Weapons — New Zealand

New Zealand has no legal blade length. Carrying any knife in a public place without a reasonable excuse is an offence, and your car on a public road counts as a public place - there is no pocket-knife or folding-knife exception of any kind. The same act can be charged two ways: three months and NZ$2,000 under the Summary Offences Act, or up to three years under the Crimes Act.

Summary Offences Act 1981, s 13A: up to 3 months' imprisonment or a fine not exceeding NZ$2,000, and the knife may be forfeited to the Crown. Crimes Act 1961, s 202A(4)(a): up to 3 years' imprisonment for having any knife or offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse - the same conduct, charged the harder way. Pepper spray and stun devices are restricted weapons: possessing one without a firearms licence endorsement and a specific permit is up to 3 years' imprisonment or a fine not exceeding NZ$4,000 (Arms Act 1983, ss 19C and 50(1)(b)), and carrying one beyond the curtilage of your own dwelling is up to 6 months or a fine not exceeding NZ$10,000 (s 36). Importing any of these without a permit obtained before you travel is separately prohibited.