Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000

A police officer may detain a person who is in a public place if the officer is satisfied—

the person is intoxicated; and

it is necessary to detain the person because the person is—

behaving in a way that—

is disorderly, offensive, threatening or violent; and

is likely to interfere with the peaceful passage through, or enjoyment of, the public place by a member of the public; or

behaving in a way that is likely to risk the life, health or safety of any person, including, for example, the person to be detained; or

incapable of preserving the person’s own life, health or safety.

A police officer must release the person from detention under this part on the earlier of the following—

the officer being satisfied the person is no longer intoxicated;

8 hours elapsing after the person is first detained under this part.

Also, a police officer may release the person from detention under this part if the officer is satisfied it is appropriate to do so.