Section 23 — New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: Rights of persons arrested or detained

23 Rights of persons arrested or detained (1) Everyone who is arrested or who is detained under any enactment— (a) Shall be informed at the time of the arrest or detention of the reason for it; and (b) Shall have the right to consult and instruct a lawyer without delay and to be informed of that right; and (c) Shall have the right to have the validity of the arrest or detention determined without delay by way of habeas corpus and to be released if the arrest or detention is not lawful. (2) Everyone who is arrested for an offence has the right to be charged promptly or to be released. (3) Everyone who is arrested for an offence and is not released shall be brought as soon as possible before a court or competent tribunal. (4) Everyone who is— (a) Arrested; or (b) Detained under any enactment— for any offence or suspected offence shall have the right to refrain from making any statement and to be informed of that right. (5) Everyone deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the person.