Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Local Government Act 2002

Regulatory, enforcement, and coercive powers of local authorities - Powers of local authorities to make bylaws

143: Outline of Part

You could also call this:

“This part explains what city and town councils can do to look after your area”

This part of the law explains what local authorities can do. You need to know that local authorities are like your city or town council.

Here’s what they can do:

They can make rules called bylaws. These are like the rules you have at school, but for everyone in the area.

They can make sure people follow these rules. If someone breaks a rule, the local authority can do something about it. They can do this themselves or ask someone else to help them.

They can do some things on private property. This means they might need to go onto land that doesn’t belong to them. They can also make the owner pay if they damage something that belongs to the local authority.

They can do things with water, like dealing with sewage (that’s the dirty water from toilets and sinks) and water from businesses.

They can ask for money from people who are building new things in the area. This is called a development contribution.

They can ask for orders to remove things that shouldn’t be there.

All of these powers help the local authority look after your area and make sure everyone follows the rules.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM172975.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councils
Housing and property > Land use
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“The Bylaws Act 1910 is the boss when it comes to rules about bylaws”

Part 8 Regulatory, enforcement, and coercive powers of local authorities
Powers of local authorities to make bylaws

143Outline of Part

  1. This Part provides the powers necessary for local authorities—

  2. to make bylaws:
    1. in relation to enforcement,—
      1. to enforce all regulatory measures made under this Act, including bylaws and infringement offences; and
        1. to undertake, or contract out the administration of, those enforcement powers:
        2. to undertake certain activities on, or in relation to, private land, including powers in relation to owners and occupiers, and powers to recover for damage to certain local authority property caused wilfully or negligently:
          1. to undertake activities in relation to water services, including discharge of sewage and trade wastes:
            1. to require development contributions:
              1. to apply for and enforce removal orders.