Auckland (Avneet Kaur)
A major change to New Zealand’s criminal law has officially taken effect today, with stalking now recognised as a specific criminal offence for the first time in the country’s legal system.
The new changes come under the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill, introduced after years of pressure from victim support groups and safety advocates who argued existing laws were not strong enough to deal with repeated harassment cases.
Police say the updated law will now allow officers to respond earlier in situations where someone is repeatedly being targeted, intimidated or monitored.
Inspector Natasha Allen, Acting Director of Prevention, said authorities acknowledge there were situations in previous years where responses to stalking victims were not always good enough.
She said the new framework changes how police approach such complaints by focusing on ongoing behavioural patterns instead of treating every incident separately.
Under the law, police can now issue formal stalking and harassment notices warning alleged offenders to stop their behaviour before situations escalate further.
Authorities also have the power to directly lay charges if a person carries out at least two recognised stalking-related acts within a two-year period.
Those convicted under the offence can face prison sentences of up to five years.
The law covers a broad range of behaviour including repeated unwanted contact, excessive messaging or calling, online monitoring, damaging reputations through digital platforms, repeatedly appearing near victims and other conduct that creates fear or emotional distress.
Police say stalking behaviour often becomes dangerous because incidents can gradually intensify over time if left unchecked.
Inspector Allen confirmed officers across New Zealand have undergone additional training to help identify stalking behaviour earlier and improve victim support.
She said police would work closely with affected individuals to create safety plans and ensure victims receive immediate assistance where needed.
Authorities are encouraging anyone experiencing repeated harassment, intimidation or obsessive unwanted attention to report concerns early through Police 105, or call 111 in emergencies.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the legislation was developed over several years and aimed to prevent situations from escalating into serious violence.
He said stalking can involve a combination of actions that may appear small individually but together create ongoing fear and intimidation for victims.
Goldsmith added the Government wanted to send a strong message that stalking and harassment would no longer be tolerated in New Zealand.
Victim advocacy groups have welcomed the reforms, saying many people previously struggled to get meaningful protection because repeated stalking behaviour did not clearly fit within older criminal laws.
