National Parks Act 1980

Infringement offences - Infringement offences

71D: Unauthorised actions in parks

You could also call this:

"Things you're not allowed to do in national parks without permission"

You need to be careful about what you do in national parks. The Minister or a special law must give you permission for many activities. You can't bring your pets into the park or let any animals loose there. You also can't plant anything or spread seeds in the park. It's not okay to hurt plants or animals, or to take things like stones or historical objects from the park. You can't dig up the ground or use the land for your own purposes. Don't damage any fences, buildings, or equipment in the park. You're not allowed to build anything or put up signs without permission. You must not interfere with or harm any natural or historic parts of the park. You need special permission to carry things like chainsaws, guns, traps, or nets in the park. If you need a special permit (called a concession) to do an activity in the park, you must have it before you start. If you don't follow these rules, you might have to pay a fine. Remember, these rules are there to protect the park and keep it safe for everyone to enjoy.

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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=LMS149027.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Conservation

71C: Control of dogs, or

"Rules for bringing dogs into national parks"

71E: Using or receiving items removed unlawfully from park, or

"Don't use or take things that were stolen from the park"

Part 7AInfringement offences
Infringement offences

71DUnauthorised actions in parks

A person must not, without being authorised by the Minister or by a bylaw made under this Act,—
cause or allow any animal owned by the person or under the person’s control to enter any park; or
liberate any animal in any park; or
plant any plant, or sow or scatter the seed of any plant, or introduce any substance that is injurious to plant or animal life, in any park; or
remove or damage any, or any part of any, plant, stone, mineral, gravel, kauri gum, protected New Zealand object, or relic in any park; or
dig, cut, excavate, or damage the turf in any park; or
occupy or use any land in a park for cultivation or any other purpose; or
damage or deface any fence, building, or apparatus in any park; or
take, destroy, injure, disturb, or interfere with any native animal, or the nest or eggs of any native animal, in any park; or
erect any building, sign, hoarding, or apparatus in any park; or
in any way interfere with or damage the natural or historic features of any park; or
contravene or fail to comply with a term or condition imposed by the Minister under section 51A.

A person must not, without being authorised by the Minister, be in possession of any chainsaw or any firearm, trap, net, or other similar object in a park.
A person must not—
conduct in any park any activity for which a concession is required under this Act without the required concession; or
do or cause to be done any act, matter, or thing for which a right or authority is required by this Act without the required right or authority.

A person who fails to comply with this section commits an infringement offence.

Notes

Section 71D: inserted, on 21 December 2018, by section 35 of the Conservation (Infringement System) Act 2018 (2018 No 61).