Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against rights of property - Burglary

232: Aggravated burglary

You could also call this:

“Breaking into a place while having or using a weapon is a more serious crime than regular burglary.”

If you commit burglary and have a weapon with you or use something as a weapon, you could go to prison for up to 14 years. This also applies if you have already committed burglary and you’re still in the building or ship with a weapon or using something as a weapon.

If you have a weapon and plan to commit burglary, you could go to prison for up to 5 years.

A weapon can be anything you use to harm someone, not just things that are usually thought of as weapons.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM330245.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal law

231A: Entry onto agricultural land with intent to commit imprisonable offence, or

“Going onto a farm to do something illegal can get you in big trouble”

233: Being disguised or in possession of instrument for burglary, or

“Having tools for breaking in or wearing a disguise to do something illegal is against the law.”

Part 10 Crimes against rights of property
Burglary

232Aggravated burglary

Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who,—
while committing burglary, has a weapon with him or her or uses any thing as a weapon; or
having committed burglary, has a weapon with him or her, or uses any thing as a weapon, while still in the building or ship.

Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years who is armed with a weapon with intent to commit burglary.

Compare

1961 No 43 ss 240A, 243

Notes

Section 232: replaced, on 1 October 2003, by section 15 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).