Summary Offences Act 1981

Offences against persons or property

9: Common assault

You could also call this:

"Hitting or hurting someone can lead to prison or a fine"

Illustration for Summary Offences Act 1981

You can go to prison for up to 6 months or get a fine of up to $4,000 if you assault someone. This is because the law says every person who assaults another person is liable to this punishment. The law about common assault is outlined in the Summary Offences Act 1981, which was amended by the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1997, you can find more information about this amendment on the https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM418080 legislation website.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM53528.

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

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Police and safety

8: Publishing document or thing explaining manufacture of explosives, etc, or

"Don't publish guides on making explosives or weapons"

10: Assault on Police, prison, or traffic officer, or

"Hurting a police, prison, or traffic officer on the job is against the law"

9Common assault

Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $4,000 who assaults any other person.

Compare

1952 No 43 s 4(1)
1967 No 154 s 2(2)
1970 No 138 s 2(1)

Notes

Section 9: amended, on 1 January 1998, by section 7 of the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 97).