The Government is introducing a new stalking and harassment offence to ensure the harm that victims experience is recognised and prosecuted effectively.
Stalking is characterised by a perpetrator making unwanted, persistent, and repetitive intrusions into another person’s life, causing a range of serious emotional, psychological, social, and economic harm to that person. Stalking behaviours and scenarios vary but carry significant risk that the behaviour will escalate to physical violence, including homicide.
Existing criminal justice settings do not adequately respond to stalking. Stalking has been considered the same as, or a form of, harassment. As a result, New Zealand law only addresses harassment, with the intention that stalking behaviours are covered by this legislation.
The Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill will make it clear that stalking is illegal and better reflect in the law people’s experience of stalking.
The Bill introduces a new offence into the Crimes Act 1961 to address stalking and harassment as an offence with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. The Bill says a person is liable to be prosecuted for the offence of stalking and harassment if they:
The Bill also proposes the offence include using family members, friends, neighbours, businesses, institutions, and organisations to perpetuate the stalking of victims.
The Bill received its first reading on 12 December 2024 and has been referred to the Justice Committee for consideration. Public submissions close on 13 February 2025.
The Government anticipates the legislation being passed by late 2025, with the law coming in effect six months later to allow for implementation and training.
Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill(external link)
Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill(external link) (Justice Committee website)
Regulatory Impact Statement: Establishing an Offence of Stalking [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Stalking to become illegal and jailable offence (external link)
Stalking legislation takes first step(external link)
If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to call the Police on 111.
More information on responding to stalking and harassment is available from: