Printable View
I got asked the other day what the laws in NZ say about everyday carrying of knives, like in a vehicle and/or in a bag/backpack for work and travel. I assumed a small blade folding knife, pocket knife and multi-tool would be ok as long as its not taken into a public and government area and building. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Reasonable excuse. Fact specific.
There's no rules against carrying knives, excepting ballisong, flick knives, double-edged throwing knives etc which are illegal in their own right.
Single-edge throwing knives, just fine. Folders and sheath knives fine. I mean, if you had reasonable grounds or lawful excuse a machete is fine.
There IS legislation with regard to carrying concealed, or brandishing WEAPONS.
My knives are not weapons.
interesting thread.
Specific places have additional higher restrictions, Parliament grounds, Corrections and Govt department offices, Courts and Police, Hospitals and mass transit facilities off the top of my head. Lawful purpose reasonable excuse basically...
I generally have a leatherman tool in my pocket with a folding blade and other tools in my pocket, at home, on the range, on public transport, in public and government spaces - but not as carry on for airplanes.
I often have a folding knife on me too. Never been stopped or questioned.
Lawful purpose I hope covers me as I have no record of assaults with/without weapons.
Folders are legal to carry if blade is under 100mm in length. Any blade longer than that must have legal reason to carry eg. hunting, camping etc.
There seems to be a bit of confusion here between import policy and legislation on knife ownership.
No knife is prohibited from being owned in NZ - you may own daggers, swords, butterfly knives, OTF's, knuckle dusters etc. but you may not import them without a permit.
There is no minimum or maximum length when carrying a knife, its all down to what the coppers refer to as reasonable excuse and his/her interpretation thereof. (the 89mm blade length is an import length)
You can find the police guidance policy here which details instructions to officers and also lists the various legislation which you can find on https://www.legislation.govt.nz/
Posted above based on what I was told after going through vehicle and personal search when stopped at random checkpoint about seven years ago. Copper saw my knife, in sheath, sitting on back seat. Had Mercator pocket knife in pocket.Cop was being a cunt until older officer told him to pull his head in.Quote:
Originally Posted by woods223
there is a bacho in door pocket of both my vechiles.... a swiss army knife in my work bag...in rear of terrano on floor will often be one or more sheathed knives depending on when/where last hunted.... resonable reason is the key..."yes your honour,I had been hunting last weekend,got home late and left all my stuff in wagon"
@Micky Duck. Reminds me of incident back about ‘83. Had been hunting earlier in day then went into town and had a few beers as you did back then. Stopped and got a burger on way home that night, got just out of town and stopped at side of road to eat said burger. Just finishing burger when I hear the gentle swish of Holden fan belt pulling alongside. The dreaded plods are here. Cop wanted to know if everything was alright, had I been drinking etc. Was Saturday so the answer was yes obviously. Cop decided he should take me home rather than me drive. The he saw knife and gear, no rifle thankfully, on back seat so I had to explain that to him re: hunting earlier in day. To top it off, I get in back seat of prowler and there’s newly promoted Sergeant sitting there smiling at me. He says “ evening Mr ****, thought you might like a ride home rather than the station after seeing your car at the pub the last wee while. There were some good cops around back in the day. Had to walk back and get the car next morning but.
Thanks @terryf for the correct info
basically dont be a dick with it and you'll be fine..
The knife lying in your cars glovebox is not a 'weapon', as such. The instant you pick it up and show intent to be offensive with it, or indeed are offensive with it in the eyes of the law it then becomes a weapon.Quote:
Originally Posted by 11mms
I carry two knives with me on a daily basis in a hospital, a 38mm key-ring knife and a Leatherman. Both are used multiple times per day. Lawful purpose is the key phrase in the legislation.Quote:
Originally Posted by No.3
You doing quick amputations on the side while at work @gundocQuote:
Originally Posted by gundoc
Yes, Vicky helps me choose them!Quote:
Originally Posted by viper
That would be the sensible way of writing it but unfortunately, for reasons unbeknownst to us mere mortals, the legislators decided to go with "reasonable excuse" instead of lawful purpose.Quote:
Originally Posted by gundoc
"13A Possession of knives
(1) Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a
fine not exceeding $2,000 who, in any public place, without reasonable excuse,
has any knife in his or her possession.
(2) On convicting any person of an offence against subsection (1), the court may
order that the knife be forfeited to the Crown."
Typically it is an adder offence - that is, once you've messed up it will be added in to the sheet, rather than something used as a stand alone cause for charging someone.
As ever, it comes down to Buddha's maxim. Don't be a c#nt and life is better.
My appologies. I did believe there was legistlation specifically prohibiting butterfly knives/ballisong. Though it's that long ago it may as well be a mate of a mate's mate's cousin kinda story.Quote:
Originally Posted by terryf
Sorry to be lazy, but could you point me to the actual legislation?
I was looking at this recently regarding import of WWI daggers/bayonets:Quote:
Originally Posted by 11mms
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regu...LMS532054.html
The legislation on what knives you can own is explanatory in it's absence as far as my searching went.
That would probably be the thing I was thinking of. Thanks
I believe Australia is the same but people often misinterpreted and misquote laws. Genuine reason or reasonable excuse will keep you out if trouble. If you are looking for trouble the police can use powers to search and ask for that genuine reason.
I carry a gerber folding knife in my pocket all the time, use it multiple times a day, never had an issue but also never had unwanted attention from the cops either
the wife n I have joked that if we ever intended to visit someone in prison,either we take taxi or get local copper to recheck our vechille after we have cleaned it right out ourselves...just about guarantee one of them super sniffing hounds would find a wayward round under the seat somewhere otherwise LOL.... knife in side pocket and pocketknife in glovebox n ashtray is normal.....
I was always under the impression a knife you carried couldn't have a blade longer than 75mm ( 3 inches) but looking through the link TerryF provided I can't see any reference to blade length so maybe you can have any sized knife on you if you have a legitimate reason for carrying it
thats about the size of it yes :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by rugerman
Would “I might need to cut something l be a reasonable excuse?
Not trying to be a smart arse, but I carry a small folder in case I need to cut something. Much like I carry a phone in case I need to call someone.
Guess it depends if the cop is a reasonable chap or a jumped up little fuk I suppose
You have associates in prison? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
Stood in line at a KFC for a lunch pack on my way to Wainuiomata River for an afternoon's brown trout fishing. Had my camo fishing vest on and a decent size sheath knife on my hip. Cop in uniform in line immediately behind me made no comment.
Might depend on the mood of the copper on the day.
Summary Offences Act 1981.
13A
Possession of knives
(1)
Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, in any public place, without reasonable excuse, has any knife in his or her possession.
(2)
On convicting any person of an offence against subsection (1), the court may order that the knife be forfeited to the Crown.
Section 13A: inserted, on 28 October 1986, by section 2 of the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1986 (1986 No 72).
Section 13A(1): amended, on 1 January 1998, by section 7 of the Summary Offences Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 97).
Section 13A(2): inserted, on 1 August 1987, by section 2 of the Summary Offences Amendment Act (No 2) 1987 (1987 No 171).
no...have had a relative in for short vacation and have thought might be another....so far thankfully that particular one has not eventuatedQuote:
Originally Posted by zimmer