National Parks Act 1980

Offences

67: Proceedings in respect of offences

You could also call this:

"How legal action starts when someone breaks national park rules"

When someone breaks the rules in a national park, only certain people can start legal action against them. The Director-General, or someone they choose, can file a document to start this process. The Minister can also pick someone to do this.

The person chosen to file these documents might be picked for just one specific case, or they might be given permission to file documents for lots of different cases.

Even if someone else from the department filed the document to start the case, any officer from the department can go to court and present the case against the person who broke the rules.

These rules apply to any offences against the National Parks Act or any of the rules made under this Act.

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This page was last updated on 13 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM38508.

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

66: Stopping and searching boats outside parks, or

"Officers can stop and search boats outside parks to check if someone broke park rules"

68: Time for filing charging document, or

"When you can be charged for breaking national park rules"

Part 7Offences

67Proceedings in respect of offences

Only the Director-General, or some person appointed by the Director-General or by the Minister, may file a charging document for an offence against this Act or any bylaws made under this Act.
An appointment under subsection (1) may be for the purpose of filing a charging document in respect of a particular offence, or may be a general appointment to file charging documents in respect of offences.
Any officer in the department, although not the person who filed the charging document, may appear and conduct the prosecution in any proceedings for offences against this Act or any bylaws made under this Act.

Notes

Section 67: replaced, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).