Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Gangs Act 2024

Prohibition on display of gang insignia in public places

7: Prohibition on display of gang insignia in public place

You could also call this:

“You can't show gang symbols in public places”

You are not allowed to show gang symbols or signs in public places. If you do this on purpose and without a good reason, you are breaking the law.

If you break this law, you could go to jail for up to 6 months or have to pay a fine of up to $5,000.

If you say you are guilty or if the court finds you guilty of showing gang symbols in public, the gang symbol will be taken away from you. The government will then own it. The court can decide to destroy the symbol or get rid of it in another way.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS939383.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
Crime and justice > Police and safety
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6: Act binds the Crown, or

“This law applies to everyone, including the government”

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8: Exceptions to prohibition, or

“When you can show gang symbols in public”

Part 2 Prohibition on display of gang insignia in public places

7Prohibition on display of gang insignia in public place

  1. A person commits an offence if the person knowingly, and without reasonable excuse, displays gang insignia at any time in a public place.

  2. A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $5,000.

  3. If a person pleads guilty to, or is convicted of, an offence against subsection (1), the gang insignia concerned—

  4. is forfeited to the Crown; and
    1. may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the court, either at the time of the conviction for the offence or on a subsequent application, directs.

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