Law, crime and justice

  • Paying fines

    • Pay a speeding ticket, infringement fee or parking ticket

      Paying fees and tickets online, what happens if you don't pay on time, and how to dispute them.

    • Pay a court fine

      ​You can court fines online. Speeding tickets and local council parking tickets become court fines if you don’t pay them on time.

    • Dog owner fines and offences

      If you do not keep control of your dog, allow a dog into a restricted area or abuse or neglect an animal, you can be fined or sent to prison — and banned from owning dogs in the future.

  • Crimes and emergencies

    • 111 emergency service

      If you need help from the police, the fire service, or you need an ambulance dial 111 and the emergency operator will connect you to the right place.

    • Report a crime that's not an emergency

      Use 105 to report crimes to Police that that aren't urgent, and don't need Emergency Services.

    • Help for victims of crime

      If you or someone you care about is the victim of a crime, there's support and help available.

  • Abuse, harassment and domestic violence

    • Domestic and family violence

      Services and support for anyone experiencing abuse from a partner, ex-partner, family member, flatmate, friend, or carer.

    • Legal help when being harassed

      If you're being harassed by someone you're not in a relationship with, you can apply for a restraining order.

    • Child abuse

      If you're worried a child is being abused, please report your suspicions so authorities can investigate.

    • Bullying

      Bullying is a form of aggressive or threatening behaviour — either at school, in the workplace or in the wider community.

    • Financial abuse

      Financial abuse is when someone steals your money or property, fails to repay money you’ve lent them, or forces you to give them money or sell your property for their benefit.

  • The courts

    • Jury service

      If you're enrolled to vote, you can be asked to serve on a jury once every 2 years.

    • Your rights after being arrested

      When you’re arrested, you have the right to get legal help before you say or do anything. You don’t have to make a statement, but you do have to tell the police some basic information about yourself.

    • Legal aid

      If you cannot afford to pay for a lawyer, you can apply for legal aid.

    • Going to court as a witness

      If you're asked to give evidence in court, you’ll have to swear to tell the truth and answer any questions the judge says you have to answer.

    • Appearing in court

      You’ll first appear to enter a plea. If you plead not guilty, you’ll appear again at a later date. If you plead guilty, you’ll either be sentenced immediately or appear later for sentencing.

  • Prison life

    • Prison life and going to prison

      If you’re convicted of a crime and sentenced to a prison term, or if you’re awaiting trial or sentencing without bail, you’ll go to prison.

    • Supporting someone in prison

      If you know someone serving a prison sentence, you can support them by visiting, phoning or writing to them.

  • Human rights in NZ

  • Telling someone about your criminal record

    There are details of your criminal record that you need to provide if asked — for example, when applying for a visa to travel overseas.

  • Identity theft

    Identity theft is when someone uses your identity information to pretend to be you.

  • Scams

    Taking care can help you avoid scams. If you think you’ve been scammed, report it straight away.

  • Making a statutory declaration

    You make a statutory declaration when you need to confirm that something is true.

  • Online safety

    Find out how to keep your family safe online.