Information to show hand gestures may reasonably indicate driver impairment
S.I made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police
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From: S.I
Dear New Zealand Police,
In a NZ Herald article dated Feb 3rd 2026 reporting on an IPCA finding critical of a police officers actions in a traffic stop and resulting arrest, Superintendent Naila Hassan, Waitematā district commander made the following statement:
“Police consider that such gestures may reasonably indicate driver impairment, so stopping a driver’s vehicle to determine whether the driver is impaired is squarely within a police officer’s lawful authority."
"Police found his actions were lawful and justified given that he was acting within his capacity as a police officer and in accordance with the Land Transport Act 1998,” Hassan said.
Please supply me with all relevant police policy documents, educational material, legal advice and operational directions to officers that relate to hand gestures reasonably indicating driver impairment, how police arrived at that position and all information that supports that position.
NZ Herald article for reference - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ipca-finds...
I am a New Zealand citizen residing in Auckland my entire life so I am more than entitled to request this information.
Regards,
S.I
From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe,
I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request below.
Your reference number is IR-01-26-4080.
You can expect a response to your request on or before 6 March 2026 unless an extension is needed.
Ngā mihi
Jonelle|Advisor: Ministerial Services |(she/her)
Policy & Partnerships |Police National Headquarters |
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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police
Tēnā koe
Please find attached the response relating to your Official Information
Act request, received by Police on 5 February 2026.
Ngā mihi
Lisa
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters
===============================================================
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