If you damage or destroy something that belongs to your local council, they can ask you to pay for the damage. This is covered by a part of the law called section 695 of the Local Government Act 1974. You can find more information about the law that replaced this section by looking at the Local Government Act 2002, which changed the rules on 1 July 2003.

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This page was last updated on 10 September 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM424258.

Topics:

Government and voting > Local councilsHousing and property > Land use

694: Wilful or negligent destruction of or damage to works or property, or

"Damaging property on purpose or by accident is against the law."

695A: Removal of fences, structures, and vegetation, or

"Removing fences and other things from your property"

Part 44Offences and legal proceedings
Offences

695Recovery of amount of destruction, damage, etc, to works or property (Repealed)

Notes

Section 695: repealed, on 1 July 2003, by section 266 of the Local Government Act 2002 (2002 No 84).