Page "Prostitution in New Zealand" Paragraph 8

Statute law dealing with prostitution in New Zealand at the time of the law reform included the Crimes Act 1961, Massage Parlours Act 1978 ( repealed in 2003 ) and Summary Offences Act 1981.

Section 26 of the Summary Offences Act prohibited soliciting, S147 of the Crimes Act prohibited brothel keeping, and S 148 living on the earnings of prostitution, and S 149 procuring.

In 2000, the Crimes Act was amended to criminalise both clients and operators where workers were aged under 18 ( the age of consent for sexual activity is 16 ).

Young people under 18 were still classed as offenders after this came into force, until the passage of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003.