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Search and Surveillance Act 2012

General provisions in relation to search, surveillance, and inspection powers - Carrying out search powers - Moving vehicle for safekeeping and other purposes

122: Moving vehicles for purpose of search or safekeeping

You could also call this:

"Police can move your vehicle to search it or keep it safe if they have a good reason."

If you are in a vehicle that a police officer stops, they might need to move it to another place. This can happen if the officer has the right to search the vehicle, but it's not practical to do the search where the vehicle is. The officer can also move the vehicle if they think it's necessary to keep it safe, and they have the power to arrest people. You should know that the officer must follow the rules and have a good reason to move the vehicle.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM4355800.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safety
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121: Stopping vehicles with or without warrant for purposes of search, or

"Police can stop and search your vehicle with or without a special permit"

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123: Seizure of items in plain view, or

"Police can take items they see while searching a place, vehicle, or person if they have a good reason."

Part 4General provisions in relation to search, surveillance, and inspection powers
Carrying out search powers: Moving vehicle for safekeeping and other purposes

122Moving vehicles for purpose of search or safekeeping

  1. An enforcement officer may move a vehicle to another place if he or she finds or stops the vehicle and has lawful authority to search the vehicle, but it is impracticable to do so at that place.

  2. An enforcement officer who has the power to arrest persons may move a vehicle to another place if he or she finds or stops the vehicle and has reasonable grounds to believe that it is necessary to move the vehicle for safekeeping.