When Can I?

At 10

• A child can be charged with murder or manslaughter

At 14

• A child becomes a young person, and can be left at home alone
• A young person can be charged with committing a crime and brought before a Youth Court
• A young person can be dealt with in an Adult Court for a serious offence
• A young person can buy fireworks
• A young person can baby sit

At 16

• A young person can sit his or her Driver Licence
• A young person is no longer required to attend school
• A young person's parents are no longer legally responsible for him or her
• A young person can get married with his or her parents' consent
• A young person can consent to sex

At 17

• A young person is dealt with in the Adult Court
• A young person can go to prison

At 18

• A young person can buy an Instant Kiwi
• A young person can buy alcohol and enter a pub or bar with ID
• A young person can take out a bank loan or hire purchase agreement, and open a cheque account or credit card
• A young person can get the Unemployment Benefit
• A young person can vote and run as a Candidate for Parliament or local Council

At 20

• A young person becomes an adult, and parents' guardianship rights cease
• A young person can marry against his or her parents' wishes