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Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against rights of property - Interpretation

217: Interpretation

You could also call this:

“This section explains important words and ideas used in the law about dishonesty and documents.”

In this part of the law, unless the context says otherwise, certain words have specific meanings.

When someone does something ‘dishonestly’, it means they do it without believing they have permission or authority from someone who can give that permission.

A ‘document’ can be many things. It can be paper with writing or printing on it that you can read. It can be a photograph or film. It can be something that stores information, like a disc or tape. It can also be material that provides information to a device that records or stores information.

When the law talks about ‘obtaining’ something, it means getting or keeping it for yourself or for someone else.

These definitions help you understand what these words mean when you read them in this part of the law.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329886.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal law

216N: Protection from liability, or

“ People doing certain jobs can handle sensitive photos or videos without getting in trouble with the law. ”

218: Matters of ownership, or

“Explains who can be considered an owner of property and what types of things can be stolen”

Part 10 Crimes against rights of property
Interpretation

217Interpretation

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
dishonestly, in relation to an act or omission, means done or omitted without a belief that there was express or implied consent to, or authority for, the act or omission from a person entitled to give such consent or authority
document means a document, or part of a document, in any form; and includes, without limitation,—
1. any paper or other material used for writing or printing that is marked with matter capable of being read; or
2. any photograph, or any photographic negative, plate, slide, film, or microfilm, or any photostatic negative; or
3. any disc, tape, wire, sound track, card, or other material or device in or on which information, sounds, or other data are recorded, stored (whether temporarily or permanently), or embodied so as to be capable, with or without the aid of some other equipment, of being reproduced; or
4. any material by means of which information is supplied, whether directly or by means of any equipment, to any device used for recording or storing or processing information; or
5. any material derived, whether directly or by means of any equipment, from information recorded or stored or processed by any device used for recording or storing or processing information
obtain, in relation to any person, means obtain or retain for himself or herself or for any other person.

Compare

1961 No 43 ss 217, 218, 263

Notes

Section 217: replaced, on 1 October 2003, by section 15 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).