What Are the Escorting Rules in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, escorting is legal and regulated. Escorts provide companionship services to clients, and these services can range from intimate encounters to non-sexual outings. Whether sexual or not, it’s important for escorts and clients to feel safe during an encounter.
Understanding the escorting rules and regulations is crucial for the safety and wellbeing of both escorts and their clients. It helps protect both parties from exploitation, abuse, and violence, ensuring that escorts in Auckland and throughout New Zealand operate within the law.
If you’ve ever wondered about the ins and outs of escorting or how legal the business is, we cover the legalities and other unspoken rules of working in this industry.
How Legal Is Escorting in New Zealand?
The legal landscape of escorting in New Zealand is unique compared to many other countries. In 2003, the New Zealand government introduced the Prostitution Reform Act, which has made New Zealand a pioneer in progressive policies regarding sex work.
This Prostitution Reform Act replaced previous legislation that had criminalised most aspects of sex work. It removed criminal sanctions against sex workers, brothel-keeping, and living off the earnings of prostitution. Instead, it focuses on protecting sex workers’ human rights, promoting their welfare and safety, and preventing exploitation.
The legal requirements for escorts in New Zealand are straightforward. New Zealand or Australian citizens or residents over 18 can sell sexual services legally. Street-based sex work is also legal if it is not near schools, churches, or hospitals. The coercion of sex workers is illegal, and all sexual activity must be consensual.
The General Unspoken Guidelines of Escorting
Although the law protects you in an overarching sense, you alone oversee your safety in this industry. Here are some general escorting rules you should note before getting your toes wet.
Health and Safety Measures
Keeping yourself safe is the number one priority when working as an escort. Get regular check-ups—including STI testing—to ensure your overall health and wellbeing. Encourage clients to do the same and request proof before any sexual activity.
In any circumstance, don’t forget to use barrier methods like condoms and dental dams. These prevent the transmission of STIs when doing the horizontal tango for the safety of both parties.
Business Practices
Clear communication: Clear communication and negotiating boundaries and preferences between escorts and clients is crucial. If your services do not extend beyond a limit; for example, you only offer erotic massages without a happy ending, communicate that with your client so you both know what to expect.
If you’re about to get a bit friskier with someone you hardly know, obtaining clear and enthusiastic consent at the start is the ticket to pleasure town. Not only is it self-affirming to know that sexually desirable, but being open about what is and isn’t allowed will make the experience more fulfilling for both parties. A quality, intimate encounter and connection will also increase the chances that a client will become a repeat customer.
Screening clients: Develop a screening process to assess potential clients before agreeing to meet them. This process can involve identity verification, checking references and reviews, or trusting your instincts. Respect privacy and maintain strict client confidentiality—avoid sharing personal or identifying details about them unless legally required.
Stay safe and protect yourself: If you plan on working as an independent escort, select safe and neutral meeting locations. Ideal locations include reputable hotels or designated spaces where you can familiarise yourself with the venue’s security measures and emergency exits. Be aware of local emergency services and keep emergency contact numbers readily available. Communicate with a trusted friend or colleague about your whereabouts and check in with them regularly. A ready contingency plan goes a long way and prepares you if your meetup goes south.
The Most Important Rule Is to Have Fun
Adapting these guidelines according to your circumstances and following local regulations will keep everyone safe while you’re having a good time. If becoming an escort seems like a viable job plan, rest assured that it is fully legal, and you won’t face any legal consequences if you abide by the law.
Explore our other blog posts for more information on becoming an escort in Christchurch or other areas throughout the country. Alternatively, you can ask the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective (NZPC) for legal advice.
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