Flags, Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981

If you need more information about this Act, please contact the administering agency: Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Ministry of Justice
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13 Unauthorised use of State emblems

(1)

Subject to subsection (3), every person commits an offence against this Act who displays or exhibits or otherwise uses any representation to which this subsection applies in such a manner as to be likely to cause any person to believe that he does so under the authority, sanction, approval, appointment, or patronage of Her Majesty’s Government, or of any Minister of the Crown, or of any government department.

(2)

Subsection (1) applies to the following:

(a)

any representation of the Coat of Arms of New Zealand:

(b)

any representation of the Seal of New Zealand:

(c)

any representation of any emblem or official stamp of any government department:

(d)

any representation that so closely resembles any thing referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) as to be likely to cause any person to believe that it is that thing.

(3)

Subsection (1) does not apply to the use of any representation—

(a)

authorised by or under any other Act; or

(b)

with the prior written consent of the Minister; or

(c)

by an officer of the Crown acting in the course of his official duties.