New Zealand
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Abolitionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes...
- News items in the archive
- 67
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
New Zealand is classified as Abolitionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 67 news items on New Zealand, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2020New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2019New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2018New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- AUGUST 31, 2017New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
NEW ZEALAND COURT UPHOLDS GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO EXTRADITE MAN TO CHINA
- APRIL 3, 2017New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
NEW ZEALAND: LAWYER URGES COURT TO BLOCK EXTRADITION OF MURDER SUSPECT TO CHINA
A lawyer for a man facing extradition to China on murder charges told New Zealand’s High Court that the government in Wellington could not rely on assurances from China that the man would not be tortured or receive the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2017New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2016New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2015New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2014New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2013New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2012New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2011New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2010New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JANUARY 1, 2009New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- APRIL 1, 2008IranDEATH PENALTY
IRANIAN TO APPEAL REFUSAL OF REFUGEE STATUS
an Iranian overstayer's lawyer says he will be appealing a decision to refuse him refugee status by New Zealand.
- JANUARY 1, 2008New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- DECEMBER 18, 2007New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
New Zealand voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
New Zealand voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
- NOVEMBER 8, 2007New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
COOK ISLANDS’ PARLIAMENT TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY
the death penalty in the Cook Islands is due to be abolished in the sitting of parliament that begins today, reports Cook Island News.
- OCTOBER 23, 2007Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
PM APPEALS FOR SAUDI MAN'S STAY OF EXECUTION
the New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark...
- OCTOBER 10, 2007New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
NEW ZEALAND BACKS WORLDWIDE MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
New Zealand is working with other countries
- JANUARY 1, 2007New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- DECEMBER 12, 2006IraqDEATH PENALTY
NEW ZEALAND JOINS CHORUS OF NATIONS OPPOSED TO EXECUTING SADDAM
Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand said that Saddam Hussein should not be hanged despite the "horrific acts" he has committed, joining a chorus of opposition to his death sentence.
- JANUARY 1, 2006New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JULY 5, 2005New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
NEW ZEALAND. LAWMAKER CONDONES STONING GAYS
Ashraf Choudhary, a Muslim lawmaker in Prime Minister Helen Clark's government, said he condoned the stoning executions of homosexuals and adulterers as prescribed by strict Islamic law.
- APRIL 20, 2005New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
New Zealand was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights.
New Zealand was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 61st UN Commission on Human Rights.
- FEBRUARY 16, 2005New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
New Zealand’s Christian Heritage Party suspended its support for the death penalty...
New Zealand’s Christian Heritage Party suspended its support for the death penalty...
- JANUARY 1, 2005New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
- JULY 14, 2004New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
A poll showed that nearly a third of adult New Zealanders...
A poll showed that nearly a third of adult New Zealanders want the death penalty back
- APRIL 21, 2004New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
New Zealand was a cosponsor of the resolution on the...
New Zealand was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 12, 2004New ZealandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,
The death penalty was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1961,