Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against the person - Homicide

158: Homicide defined

You could also call this:

"Killing someone is called homicide, no matter how it happens"

Illustration for Crimes Act 1961

Homicide is when someone kills another person. This can happen directly or indirectly, and it does not matter how it happens. You might kill someone by doing something to them, or by not doing something that would have saved their life.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329300.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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157: Duty to avoid omissions dangerous to life, or

"Keep people safe by doing what you promised, or you might get in trouble with the law."

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159: Killing of a child, or

"Killing a baby is against the law and very serious, no matter when it happens during or after birth."

Part 8Crimes against the person
Homicide

158Homicide defined

  1. Homicide is the killing of a human being by another, directly or indirectly, by any means whatsoever.

Compare
  • 1908 No 32 s 173