United Nations Sanctions (Haiti) Regulations 2026
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2026/65
United Nations Sanctions (Haiti) Regulations 2026
Cindy Kiro, Governor-General
Order in Council
At Wellington this 7th day of April 2026
Present:
Her Excellency the Governor-General in Council
These regulations are made under section 2(1) of the United Nations Act 1946 on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council.
Contents
Regulations
1 Title
These regulations are the United Nations Sanctions (Haiti) Regulations 2026.
2 Commencement
These regulations come into force on 7 May 2026.
3 Interpretation
In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,—
arms includes—
(a)
weapons and ammunition of all types, including—
(i)
small arms; and
(ii)
light weapons and their ammunition; and
(iii)
military vehicles and equipment; and
(iv)
paramilitary equipment; and
(b)
related materiel; and
(c)
spare parts (including spare parts for related materiel)
Committee means the Committee established by paragraph 19 of resolution 2653
craft has the meaning set out in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
Customs means the New Zealand Customs Service
Customs officer has the meaning set out in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
designated person means,—
(a)
for the purposes of regulations 11 to 13, an individual or entity designated by the Committee or the Security Council as a person to whom or to which asset freeze measures set out in resolution 2653 apply:
(b)
for the purposes of regulation 14, an individual designated by the Committee or the Security Council as an individual to whom travel ban measures set out in resolution 2653 apply
Minister means the Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand includes Tokelau
New Zealand chartered craft means a craft that is not a New Zealand registered craft but is chartered to—
(a)
a New Zealand citizen; or
(b)
an entity incorporated or constituted under the law of New Zealand
New Zealand registered craft—
(a)
means a craft registered in New Zealand; and
(b)
includes, whether or not it is actually registered,—
(i)
an aircraft required to be registered in New Zealand under the Civil Aviation Act 2023; and
(ii)
a ship required or entitled to be registered in New Zealand under the Ship Registration Act 1992
property—
(a)
means everything that is capable of being owned, whether it is—
(i)
real or personal property:
(ii)
tangible or intangible property:
(iii)
inside or outside New Zealand; and
(b)
includes a legal or an equitable estate or interest in property
resolution 2653 means resolution 2653 (2022) of the Security Council, adopted on 21 October 2022
resolution 2664 means resolution 2664 (2022) of the Security Council, adopted on 9 December 2022
resolution 2794 means resolution 2794 (2025) of the Security Council, adopted on 17 October 2025
Secretary means the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Security Council means the Security Council of the United Nations.
Arms
4 Exporting arms to Haiti prohibited
(1)
A person must not directly or indirectly export arms from New Zealand to Haiti knowing that the arms are intended to be exported to Haiti, or are intended for use in, or for the benefit of, Haiti.
(2)
Subclause (1) does not apply to—
(a)
the supply, sale, or transfer of arms to or by the following entities, if those arms are intended to be used by or in coordination with those entities in accordance with paragraph 2(a) of resolution 2794:
(i)
the United Nations:
(ii)
missions authorised by the United Nations:
(iii)
security units that operate under the command of the Government of Haiti; or
(b)
the supply, sale, or transfer of arms to Haiti as approved by the Committee in accordance with paragraph 2(b) of resolution 2794; or
(c)
the supply of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use in accordance with paragraph 2(c) of resolution 2794.
5 Loading arms onto ship or aircraft
The person in charge of a ship or an aircraft must not cause or allow arms to be loaded onto the ship or aircraft knowing that the arms are intended to be exported in contravention of regulation 4.
6 Customs officer may withhold certificate of clearance for ship or aircraft in certain circumstances
A Customs officer may withhold the grant of a certificate of clearance under section 37 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 in respect of a ship or an aircraft if the Customs officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the ship or aircraft is loaded with arms that are intended to be exported in contravention of regulation 4.
7 Application of Customs and Excise Act 2018 to prohibited exports
(1)
The provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 apply to arms whose exportation is prohibited by regulation 4 as if they were goods the exportation of which is prohibited under section 96 of that Act.
(2)
However, the following provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 do not apply to those arms:
(a)
(c)
(d)
sections 388 and 389:
(e)
clauses 1(3)(b), 4(2)(b), and 6 of Schedule 5.
(3)
The Comptroller of Customs must give arms to which the Crown has title as forfeited goods to a person authorised in writing by the Secretary to receive the arms (instead of disposing of the arms under section 189(2) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018).
8 Dealing with arms in relation to Haiti prohibited
(1)
A person must not sell, transfer, or otherwise deal with any arms knowing that they are intended to be supplied, sold, or transferred, directly or indirectly, to Haiti or for use in, or for the benefit of, Haiti.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not apply if the sale, transfer, or dealing is made in circumstances that correspond with the exceptions described in regulation 4(2) to the prohibition on the exportation of arms described in regulation 4(1).
9 Carrying arms in relation to Haiti on certain craft prohibited
(1)
A person must not use a New Zealand registered craft or a New Zealand chartered craft to carry arms knowing that—
(a)
the craft is carrying arms; and
(b)
the carriage is, or forms part of, the carriage of those arms from any place to Haiti.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to,—
(a)
in the case of a New Zealand registered craft,—
(i)
the owner of the craft (including a person acting as an agent of the owner); and
(ii)
the person in charge of the craft (for example, the master or pilot-in-command):
(b)
in the case of a New Zealand chartered craft,—
(i)
the charterer of the craft (including a person acting as an agent of the charterer); and
(ii)
the person in charge of the craft (for example, the master or pilot-in-command), if that person is a New Zealand citizen.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not apply if arms are carried in circumstances that correspond with the exceptions described in regulation 4(2) to the prohibition on the exportation of arms described in regulation 4(1).
10 Provision of certain technical assistance and training prohibited
(1)
A person must not provide any assistance or training relating to military activities or to the provision, maintenance, or use of any arms knowing that the assistance or training is provided to a person in Haiti.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not apply if the assistance or training is provided in circumstances that correspond with the exceptions described in regulation 4(2) to the prohibition on the exportation of arms described in regulation 4(1).
(4)
In this regulation, assistance includes technical assistance, any kind of financial assistance, and advice and assistance relating to the repair, servicing, or refurbishment of arms.
Property of designated persons
11 Dealing with property of designated persons
(1)
A person must not knowingly transfer, sell, assign, dispose of, pay for, or otherwise deal with any property that is—
(a)
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a designated person or any person or entity acting on behalf, or at the direction, of, or owned or controlled by, a designated person; and
(b)
located in New Zealand.
(2)
See regulation 13 for the exceptions to this regulation.
12 Sending property to designated persons
(1)
A person must not send, transfer, or deliver any property, or cause any property to be sent, transferred, or delivered, whether directly or indirectly, knowing that the property is to be sent, transferred, or delivered to, or for the benefit of, a designated person.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
(3)
See regulation 13 for the exceptions to this regulation.
13 Exceptions to prohibitions in regulations 11 and 12
(1)
The prohibitions in regulations 11 and 12 do not apply to—
(a)
an activity that the Minister consents to under subclause (2), (3), or (5); or
(b)
an activity that is—
(i)
necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs; and
(ii)
carried out by an entity set out in paragraph 1 of resolution 2664; or
(c)
in the case of the prohibition in regulation 11, a dealing that is for the purpose of, or in connection with, the enforcement or intended enforcement of these regulations.
(2)
The Minister may consent, in writing, to any dealing with property prohibited by regulation 11 or 12 if—
(a)
the Minister has given the Committee prior notice of the Minister’s intention to consent; and
(b)
the Minister is satisfied that the dealing is necessary—
(i)
for basic expenses (and the Committee has not objected to the consent within 5 working days after the prior notice under paragraph (a) is given); or
(ii)
for extraordinary expenses (and the Committee has approved the dealing); or
(iii)
to satisfy a judicial, administrative, or arbitral lien or judgment that—
(A)
took effect before 21 October 2022; and
(B)
is not for the benefit of a designated person.
(3)
The Minister may consent, in writing, to the following being added to an account to which the prohibitions in regulation 11 or 12 apply:
(a)
interest or other earnings due on the account:
(b)
payments due under any contract, agreement, or obligation of a designated person that arose before that person became a designated person.
(4)
However, interest and other earnings and payments added to an account under subclause (3) are subject to regulations 11 and 12.
(5)
The Minister may consent, in writing, to a payment being made by a designated person under a contract entered into before the person became a designated person if—
(a)
the Minister is satisfied that the payment will not directly or indirectly be received by a designated person; and
(b)
the Minister has given the Committee at least 10 working days’ notice of the Minister’s intention to consent.
Entry and transit of designated individuals
14 Designated individuals entering or transiting through New Zealand
(1)
A designated person must not enter, or transit through, New Zealand.
(2)
Subclause (1) does not apply if—
(a)
the designated person is a New Zealand citizen; or
(b)
the Committee has determined that the entry or transit is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligation; or
(c)
the entry or transit is necessary to give effect to a judicial process; or
(d)
the Committee has determined that the entry or transit would further the objectives of peace and stability in Haiti.
(3)
A visa may be granted under the Immigration Act 2009 to a designated person only on the advice of the Secretary that the visa is consistent with subclause (2).
(4)
This regulation operates in addition to the requirements of the Immigration Act 2009 and any regulations made under that Act.
Miscellaneous provisions
15 Offences
For the purposes of section 3(1) of the United Nations Act 1946, a person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of these regulations commits an offence against these regulations.
16 Attorney-General’s consent and certificate in certain cases
A prosecution for an offence against these regulations that is alleged to have been committed outside New Zealand may not be commenced without—
(a)
the Attorney-General’s consent; and
(b)
the Attorney-General’s certificate that it is expedient that the prosecution be commenced.
Rachel Hayward,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 7 May 2026, give effect to certain resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted under the Charter of the United Nations, concerning Haiti, including, in particular,—
resolution 2653 (2022), adopted on 21 October 2022:
resolution 2794 (2025), adopted on 17 October 2025.
Those resolutions call upon member states of the United Nations to apply various measures imposed with respect to Haiti.
Regulations 4 to 10 deal with prohibitions in relation to arms and do the following:
prohibit the export of arms to Haiti (regulation 4):
restrict craft in relation to the loading or carriage of arms intended for Haiti (regulations 5, 6, and 9):
set out how the Customs and Excise Act 2018 applies to arms in contravention of regulation 4 (regulation 7):
prohibit dealings in relation to arms intended to be transferred to, for use in, or for the benefit of Haiti (regulation 8):
prohibit the provision of assistance or training to a person in Haiti in relation to military activities or arms (regulation 10).
Regulations 11 to 14 deal with prohibitions in relation to designated persons (as defined in regulation 3) and do the following:
prohibit certain activities in New Zealand, or by a New Zealand citizen, in relation to the property of a designated person (regulations 11 and 12), subject to the exceptions set out in regulation 13:
prohibit individuals who are designated persons from entering, or transiting through, New Zealand in certain cases (regulation 14).
Date of notification in Gazette: 9 April 2026.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Versions
United Nations Sanctions (Haiti) Regulations 2026
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