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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against public order - Treason and other crimes against the Sovereign and the State

73: Treason

You could also call this:

"Treason: hurting or betraying New Zealand or its leaders"

Illustration for Crimes Act 1961

If you owe allegiance to the Sovereign in right of New Zealand, you commit treason if you do certain things. You can commit treason in or outside New Zealand. This includes killing or hurting the Sovereign, or imprisoning them. You also commit treason if you start a war against New Zealand.

You commit treason if you help an enemy of New Zealand, even if New Zealand is not officially at war with that country. If you encourage someone to invade New Zealand using force, you commit treason. Using force to try to overthrow the New Zealand Government is also treason.

If you plan with someone to do any of these things, you commit treason.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328520.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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"What happens if you commit or try to commit treason against New Zealand"

Part 5Crimes against public order
Treason and other crimes against the Sovereign and the State

73Treason

  1. Every one owing allegiance to the Sovereign in right of New Zealand commits treason who, within or outside New Zealand,—

  2. kills or wounds or does grievous bodily harm to the Sovereign, or imprisons or restrains her or him; or
    1. levies war against New Zealand; or
      1. assists an enemy at war with New Zealand, or any armed forces against which New Zealand forces are engaged in hostilities, whether or not a state of war exists between New Zealand and any other country; or
        1. incites or assists any person with force to invade New Zealand; or
          1. uses force for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of New Zealand; or
            1. conspires with any person to do anything mentioned in this section.

              Compare
              • 1908 No 32 s 94
              • Criminal Code (1954) s 46 (Canada)