Motor vehicle (third party) insurance in New Zealand

Abstract

The primary purpose of this paper is the statement and critical examination of the law as to motor vehicle insurance against third party risks as prescribed by Part V Transport Act 1949. However, before we embark upon such examination in Chapter 4 several preliminary but important aspects of this third party insurance call for explanation. Firstly, we must delve into the historical background and set forth the authoritative statements of the Honourable Attorney-General Mr.F.J.Rolleston as to the intended purpose of the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Bill 1928 made on the occasion of the Second Reading of that Bill on the 27th of September, 1928. Vol. 219 New Zealand Parliamentary Debates p.589. These statements will bear interesting comparison with the way the same legislation has been interpreted and developed in and by our New Zealand Courts "according to its true intent meaning and spirit". Section 5 (j) Acts Interpretation Act, 1924 Principal features of this insurance are that it is compulsory for all motor vehicle See definition of "motor vehicle" Section 2, Transport Act, 1949. owners and it has been elevated into a statutory class of business and the underlying reasons are also to be found in the pages of our Parliamentary Debates.