Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

244: Defence of enforcement of enactment
or “You can't be charged for money laundering if you were trying to stop it or enforce the law against it.”

You could also call this:

“This law explains when money laundering rules apply to things that happen outside New Zealand.”

Section 243 applies to actions that happen outside New Zealand that might be money laundering offences. This applies in three situations:

First, if the action was against the law where and when it happened. If you’re charged with this offence, it’s assumed the action was illegal where it happened unless you say it wasn’t.

Second, if it’s an action covered by section 7 or 7A of this Act.

Third, if a law says the action is an offence in New Zealand, and doesn’t need to be an offence where it happened.

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Next up: 246: Receiving

or “Knowingly taking or keeping stolen things is against the law.”

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Crimes Act 1961
Crimes against rights of property
Money laundering
245: Application of section 243 to acts outside New Zealand

Part 10 Crimes against rights of property
Money laundering

245Application of section 243 to acts outside New Zealand

Section 243 applies to an act that has occurred outside New Zealand and that is alleged to constitute an offence resulting in proceeds only if—
the act was an offence under the law of the place where and when it occurred; or
it is an act to which section 7 or 7A of this Act applies; or
an enactment provides that the act is an offence in New Zealand, and no additional requirement exists for the act to be an offence in the place where and when it occurred.

If a person is charged with an offence under section 243 and subsection (1)(a) applies, it is to be presumed, unless that person puts the matter at issue, that the act was an offence under the law of the place where and when it occurred.