Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against morality and decency, sexual crimes, and crimes against public welfare - Sexual crimes

127: No presumption because of age

You could also call this:

“A person's age doesn't automatically mean they can't have sex.”

The law does not assume that you can’t have sexual connection just because of how old you are. Your age alone doesn’t automatically mean you can or can’t have sex. This applies to everyone, no matter their age.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329049.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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126: Indecent act with intent to insult or offend, or

“It's against the law to do rude things to upset or make someone feel bad.”

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128: Sexual violation defined, or

“This law explains what counts as rape or forced sexual acts without permission.”

Part 7 Crimes against morality and decency, sexual crimes, and crimes against public welfare
Sexual crimes

127No presumption because of age

  1. There is no presumption of law that a person is incapable of sexual connection because of his or her age.

Notes
  • Section 127: replaced, on , by section 7 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 41).