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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:

"What local authorities can and can't do to help their communities"

Illustration for Local Government Act 2002

This Part of the law gives local authorities the power to do certain things. You will see that local authorities can make bylaws, which are like rules for your community. They can also enforce these rules, and make sure people follow them, including dealing with people who break the rules on purpose or by accident.

Local authorities can do things on private land, like fixing problems or getting money back if someone damages their property on purpose or by accident. They can also ask for money from developers to help pay for things the community needs. If someone is doing something that is causing problems, local authorities can ask a court to make them stop.

If a territorial authority is allowed to make a bylaw under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, they must make the bylaw under that law, not under this one.

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

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Government and voting > Local councilsHousing and property > Land useEnvironment and resources > Town planning
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Part 8Regulatory, 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 require development contributions:
              1. to apply for and enforce removal orders.

                1. However, if a territorial authority is authorised to make a bylaw under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, it must make the bylaw under that Act, and not under this Act.

                Notes
                • Section 143(1)(d): repealed, on , by section 172 of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).
                • Section 143(2): inserted, on , by section 172 of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).