New Zealand · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in New Zealand

Carrying any knife in a public place without reasonable excuse is an offence, with no length or type exceptions. Work, trade, fishing and similar uses can be an excuse; self-defence is not. Flick, gravity and butterfly knives cannot be imported without Police consent. Burden of proving excuse is effectively on the carrier.

This summary rests on mostly official, partly secondary sources. Open questions are listed at the end. Treat anything marked unclear as a reason to leave the item at home.

How we apply the law

Rules are checked from the top. The first one that fits decides. Every verdict on this site comes from this list, not from hand typed cells.

1Reason neededAny knife or tool, automatic or gravity or flick opening
Same carry offence as any knife (reasonable excuse needed), but a flick/gravity/butterfly knife is an 'offensive weapon' for import and a reasonable excuse is very unlikely. Importing one without Police consent is prohibited.
Source
2No restriction foundScissors only
Scissors are not a 'knife' in the ordinary sense (Police policy: sharp-edged blade with a handle); no specific restriction found. A weapon-intent circumstance could still make any item an offensive weapon.
Source
3Reason neededAnything else
Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Source

34 popular knives and tools, checked here

Specifications come from the makers. Where a maker does not publish the cutting edge length, a length rule can only be answered if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear, on purpose.

Product	Specs	Result
Buck 110 Folding Hunter	blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X	blade length not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: Public transport counts as a public place. Airports: butterfly, double-edged, ejector, flick, push and disguised knives are offensive weapons barred from carriage; carrying them at an airport is an offence.
Schools, workplaces and events: Schools and workplaces are not 'public places' by default, but s.202A(4)(b) applies anywhere if circumstances show intent to use a knife for violence. School/venue rules are separate.
In a vehicle: 'Public place' includes any vehicle carrying or available to carry passengers for reward, and a person in a vehicle in a public place is in a public place. Police may stop and search vehicles on reasonable suspicion of a s.202A(4)(a) offence.
Age limits: No statutory minimum age for carrying or buying an ordinary knife found in the Acts read; a Ministry of Justice RIS discussed but did not itself create an age limit. Unverified whether sale-age law has since been enacted.
Buying and importing: Importing a flick, butterfly/gravity, knuckle or disguised knife, swordstick, bayonet, or (except a folding pocket knife under 10 cm blade) any knife designed for concealment, double-edged for stabbing/throwing, or fist/push/throwing type needs Arms Regulator (formerly Police) consent. Ordinary folders under 10 cm and ordinary other knives are not on the list; domestic online sales were not checked.
Penalties: s.13A: up to 3 months or $2,000 fine, knife forfeitable. s.202A(4): up to 3 years. A second s.202A conviction within 2 years requires imprisonment unless special circumstances (s.202BA).
Recent changes: Arms Act 2026 in force 23 Sept 2026 replaced the Arms Act 1983 and revoked the 1984 restricted-weapons Order (which listed only gas weapons, no knives). Crimes Act s.202A text was unchanged by the 2026 amendment acts as far as history notes show. Customs order clause 4(2)(a) amended 23 Sept 2026 to name the Arms Regulator.
Pending changes: Arms Act 2026 allows new restricted-weapon Orders in Council (s.376); none naming knives was found.

Reasons the authorities have accepted

Tradesperson or worker using it for their job
Fishing, hunting, camping or food preparation
Sikh kirpan carried for religious reasons (Police policy treats as reasonable excuse)

Sources

Summary Offences Act 1981 s.13A
“in any public place, without reasonable excuse, has any knife in his or her possession.”
Crimes Act 1961 s.202A
“without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, has with him or her in any public place any knife or offensive weapon”
Customs Import Prohibition (Offensive Weapons) Order 2021, Sch 2
“Any knife, with the exception of a folding pocket knife with a blade less than 10 cm in length”
Arms Act 2026 s.11 'restricted weapon'
“restricted weapon means anything ... declared by the Governor-General, by Order in Council made under section 376”
NZ Police policy: offensive weapons and knives
NZ Customs prohibitions and restrictions
Aviation Security: illegal knives

What we could not confirm

Case law on what counts as 'reasonable excuse' (e.g. general utility carry, EDC) not read; Police policy says self-defence is not valid only through secondary summaries.
Whether an Order in Council under the Arms Act 2026 declares any knife a restricted weapon was not verified.
Section 202A text on the latest version was read via search extract and a summary page, not the section page itself.
Age restriction on knife sales not verified.

Keep going

General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.