TOPIC GUIDE : ACC RESEARCH

In 1974 New Zealand adopted an innovative new system for accident compensation, now called the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, known by the acronym ACC.    This web resource draws together materials on the development of the ACC scheme held in the University of Auckland library system as well as selected internet resources.

NOTE : Some resources on this page deeplink into the library's subscription databases. These materials are available to University of Auckland members via Netaccount signon.

The Woodhouse Report

The ACC scheme was introduced as the outcome of the deliberations in 1967 of the Royal Commission on Worker Compensation chaired by Mr Justice Woodhouse (now the Right Honourable Sir Owen Woodhouse).  View The History of ACC in New Zealand by The ACC.   The Royal Commission's published findings were known as The Woodhouse Report:

• New Zealand. Royal Commission to Inquire into and Report upon Workers Compensation., & Woodhouse, O. (1967). Compensation for personal injury in New Zealand. Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry. Wellington: Govt. Print. and Pdf version provided by the University of Auckland Library
• New Zealand. Dept. of Labour. (1969). Personal injury; a commentary on the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into compensation for personal injury in New Zealand  Wellington,: Govt. Print.
• Insurance Industry Committee (N.Z.), & New Zealand. Parliament. Select Committee on Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand. (1970). Submissions to the Select Committee on Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand.
• New Zealand. Parliament. Select Committee on Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand., & Gair, G. F. (1970). Report of Select Committee on Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand.  Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.

In the 2007 New Year's Honours list Sir Owen Woodhouse was made an Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand. View NZ Herald article.

Australian Woodhouse Report

In the early 1970's the Australian Government commissioned Sir Owen Woodhouse to head the National Committee of Inquiry on Compensation and Rehabilitation in Australia.  It prepared a proposal to reform that country’s compensation scheme:

• Australia. National Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme Committee of Inquiry. (1974-1975). Report of the National Committee of Inquiry on Compensation and Rehabilitation in Australia. Canberra: Govt. Printer. 3 v. Also published in  Commonwealth Parliamentary Papers 1974, vol. 2 no.s 100 &135  [Not held AU]
• Australian Council of Social Service. Standing Committee on Economics and Social Welfare., & Smith, P. (1975). The philosophy of the bill : compensation and rehabilitation in Australia . Sydney: Australian Council of Social Service.

ACC Legislation and Case Law

Current Legislation

• Injury, Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001 via Brookers Online.  Use this link to also view amendments to the statute, subordinate legislation (regulations), forms and precedents, case law and related commentary

Repealed Legislation

• Accident Compensation Act 1972, Accident Compensation Amendment Act 1973, Accident Compensation Act 1982 and Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992 are in the New Zealand Statutes and Regulations - Heritage Collection
• Accident Insurance Act 1998 via Brookers Online
• Accident Insurance (Transitional Provisions) Act 2000 via Brookers Online

Administration

• ACC is administered by The Accident Compensation Corporation
• The current statute and regulations are administered by The Department of Labour
• The Hon Dr Nick Smith is the current Minister for ACC - see Dept of Labour Briefing for Incoming Minister, 2008
• Dr Jan White is CEO of ACC

Case law

• Decisions under the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992  (ARCI decisions) - unpublished decisions from various District Courts. Davis Law Library LAW REPORT Library Has: 1/93- 
• Accident Compensation Reports in Brookers Online  1994 - 1997

See also: Davis Law Library New Zealand Case Law resources

Commentary

• Rennie, D. A. (2002). Personal injury in New Zealand.  Wellington, N.Z.: Brookers. (Looseleaf) and available fulltext Brookers Online
• Beehive - ACC Portfolio - materials

 Books / Government publications

Use Voyager, the Library catalogue, to find publications on ACC held in the University of Auckland library system.   
TIP:  Begin with a Guided Keyword search.  This also looks for words in chapters in books, where these are part of the Voyager record

Suggested Voyager Subject Heading searches
Click on a heading below to display an index of subject headings in Voyager. Then click on a heading of interest to display a list of books / journals on that topic

Accident Compensation Corporation (N.Z.) Accident Compensation Corporation (N.Z.) Periodicals Accident Compensation Scheme Accident law New Zealand Compensation Law New Zealand Insurance accident New Zealand New Zealand Accident Compensation Act 1972 New Zealand Accident Compensation Act 1978 New Zealand Accident Compensation Commission Personal injuries New Zealand

Accident law Australia Insurance accident Australia Accident law Great Britain Insurance accident Great Britain Personal injuries Great Britain Damages Economic aspects

Selected titles

• Use this link Accident compensation coverage : the administration of the Accident compensation act  to view library holdings for the 1972 and 1982 publications by J. L. Fahy
• New Zealand. Accident Compensation Commission. (1976). Accident compensation in New Zealand.  Wellington: New Zealand. Accident Compensation Commission. 6 vols
• Blair, A. P. (1978). Accident compensation in New Zealand : the law relating to compensation for personal Injury by accident in New Zealand. Wellington: Butterworths.  and see (1983) 2nd ed.
• Palmer, G. W. R. (1979). Compensation for incapacity : a study of law and social change in New Zealand and Australia. Wellington : Oxford University Press.
• Ison, T. G. (1980). Accident compensation : a commentary on the New Zealand scheme. London : Groom Helm.
• New Zealand. Cabinet/Caucus Committee-Accident Compensation Review. (1980). New Zealand Accident Compensation Scheme : a review [D.F. Quigley, chairman]. Wellington, N.Z.: The Committee. [Not held AU]
• New Zealand. Accident Compensation Commission. (1980). Purpose-progress : accident compensation in New Zealand. Wellington: The Commission.
• Accident Compensation Corporation (N.Z.). (1984). A Bold experiment : ten years of accident compensation in New Zealand. [Wellington, N.Z.]: Accident Compensation Corporation.
• Ison, T. G., & Accident Compensation Corporation (N.Z.). (1985). Accident compensation in New Zealand : future options.  [Wellington, N.Z.: Accident Compensation Corporation.
• New Zealand. Officials Committee of the Accident Compensation Scheme. (1986).  Review by Officials Committee of the Accident Compensation Scheme.  Wellington, N.Z. : Office of the Minister of Labour. 2 v.
• New Zealand. Law Commission. (1987). Accident Compensation Scheme : interim report on aspects of funding. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Law Commission. [Fulltext online]
• New Zealand. Law Commission. (1988). Personal injury : prevention and recovery : report on the accident compensation scheme.  Wellington, N.Z. : Law Commission.
• New Zealand. Royal Commission on Social Policy. (1988). April report : report / of the Royal Commission on Social Policy. Wellington, N.Z. : the Commission.
• Haarmeyer, D. (1989). Accident compensation reform : an evaluation of the Law Commission’s report, Personal injury : prevention and recovery. Wellington [N.Z.] : Economic Development Commission.
• New Zealand. Dept. of Labour. (1991).  Accident compensation : a fairer scheme / W.F. Birch. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Government.
• New Zealand. Ministerial Working Party on The Accident Compensation Corporation and Incapacity. (1991).  Ministerial Working Party on The Accident Compensation Corporation and Incapacity : report.  Wellington, N.Z. : The Working Party.
• Harrison, R. (1993). Matters of life and death : the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992 and common law claims for personal injury. [Auckland, N.Z.] : Legal Research Foundation.
• Trapski, P. J. (1994). Report of the inquiry into the procedures of the Accident Compensation Corporation.  N.Z. : Peter Trapski. [Not held AU]
• Campbell, I. B. (1996). Compensation for personal injury in New Zealand : its rise and fall.  [N.Z.]: Auckland University Press.
• Epstein, R. A. (1996).  Accident compensation : the faulty basis of no-fault and state provision. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Business Roundtable. 
• Boston, J., St. John, S., & Dalziel, P. C. (1999). Redesigning the welfare state in New Zealand : problems, policies, prospects.  Auckland: Oxford University Press.
• Scheil-Adlung, X. (2001). Building social security : the challenge of privatization.. New Brunswick, USA: Transaction Publishers. See Chapter 21
  The Privatization of Accident Compensation in New Zealand by John Miller
• Personal injury litigation : a practical approach. (2002). [presenters, Wendy Brandon ... [et al.]]. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Law Society. 
• Accident Compensation Corporation (N.Z.)  (2003). New Zealand injury prevention strategy  Rautaki ārai whara o Aotearoa / Ruth Dyson, Minister for ACC.  Wellington, N.Z. : Accident Compensation Corporation.
• Review of ACC medical misadventure : consultation document. (2003). Wellington, N.Z. : ACC.
• Todd, S., & Hughes, J. (2005). The law of torts in New Zealand  (4th ed.). Wellington, N.Z.: Brooker's. See Chapter 2, pp 17-53 and Chapter 3 pp 54-79 on Accident Compensation.
• Skegg, P. D. G., Paterson, R., Manning, J., & Brookbanks, W. J. (2006). Medical law in New Zealand. Wellington [N.Z.]: Thomson Brookers.  See Chapter 24, pp 679-723 on Treatment injury and Medical Misadventure
  

UK

• (1978). The Report of the Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury (The Pearson Commission). (Cmnd. 7054).

Theses and Dissertations

• Bryers, Stephen Perry. (1972). The Woodhouse Report : consideration of its arguments with reference to a case study. Dissertation (LLB (Hons))University of Auckland.
• Ladd, R. R. (1974).  Compensation for personal injury in New Zealand.  Dissertation (LLB (Hons)) University of Auckland.
• Jones, David O. (1976). The relationship between the Accident Compensation Act and actions for assault and battery. Dissertation (LLB (Hons)) University of Auckland.
  
• St. John, Susan. (1979). Cost allocation in the New Zealand accident compensation scheme. Thesis (MA--Economics) University of Auckland.  
• Paki, Benjamin Sydney. (1984). Earnings and relevant earnings under the Accident Compensation Acts 1972 and 1982. Dissertation (LLB (Hons)) University of Auckland.
• Bugg, Stuart Guy. (1988?). Compensating for accident compensation legislation in New Zealand : a trilogy on the interdependency of legal functionalism. Thesis (MJur) University of Auckland.
• Newcombe, Craig. (1991). Enabling bodies? : paraplegics’ lifestyles and experiences of the Accident Compensation Corporation. Thesis (MA--Sociology) University of Auckland.
• Couper, Fleur Maree.  (1995). A feminist critique of the Accident Compensation Corporation.  Dissertation (LLB(Hons)) University of Auckland.
• Hucker, Robert.  (1995).  The personal injury regime in New Zealand and the accident compensation provisions. Thesis (MJur) University of Auckland.
• Wensley, Dana. (1995). Recovery for personal injury in New Zealand after ARCIA. Dissertation (LLB(Hons)) University of Auckland.
• Xanthopol, Nicole Helen Anne. (1996). ACC : insurance or welfare? Dissertation (LLB(Hons)) University of Auckland.
  
• Brown, Debra. (1997). The extent to which the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, alongside the existence of ARCIA, has taken over some of the functions of the common law. Dissertation (LLB(Hons)) University of Auckland.
• Jaquiery, Nelson. (1997).  The conflict between the Human Rights Act 1993 and ACC’s age limits on weekly compensation : the issues and problems that arise from this conflict, and possible solutions.  Dissertation (LLM) University of Auckland.
• Matson, Christopher Paul. (1998). Work injuries and the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992. Dissertation (LLB(Hons)) University of Auckland.

TIP: For further tips on finding theses within New Zealand and overseas refer to the library webpage Theses and Dissertations

Journal articles

1960s  |  1970s  |  1980s on  | Victoria University of Wellington Law Review

Early materials are not indexed through online databases. For articles published prior to the mid 1980s you are recommended to use the printed publication Index to New Zealand periodicals

Materials from the mid-1980s are indexed through online indexing and abstracting services. You are recommended to search online indexing and abstracting services to identify materials published from this period

1960s

• Compensation or commiseration? (1968). Labour and employment gazette, 18 (1), 5.
• Socialised insurance for New Zealand? (1968). Economist, 228 (6516), xvii-xviii.
• Mathieson, D. L. (1968). Royal Commission of Inquiry: Compensation for Personal Injury in New Zealand. The Modern law review, 31(5), 544-549. 
• Poole, W. A. (1968). Compensation inquiry: forward looking scheme urged. New Zealand economist and taxpayer, 29 (10), 2-4.
• Szakats, A. (1968). Towards universal social insurance? The report of the Commission of Inquiry on compensation for personal injury. Comment : a New Zealand quarterly review, 9 (3), 34-37.
• Royal commission to enquire into and report upon workers' compensation [effects on Common Law rights & Social Security system]. (1969). Canterbury economic bulletin, no. 529.
• Woodhouse report; a panel discussion [at N.Z. centennial law conference]. (1969). NZ law journal, 10 (297-313).
• Anderson, S. L. (1969). Woodhouse report on compensation for personal injury in New Zealand. Auckland University law review, 1-15.

1970s

• Szakats, A. (1970). Reform of personal injury compensation: the White Paper on the Woodhouse Report.  NZULR, 4, 139-156.
• Lemons, E.J. & McKenzie, P.D. (1972). The Accident Compensation Bill: a descriptive analysis. Accountants’ journal, 50, 444-449.
• Burn, J.F. (1973). Accident Compensation Act 1972: a symposium - a practitioner's view.  NZULR, 5, 392-395.
• Marks, K.H. (1973). A first in national no-fault - the Accident Compensation Act 1972 of New Zealand. Australian law journal, 47, 516-525
• Wilson, M.A. (1973). The Workers' Compensation Act 1956 and The Accident Compensation Act 1972: a comparison.  NZULR, 5, 395-401.
• Clayton, W.G. (1974). The Accident Compensation Act - a protest and prediction.  NZ law journal, 185-188.
• Cochrane, D.J. (1974). Personal Injury by Accident with regard to the Accident Compensation Act 1972. VUWLRev, 7, 277-299.
• Eyre, K.E.D. (1974). Logic and illogic in sickness and social welfare matters: the Accident Compensation Act  1972. New Zealand medical journal, 79, 785-792.
• Graham, L.M. (1974). Social and economic changes reflected in the Accident Compensation Act 1972. NZ law journal, 537-541.
• Harris, D.R. (1974).  Accident Compensation in New Zealand: A Comprehensive Insurance System. The Modern Law Review, 37(4), 361-376.
• Willy, A.A.P. & Ryan, J.L. (1974). Personal injury by accident: to define or not to define. NZ law journal, 405-409.
• Fahy, J.L. (1975). The Administration of the Accident Compensation Act 1972. Canterbury economic bulletin, no. 592.
• Heller, P.P. (1975). Accident compensation - aircraft mishaps. NZ law journal, 15-24.
• Palmer, G. (1975). Compensating criminals. NZ law journal, 608-611.
• Vennell, M. (1975). Some Kiwi kite-flying. NZ law journal, 254-257.
• Willy, A.A.P. (1975). The Accident Compensation Act and recovery for losses arising from personal injury and death by accident. NZULR, 6, 250-270.
• Willy, A.A.P. (1975). Personal injury by accident. NZ law journal, 770-778.
• Accident compensation - application of common law principles. (1976). NZ law journal, 453-454.
• Palmer, G. (1976). Lump sum payments under accident compensation. NZ law journal, 368-375.
• Palmer, G. (1977). Accident compensation and private hospitals. NZ law journal, 50-54.
• Sutcliffe, F. (1977). Precedent and policy in accident compensation. NZULR, 7,305-324.
• Cochrane, D. (1978). Accident Compensation Amendments Acts 1977 and 1978. NZ law journal, 448-451
• Collins, D.B. (1978). Proceedings for punitive damages in the regime of accident compensation. NZ law journal, 158-167.
• McKinney, J.B. (1978). Accident compensation scheme. Canterbury economic bulletin, no.622.
• McKinney, J.B. (1978). Occupational disease and accident compensation. NZ law journal, 325-331.
• Palmer, G. (1978). Accident compensation in New Zealand: the first two years.  American journal of comparative law, 25, 1-45.
• Szakats, A. (1978). The re-emergence of common law principles in the New Zealand accident compensation scheme. Industrial law journal, 7, 216-227.
• Burn, J. F. (1979). Accident compensation - a time for a change? Canterbury economic bulletin, no. 635.
• Gaskins, R., Kronick, J.C. and Vosburgh, W.W. (1979). Community responsibility for accident victims: changes in the New Zealand welfare state.  Social Service Review, 53, 261-274.
• McInnes, R. D. (1979). Punishing the words of Section 5 (1) - the other school of thought replies. NZ law journal, 8-12.
• Miller, J. (1979). Fatal claims under the Accident Compensation Act 1972. NZ law journal, 173-182.
• Osborne, P. H. (1979). Informed consent to medical treatment and the Accident Compensation Act 1972. NZ law journal, 198-201.
• Sandford, K. L. (1979). Five years of accident compensation. New Zealand medical journal, 90, 257-258.
• Woodhouse, Sir Owen. (1979). Aspects of the accident compensation scheme. NZ law journal, 395-405.

1980s on   
NOTE: Materials from the mid-1980s are indexed through online indexing and abstracting services.

• Bullock, K.I. (1980). Exemplary damages and the Accident Compensation Act 1972. NZ law journal, 215-216.
• Campbell, I. B. (1980). The cost of accident compensation. Accountants’ journal, 59, 63.
• Fahy, J. L. (1980). The broad sweep of the A.C.C. [Accident Compensation Commission]. New Zealand company director, 15(147), 16-19
• Sandford, K. L. (1980). Personal injury by accident. NZ law journal, 29-31.
• St John, S. (1980). Where's the logic in levies? Listener, 94, (2094 Mar 1), 36-39.
• Woodhouse, Sir Owen.(1980). Personal injury legislation in New Zealand. International Labour Review. 119(3), 321-334.
• Palmer, G. (1980). What happened to the Woodhouse Report? NZ law journal, 561-572.
• St John, S. (1981). Safety incentives in the New Zealand accident compensation scheme. New Zealand economic papers, 15, 111-126.
• Palmer, G. (1994). New Zealand's Accident Compensation Scheme: 20 Years on. U Toronto LJ 44, 223, 234-236.

Victoria University of Wellington Law Review

• Victoria University of Wellington Law Review contains many articles on the ACC scheme. Also fulltext on NZLII.  Issues of note include:
  • Volume 34 (2) 2003) devoted to papers presented at a symposium held at Victoria University of Wellington Law Faculty, August 2-3, 2002  "Looking back at Accident Compensation: Finding Lessons for the Future".  Topics include The Origins of ACC; The 1970s - Bringing ACC to Life; The 1980s - Consolidation and Challenges; The 1990s - Decade of Change; and Summary Panel
    • McKenzie QC, P.(2003). The Compensation Scheme no-one asked for: The Origins of ACC in New Zealand  VUWLRev 10
  • Volume 35 (4) 2005 contains the edited papers presented at the symposium "The Future of Accident Compensation; New Directions and Visions", held Victoria University of Wellington Law Faculty, 5 and 6 December 2003

Selected online commentary 

• New Zealand's ACC Scheme: Time for a Decent Burial  by Roger Kerr, Executive Director Wellington New Zealand Business Roundtable 15 July 1996
• ACC policy: safer workplaces, effective compensation by John Key, National 16 July 2008. Includes links to policy backgrounder and policy summary
• National announces ACC policy NZPA National Business Review  July 16 2008
• Key: National to 'investigate' opening ACC to competition NZPA The New Zealand Herald  July 16, 2008
• ACC: A policy in slow motion Ben Thomas National Business Review July 17 2008
• Warnings about possible ACC privatisation NZPA The New Zealand Herald July 17, 2008
• Where is the evidence for an Australian Compensation Corporation? Helen Kelly, CTU president. Dominion Post Column, 11 August 2008
   

Databases for article searching 

The library subscribes to a range of online indexing and abstracting services. Search these databases to find materials on ACC.

New Zealand

• Index New Zealand (INNZ) indexes New Zealand content journals from popular through to "academic". Search results include bibliographic references and abstracts
• Newztext Plus New Zealand focused articles from the major daily newspapers and business magazines.  Search also Factiva as some Herald articles are not in the Newztext database.  See also Finding NZ business magazines and newspapers in the library
• Australia New Zealand Reference Centre has fulltext articles from North & South, Metro, New Zealand Herald etc. Many of the articles are available as pdf files.
• AGIS Plus Text Australian and New Zealand coverage
• APA-FT  Full text, emphasis given to current articles on Australian political and economic affairs but there are also articles, conference papers and book chapters on the New Zealand situation

For international materials refer to the Legal Journal Indexing Databases and the Business and Economics Databases webpage  

• Refer to New Zealand Statistical Sources - Accidents and Accidents - Work
• ACC Injury Statistics 2006

Research centres / government agencies 

Accident Compensation ACC Group - established 2007, based at The University of Auckland
ACC official website