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283: Non-attendance or refusal to co-operate
or “People must show up and cooperate in court unless they have a good reason or weren't given money for travel”

You could also call this:

“People who come to court to give information get money for their travel and food.”

If you are asked to go to the Environment Court as a witness, the person who asked you to come must pay for your travel and living expenses while you’re away from home.

The amount you get paid is based on the same rules used for witnesses in civil cases in the District Court Act 2016.

Sometimes, the court might call you as a witness or ask for evidence. In these cases, the court can decide that the expenses should either be part of the overall costs of the case, or be paid for by money set aside by Parliament for this purpose.

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Next up: 284A: Security for costs

or “The court can ask someone to pay money upfront to cover possible costs of a case.”

Part 11 Environment Court
Procedure and powers

284Witnesses' allowances

  1. A witness attending the Environment Court in accordance with a summons is entitled to be paid, by the party requiring his or her attendance, expenses for travelling and maintenance while absent from his or her usual residence.

  2. Payment of expenses shall be made in accordance with the scale of allowances for witnesses in civil cases under the District Court Act 2016.

  3. When a witness is called or evidence is obtained by the court, the court may direct that the expenses incurred—

  4. form part of the costs of the proceedings; or
    1. be paid from money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose.
      Notes
      • Section 284(1): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
      • Section 284(2): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
      • Section 284(3): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).