Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

National Parks Act 1980

Control of dogs

56J: Power of ranger to request information

You could also call this:

"Rangers can ask for your details if you have a dog in a national park"

If you are in a national park with a dog, a ranger can ask you for some information. They might ask for your name, address, and when you were born. If the dog isn't yours, they can ask you who owns it.

You need to answer the ranger's questions truthfully. If you don't, or if you lie about your name, address, or birthday, you could get in trouble. You might have to pay up to $1,500 if you break this rule.

If a ranger is also a police officer, they can arrest you without a warrant in some cases. This can happen if they think you've broken the rule about giving information, they've already warned you about it, and then they think you've broken the rule again after the warning.

Remember, it's important to be honest and cooperative with rangers in national parks. They're there to help keep everyone, including the animals and nature, safe.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM38268.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
Previous

56I: Offences, or

"Things you can get in trouble for when bringing dogs into national parks"

Next

56K: Evidence in proceedings, or

"Rules for using official documents as proof in national park cases"

Part 5AControl of dogs

56JPower of ranger to request information

  1. Any ranger may, for the purposes of dog control in any national park request any person who is in that national park and who appears to be in charge of any dog to state his or her own name, address, and date of birth, and, where that person claims not to be the owner of the dog, to state the name and address of the owner of the dog.

  2. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500 who, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to comply with any lawful request under subsection (1), or wilfully states a false name or address or date of birth in response to such a request.

  3. Any ranger who is a constable and who—

  4. has good cause to suspect that an offence against subsection (2) has been committed by any person; and
    1. has warned that person of the provisions of this subsection; and
      1. has good cause to suspect that a further offence against subsection (2) has been committed by that person subsequent to the warning,—
          1. may arrest that person without a warrant.

        Notes
        • Section 56J: inserted, on , by section 3 of the National Parks Amendment Act (No 2) 1996 (1996 No 15).
        • Section 56J(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).