CRIME CORNER

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Weird laws you never knew existed in New Zealand

Organisers didn't have much choice when they postponed the Matariki fireworks because of a whale gracing the capital's harbour.

The Marine Mammals Protection Regulations state that "no person shall make any loud or disturbing noise near whales".

The maximum penalty under the act is a $10,000 fine.

Wellington-based barrister and legal commentator Graeme Edgeler has taken a look at some of New Zealand's other odd laws.

The Māori Community Development Act contains criminal offences that can only be committed by people who are Māori – like refusing to leave licenced premises when told to do so by a Māori warden.

It also allows a Māori Warden to order a publican to refuse to serve alcohol to Māori likely to be become quarrelsome, and to take the car keys of Māori drivers. There are fines of up to 10 pounds.

The act also forbids alcohol at gatherings of Māori. For some gatherings, you can get a licence from a local Māori Committee, but if the gathering is for the purposes of a dance, then forget it, no licence can be obtained.

Before New Zealand hosted the 2011 Rugby World Cup, police and Wellington City Council indicated they were considering deploying Māori Wardens on the streets during the event. Bar owners were sent letters reminding them of the wardens' powers.

Some said they feared Māori would be targeted and Prime Minister John Key called the law "a bit racist".

Moves to update this law have been delayed by concern for the role and mana of Māori Wardens, who are covered by the law, which resulted in a Waitangi Tribunal Inquiry