Someone has applied for a protection order against me. What happens now?

General information from Lawmateanz

If a temporary protection order has been made against you in New Zealand, it applies as soon as you're served with it. You must follow it, even if you disagree with what's been said about you.

You usually have a set time to file a notice of defence if you want to oppose the order becoming final. If you don't respond in time, the temporary order generally becomes final automatically.

When a protection order is made, the court will usually direct you to be assessed for a non-violence programme, and the order can affect firearms licences and parenting arrangements.

Breaching an order is a criminal offence, even if the protected person invites contact.

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