We get frequent email enquiries from worried New Zealand parents wondering what the safe
legal age is for their child to do a certain activity. In response to these requests we have created a quick reference list for parents of NZ children regarding
minimum Legal Age for Activities between age 5 to 25 years.
| Ages Activities |
| 5 starting school (earliest age) |
| 6 starting school (latest age) |
7 starting school (latest age if the child must walk
more than 3 km to school) |
| 14 babysitting --- a babysitter's minimum age |
| 14 leaving a child alone in your house |
| 15 getting a restricted driving licence |
| 16 leaving school (earliest age) |
| 16 living with a partner |
| 16 to leave home without parental consent |
| 16 age of consent for sex |
| 16 deciding on which parent to live with (if separated) |
| 16 parental consent is required for medical/dental treatment |
| 16 starting full time work |
| 16 getting a tattoo |
| 16 getting married or having a civil union (with parents' consent) |
| 17 getting a full driving licence |
| 17 joining the Navy, Army, Airforce without parental consent |
| 18 getting married or having a civil union (without parents' consent) |
| 18 can be legally independent of their parents' guardianship |
| 18 enter into contracts |
| 18 buying alcohol |
| 18 drinking alcohol |
| 18 buying cigarettes |
| 18 buying firecrackers |
| 18 opening a cheque account, applying for credit card |
| 18 borrowing money |
| 18 joining the Police Force |
| 18 electoral voting |
18 making a Will
|
| 19 the right to free education ends |
20 if adopted applying to Births Death and Marriages for a copy of
the birth certificate (to find out birth parents)
|
20 adopting a child if they are related.
|
25 adopting a child - if the child is at least 20 years younger.
|
Article Legal Age Guidelines written by the Kiwi Families team.