iSAYSO
A anti Stalking Law, the question is who is it protecting.
If this law shuts down free speech, and has many put in jail for no other reason than to stop logical criticism. The benefit goes to those creating jails.
BY NIGEL GRAY 28 MAY 2026 PLEASE SHARE!
New Zealand just passed a law that looks like it’s about stopping stalkers.
It isn’t.
Buried inside the Crimes Act amendments is a set of powers so broad, so vague, and so dangerously flexible that they can be used against journalists, activists, volunteers, whistle‑blowers, and anyone who annoys the wrong official.
If you think that’s an exaggeration, keep reading.
1. Two Acts in Two Years — That’s All It Takes
The law says you can be charged with “stalking” if you do any two “specified acts” within two years.
Sounds fine, right?
Except “specified acts” include:
Congratulations: that’s journalism, activism, and public accountability work.
2. One Complaint = Police Can Issue a “Shut Up” Notice
If an official says your actions “cause fear or distress”, police can issue you a written notice after just one incident.
This notice says:
“Any further acts may amount to an offence.”
This is the State telling you:
“Stop talking about this person.”
“Stop talking about this person.”
And here’s the kicker…
3. After That Notice, the Law Presumes You Knew You Were Causing Distress
Once the notice is served, the law automatically presumes you knew your actions would cause fear or distress.
That’s the mental element of the crime — manufactured for you.
So if you:
…you’ve just ticked the legal boxes for “stalking”.
4. You Can Now Be Charged With a Crime Punishable by 5 Years in Prison
Yes, five years.
For:
This is not a joke.
This is not hypothetical.
This is exactly how the law is written.
This is not hypothetical.
This is exactly how the law is written.
5. And It Gets Worse: Courts Can Then Gag You
If convicted, the court can impose:
Meaning:
You can be legally banned from talking about the official you exposed.
You can be legally banned from talking about the official you exposed.
Even if everything you said was true.
6. There Is NO Public‑Interest Defence
None.
No protection for:
The law treats exposing corruption the same as stalking your ex.
7. This Is How a Government Silences People Without Ever Passing a “Censorship Law”
They don’t need to criminalise journalism.
They just need to criminalise:
…and then let officials claim “distress”.
The machinery does the rest.
8. Real‑World Example: How This Could Be Used Against YOU
Scenario: Multi‑OIA Volunteer Campaign
You and volunteers send OIAs to Agency X.
You publish updates naming the responsible manager.
You publish updates naming the responsible manager.
Manager complains of “distress”.
Police issue you a notice.
You publish another update.
Volunteers send more OIAs.
Police issue you a notice.
You publish another update.
Volunteers send more OIAs.
Boom:
Two acts + presumed knowledge = stalking charge.
Two acts + presumed knowledge = stalking charge.
Maximum penalty: 5 years.
Plus gag orders.
Plus gag orders.
Scenario: Journalist Exposes Corruption
You publish leaked documents showing Official Y interfered with procurement.
Y claims distress.
Police issue notice.
You publish follow‑up.
Police issue notice.
You publish follow‑up.
Boom:
Stalking.
Stalking.
9. This Law Is a Loaded Weapon — And It’s Pointed at the Public
It doesn’t matter what the government says the law is for.
What matters is what the law allows.
And this law allows:
All under the friendly label of “anti‑stalking”.
10. If You Care About Transparency, Democracy, or Accountability — You Should Be Alarmed
Because this law doesn’t just stop stalkers.
It stops you.
It stops us.
It stops anyone who tries to hold power to account.
And it does it quietly, cleanly, and with the full force of the criminal law.