Dumbest Laws in New Zealand

1. Every high school in the country is allowed to have one pound of uranium and one pound of thorium, for conducting experiments. But if there’s ever a nuclear explosion, schools will have to pay a $1,000,000 fine. (This one's kinda odd) 

2. After being officially confirmed under New Zealand law, the Whanganui River has the exact same rights as a human being. The local Maori tribe had fought for the recognition of their river for 140 years. The river now has a legal personality with all the rights and liabilities as an actual person. Harming or abusing the river is no different to harming the tribe or any other New Zealander. (I mean, why'd they have to make it a person? Aren't there laws about protecting rivers that aren't people?)

3. If you own land near the Waitemata-to-Manukau harbor canal route, the authorities have the right to confiscate it, under the 1908 Auckland and Manukau Canal Act, despite the fact that said canal was never built and likely never will be.

4. Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding $500 who, in or within hearing of any public place, uses any indecent or obscene words. (Basically, you can be fined half a thousand dollars for swearing in your local town square. Here's the link) 

5. Anyone that acts as a spiritualistic medium, claiming to possess the powers of telepathy, clairvoyance or any powers similar, with the intent to deceive, are liable to fines up to $1000. Unless it is done solely for the purpose of entertainment. (See this link for the official legislation regarding this)

6. Also, people often say that NZ has this weird law making it illegal to take a rooster in a hot air balloon. That's not true, it's actually totally legal (but still not a good idea, sorry Montgolfier Brothers). I guess this is more like, dumb law that doesn't exist in New Zealand, but I still thought I should include it.  

7. The 1945 Atomic Energy Act requires anyone who finds uranium in New Zealand to report it to the government within three months of finding it. You have to report where you found the uranium too.  (Actually not a dumb law tbh. Imagine if you could just secretly keep it and not tell anyone)

8. New Zealand will deny residency if your BMI is too high. I mean, I don't know if this is a good law or not, because sometimes your BMI isn't in your control. But hoorah for the New Zealand government I guess...seems like they don't want fat people in the country. I don't know if everyone can control their BMI, so some may find this law unfair or stupid.

Unfortunately, many of New Zealand's dumb laws were repealed in 2018, so laws such as malicious bell ringing or using a goat to drive a vehicle are sadly not a thing anymore.