Swearing still jolts in south from The New Zealand Herald
South Islanders are more likely to take offence at nasty expletives than their fellow citizens in the North Island.
Charges for public profanities may be dropping in New Zealand generally, but in the South Island they are rising.
But Auckland criminal law professor Warren Brookbanks says this is probably not because South Islanders are more potty-mouthed but rather because they are more conservative.
"I can't believe it's because there are more foul-mouthed people in the South Island," he said.
It was more likely that the people in the north are more liberal and less offended by expletives,"while in the south, people take offence at rude things people say more readily".
New statistics show 207 charges were laid for public profanity in 2007, up 11 per cent on the previous year and 29 per cent on 2005.
Professor Brookbanks said the charge, which carries a $1000 fine, is "elusive" and dependent on "circumstances in which the utterance is made".
- AAP
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