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Crimes Act 1961

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

103: Corruption and bribery of member of Parliament

You could also call this:

“It's illegal to give or receive bribes to influence what a member of Parliament does in their job.”

If you’re a member of Parliament, it’s against the law to accept or try to get a bribe for yourself or someone else. This applies to any action you do or don’t do in your role as a member of Parliament. If you break this law, you could go to prison for up to 7 years.

It’s also illegal for anyone to give or offer a bribe to a member of Parliament. If you try to influence a member’s actions with a bribe, you could also go to prison for up to 7 years.

Before someone can be charged with this crime, a High Court Judge needs to give permission. The person who might be charged must be told about this and gets a chance to explain why they shouldn’t be charged.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM328748.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
Government and voting > Elections
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102: Corruption and bribery of Minister of the Crown, or

“It's against the law for someone to give or receive money or favours to make a government leader do something wrong.”

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104: Corruption and bribery of law enforcement officer, or

“It's against the law for police officers to take bribes or for anyone to offer them bribes to influence their work.”

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

103Corruption and bribery of member of Parliament

  1. Every member of Parliament is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who corruptly accepts or obtains, or agrees or offers to accept or attempts to obtain, any bribe for himself or herself or any other person in respect of any act done or omitted, or to be done or omitted, by him or her in his or her capacity as a member of Parliament.

  2. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who corruptly gives or offers or agrees to give any bribe to any person with intent to influence any member of Parliament in respect of any act or omission by him or her in his or her capacity as a member of Parliament.

  3. No one shall be prosecuted for an offence against this section without the leave of a Judge of the High Court. Notice of the intention to apply for such leave shall be given to the person whom it is intended to prosecute, and he or she shall have an opportunity of being heard against the application.

Compare
  • 1908 No 32 ss 128, 362
Notes
  • Section 103(2): amended, on , by section 5 of the Crimes (Bribery of Foreign Public Officials) Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 28).
  • Section 103(3): amended, on , pursuant to section 12 of the Judicature Amendment Act 1979 (1979 No 124).