FAQs

Bylaws are local laws made by councils which are relevant to its communities and local conditions. We make bylaws when we think it’s necessary to:

• Protect the public from nuisance
• Protect, promote and maintain public health and safety
• Minimise the potential for offensive behaviour in public places.

A council can only make a bylaw if it is empowered to by an act of Parliament. Most bylaws are made under the Local Government Act 2002 (sections 145 and 146). Other Acts, such as the Health Act 1956, Land Transport Act 1998, Burial and Cremation Act 1964, also give councils powers to make bylaws.

The purpose of the Bylaw is to protect the public from nuisance, maintain public health and safety, and minimise the potential for offensive behaviour in public places.

The Bylaw controls a broad range of matters in the Wairarapa such as:

• making sure the public can enjoy parks, reserves, cemeteries and other public places (through rules on activities that can occur like setting off fireworks, soliciting, and demonstrations/gatherings),
• making sure the public is protected from nuisance through rules on activities such as the keeping of animals (excluding dogs),
• controlling where and how people can park and use vehicles in our districts to ensure road users are safe,
• licencing activities such tattooing and skin piercing that need to be done in a safe and responsible way, and
• protecting Councils critical infrastructure such as its water supply and wastewater networks so we can continue to provide services, like safe drinking water, to the community.

The Trade Waste Bylaw 2019 is a legal document we use to manage trade waste discharges that enter our wastewater system. It allows us to manage and prevent sewer overflows, blockages, infrastructure damage, protect the environment, while also protecting the health and safety risk to our workers and our community. It also assists us (Council) meet our Resource Management Act requirements and provides for an equitable spread of costs and promote the use of waste minimisation and cleaner production techniques.

Bylaws can be enforced by authorised Council staff or, in some cases, other agencies such as New Zealand Police. Not complying with the Bylaw is a criminal offence. If a bylaw is breached, consequences can include fines, prosecution, seizure of property, or other remedial action.

Bylaws need to be reviewed at intervals required by the Act the bylaw is made under. Bylaws made under the Loca Government Act 2002 must be reviewed five years after they were first made and then every ten years after that.

The Wairarapa Consolidated Bylaw was first adopted in 2019 and is due for review. The bylaw will expire in June 2026 if not replaced.

Following community consultation, and subject to adoption by the Wairarapa District Councils, the Bylaw is proposed to take effect from 1 October 2025.