The law says you must be a certain age to do lots of things for the first time: like babysitting, getting married, or joining the armed forces. Although it will usually be the job of the business or organisation you are dealing with to tell you whether you are old enough, it might save you some embarrassment if you know first!

At age 5

  • You can be enrolled at a state school (but from age 6 -16 school is compulsory)

At age 10

  • You can be prosecuted for murder or manslaughter

At age 12

  • If you have to give evidence in court, you must take a formal oath – under 12 year olds just have to promise to tell the truth

At age 14

  • You can be left alone without adult supervision
  • You can be a babysitter
  • You can be held criminally responsible for all offences
  • You can buy fireworks

At age 15

  • You can sit a driving test and obtain your learner licence

At age 16

  • You can leave home without your parents' consent, but Child, Youth and Family Services can send you home if they think you are "at risk"
  • You can get married with your parents' consent
  • If your parents are separated or divorced you can decide which one you want to live with and whether you want to visit the other one
  • Your consent must be obtained before surgical or dental procedures, or treatments for mental disorders
  • You can have a tattoo, although many tattooists will ask you to get your parents' consent if you are under 18
  • You can leave school (from age 6-16 school is compulsory)
  • You can be expelled from school
  • You can start full-time work – minimum youth rates apply (see Employment Rights)
  • You might be entitled to the Independent Youth Benefit if your parents can’t support you
  • You can claim an Invalid’s Benefit if you’re eligible
  • You can get a firearms licence
  • You can consent to sexual intercourse

At age 17

  • You can join the Navy, Army, or Air Force with your parents consent
  • If you are charged with committing an offence you will appear before the District Court

At age 18

  • You stop being entitled to free dental care (you can only receive free dental care when you're under 18 and in education or training)
  • You can be employed as a bar-person selling alcohol or in a liquor store
  • You can join the Navy, Army, or Air Force without your parents consent
  • Adult minimum wages apply (see Employment Rights)
  • You can collect the Unemployment Benefit, Domestic Purposes Benefit or Sickness
    Benefit if you are eligible
  • Most banks will allow you to open a cheque account, apply for a credit card, borrow money
  • You can enter into a contract and be bound by it, unless it is unfair or unreasonable (you may need a guarantor if money is involved)
  • You can place bets at a race course or TAB
  • You can buy an Instant Kiwi scratch card (you can buy a Lotto ticket at any age)
  • You can make a will (you can make a will from age 16 if you are married or you have consent of the Public Trust Office or District Court)
  • You can vote or stand as a candidate in parliamentary and/or local body elections
  • You can legally buy cigarettes or tobacco or alcohol
  • You can be called for jury service
  • You can rent a flat in your own name
  • You can formally change you name
  • You can apply for a student allowance

At age 19

  • If you were adopted, you can prevent contact from your birth parents through Births, Deaths and Marriages
  • You stop being eligible for free education


At age 20
Congratulations – you are officially an adult!

  • You can get married without the consent of your parents
  • Your parents’ guardianship rights cease and they are no longer entitled to make decisions for you
  • If you were adopted, you can apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages for a copy of your birth certificate
  • You can apply to adopt a child if they are related to you, if the child’s parents consent to this
  • You can bet in a casino


At age 25

  • You can apply to adopt a child