Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017

Miscellaneous and enforcement provisions - Offences - Other offences

158: Offence to interfere with exercise of powers and duties under Act

You could also call this:

"It's an offence to stop firefighters or inspectors from doing their job"

Illustration for Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017

You can commit an offence if you stop a FENZ inspector or an authorised person from doing their job under this Act. You do this if you knowingly get in their way, hinder them, resist them, or deceive them. This can happen when they are trying to use their powers or do their duties. You will be in trouble if you commit this offence. If you are an individual, you could go to prison for up to 2 years or get a fine of up to $300,000, or both. If you are not an individual, you could get a fine of up to $600,000. If you are found guilty, you will face these penalties. You must not stop a FENZ inspector or an authorised person from doing their job. This is a serious offence with big penalties.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6888420.

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

Topics:

Crime and justice > Police and safetyEmergency management > Emergency servicesGovernment and voting > Emergency management

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Part 4Miscellaneous and enforcement provisions
Offences: Other offences

158Offence to interfere with exercise of powers and duties under Act

A person commits an offence if the person knowingly obstructs, hinders, resists, or deceives a FENZ inspector or an authorised person in the performance or exercise by that officer or person of powers or duties under this Act.
A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction,—
in the case of an individual, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding $300,000, or both; or
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $600,000.