Home | Browse Topics | Family law | Family violence and elder abuse | Protection orders made in criminal cases

Family law

Applying for a Protection Order: Long-term protection against family violence

Protection orders made in criminal cases

When can the Criminal Courts make Protection Orders?

Sentencing Act 2002, s 123B

When sentencing a person for a family violence offence (other than a breach of a Protection Order), a judge in the District Court can also make a Protection Order if:

  • the judge is satisfied the order is necessary to protect the victim of the offence, and
  • the victim doesn’t object to the Protection Order (the victim’s view can be made known through a victim impact statement or a victim adviser’s report).

Once a Protection Order is made the court must send a copy to the Family Court nearest to where the victim lives. The order then has the same status as a final Protection Order issued by the Family Court.

Judges in the District Court can also make a temporary Protection Order against anyone who breaches a Police Safety Order, if the person at risk doesn’t object (see “Police Safety Orders: Immediate, short-term protection against family violence” in this chapter).

Did this answer your question?

Family violence and elder abuse

Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.

Age Concern

www.ageconcern.org.nz

Age Concern provides a range of resources on aspects of life for older people including elder abuse.

Phone: (04) 801 9338 or 0800 65 2 105
Email: national.office@ageconcern.org.nz

Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS)

Helpline: 0800 32 668 65

With this confidential 24-hour, free-phone helpline, registered nurses will listen and provide information and support about elder abuse – whether the caller is calling on their own behalf or is concerned about a friend or family member. Callers will then be referred to local elder abuse services to get the help they need.

Family Court

www.justice.govt.nz/family/family-violence

This Family Court webpage provides pamphlets and other information giving an overview of how family violence is dealt with in the courts and how Protection Orders can help keep people safe from family violence. The website also provides information on responding to a Protection Order application.

You can access the pamphlets online, or you can order hard copies by contacting the Family Court on:

Phone: 0800 587 847
Email: publications@justice.govt.nz

Family Court family violence forms

These forms, and a guide for how to complete a Protection Order application, are available at www.justice.govt.nz/family/family-violence/protection-order-forms

Family Court fee waiver forms

These forms are available here:

www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Forms/application-for-waiver-individ-prev-waiver.pdf

Independent Police Conduct Authority

www.ipca.govt.nz

Postal Address: PO Box 5025, Wellington 6145

Phone: (04) 499 2050
Phone: 0800 503 728

Email: info@ipca.govt.nz

The IPCA receives and investigates complaints against the police. A complaint form is available online.

“Family violence” (Law Society pamphlet)

Available at: www.lawsociety.org.nz/about-us/about-our-publications/law-awareness-brochures

Access pamphlets online or order hardcopies from the New Zealand Law Society.

Phone: (04) 472 7837
Email: pamphlets@lawsociety.org.nz

Women’s Refuge

www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Women’s Refuge provides 24-hour support, advocacy and accommodation for women and their children experiencing family violence.

Crisis Line

Phone: 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)

Women’s Refuge provides a free phone line for people anywhere in New Zealand. Get information, advice and support about family violence as well as help in a crisis.

Fact sheets

A range of resources and fact sheets are available online.

Phone: (04) 802 5078
Email: info@refuge.org.nz

Family Violence – It’s Not OK

www.areyouok.org.nz

Phone: 0800 456 450

“It’s not OK” is a community-driven behaviour change campaign to reduce family violence in New Zealand. Its goal is to change attitudes and behaviour that tolerate any kind of family violence. The website has resources for families who are experiencing abuse. It’s not OK is an initiative housed within the Ministry of Social Development.

Family violence and disabled people

www.areyouok.org.nz/resources/free-resources/domestic-violence-and-disabled-people-accessible-formats

Family violence and migrant families

www.areyouok.org.nz/resources/free-resources/culture-no-excuse-for-abuse-english

Also available as a book

The Community Law Manual

The Manual contains over 1000 pages of easy-to-read legal info and comprehensive answers to common legal questions. From ACC to family law, health & disability, jobs, benefits & flats, Tāonga Māori, immigration and refugee law and much more, the Manual covers just about every area of community and personal life.

Buy The Community Law Manual

Help the manual

We’re a small team that relies on the generosity of all our supporters. You can make a one-off donation or become a supporter by sponsoring the Manual for a community organisation near you. Every contribution helps us to continue updating and improving our legal information, year after year.

Donate Become a Supporter

Find the Answer to your Legal Question

back to top