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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:

"Bribing or being bribed as a Member of Parliament is a serious crime in New Zealand."

Illustration for Crimes Act 1961

If you are a member of Parliament, you can go to prison for up to 7 years if you accept a bribe for doing something in your job. This includes agreeing to accept a bribe or trying to get one. You can also go to prison if someone gives you a bribe to influence what you do in your job. If someone gives a bribe to a member of Parliament to influence their decisions, they can go to prison for up to 7 years. You cannot be charged with this crime without a Judge from the High Court agreeing to it, and the person being charged must be told about it and have a chance to respond.

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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 lawGovernment and voting > Government departments
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102: Corruption and bribery of Minister of the Crown, or

"It's against the law for Ministers to take bribes or for people to offer them bribes to influence decisions"

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104: Corruption and bribery of law enforcement officer, or

"Bribing or being bribed as a police officer is against the law"

Part 6Crimes 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).