What is the Human Rights Review Tribunal? How do I take a case to the Tribunal?

The Human Rights Review Tribunal is the court which deals with cases dealing with New Zealand’s main pieces of human rights law, including the Privacy Act. It can consider any matter raised under the Privacy Act, as long as the OPC has investigated it first.

While it operates in an informal way, it has the same powers as a district court and can make binding decisions, award damages and order parties to pay costs. It can award damages to a maximum of $350,000.

• Read more about specific cases that have got to the Tribunal.(external link)
• Learn more about the Tribunal(external link).
• Contact the Tribunal(external link).
• Read about how to take a case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Updated October 2025