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Wildlife Act 1953

General provisions - Offences and penalties

63: Taking protected wildlife or game, etc

You could also call this:

"Rules for protecting New Zealand wildlife and game from harm"

You cannot hunt or kill protected wildlife or game without permission. You are also not allowed to buy, sell, or have protected wildlife or game, or their skins, feathers, or eggs. You must not disturb or destroy the nests of protected wildlife or game.

If you break these rules, you commit an offence. The penalty you get depends on what type of wildlife you harmed, and it is set out in section 67A(1) for absolutely protected wildlife, section 67C(1) for partially protected wildlife, and section 67E(3) for game. These rules do not apply to marine wildlife.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM278140.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
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63A: Taking of absolutely or partially protected marine wildlife, or

"Rules for protecting marine animals in New Zealand"

Part 5General provisions
Offences and penalties

63Taking protected wildlife or game, etc

  1. No person may, without lawful authority,—

  2. hunt or kill any absolutely protected or partially protected wildlife or any game:
    1. buy, sell, or otherwise dispose of, or have in his or her possession any absolutely protected or partially protected wildlife or any game or any skin, feathers, or other portion, or any egg of any absolutely protected or partially protected wildlife or of any game:
      1. rob, disturb, or destroy, or have in his or her possession the nest of any absolutely protected or partially protected wildlife or of any game.

        1. Every person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and,—

        2. in respect of an offence committed in relation to absolutely protected wildlife, is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 67A(1):
          1. in respect of an offence committed in relation to partially protected wildlife, is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 67C(1):
            1. in respect of an offence committed in relation to game, is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 67E(3).

              1. Nothing in subsection (1) applies in respect of any marine wildlife.

              Compare
              • 1921–22 No 57 ss 4(2), 40
              Notes
              • Section 63(1): replaced, on , by section 8 of the Wildlife (Penalties and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 43).
              • Section 63(1A): inserted, on , by section 8 of the Wildlife (Penalties and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2000 (2000 No 43).
              • Section 63(2): inserted, on , by section 316(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996 (1996 No 88).