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Criminal & traffic law
Common crimes
This section explains your rights and the store’s powers if they think you’ve been shoplifting, including:
The section also explains what the criminal penalties are if you’re convicted of shoplifting (see: “Facing criminal charges for shoplifting”).
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Common crimes
Community Law
Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice.
Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres
Drug Foundation
The New Zealand Drug Foundation has a large amount of information about different drugs and their effects, and about criminal offences and penalties.
Website: www.drugfoundation.org.nz
Email: admin@drugfoundation.org.nz
24/7 Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NZDrugFoundation
KnowYourStuffNZ
KnowYourStuffNZ provides free information, advice, and drug checking services using a range of testing methods at events around New Zealand.
Website: www.knowyourstuff.nz
Contact form: knowyourstuff.nz/contact
Instagram: www.instagram.com/knowyourstuffnz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KnowYourStuffNZ
The New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme
The Needle Exchange Programme provides and collects needles for safe disposal, advice on harm reduction, and is licensed to provide drug checking services.
Website: www.nznep.org.nz
Email: info@nznep.org.nz
Phone: 03 366 9403
Instagram: www.instagram.com/NZNEP
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NZNEP
The Level
The Level provides free guides for people who use drugs.
Website: www.thelevel.org.nz
Contact form: thelevel.org.nz/contact-us
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelevelnz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelevelnz
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
The MPI website has information about recreational fishing rules and customary gathering rights.
Website: www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/fishing
To report poaching, email poacher@mpi.govt.nz or phone 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24)
Want to know the rules on the spot?
The MPI have a free NZ Fishing Rules app that you can download by texting the word “app” to 9889. The app works even when you have no coverage.
You can also send a free text 9989 with the name of the species you are fishing for (e.g. blue cod or pāua) and receive legal size and bag limit via return text.
For more information about this: www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules-for-gear-methods-and-species/paua-rules-and-guidelines
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