Land Transport Act 1998, ss 22, 47
If you’ve been involved, directly or indirectly, in an accident while driving, and someone has been hurt or property has been damaged, you’re legally required to report it to the police, as follows:
Death or injury – If someone was killed or injured in the accident, you must report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 24 hours at the latest, unless you can’t report it because you’ve been injured yourself.
Damage to parked cars – If the accident involved damage to a parked vehicle or to other property, but you can’t contact or identify the owner quickly and easily, you must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 60 hours (2½ days) at the latest.
You can be fined up to $5,000 if you don’t report the accident in these situations, unless you have a reasonable excuse.
You don’t have to report accidents if no-one is injured and you’re able to contact the owner of any unoccupied vehicle or other property that was damaged.
Note: The obligations to report an accident to the police or to a vehicle or property owner don’t apply if you’ve been arrested or are being held by the police because of the accident.