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

Key roles - Functions, powers, and responsibilities of regional councils - Other functions and responsibilities

224: Regulatory agencies to enforce law proportionately, consistently, and reasonably

You could also call this:

"Regional councils must enforce rules fairly and reasonably to protect the environment."

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

If this bill becomes law, regional councils will have new responsibilities. You will see them checking that people follow rules and standards. They will also respond to people who do not follow the rules in a fair and reasonable way. They will use their powers to help people follow the rules, while keeping in mind the main goals of the Natural Environment Bill. They must do this in their own region, and make sure their actions align with the purpose of the bill.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1557563.

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

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Town planningGovernment and voting > Local councils

223: Allocation of natural resources, or

"How New Zealand's natural resources, like water and energy, are shared and managed"

225: Obligations relating to statutory acknowledgements, or

"Councils must meet their obligations to respect special area acknowledgements"

Part 5Key roles
Functions, powers, and responsibilities of regional councils: Other functions and responsibilities

224Regulatory agencies to enforce law proportionately, consistently, and reasonably

In addition to the general responsibility of every regional council, the following are the functions and responsibilities of a regional council has responsibility, within its region,—
to monitor compliance with standards, rules, and permits; and
to respond proportionately, consistently, and reasonably to non-compliance; and
to use the functions and powers available to them under this Act, so as to promote compliance, in a way that gives effect to the purpose, goals, and procedural principles of this Act.