Overview of the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022

The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 (PDA) is New Zealand's legislation for protecting people who report serious wrongdoing in their workplace, often referred to as ‘whistleblowing’.

The purpose of the PDA is to:

• help people to report serious wrongdoing in their workplace;
• promote the timely investigation of serious wrongdoing where appropriate; and
• protect people who report serious wrongdoing in accordance with the PDA.

The PDA applies to employees in both the public sector and private sector, including the not for profit sector. 

This guidance provides explanations of:

• the terms and definitions used in the PDA, including how to make a protected disclosure;
• the protections available for people who make protected disclosures; and
• what disclosers can expect after making a protected disclosure.