Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Local Government Act 2002

Regulatory, enforcement, and coercive powers of local authorities - Powers in relation to private land - Nuisance

191: Local authority not authorised to create nuisance

You could also call this:

“Councils can't do things that bother or harm people or their property”

This part of the law is about what a local authority can and cannot do. It says that a local authority is not allowed to create a nuisance. This means they can’t do things that bother or harm people or their property.

The law also says that if the local authority does create a nuisance, they can’t use this part of the law to avoid getting in trouble. The Crown (which means the government) and other people still have the right to complain or take action against the local authority if they cause a nuisance.

In simple terms, this law makes sure that local authorities have to be responsible and can’t use their powers to do things that are annoying or harmful to others.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=DLM173486.

Topics:
Government and voting > Local councils
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
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Part 8 Regulatory, enforcement, and coercive powers of local authorities
Powers in relation to private land: Nuisance

191Local authority not authorised to create nuisance

  1. This subpart does not entitle a local authority—

  2. to create a nuisance; or
    1. to deprive the Crown or any person of any right or remedy the Crown or the person would otherwise have against the local authority or any other person in respect of any nuisance.

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