Control Orders

Control Orders are civil orders made by the High Court. They allow for restrictions to be placed on an individual in the community. They seek to uphold public safety, prevent terrorism, and support a person’s rehabilitation and reintegration.

The conditions of a Control Order will be highly tailored to the individual person, their circumstances, the risks they pose, and their reintegrative needs. For example, Control Orders can require that a person:

  • not contact people at risk of radicalisation
  • only access the internet on devices monitored by the Police
  • remain at home during specified hours each day
  • not attend specified places without Police escort
  • be subject to electronic monitoring
  • with the person’s consent, engage with appropriate reintegrative and rehabilitative services to reduce long-term risk.

Section 17 of the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Act 2019 sets out the full list of requirements and prohibitions that can be placed on a person in the community.

Control Orders are imposed for a term that the Court considers necessary, up to two years at a time. This can be renewed twice by the High Court on application from the Commissioner of Police, to a maximum six years. When seeking a renewal, Police would be required to prove that a person continues to pose a real risk of engaging in a terrorism related activity.

Control Orders can be made by the High Court on application from the Commissioner of Police.

NZ Police holds responsibility for applying for a Control Order, where it considers there is both a basis and a need to do so.

For more information, see:

Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Act 2019(external link)