When there is a marine oil spill, a National On-Scene Commander is in charge. They can give directions to a regional council or its regional on-scene commander about how to deal with the spill. You need to know that the regional council and its commander must follow these directions.

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This page was last updated on 25 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM337686.

301: Function of National On-Scene Commander after notification, or

"What the National On-Scene Commander does after a marine oil spill is reported"

303: Objective of on-scene commanders, or

"Stop the oil spill and clean it up safely"

Part 23Plans and responses to protect marine environment from marine oil spills
Marine oil spill responses

302National On-Scene Commander to take precedence

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act or any other enactment, a National On-Scene Commander may give directions to any regional council or its regional on-scene commander in relation to any marine oil spill within the region of that council and the regional council, and the regional on-scene commander shall comply with any such directions.