. Disposal is the archival term for the ultimate fate of public records, usually by destruction or transfer to Archives New Zealand for long term or permanent retention.
For further information http://www.archives.govt.nz/publicrecordsact.php
In addition .......... There is the whole issue of compliance with the regualtions of this Act
The legislation introduces measures to assess whether agencies are meeting the requirements, which are:
- Audits - Independant audits of agencies recordkeeping practices will commence in 2010 and take place every 5-10 years
- Annual Report - An Annual report on the state of government recordkeeping will be made to Parliament by the Chief Archivist. The first report has already been submitted and can be viewed at http://www.archives.govt.nz
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