Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Threatening, conspiring, and attempting to commit offences

307: Threatening to destroy property

You could also call this:

“If you tell someone you'll wreck their stuff or hurt their pet, even as a joke, you could get in big trouble.”

You are not allowed to send or make someone receive a letter or writing that threatens to destroy or damage property, or to destroy or injure an animal. If you do this, and you know what the letter or writing says, you could go to prison for up to 3 years.

However, you won’t be breaking this law if you have a lawful reason or excuse for doing it, or if you have a claim of right. A claim of right means you honestly believe you have the right to do something, even if you’re mistaken about that right.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM330788.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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306: Threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm, or

“Making threats to seriously hurt or kill someone is against the law.”

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307A: Threats of harm to people or property, or

“You could get in trouble for saying or writing things that might scare people or cause big problems in New Zealand.”

Part 11 Threatening, conspiring, and attempting to commit offences

307Threatening to destroy property

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who sends or causes to be received, knowing the contents thereof, any letter or writing threatening to destroy or damage any property, or to destroy or injure any animal.

  2. Nothing shall be an offence against subsection (1) unless it is done without lawful justification or excuse, and without claim of right.

Compare
  • 1908 No 32 s 343
  • 1941 No 10 Schedule
Notes
  • Section 307(2): amended, on , by section 16 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).