Source: Northland Regional Council
Northlanders issued infringement notices for breaching environmental rules will find the experience more costly from early September after central government significantly increased the penalties involved.
Colin Dall, the Northland Regional Council’s Group Manager – Regulatory Services – says the changes take effect on 04 September under the Resource Management (Infringement Offences) Amendment Regulations 2025.
He says previous fines ranged from $300 to a maximum of $1000 but the new penalties range from $600 to maximum of $4000.
“Under the changes, fines are different for individuals and companies, with company fines effectively double that of individuals.”
Mr Dall says the council issued 153 Infringement Notices over the 12 months to June 30, the bulk (85) for discharging a contaminant to land where it may enter water, most of which were dairy effluent-related.
The next most common notices were 16 for discharging a contaminant to land/air (mostly smoke nuisance), 13 for discharging a contaminant to air from an industrial or trade premises (mainly for open burning) and 11 for land use in contravention of a regional rule.
Mr Dall says under the new regime individuals breaching the rules will see the penalties for a land use contravention go from $300 to $1500.
“Discharge to air (including burning fines) contraventions will go from $300 to $600, discharge of contaminants to water (or where likely to get to water) will go from $750 to $1500 and discharge from industrial or trade premises will go from $1000 to $2000.”
Penalties for contravening an Abatement Notice will increase from $750 to $2000.
“For companies the penalties have increased much more steeply.”
“Land use contravention will go from $300 to $3000, discharge of contaminants to water (or where likely to get to water) from $750 to $3000 and discharge from industrial or trade premises will increase from $1000 to $4000.”
For companies contravening an Abatement Notice the penalty goes from $750 to $4000.
Those burning on an industrial or trade premise where it is non-compliant will face a $2000 penalty.
“These new penalties are the first time the fines have been increased since early 2000.”
“We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the appropriate information before undertaking activities that could lead to potential breaches of our rules and regulations.”
Mr Dall says people can contact the council for advice on (0800) 002 004 if they had any doubts about an activity they were about to undertake.
