Bylaws
Bylaws are rules made by Council that affect how people live, work and play.
They help Council manage problems or issues that are considered significant in a local area in a way that best meets the community's needs. Bylaws protect both our district and your rights.
They are there to make our district a safe and healthy place.
View our current Consolidated Bylaws
Most of the council bylaws are combined into our 2021 Consolidated Bylaws.
View a full copy of the Ōpōtiki District Council Consolidated Bylaws 2021 PDF 7.4MB
Consolidated Bylaws 2021
| Part 1 | Introduction | Explains the terms and expressions used throughout the Consolidated Bylaw. |
| Part 2 | Amenity | Rules that help maintain and enhance the amenity values of the Ōpōtiki district and protect the public from nuisance. |
| Part 3 | Public Places | Sets standards for public spaces to enhance wellbeing and enjoyment, maintain public health and safety, and protect areas from nuisance or damage. Includes matters like displaying street names and numbers. |
| Part 4 | Beaches | Rules for beaches that protect, promote, and maintain public health and safety and reduce risk of damage to our natural areas. Read more about rules to help keep our beaches safe. |
| Part 5 | Cemeteries | Provides for the purchase of plots, interment, erection
of structures and maintenance of cemeteries.
Read more about our cemeteries. |
| Part 6 | Control of Signs | Rules to ensure signs are erected, maintained and
displayed so that they do not present a hazard or a danger to public safety. |
| Part 7 | Alcohol Control | Controls the possession and use of alcohol in public
spaces to reduce alcohol-related harm.
This includes 4 alcohol ban areas: Ōpōtiki town, Tirohanga Beach, Maraetai Bay Reserve, and Te Kaha Hotel Road ( maps on pages 52-55 of the bylaw ) |
| Part 8 | Animal Control - includes keeping of horses in towns and horse riding in public places | Regulates the keeping of animals (including stock,
poultry, and bees), movement of stock, and horse riding in public places to protect the public from nuisance and protect, promote, and maintain public health and safety. Read more about responsible animal ownership on our Dogs page. |
| Part 9 | Dog Control | Rules around control of dogs so they do not cause danger,
distress, or nuisance to the community, stock, domestic animals, or protected
wildlife.
This includes designated dog exercise areas and dog prohibited areas, nuisance, bitches in season, impoundment, and maximum number of dogs on a property. Read more about responsible animal ownership on our Dogs page. |
| Part 10 | Solid Waste | Balancing the need for safe collection and disposal of
waste and recyclables and minimising the obstruction of streets.
Read more about waste and recycling in the Ōpōtiki District. |
| Part 11 | Trade Waste | Rules around the disposal of trade waste to the wastewater system. |
| Part 12 | Water Supply | Rules around water supply by council to customers (where council is the Water Supply Authority). |
| Part 13 | Traffic | Requirements for parking and other vehicles rules on
council roads.
Includes bylaws relating to one way roads, weight restricted bridges, parking infringements, and mobility parking. |
| Part 14 | Speed Limits | Sets speed limits on council
roads in the district.
Our Speed management Plan. |
Freedom Camping Bylaw 2024
In addition to the 2024 Freedom Camping Bylaw, you can read more about responsible camping in our District on our Responsible Camping page.
View a full copy of the Ōpōtiki District Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2024 (pdf file).
| Parts 1-4 | Title, commencement, definitions, and purpose | Explains when the bylaws come into effect and the terms and expressions used throughout. Terms are consistent with the Freedom Camping Act 2011. |
| Part 5 | Where freedom camping is permitted | Freedom camping (including in a tent or other structure)
is permitted in council areas except where prohibited or restricted in the
bylaw or under any other legislation.
Non-self-contained freedom camping only in areas listed in Scheduled 2. |
| Part 6 | Where freedom camping is prohibited | Freedom Camping is prohibited in any areas identified in Schedule 1. |
| Part 7 | Restricted areas | Freedom camping is allowed in areas listed in Schedule 2 but you must follow the rules and restrictions around length of stay, location, parking, fires and so on. |
| Part 8 | Declaration teat NZTA land is a local authority area | The areas listed in Schedule 3 are considered local authority areas for the purposes of this bylaw. |
| Part 9 | Council may temporarily prohibit or change restrictions on freedom camping | Changes to these bylaws can be made by council for a range of reasons including protection of the environment or health and safety. |
| Part 10 | Prior consent from council | An application can be made for Council to grant consent to a person to freedom camp in a prohibited or restricted area in some circumstances. |
| Part 11 | Offences | Breaking the rules in the bylaws may result in an infringement fee of $400. |
| Schedule 1 | Prohibited areas |
You can read the site assessment analysis on each of these areas, which considered environmental
sensitivity, public health and safety, and access.
- Ōhiwa Spit Reserve, Ōhiwa - Road Reserve, Ōhiwa - Road Reserve, Ōhiwa - Road Reserve, Ōhiwa - Ōhiwa Boat Ramp, Ōhiwa - Bryan’s Beach, Ōhiwa - Te Ahiaua Reserve (Pipi Beds), Waiotahe - Whitikau Reserve, town centre - Memorial Park, town centre - Road Reserve, Albert street - Ohui Domain, Otara street - Hikuwai Reserve, Hukuwai Beach - Road Reserve, Opape - Hoani Waititi Reserve, Omaio - Road Reserve, Omaio - Te Kaha Reserve, Maraetai Bay - Road Reserve, Waihau Bay |
| Schedule 2 | Restricted areas | Freedom camping is allowed in four specific RESTRICTED areas of the district: - Te Ahiaua Reserve (Pipi Beds) - Hikuwai Reserve - Hoani Waititi Reserve, Omaio - Te Kaha Reserve, Maraetai Bay The maps also clearly mark the parts of these four areas where freedom camping is expressly prohibited to prevent ‘overflow’ camping. Other restrictions apply for all freedom camping in the district: - All areas are a 3-night maximum (14 nights in Hoani Waititi reserve) - No freedom camping where marked prohibited (day areas, car parks or unsafe areas) - Take your waste away with you (you can stop past one of our friendly RRCs to dispose of it) - No washing clothes or dishes in public facilities or waterways - No fires except in designated fire areas at Hoani Waititi Reserve - No illegal parking - Dogs under control at all times - Other local-restrictions may apply (check local signage) |
| Schedule 3 | NZTA land subject to this bylaw |
The following NZTA
land is a local authority area for the purposes of the Act:
- Road reserve, Waiotahe (5 separate locations) - Main entrance carparking, Waiotahe |
