What are my rights if police want to search my car or home?

Police generally need a search warrant, but the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 allows warrantless searches in limited situations, such as with your consent, where they have reasonable grounds to believe that a person has drugs, firearms or other specified items and delay would result in the loss of evidence, or in some cases when someone is arrested. Under the Act, an officer must announce their identity, say why they are searching and provide a written notice afterwards if you are not present. The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act protects against unreasonable search and seizure. If evidence is found in an unlawful search, your lawyer can ask the court to exclude it. If you are unhappy about the conduct, you can complain to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.