Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Local Government Act 2002

Regulatory, enforcement, and coercive powers of local authorities - Enforcement powers - Recovery for damage

175: Power to recover for damage by wilful or negligent behaviour

You could also call this:

“Councils can make you pay for breaking or messing with their stuff”

If you damage or interfere with something that belongs to your local council on purpose or by accident, you might have to pay for it. This includes things the council owns, builds, buys, or uses. You could be asked to pay:

The cost of fixing or replacing what you damaged.

The money the council spent to clear any blockages you caused.

Any money the council lost or extra costs they had because of what you did.

This applies whether you meant to cause trouble or if it happened because you weren’t being careful enough.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM173451.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councils
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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174: Authority to act, or

“Rules for entering private land for local council work”

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176: Costs of remedying damage arising from breach of bylaw, or

“Paying to fix damage when you break a local rule”

Part 8 Regulatory, enforcement, and coercive powers of local authorities
Enforcement powers: Recovery for damage

175Power to recover for damage by wilful or negligent behaviour

  1. A person who wilfully or negligently destroys, damages, stops, obstructs, or otherwise interferes with any works or property owned, constructed, acquired, or used by a local authority is liable for, as the case may be,—

  2. the amount of the destruction or damage; or
    1. the cost incurred by the local authority in removing the stoppage or obstruction; or
      1. any loss or expenses incurred by the local authority by the stoppage or obstruction or interference.

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