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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes affecting the administration of law and justice - Bribery and corruption

99: Interpretation

You could also call this:

“This section explains important words used in the law about bribery, like what a bribe is and who are considered officials.”

In this part of the law about bribery and corruption, there are some important terms you need to know:

A bribe is anything of value that someone gives to another person to influence them. This can be money, a job, or any other kind of benefit, whether it’s given directly or indirectly.

A judicial officer is someone who works in the court system. This includes judges, District Court judges, coroners, associate coroners, Justices of the Peace, and Community Magistrates. It also includes anyone else who has a job that allows them to legally take sworn statements from people.

A law enforcement officer is a police officer, or anyone whose job involves finding, prosecuting, or punishing people who break the law.

An official is anyone who works for the New Zealand government, whether they get paid or not, and whether they work in New Zealand or overseas. It also includes people who work for local councils or public organisations. Teachers and other people who work in education are also considered officials, as defined in section 10(7) of the Education and Training Act 2020.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328730.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
Crime and justice > Courts and legal help
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98F: Attorney-General's consent to prosecutions required, or

“The Attorney-General must say it's okay before someone can be taken to court for smuggling or trafficking people.”

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100: Judicial corruption, or

“It's against the law for judges and court workers to take money or gifts to do their job unfairly.”

Part 6 Crimes affecting the administration of law and justice
Bribery and corruption

99Interpretation

  1. In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—

    bribe means any money, valuable consideration, office, or employment, or any benefit, whether direct or indirect

      judicial officer means a Judge of any court, or a District Court Judge, Coroner, associate coroner, Justice of the Peace, or Community Magistrate, or any other person holding any judicial office, or any person who is a member of any tribunal authorised by law to take evidence on oath

        law enforcement officer means any constable, or any person employed in the detection or prosecution or punishment of offenders

          official means any person in the service of the Sovereign in right of New Zealand (whether that service is honorary or not, and whether it is within or outside New Zealand), or any member or employee of any local authority or public body, or any person employed in the education service within the meaning of section 10(7) of the Education and Training Act 2020.

          Compare
          • 1908 No 32 ss 126, 127
          Notes
          • Section 99 judicial officer: amended, on , by section 36 of the Coroners Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 8).
          • Section 99 judicial officer: amended, on , by section 4 of the Crimes Amendment Act (No 2) 1998 (1998 No 79).
          • Section 99 judicial officer: amended, on , pursuant to section 18(2) of the District Courts Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 125).
          • Section 99 official: amended, on , by section 668 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (2020 No 38).