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Planning Bill

Enforcement and other matters - Enforcement - Excessive noise directions

248: Issue and effect of excessive noise direction

You could also call this:

"What happens when someone complains about excessive noise"

If you complain about excessive noise, an enforcement officer or constable will investigate. They will check if the noise is really excessive. If it is, they can tell the person responsible to turn it down. You might get a direction to reduce the noise, and this can be in writing or spoken. The direction will stop you and others from making excessive noise for 8 days. This direction is extra to other rules about noise. The enforcement officer or constable has extra powers to deal with excessive noise. These powers include issuing notices and seeking orders to stop the noise. You can find more information about these powers in sections 240 to 243 and section 234.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1528936.

This page was last updated on 12 December 2025 — View changes

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247: Meaning of excessive noise, or

"What is excessive noise that disturbs people's peace and comfort?"

249: Compliance with excessive noise direction, or

"What to do if you're told to stop making too much noise"

Part 6Enforcement and other matters
Enforcement: Excessive noise directions

248Issue and effect of excessive noise direction

This section applies if an enforcement officer, or any constable acting on the request of an enforcement officer,—
has received a complaint that excessive noise is being emitted from any place; and
upon investigation of the complaint, is of the opinion that the noise is excessive.

An enforcement officer, or any constable acting on the request of an enforcement officer, may direct the occupier of the place from which the sound is being emitted, or any other person who appears to be responsible for causing the excessive noise, to immediately reduce the noise to a reasonable level.
A direction under subsection (2) may be given in writing or orally.
Every direction under subsection (2) must prohibit the person to whom it is given, and every other person bound by the direction, from causing or contributing to the emission of excessive noise from or within the vicinity of the place at any time during the period of 8 days or any shorter period that the enforcement officer or constable specifies, commencing at the time the direction is given.
The powers under this section are in addition to the powers under sections 240 to 243 to issue abatement notices relating to unreasonable noise and to seek an enforcement order under section 234.