New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, s 14; Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993
Your right to freedom of expression means you have the right to seek, receive, and provide (“impart”) information and opinions of any kind, in any form. “Expression” covers a wide range of things, including for example picketing, striking, flag-burning, pornography, swastikas, non-political expressions, how you dress, and parking a car. The right doesn’t protect violent behaviour.
These are some of the ways your right to freedom of expression can be limited:
Interfering with activities you’re opposed to – If you physically interfere with the activity you’re protesting against (for example, tying yourself to a tree about to be cut down), your right to express yourself could be limited by laws such as trespass (see “Protests and the general criminal law / Trespass”) .
Swearing and offensive language – Offensive language is a minor criminal offence in New Zealand and in some cases swearing at a protest could result in a conviction for this offence. Whether swearing is “offensive” is dealt with case by case.
Censorship – In New Zealand some material is banned, like child pornography, and material showing bestiality, acts of torture or extreme violence or cruelty.
Racist hate speech is not protected
Human Rights Act 1993, s 131
It’s a criminal offence to say things that are threatening, abusive or insulting to any group of people in New Zealand because of their colour, race or ethnic or national origins, if you do this in a public place or within hearing of a public place or at a meeting to which the public have been invited or have access. For this, the person can be jailed for up to three months or fined up to $7,000.
Religion, sexual orientation and gender have no such protections.