This Government bill creates a new offence of stalking and harassment so that the harm victims experience is recognised and offenders can be prosecuted effectively. It was enacted as the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Act 2025.
Parliament advanced this bill under urgency (committee of whole house, first reading, third reading) — moving it through faster than usual, with less time than normal for public submissions.
This bill creates a specific stalking and harassment offence in the Crimes Act 1961, instead of relying on ill-fitting existing charges. A person offends if they do a "specified act" — such as following, watching, unwanted contact, or doxing (publishing private information) — against someone on at least two separate occasions within a two-year period, knowing it is likely to cause fear or distress. It carries up to five years' imprisonment, covers stalkers who act through third parties, and enables firearms prohibition and restraining orders.
It amends the Crimes Act and related laws as part of a government push to close a gap where stalking had no standalone offence. Supporters say naming the crime recognises victims' serious psychological and economic harm and lets police intervene before violence escalates. Critics warn the broad "pattern of behaviour" and fear/distress tests are hard to prove, may catch ambiguous conduct, and depend on consistent police and court application and adequate resourcing.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.