No. Cannibalism itself is not explicitly criminalised in New Zealand, but it is prosecuted under broader laws addressing homicide, corpse desecration, and public health risks. The Crimes Act 1961 and Health Act 1956 provide overlapping jurisdictions, with the Ministry of Health and NZ Police investigating cases under public order or biohazard protocols. Recent 2026 amendments to the Human Tissue Act tighten consent requirements for body parts, indirectly criminalising non-consensual consumption.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in New Zealand
- Homicide Provisions: Sections 167–168 of the Crimes Act criminalise murder, manslaughter, or conspiracy to kill, encompassing acts where consumption follows unlawful killing. Prosecutors need not prove intent to eat if the act involves fatal violence.
- Corpse Desecration: Section 150A of the Crimes Act prohibits “improperly or indecently interfering” with a corpse, covering consumption unless authorised under the Human Tissue Act (e.g., medical research). Penalties include up to 2 years’ imprisonment.
- Public Health Orders: The Health Act empowers local Medical Officers of Health to quarantine or destroy contaminated materials, including human remains, under the 2026 Biohazard Response Framework. Unauthorised handling triggers infringement notices or prosecution.