New Zealand is one of the few countries where the law names an age: 14. But it doesn't say what most people assume it says. It isn't illegal to leave a 13-year-old at home for an hour. It's illegal to leave a child under 14 without reasonable arrangements for their care, for an unreasonable time or in unreasonable circumstances.
Below: what that means day to day, what Oranga Tamariki and NZ Police advise, walking to school, and who can collect your child.
This is general information, not legal advice.
The law on leaving children alone
Under the Summary Offences Act 1981, a parent, guardian or caregiver commits an offence if they leave a child under 14 "without reasonable provision for their supervision or care ... for an unreasonable length of time or in unreasonable circumstances". The maximum fine is $2,000 (govt.nz).
The same government page is clear that this is not a ban: "You can leave a child under 14 at home or in another place if you've made reasonable provisions" for their supervision and care, and they aren't left for a long time.
What counts as reasonable?
Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children, lists what it looks at when a child has been left alone: the child's age, maturity and any disability, how long and how often they were left, how the child felt about it, what plans were in place for an emergency, and hazards nearby such as busy roads or water (Oranga Tamariki).
Its general view: "Most tamariki under 14 are not sufficiently mature to be left without adult supervision on a regular basis." For children 14 and over, "It depends more on their maturity than on their age," and an adult should still be reachable in an emergency.
What do the police say?
NZ Police advice goes further than the Act: "Never leave a child under the age of 14 at home or in a car by themselves" (NZ Police). That's police advice, not the law, but it tells you how seriously they take it.
How old does a babysitter need to be?
The Act doesn't say. NZ Police advise that anyone looking after your children while you're at work or away "must be 14 years old or older" (NZ Police). Oranga Tamariki notes that young people 14 and over often babysit, and suggests checking the sitter has "the knowledge and maturity to cope with physical emergencies" (Oranga Tamariki).
So can a 12-year-old babysit a younger sibling? The law doesn't forbid it outright, but with a child under 14 in charge, the question becomes whether you made reasonable provision for both children. Police advice is to use someone 14 or older.
Walking to school
There's no age in law for walking to school alone. NZ Police suggest showing your child the safe route, and to "walk with friends, not alone", and knowing who they walk home with (NZ Police).
In practice that means walking the route together first, pointing out the safe crossings, then letting them walk with a friend or two before they go on their own.
Who can collect your child from school
There isn't a single Ministry of Education rule. Each school sets its own collection policy, so ask yours, and give the office the names of everyone who might come.
What the law does settle is who has the say. A child's birth mother is automatically a guardian, and the father is too if he's named on the birth certificate or in some other circumstances (Ministry of Justice). If parents separate, "they'll both continue to be guardians."
If a Parenting Order says someone else, such as a grandparent, collects your child from school, the Ministry of Justice suggests you "may want to let the school or the child's teacher know" (Ministry of Justice). Early learning services are asked to record parenting orders and who may contact a child, and a parent without day-to-day care "may still have the right to contact the child unless restricted by a court order" (Ministry of Education).
Making it work for the whānau
The law's word that matters is "reasonable", and the most reasonable arrangement is one where everybody knows who's doing what. Kid Pickup gives each school run one name. Nana, the other parent or the babysitter taps "I'll do it", and if nobody has, the app sends you a nudge the day before and again on the day. It's on the New Zealand App Store.
For support now, see our New Zealand crisis and support lines, including 1737 and Youthline.
FAQ
What age can a child stay home alone in NZ?
The law doesn't set an age at which it's allowed. It's an offence to leave a child under 14 without reasonable provision for their supervision or care, for an unreasonable time or in unreasonable circumstances, with a fine of up to $2,000. Oranga Tamariki says most children under 14 aren't mature enough to be left alone regularly.
Is it illegal to leave a child home alone in NZ?
Not in itself. You can leave a child under 14 if you've made reasonable arrangements for their supervision and care and they aren't left for long. NZ Police advise never leaving a child under 14 at home alone.
What age can you babysit in NZ?
No law sets a babysitting age. NZ Police advise that anyone caring for your children should be 14 or older.
Who can pick up my child from school in NZ?
Whoever your school's policy allows, usually adults you've named. If a Parenting Order says someone else collects your child, let the school know.