Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

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If you injure someone with the intention of causing them serious harm, you could go to prison for up to 10 years.

If you injure someone on purpose, or if you hurt someone because you didn’t care about their safety, you could go to prison for up to 5 years.

These rules are part of the law in New Zealand. They are meant to stop people from hurting others on purpose or by being careless.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329374.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal law

188: Wounding with intent, or

“Hurting someone badly on purpose is against the law and can lead to time in jail.”

189A: Strangulation or suffocation, or

“It is against the law to stop someone from breathing or getting blood flow by blocking their nose or mouth, or pressing on their throat or neck.”

Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years who, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to any one, injures any person.
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years who, with intent to injure any one, or with reckless disregard for the safety of others, injures any person.
Repealed

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Notes

Section 189(3): repealed, on 30 June 2002, by section 164(b) of the Sentencing Act 2002 (2002 No 9).