We have a new anti-stalking law – and a new stalking-response guide
A new anti-stalking law
In late November 2025, Parliament unanimously passed the law putting stalking and harassment in the Crimes Act. This means from May 2026, police will have more options to deal with people who behave in ways they know are likely to cause fear or distress. We’re pleased about the last-minute amendment that requires police to notify the victim-survivor before they issue a formal warning to the stalker – this enables victim-survivors to have some control/autonomy (e.g. they can prepare a safety plan in case of retaliation).
Thanks again to everyone who signed our petition last year – this would not have happened without you! Our Aotearoa Free From Stalking team now turns their attention to making sure implementation of the law will be as good as possible for the safety and freedom of all our communities – click here to hear project lead Leonie Morris discussing the need for specialist victim advocates, on RNZ.
Our new Stalking Response Guide
In other good anti-stalking news, we’re also launching a new online resource to support people experiencing stalking/harassment, and all of us – friends, whānau and community members – who walk alongside them: Your options and rights – if someone is stalking you, hassling you or just won’t leave you alone.
The resource includes a summary flowchart of options, explains what stalking can look like, how to think about your safety, what to do if you are worried about someone else being targeted, and where you can go for support. It has information about online safety, keeping a record of stalking behaviour, and the legal options that exist right now, including reporting to the police. (We also plan to update it next year when the new anti-stalking law comes into force.)
We are grateful to the advocates, frontline practitioners, legal experts, victim-survivors and partner organisations who contributed their insight and feedback throughout development.
We hope people targeted by stalking and harassment feel validated, supported and affirmed that the stalking behaviour is solely the responsibility of person doing the stalking. Everyone’s life, mana, dignity, safety, wellbeing and future are precious.
Below is our 4 December 2025 media release:
Advocates’ advice to stalking victims contacting police
A new support guide for stalking victims released today by the Auckland Women’s Centre includes advice about what to do if police don’t take concerns seriously.
“Trust and confidence is currently low in the police, and we really need specialist advocates to advise police on how to protect each victim-survivor of stalking,” said Centre spokesperson Leonie Morris. “In the meantime, we’ve included tips on reporting to police, should victim-survivors choose to do so.”
The guide, entitled Your options and rights – if someone is stalking you, hassling you or just won’t leave you alone includes tips on recognising stalking; increasing digital and physical privacy and safety; supporting someone else being targeted; and legal options. The guide states “stand your ground” if police “seem to downplay” concerns, and mentions police complaints processes.
“Some stalking victim-survivors receive good support from the police, but many others have had their concerns minimised, like the victims in the Jevon McSkimming case and the Michael Forbes case – that treatment is not rare,” said Morris.
“Our key aim with the guide is to ensure victim-survivors of stalking and harassment know their concerns are valid, know they’re not responsible for someone else’s unwanted, intrusive behaviour, and know they don’t have to face stalking alone – friends, whānau and anti-violence services can help support their safety and mana.”
Morris said although the new anti-stalking law is not due to come into force until May next year, police can already respond to certain stalking behaviours. “They can serve a trespass notice, for example, if it’s too unsafe for the victim-survivor to do that themselves, and in certain cases they can currently even charge people with criminal harassment.”
The guide also notes, under the NZ Victims’ Rights Act 2002, “police are legally obliged to treat victims with courtesy and compassion and respect victims’ dignity and privacy.”
Morris said the guide was a step towards an Aotearoa free from stalking. “We’re wanting everybody’s life, mana, dignity, safety, wellbeing and future to no longer be at risk due to unwanted intrusions.”
The guide is available to download and/or read online from the Auckland Women’s Centre website.