Crimes Act 1961 Westlaw Lexis Nexis
s 267 Arson
(1) Every one commits arson and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who—
(a) intentionally or recklessly damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property if he or she knows or ought to know that danger to life is likely to ensue; or
(b) intentionally or recklessly, and without claim of right, damages by fire or by means of any explosive any immovable property, or any vehicle, ship, or aircraft, in which that person has no interest; or
(c) intentionally damages by fire or by means of any explosive any immovable property, or any vehicle, ship or aircraft, with intent to obtain any benefit, or to cause loss to any other person.
(2) Every one commits arson and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who—
(a) intentionally or recklessly, and without claim of right, damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property in which that person has no interest (other than property referred to in subsection (1)) or
(b) intentionally or recklessly damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property (other than property referred to in subsection (1)) with intent to obtain any benefit, or with intent to cause loss to any other person.
(3) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years who intentionally damages by fire or by means of any explosive any property with reckless disregard for the safety of any other property.
(4) In this section and in section 269, benefit means any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service, or valuable consideration.
Authorities
Meaning of “Damages”: R v Archer [2009] NZCA 543.
“Interest” in Property: R v Wilson [2008] NZCA 505; Cowlishaw v R [2013] NZCA 240.
Meaning of “Life”: R v Can [2007] NZCA 291.
s 268 Attempted arson
Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years who attempts to commit arson in respect of any immovable property or any vehicle, ship, or aircraft.
Meaning of “Attempt”: Section 268 covers only conduct intended to achieve the forms of arson created by s 267(1)(b) and (c). The section does not cover the forms of arson created by s 267(1)(a) or s 267(2).
s 269 Intentional damage
(1) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years who intentionally or recklessly destroys or damages any property if he or she knows or ought to know that danger to life is likely to result.
(2) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who—
(a) intentionally or recklessly, and without claim of right, destroys or damages any property in which that person has no interest; or
(b) intentionally or recklessly, and without claim of right, destroys or damages any property with intent to obtain any benefit, or with intent to cause loss to any other person.
(3) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who intentionally destroys or damages any property with reckless disregard for the safety of any other property.