New Zealand law explained for everyone
If a fence between two properties gets damaged or destroyed suddenly and needs to be fixed right away, you can fix it without telling your neighbour first. You can then ask your neighbour to pay for half of what it cost to fix the fence. This rule is subject to section 17 of the law. This applies whether you or your neighbour is the one who fixes the fence.
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Next up: 17: Liability for damage caused by occupier
or “If you break a fence while living on the land, you have to pay to fix it”Subject to the provisions of section 17, if any fence is damaged or destroyed by sudden accident or other cause and requires immediate work, either of the adjoining occupiers may do that work without any notice, and may recover half the cost thereof from the other occupier.