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Snippet Bait • Crimes Act 216B

Can I Record
The Police?

In New Zealand, you have a general right to record police officers in public. NZ is a **One-Party Consent** nation.

YES In Public Space
YES Owner Consent

Quick Facts

  • ✓

    Police cannot demand you delete footage without a court order.

  • ✓

    Section 14 of the Bill of Rights protects the right to seek information.

  • ✕

    Do not obstruct officers. Keep a respectful distance (approx. 5 meters).

The "One-Party" Consent Rule

Under the **Crimes Act 1961 (Section 216B)**, it is a crime to intercept private communications you are not a party to. However, if you are a party to the conversation (i.e., you are the one talking to the officer), you can legally record it without their permission.

"Police officers performing their duties in a public space generally have no reasonable expectation of privacy."

Seizure of Equipment

Police can only seize your phone or camera if they have reasonable grounds to believe it contains evidence of a serious crime and that the evidence would be destroyed if they did not seize it immediately (Exigent Circumstances). Even then, they generally need a warrant to actually view the footage on the device.

Common Police Tactics

You may be told that you are "interfering" or "breaching the peace." As long as you are standing still, not shouting, and not physically blocking an officer, merely filming is **not** obstruction.

Warning: Private Property

If you are on private property (like a shop or someone's home), the owner has the right to ask you to stop filming or to leave. If you refuse, you may be charged with **Trespass**.