New Zealand Legislation: Acts

267 Arson

• (1) Every one commits arson and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who—

  • (a) intentionally or recklessly damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property if he or she knows or ought to know that danger to life is likely to ensue; or

  • (b) intentionally or recklessly, and without claim of right, damages by fire or by means of any explosive any immovable property, or any vehicle, ship, or aircraft, in which that person has no interest; or

  • (c) intentionally damages by fire or by means of any explosive any immovable property, or any vehicle, ship or aircraft, with intent to obtain any benefit, or to cause loss to any other person.

  (2) Every one commits arson and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who—

  • (a) intentionally or recklessly, and without claim of right, damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property in which that person has no interest (other than property referred to in subsection (1)); or

  • (b) intentionally or recklessly damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property (other than property referred to in subsection (1)) with intent to obtain any benefit, or with intent to cause loss to any other person.

  (3) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years who intentionally damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property with reckless disregard for the safety of any other property.

  (4) In this section and in section 269, benefit means any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service, or valuable consideration.

  Compare: 1961 No 43 ss 294, 296

  Section 267: substituted, on 1 October 2003, by section 15 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).