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Summary Offences Act 1981

Intimidation, obstruction, and hindering Police

23: Resisting Police, prison, or traffic officer

You could also call this:

"Don't stop police or officers from doing their job"

Illustration for Summary Offences Act 1981

You can get in trouble if you resist or obstruct a constable, authorised officer, prison officer, or traffic officer who is doing their job. You can also get in trouble if you resist or obstruct someone who is helping one of these officers. You can be fined up to $2,000 or imprisoned for up to 3 months if you do this.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM53578.

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Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safety
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22: Obstructing public way, or

"Blocking a public path or road without a good reason can get you a fine"

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24: False allegation or report to Police, or

"Making a false report to the Police can get you in trouble"

23Resisting Police, prison, or traffic officer

  1. Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000 who resists or intentionally obstructs, or incites or encourages any other person to resist or obstruct,—

  2. any constable or any authorised officer, or any prison officer, or any traffic officer, acting in the execution of his duty; or
    1. any other person acting in aid of any such constable, authorised officer, prison officer, or traffic officer; or
      1. any Police dog working under the control of a Police dog handler.

        Compare
        • 1927 No 35 s 77
        • 1965 No 7 s 7
        • 1974 No 134 s 2(2)
        Notes
        • Section 23: amended, on , by section 7 of the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 97).
        • Section 23(a): amended, on , by section 128(1) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).
        • Section 23(b): amended, on , by section 128(2) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).
        • Section 23(c): added, on , by section 128(3) of the Policing Act 2008 (2008 No 72).