This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Natural Environment Bill

Enforcement and other matters - Enforcement - Powers of entry and search

275: Power of entry for survey

You could also call this:

"People can enter your land to do surveys and tests, with notice and ID."

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

You can be asked to let someone into your land to do a survey. They can do tests and take samples of water, air, soil, or plants. They can also collect records of what they find. You will get written notice before they come onto your land. This notice will tell you why they need to enter your land and when they will come. The person coming onto your land must show you their ID and authorisation. They can bring helpers, vehicles, and equipment if they need to. They can come back onto your land if they need to, but they cannot enter your house or marae. They must give you reasonable notice and can only enter at a reasonable time.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1529086.

This page was last updated on 14 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Housing and property > Land useEnvironment and resources > Conservation

274: Power of entry for inspection, or

"Enforcement officers can enter certain places to check if people are following environment rules"

276: Warrant for entry for search, or

"Searching a place or vehicle with a special permit if someone might have broken the law"

Part 6Enforcement and other matters
Enforcement: Powers of entry and search

275Power of entry for survey

For the purposes of this Act, any enforcement officer specifically authorised in writing by any local authority or permit authority to do so may do all or any of the following:
carry out surveys, investigations, tests, or measurements:
collect records of their inspection (including the records referred to in section 274(2)(a):
take samples of any water, air, soil, or vegetation:
enter or re-enter land (except a dwellinghouse or marae).

The powers conferred by subsection (1) are exercisable at any reasonable time, with or without such assistance (including expert or technical assistance on the matter concerned), vehicles, appliances, machinery, and equipment as is reasonably necessary for that purpose.
Reasonable written notice must be given to the occupier of land to be entered under subsection (1)—
that entry on to the land is authorised under this section:
of the purpose for which entry is required:
of how and when entry is to be made.

Every enforcement officer who exercises any power of entry under this section must produce for inspection their warrant of appointment and written authorisation upon initial entry and in response to any later reasonable request.