Summary Offences Act 1981

Offences against persons or property

14: Possession of burglary tools

You could also call this:

"Having items that can be used for burglary can get you in trouble"

Illustration for Summary Offences Act 1981

You can get in trouble if you have something that can be used for burglary. You might have to go to prison for up to 3 months or pay a fine of up to $2,000. This happens if you have no good reason for having the item and it looks like you plan to use it for burglary.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM53549.

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

Topics:

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

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14Possession of burglary tools

Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, without reasonable excuse, has in his possession any instrument capable of being used for burglary in circumstances that prima facie show an intention to use it for burglary.

Compare

1952 No 35 s 52(1)(f)
1961 No 43 s 244(1)(a), (b)

Notes

Section 14: amended, on 1 January 1998, by section 7 of the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 97).