For many years in New Zealand, stalking and harassing behaviour was often treated as “not serious enough” unless it escalated into physical violence or could be fitted within another criminal offence. Many victims were left feeling frightened, dismissed, and uncertain whether the law could adequately protect them.
The introduction of the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Act 2025 marks an important shift in how the law responds to these behaviours, particularly from both a criminal and family law perspective.
The new legislation creates a standalone criminal offence for stalking and harassment, carrying penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment.
Just as importantly, amendments to the Family Violence laws now better recognise and broaden the realities of psychological abuse, coercive control, intimidation, and monitoring within intimate and family relationships.
These reforms reflect something family lawyers and support services have long understood. Family violence is not limited to physical harm.
Stalking and harassment are often part of a wider pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour that can leave victims feeling unsafe in their own homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. The impact can be profound, affecting a person’s mental wellbeing, independence, relationships, and sense of security long before any physical violence occurs.
The law now recognises stalking and harassment as repeated and unwanted behaviour that causes fear, intimidation, distress, or emotional harm. Importantly, this behaviour may occur both online and in person.
Examples can include:
- Repeatedly showing up at someone’s home, workplace, gym, university, or favourite café.
- Persistent unwanted texts, calls, emails, or social media messages after being asked to stop.
- Monitoring someone through location-sharing apps, home security systems, hidden cameras, or spyware.
- Creating fake social media accounts or impersonating another person online.
- Contacting friends, whānau, employers, or landlords to embarrass, intimidate, isolate, or control someone.
- Posting rumours, private information, or intimate images online to damage a person’s reputation.
- Sending unwanted gifts or repeatedly appearing in places a person regularly attends.
- Referencing private conversations, locations, or events in a way designed to frighten or unsettle someone.
In many family law matters, these behaviours arise after separation, during parenting disputes, or within ongoing patterns of coercive control. Victims often minimise the conduct because there has been “no physical violence”, despite experiencing significant fear and psychological harm.
Depending on the circumstances, legal protections may now include:
- Protection Orders
- Police stalking and harassment notices
- Criminal charges
- Restraining orders
- Harmful digital communications orders
- Trespass notices
- Firearms prohibition orders
- Police safety orders
These reforms signal an important shift in the legal system’s understanding of harm. Stalking and harassment are no longer viewed as minor or isolated incidents, but as serious patterns of behaviour that often escalate over time and can have devastating consequences for victims and their families.
If you are experiencing stalking, harassment, coercive control, or intimidating behaviour, it is important to seek legal advice early. Early intervention can help protect your safety and clarify the legal protections available to you.
If you or someone you know is experiencing something that sounded familiar in this article, or any family violence-related behaviour, our family team can advise you on and the legal options available to help keep you safe.
Support Services Available
Help and support is available for people experiencing stalking, harassment, or family violence:
- Shine — Family violence support service available 24/7 on 0508 744 633.
- Are You Okay — Family violence support service available 24/7 on 0800 456 450.
- Women’s Refuge — 24/7 support service on 0800 733 843.
- Shakti — Specialist support for Asian, African, and Middle Eastern women and children, available 24/7 on 0800 742 584.
- Safe to Talk — Sexual harm support service available on 0800 044 334 or text 4334.
- Victim Support — General victim support service available 24/7 on 0800 842 846.
- 1737 Need to Talk? — Free mental health and wellbeing support available 24/7 by calling or texting 1737.
- Netsafe — Support for harmful digital communications and online abuse on 0508 638 723 or text 4282.
- Youthline — Support for young people available 24/7 on 0800 376 633.
- What’s Up — Support service for tamariki and rangatahi on 0800 942 8787.
- OUTLine NZ — Support regarding sexuality and gender identity on 0800 688 5463.
- Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura — Mana-enhancing support for Takatāpui and Rainbow survivors of sexual harm.
Support for People Concerned About Their Own Behaviour
Support is also available for people who are concerned about their own behaviour or who want help to change harmful patterns:
- Change Is Possible — Behaviour change support available 24/7 on 0800 456 450.
- Are You Okay — Family violence support and intervention services.
- Safe to Talk — Sexual harm support and advice.
- 1737 Need to Talk? — Mental health and wellbeing support available anytime by call or text.