Criminal offences
Living in New Zealand means living under New Zealand law. This chapter covers the offences every resident and future citizen should understand — from violence and dishonesty to driving, alcohol, and firearms rules.
Offences against people
The Crimes Act 1961 defines most serious offences. Assault — intentionally applying or threatening force to another person — is a crime, wherever it happens. Family violence is a crime, not a private matter: the Police can intervene, and courts can issue protection orders. Breaching a protection order is itself an offence.
New Zealand law protects children: force that harms a child is illegal, and child abuse is a serious crime. Anyone worried about a child's safety can contact the Police or Oranga Tamariki. Serious harassment — including online abuse and harmful digital communications — can also be criminal. Lying under oath in court is perjury, a serious offence.
In an emergency, call 111 for Police, Fire, or Ambulance.
Key points
- Assault and family violence are crimes; protection orders protect victims
- Harming children is illegal — contact Police or Oranga Tamariki
- Serious online harassment can be criminal
- Emergency number: 111
Dishonesty and corruption
Theft is dishonestly taking property belonging to someone else — shoplifting is theft. Burglary is entering a building or property without authority intending to commit a crime. Receiving goods you know or suspect are stolen is also an offence.
Fraud — deceiving someone to gain money or advantage — is a crime, as is money laundering, which disguises the origins of money gained from crime. New Zealand is known for low corruption, and it keeps that reputation with strict laws: bribing a public official is a serious offence, and deliberately evading tax brings prosecution and penalties.
Committing offences also matters for citizenship: applicants must be of good character, and convictions can delay or prevent a grant of citizenship.
Key points
- Theft, burglary, receiving stolen goods, and fraud are crimes
- Bribery of officials and tax evasion are serious offences
- Convictions can affect the good character test for citizenship
Driving, alcohol, and drugs
You must hold a valid driver licence for the vehicle you drive. Everyone in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt, and children under 7 must be in an approved child restraint. Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal. The default urban speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs say otherwise.
Drink driving is a criminal offence. Drivers under 20 have a zero alcohol limit. Dangerous or careless driving that injures or kills someone can lead to imprisonment and disqualification. If Police stop you, you must stop and provide your details and licence.
The minimum age to buy alcohol is 18, and supplying alcohol to minors without a parent or guardian's express consent is an offence. Possessing, using, or supplying controlled drugs such as methamphetamine is a crime under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Smoking or vaping in a car carrying children under 18 is banned.
Key points
- Licence, seatbelts, child restraints (under 7), no hand-held phones
- Drink driving is criminal; zero alcohol for drivers under 20
- Alcohol purchase age is 18; supplying minors is an offence
- Illegal drugs: possession, use, and supply are crimes
Everyday responsibilities
Some rules surprise newcomers. Firearms require a licence issued after vetting and safety training. Carrying a knife or weapon in public without a lawful reason is an offence. Intentional damage to property — including graffiti without permission — is a crime, and littering or illegal dumping brings fines.
New Zealand's biosecurity laws are among the strictest in the world: bringing undeclared food, plants, or animal products into the country carries an instant $400 fine or prosecution. Recreational fishing rules — sizes, daily limits, seasons — are legally enforced.
Ignorance of the law is generally no excuse. Responding to official obligations matters too: making false statements to Police is an offence, and a court summons — including jury service — must be answered.
Key points
- Firearms need a licence; no weapons in public without lawful reason
- Biosecurity breaches: instant $400 fine
- Ignorance of the law is no excuse
- Jury service and court summonses are legal obligations