Who are enforcement officers?

Enforcement officers are normally appointed by local authorities and are supplied with a warrant stating the functions and powers they are authorised to carry out. ¹⁰⁹⁸  

The EPA is also able to appoint enforcement officers to undertake its enforcement functions, which are essentially the same as those of local authorities except the EPA may only perform its enforcement functions if it is satisfied that it is necessary or desirable to do so to promote the purpose of the RMA. ⁵¹⁶⁹   The EPA may undertake most enforcement actions either with or instead of a local authority. ⁵¹⁷⁰   EPA enforcement officers are also supplied with a warrant including a summary of the powers conferred under the RMA. ⁵¹⁷¹

The Minister of Conservation may authorise enforcement officers in respect of areas of the coastal marine area where the Minister acts as consent authority (Kermadec Islands, the Snares Islands, the Bounty Islands, the Antipodes Islands, the Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island and its adjacent islands).

Last updated at 11:21AM on August 23, 2021