Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against the person - Abduction, kidnapping

209: Kidnapping

You could also call this:

“Taking or keeping someone against their will or by tricking them, to ask for money, lock them up, or send them overseas is against the law.”

If you take someone away or keep them somewhere without their permission, or if you trick them or force them to agree, you could go to jail for up to 14 years. This is called kidnapping. You’re breaking the law if you do this to:

  1. Make the person pay you money or work for you
  2. Lock the person up or keep them trapped somewhere
  3. Make the person leave New Zealand

It’s important to know that even if the person seems to agree, it’s still kidnapping if you tricked them or made them feel scared to say no.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329775.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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208: Abduction for purposes of marriage or civil union or sexual connection, or

“Taking or keeping someone against their will to marry them, be in a civil union with them, or have sex with them is against the law.”

Next

209A: Young person under 16 cannot consent to being taken away or detained, or

“A child under 16 can't legally agree to someone taking them away or keeping them against their will.”

Part 8 Crimes against the person
Abduction, kidnapping

209Kidnapping

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who unlawfully takes away or detains a person without his or her consent or with his or her consent obtained by fraud or duress,—

  2. with intent to hold him or her for ransom or to service; or
    1. with intent to cause him or her to be confined or imprisoned; or
      1. with intent to cause him or her to be sent or taken out of New Zealand.

        Compare
          Notes
          • Section 209: replaced, on , by section 9 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2005 (2005 No 41).