Stalkers will face up to 5 years in prison from midnight as new anti stalking laws come into force across New Zealand.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the Government was sending a clear message that stalking behaviour would no longer be tolerated.

“Tonight stalking will become a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison. Our government is sending a very clear message. This insidious behaviour has to stop. If it continues, stalkers will face the consequences,” Goldsmith said.

He said stalking had caused serious emotional, psychological and economic harm for years, particularly to women, while offenders often escaped serious punishment.

“Stalking and harassment is vicious, sinister and can be deadly,” he said.

Under the new law, stalking and harassment will be treated as a pattern of behaviour where an offender knew their actions were likely to cause fear or distress.

The legislation defines a pattern as 2 specified acts within a 2 year period.

The Crimes Legislation Stalking and Harassment Amendment Act covers a wide range of behaviours including following or watching a person, recording or tracking them, repeated communication, damaging property or pets, harming someone’s reputation, and publishing private identifying information online, commonly known as doxing.

The law also includes behaviour intended to cause fear or distress to a reasonable person.

Goldsmith said women were disproportionately targeted by stalking offenders.

“The reality is anybody can be a victim of stalking and harassment. However, women are greatly overrepresented as victims, due to the actions by the deluded, the sexist, and the abusive,” he said.

He also said children were sometimes used by offenders to monitor or threaten victims.

Goldsmith thanked more than 600 people who made submissions to the Justice Committee during the law change process, including victims who shared personal experiences.

The legislation also includes a police notice system and a range of legal defences built into the offence.