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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

79: Sabotage

You could also call this:

“Damaging important things on purpose to hurt New Zealand's safety or defence”

If you do something that harms the safety, security, or defence of New Zealand, or the safety or security of foreign armed forces legally in New Zealand, you could go to jail for up to 10 years. This includes damaging or making less effective any ships, vehicles, aircraft, weapons, ammunition, equipment, machinery, or nuclear facilities. It also includes damaging or destroying any property that needs to stay intact for public safety or health.

However, you won’t be found guilty of this crime just for taking part in a strike or lockout at work. This means that if you stop working as part of a group protest, you’re not automatically breaking this law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328546.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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Part 5 Crimes against public order
Treason and other crimes against the Sovereign and the State

79Sabotage

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years who, with intent to prejudice the safety, security, or defence of New Zealand or the safety or security of the armed forces of any other country, lawfully present in New Zealand,—

  2. impairs the efficiency or impedes the working of any ship, vehicle, aircraft, arms, munitions, equipment, machinery, apparatus, or atomic or nuclear plant; or
    1. damages or destroys any property which it is necessary to keep intact for the safety or health of the public.

      1. No person shall be convicted of an offence against this section by reason only of the fact that he or she takes part in any strike or lockout.

      Compare
      • Criminal Code (1954) s 52 (Canada)