Law and Order

Law and order in New Zealand

New Zealand is recognised as a relaxed, tolerant and reasonably safe country, where people are free to live the lifestyle they choose.

As a modern, secular and democratic country, New Zealand has laws protecting human rights and freedom of speech. It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, religion or ethnicity; and everyone living here has the same rights and freedoms.

You’ll find that New Zealanders share similar values as other Western countries, and the informal, egalitarian nature of the country means there is no ingrained class system.2 Everyone has the same opportunities to achieve and succeed.

Generally life in New Zealand is safe and healthy. As in any country, there are incidents of crime here. Thankfully, serious crime rates in New Zealand are lower than in many other countries.3 And when a serious crime does occur, it is considered so important that it will feature on the front pages of newspapers and lead media news bulletins for days. New Zealand Police are generally trusted, and solve a comparatively high number of all crimes.

Importantly, the great majority of New Zealanders are law abiding and honest to deal with.

While New Zealand laws are similar to other democratic, Western countries, there are some differences you’ll want to know.

Some important laws

Smoking

New Zealand has comprehensive restrictions on smoking. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas including shopping malls, public transport, workplaces, and bars and restaurants, although some bars and restaurants have outdoor smoking areas.

Drinking

The legal age for drinking in New Zealand is 18 years.

Driving

If you have a driver’s licence in your home country or an international driving permit you can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months before applying for a New Zealand licence. People may apply for the first stage of the driving licence process at age 15 or older. See www.landtransport.govt.nz

Drugs

In New Zealand it is against the law to buy, sell, use or possess certain drugs including marijuana, methamphetamine and ecstasy.

Firearms

Firearms in New Zealand are used for sports, hunting, pest control and on farms. The law does not permit the possession of firearms ‘in anticipation’ that a firearm may need to be used in self-defence. You should leave all firearms in your country of origin until you have gained permanent residence. When you have obtained permanent residence you are allowed to apply to the New Zealand Police for a ‘Firearms Licence” and a ‘Permit to Import.”

Same sex relationships

In New Zealand, homosexuality was decriminalised in 1986. More recently, the Civil Union Act allows two people to have their relationship solemnised as a civil union and officially registered in New Zealand. A Civil Union may be entered into by couples of the same sex or by couples of different sexes. Civil unions registered in New Zealand may be legally recognised in other countries, depending on the laws of that country.

Penalties for crime

There is no capital punishment (death penalty) in New Zealand. People convicted of serious crime will be sentenced to a prison term. Other crimes may be dealt with by fines or community service.