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Proposed new laws aimed at clamping down on tagging will allow police to prosecute people for carrying spray-cans.
Such a measure had previously been considered and discarded from a local bill tackling graffiti in Manukau City. However, Parliament's law and order select committee has voted to include it in a Summary Offences Amendment Bill which, if passed, will supersede the Manukau bill and make its effects nationwide.
Possessing a spray-can or other tagging implements without a reasonable excuse would be punishable by a fine of up to $500 or a community work sentence or both.
However, the committee chose not to make supplying people with spray-cans an offence, as to do so could unintentionally criminalise people who gave spray-cans to others who then used them for a lawfulpurpose.
The select committee had previously recommended the Manukau bill not be passed, but in the aftermath of the killing of 15-year-old Pihema Cameron after he was caught tagging, the Government threw its support to the local bill and drafted its own nationwide legislation.
MPs again expressed concern about the bill, and conceded vandals could just as easily be charged under existing laws with crimes such as wilful damage. However, they said the proposed new bill would still be useful.
"We do not expect this bill alone to solve the problem of tagging and graffiti, and consider that this legislation would be successful if it were used in conjunction with strategic and operational responses from a variety of agencies."
Manukau Mayor Len Brown said the new law in force in his city was still going through a transitional process to allow businesses to come up to speed with the new rules and make sure proper signage was in place.
Although an all-embracing law change was coming, Mr Brown said his community was happy to be able to take on taggers now rather than wait for the new law.
"We didn't want to let go of our local legislation, even though we recognise that the broader legislation is the ultimate goal," Mr Brown said.
