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.

Offshore Renewable Energy Bill

Administration and enforcement - Enforcement - Offences

144: Offence for undertaking ORE generation infrastructure activities under consent without commercial permit

You could also call this:

"Breaking the rules: building offshore energy systems without a permit is against the law"

Illustration for Offshore Renewable Energy Bill

If you do something that goes against what is said in section 12, you might commit an offence. This section says you cannot start building offshore renewable energy infrastructure without the right permit. You need to follow the rules, or you could get in trouble. If you break the rules, you could face serious penalties.

If you are found guilty, the punishment will depend on who you are. As an individual, you could go to prison for up to 2 years, or get a fine of up to $1 million, or both. If you are not an individual, you could get a fine of up to $10 million.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS998000.

143: Proceedings for alleged contravention, or

"What happens if you're accused of breaking the law and make a promise to fix it"

145: Offence for change in significant influence over permit holder without approval, or

"Breaking the rule: changing who controls a permit holder without permission can lead to a big fine."

Part 4Administration and enforcement
Enforcement: Offences

144Offence for undertaking ORE generation infrastructure activities under consent without commercial permit

A person commits an offence if they contravene, or permit a contravention of, section 12 (which prohibits a person from giving effect to a resource consent or marine consent by undertaking ORE generation infrastructure activities unless the person is a holder of a commercial permit under this Act).
A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction,—
if they are an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding $1 million, or both; or
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $10 million.