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Criminal & traffic law

Surveillance powers

Overview

Surveillance involving trespass

Search and Surveillance Act 2012, s 45

Police do not have the power to place surveillance or interception devices on private property (without the consent of the occupier), unless this is to obtain evidence in relation to an offence:

  • that is punishable by a prison term of at least seven years, or
  • that is a specific offence under the Arms Act 1983, mainly offences relating to the unlawful possession of specific weapons.

Surveillance powers which don’t require a warrant

Search and Surveillance Act 2012, ss 47,48

Police do not need a warrant to record (secretly or otherwise), if the police are:

  • lawfully on private property and recording what they observe
  • recording audio material of a voluntary conversation, so long as one person who is part of the conversation consents to this (if the police officer is a part of the conversation they can be the person who consents).

Police also have the power to conduct surveillance without a warrant in urgent or emergency situations that might otherwise require a warrant, see “Surveillance powers that require a warrant” below.

Surveillance powers that require a warrant

Search and Surveillance Act 2012, s 46

Police require a warrant issued by a judge to carry out the following surveillance activities:

  • using an interception device to intercept private communication
  • using a tracking device (unless it is solely to learn if something is opened or tampered with, and installing the device does not involve trespass)
  • observing private activity and recording it by visual surveillance
  • using a surveillance device that involves trespass
  • observing and recording a private premises, even if it does not involve trespass, unless the surveillance is for:
    • less than three hours in any 24-hour period, or
    • less than eight hours in total.

Police powers to keep surveillance data

Search and Surveillance Act 2012, s 63

If criminal proceedings are commenced, raw surveillance data (including visual footage, audio recordings, etc) can be kept by the police until:

  • the criminal proceedings related to the offence for which the surveillance was collected (including appeals) have finished,
  • any appeal period for those criminal proceedings has expired (whichever is latest).

If no criminal proceedings are commenced, the police can keep raw surveillance data for:

  • three years, if the data is required for an ongoing investigation, or
  • up to two more years if specified by order (whichever is latest).
Next Section | Police use of guns

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Police powers

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Community Law

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The Community Law website contains legal information, education, and law reform resources about the police. Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice about any issue relating to the police.

YouthLaw Aotearoa

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Phone: 0800 UTHLAW (0800 884 529)
Email: nzyouthlaw@gmail.com

YouthLaw provides free legal advice for young people throughout New Zealand. The YouthLaw website provides great information for young people about the law.

“You and the police” (Law Society pamphlet)

This pamphlet has information about what to do when being questioned or arrested by the police. You can access the pamphlet online at:
www.lawsociety.org.nz/about-us/about-our-publications/law-awareness-brochures

You can also order hardcopies from:

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

Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA)

www.ipca.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 503 728
Email: info@ipca.govt.nz

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

Legal Aid

www.justice.govt.nz/courts/going-to-court/legal-aid

The Ministry of Justice website has a range of information about Legal Aid.

It also has information about the Police Detention Legal Assistance Scheme (free legal help when someone is being held, arrested or questioned by the police) – go to:
www.justice.govt.nz/courts/going-to-court/legal-aid/legal-help/in-police-custody

You can also order hard copies of Ministry of Justice pamphlets from:

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

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