Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against public order - Unlawful assemblies, riots, and breaches of the peace

87: Riot

You could also call this:

“When six or more people act together violently, scaring others nearby, it's called a riot and they can go to jail.”

A riot happens when six or more people work together to use violence against people or property. This violence must be enough to scare people who live or are near where the riot is happening.

If you are part of a riot, you can be sent to prison. The longest time you could spend in prison for being in a riot is two years.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328561.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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86: Unlawful assembly, or

“When three or more people gather in a way that scares others nearby”

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88: Reading the Riot Act, or

“A special rule about telling a group of people to stop causing trouble, which is no longer used.”

Part 5 Crimes against public order
Unlawful assemblies, riots, and breaches of the peace

87Riot

  1. A riot is a group of 6 or more persons who, acting together, are using violence against persons or property to the alarm of persons in the neighbourhood of that group.

  2. Every member of a riot is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

Notes
  • Section 87: replaced, on , by section 2 of the Crimes Amendment Act 1987 (1987 No 1).