Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

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 - Offences

278: Offences against this Act

You could also call this:

"Breaking the Natural Environment Bill's rules is against the law"

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

You can commit an offence against this proposed Natural Environment Bill if you break certain rules. These rules include sections 17 to 21, which are about protecting the coastal marine area and water. You must follow these rules. You can also commit an offence if you do not follow an enforcement order or a condition of a natural resource permit. This includes not following an abatement notice or a monetary benefit order made under clause 29 of Schedule 8 of the Planning Act 2025. You must comply with these orders. If you discharge harmful substances or contaminants in the coastal marine area, you can commit an offence. This includes the master and owner of a ship, or the owner of an offshore installation. You must not discharge harmful substances. You can commit an offence if you do not provide information to an enforcement officer or if you do not protect sensitive information. This includes not following an order made by the Environment Court. You must follow these rules. You can also commit an offence if you obstruct or hinder someone who is doing their job under this proposed bill. This includes not following a summons or order to give evidence. You must not obstruct or hinder others.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=LMS1539761.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Climate and energyCrime and justice > Police and safety
Previous

277: Direction and execution of warrant for entry for search, or

"Police can search a place with a special permission slip called a warrant"

Next

279: Limitation period for offences or pecuniary penalties under this Act, or

"Time limit to charge someone for breaking the Natural Environment Bill rules"

Part 6Enforcement and other matters
Enforcement: Offences

278Offences against this Act

  1. A person commits an offence against this Act if the person contravenes, or permits a contravention of, any of the following:

  2. sections 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 (which impose duties and restrictions in relation to the coastal marine area, the beds of certain rivers and lakes, water, and discharges of contaminants):
    1. any enforcement order:
      1. any condition of a natural resource permit:
        1. any abatement notice:
          1. any monetary benefit order made under clause 29 of Schedule 8 of the Planning Act 2025:
            1. any water shortage direction under section 272:
              1. an enforceable undertaking under clause 24 of Schedule 8 of the Planning Act 2025:
                1. any adverse publicity order made by a court under clause 20 of Schedule 8 of the Planning Act 2025:
                  1. any requirement or duty in regulations made under section 279 of the Planning Act 2025 (emergency response regulations) that the person must comply with.

                    1. A person commits an offence against this Act if the person contravenes, or permits a contravention of, section 22 or 24 (which impose restrictions in relation to waste or other matter).

                    2. If any harmful substance or contaminant or water is discharged in the coastal marine area in breach of section 23, the following persons each commit an offence:

                    3. if the discharge is from a ship, the master and the owner of the ship:
                      1. if the discharge is from an offshore installation, the owner of the installation.

                        1. A person commits an offence against this Act if the person contravenes, or permits a contravention of, any of the following:

                        2. section 243, which relates to failure to provide certain information to an enforcement officer:
                          1. clause 17 of Schedule 9 of the Planning Act 2025 or clause 30 of schedule 10 of that Act, which relates to the protection of sensitive information in relation to a proceeding or matter under this Act:
                            1. any order (other than an order referred to in section 278(1)) made by the Environment Court.

                              1. A person commits an offence against this Act if the person—

                              2. wilfully obstructs, hinders, resists, or deceives any person in the execution of any powers conferred on that person by or under this Act:
                                1. without sufficient cause, contravenes, or permits a contravention of, any summons or order to give evidence issued or made under or clause 69 of Schedule 9 in relation to a proceeding or matter under this Act.