The legal framework
The Family Violence Act 2018 consolidated the law, defining family violence to include physical, sexual and psychological abuse, dowry-related abuse and economic abuse, and recognising patterns of behaviour. Police can issue on-the-spot Police Safety Orders, and the Family Court makes protection orders.
Key points
| Police Safety Order | Issued by police without the victim's consent, requiring the person to leave for up to ten days |
|---|---|
| Protection order | From the Family Court, standard conditions include non-contact and non-violence; breach is criminal |
| Definition | Includes psychological, economic and dowry-related abuse, and patterns of behaviour |
| Programmes | Respondents must attend non-violence programmes; victims can access safety programmes |
| Property orders | Occupation and tenancy orders for the family home |
| Children | Automatically protected under a parent's order |
| Information sharing | Agencies may share information to keep victims safe |
| Family Violence Act 2018 | Consolidated the law and widened the definition |
| Police safety orders | Issued on the spot for up to ten days without a court |
| Protection orders | Automatically include children; programmes are directed for the respondent |
| Family violence leave | Ten days of paid leave and flexible working entitlements |
In practice
- Build a record: dated notes, photographs, medical reports, messages and names of witnesses.
- Plan the exit before announcing it — separation is statistically the most dangerous period.
- Keep identity documents, some money and a spare set of keys somewhere safe outside the home.
- Tell schools and employers where safety arrangements are needed.
- A police safety order buys time: use those days to apply for a protection order.
- Ask your employer for family violence leave; you do not have to give details.
Cost and coverage
Applications are free for protection orders; legal aid is available, and without-notice applications can be heard the same day.
Recent changes
The 2018 Act's explicit inclusion of economic abuse and of patterns of behaviour brought New Zealand into line with the best international practice.
Where to go
- Women's Refuge crisis line 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843), 24/7.
- Shine helpline 0508 744 633; Are You OK 0800 456 450.
- 1737 for free counselling support, call or text.
Worth knowing
A Police Safety Order can be issued without your agreement and without a court application — it buys up to ten days to arrange a protection order. A protection order automatically covers the children in your care. You do not need to apply separately for them.
Official sources and links
- govt.nz — official government information
- New Zealand Legislation — acts and regulations