Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017

Emergencies, fire control, industry brigades, water supply, and evacuation schemes - Operational functions, duties, and powers - Functions, duties, and powers in emergencies

45: Power to destroy or dispose of any by-product

You could also call this:

"Firefighters can safely get rid of leftover hazardous substances after an emergency."

Illustration for Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017

You can destroy or dispose of a by-product after a hazardous substance emergency. This can happen if the owner cannot be contacted or found. You can also destroy or dispose of the by-product if it is not feasible to give it to another authority. You can destroy or dispose of a by-product if you think it is necessary. This is allowed after making the area safe. You must have a good reason to destroy or dispose of the by-product. You are allowed to make this decision if you are an authorised person. This means you have the power to deal with emergencies. You must follow the rules and make safe decisions.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6888221.

This page was last updated on 2 December 2025 — View changes

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44: Other powers of authorised person, or

"Powers to help keep people safe in an emergency"

46: Conclusive evidence of authority to perform function or duty or exercise power, or

Part 2Emergencies, fire control, industry brigades, water supply, and evacuation schemes
Operational functions, duties, and powers: Functions, duties, and powers in emergencies

45Power to destroy or dispose of any by-product

An authorised person may destroy or dispose of any by-product after rendering safe a hazardous substance emergency or other substance emergency, if—
the owner of the hazardous substance, other substance, or by-product cannot readily be contacted or identified; or
the authorised person reasonably considers that it is not appropriate or feasible to transfer the by-product to another authority; or
the authorised person reasonably considers it necessary or appropriate to destroy or dispose of the by-product.