Summary Offences Act 1981

Offences against persons or property

11A: Graffiti vandalism, tagging, defacing, etc

You could also call this:

"Don't damage someone else's property by drawing or painting on it without permission."

Illustration for Summary Offences Act 1981

You can get in trouble if you damage or deface something that is not yours. This can include buildings, roads, trees, or other property by writing, drawing, or painting on it without permission. You must have lawful authority or the consent of the owner or person in control to do these things, or you may face a community-based sentence (as defined in section 4(1) of the Sentencing Act 2002) or a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1405201.

This page was last updated on 11 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyHousing and property > Home safety and repairsHousing and property > Land use

11: Wilful damage, or

"Deliberately damaging someone's property is against the law"

11B: Possession of graffiti implements, or

"Having things to do graffiti vandalism without a good reason is against the law"

11AGraffiti vandalism, tagging, defacing, etc

A person is liable to a community-based sentence (within the meaning of section 4(1) of the Sentencing Act 2002) or a fine not exceeding $2,000, or to both, if he or she damages or defaces any building, structure, road, tree, property, or other thing by writing, drawing, painting, spraying, or etching on it, or otherwise marking it,—
without lawful authority; and
without the consent of the occupier or owner or other person in lawful control.

Notes

Section 11A: inserted, on 26 June 2008, by section 4(1) of the Summary Offences (Tagging and Graffiti Vandalism) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 43).