Anti-stalking and doxxing become criminal offences
Issued by Hon Paul Goldsmith (Justice)
What happened
From midnight on 25 May 2026, the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Act is in force. Stalking is defined as a pattern of behaviour — two specified acts within a 2-year period — that the offender knew was likely to cause the victim fear or distress. Specified acts include watching, following, recording, contacting, damaging property, undermining reputation, and publishing material intended to dox a person. Maximum penalty: five years' imprisonment. Police gain a formal notice system; standard defences apply.
What's at stake
- Who feels it
- All NZ residents (new criminal liability); victims of stalking, harassment and doxxing; police; courts
- Timing
- In force from midnight 25 May 2026
- How it works
- Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Act — amends the Crimes Act 1961
- Key context
- Threshold is two specified acts in a 2-year period that the offender knew were likely to cause fear or distress. Includes online behaviour like doxxing. 5-year max prison sentence.
- Wider effects
- Significant change for online platforms (publishers of doxxing material), employers (workplace harassment overlap with new criminal liability), and family-violence sector.
Who feels it
publiclawyershrinhouse
Source on record
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/anti-stalking-laws-take-effect-midnightTracked neutrally by LexNZ. Status reflects the primary source as of 25 May 2026. Not legal advice.
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