An appeal which questioned the legality of last year's level 3 and 4 lockdown has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
The case related to The Health Act 1956 which gives the director-general of Health, currently Ashley Bloomfield, special powers. Under section 70(1)(f), the director-general may require persons to isolate or quarantine and under 70(1)(m), they may close premises and forbid congregating.
The ruling, which was issued today, said the orders did not exceed the scope of these sections of the Health Act.
It said a broad approach to section 70(1)(f) and (m) was required because of the broad statutory language, the fact that these were emergency powers to be used in unforeseeable situations.
"Although these powers were inconsistent with the rights to freedom of movement, assembly and association in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, they were justified limitations to prevent disease and protect the health of society."