Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992

Requests to New Zealand - Assistance in arranging attendance of person in foreign country - Assistance in obtaining attendance of persons in foreign country

40: Penalty not to be imposed for refusal to consent

You could also call this:

"You can't get in trouble for saying no to helping another country."

Illustration for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1992

If a foreign country asks New Zealand for help to get you to attend something in that country, you can't be penalised for saying no. You won't be in trouble with the law just because you refuse to go. This is according to section 37 or section 38.

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This page was last updated on 12 October 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM274444.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyImmigration and citizenship > Border control

39: Undertakings required from foreign country, or

"Before New Zealand helps another country with a court case, that country must make promises to keep a person safe."

41: Effect of removal to foreign country on prisoner’s term of imprisonment, or

"What happens to your prison sentence if you're sent to another country?"

Part 3Requests to New Zealand
Assistance in arranging attendance of person in foreign country: Assistance in obtaining attendance of persons in foreign country

40Penalty not to be imposed for refusal to consent

Where, pursuant to section 37 or section 38, a foreign country requests the assistance of the Attorney-General in arranging the attendance, in that country, of any person, the person to whom the request relates shall not be subject to any penalty or liability or otherwise prejudiced in law by reason only of that person’s refusal or failure to consent to attend as requested.