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Freedom Camping Act 2011

Enforcement, miscellaneous, and transitional provisions - Offences, defences, and penalties - Other offences

20F: Offence to discharge certain substances

You could also call this:

“It's against the law to release harmful or unpleasant substances in certain public areas”

You are not allowed to release substances in certain areas that could be harmful, dangerous, smelly, or unpleasant. These areas include local authority areas, conservation land, or LINZ land. You must not release substances that could badly affect the environment or upset people who live nearby or use the area.

If you do release harmful substances in these areas, you are breaking the law. This is called an offence. If you are found guilty of this offence in court, you might have to pay a fine. The fine could be up to $10,000.

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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=LMS855026.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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Part 3 Enforcement, miscellaneous, and transitional provisions
Offences, defences, and penalties: Other offences

20FOffence to discharge certain substances

  1. A person commits an offence if the person discharges a substance in or on a local authority area, conservation land, or LINZ land in circumstances where the discharge of the substance is likely to be noxious, dangerous, offensive, or objectionable to such an extent that it—

  2. has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment; or
    1. has caused, or is likely to cause, significant concern to—
      1. residents living on or near the area or land; or
        1. other users of the area or land.

        2. A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

        Notes
        • Section 20F: inserted, on , by section 18 of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 24).