Skip to main content

Community Volunteer Awards 2026

This year's Mayor's Award Winner is Jo Rangooni of Bulls, who's been recognised for her outstanding service to the Bulls & District Community Trust. You can find out more about Jo here.

Rangitikei District Council strapline

Related Links

Noise Control

We respond to complaints about excessive noise at any time, day or night.

Making a noise complaint – what to expect

If noise is disturbing you, you can contact us at any time on 0800 422 522. Calling while the noise is happening helps us respond more effectively.

Step 1: Contact us

  • Call when the noise is happening so it can be properly assessed
    You’ll be asked:
    • What type of noise (e.g. stereo)
    • How long has the noise been going
    • Where the noise is coming from
    • Your contact details (these are kept confidential)

Step 2: We investigate

  • A Council officer or contractor will attend and assess the noise
  • We may ask to assess the noise from your property to understand how it affects you
  • Noise can come from music, parties, alarms, machinery, electrical appliances or groups of people
  • If the noise stops before we arrive, we may not be able to take action, but repeat complaints help us identify potential ongoing noise issues.

To decide if noise is excessive, we consider:

  • how loud it is
  • the time of day or night
  • how long it lasts or how often it occurs (for example, ongoing or repeated noise)
  • the type and characteristics of the noise
  • the surrounding background noise

For a quick response and assessment, we do not usually use measuring equipment. The officer makes a subjective assessment based on how the noise affects people.

Step 3: Action is taken if needed

  • If the noise is considered excessive, the person responsible will be directed to reduce it immediately
  • We may issue an Excessive Noise Direction (END), which requires the noise to be reduced to a reasonable level and remains in place for up to eight days

Step 4: If the noise happens again

  • If the noise restarts after a visit, contact us again
  • If we find the noise is excessive for a second time within eight days of an END being issued, we may seize the noise-offending equipment or issue an infringement fine.

Persistent noise problems

If the noise problem continues, we may take further action, including issuing an Abatement Notice. If the notice is not complied with, this may result in infringement fines or prosecution.

We have 28 days to apply to the District Court for an order that the seized equipment be forfeited. If this is not pursued, seized equipment can be reclaimed from the Rangitikei District Council offices in Marton.

The owner must apply for a return of the equipment. We must be satisfied that the return of the equipment will not lead to resumption of the noise. The owner must pay all costs incurred in seizing, transporting and storing the equipment.

The noise control provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991 are designed to:

  • Protect people from unreasonable and excessive noise
  • Provide effective noise control in our community
  • Protect the rights of people and industry to make a reasonable level of noise

The Act places a duty on people to ensure noise from their property does not exceed a reasonable level and disturb others.

Does the Resource Management Act cover all types of noise?

No. Some types of noise are covered by other legislation. For example:

  • Construction noise is generally permitted between 7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday. Noise outside these hours or that is unusually loud, disruptive, or not well managed may be investigated
  • Barking dogs are covered by the Dog Control Act 1996
  • Noise in public parks from recreational use is not covered by standard noise control. Disruptive or disorderly behaviour should be reported to New Zealand Police.
  • Vehicles on the road are covered by traffic legislation – contact the Police
  • Aircraft noise during or around flight is managed separately
  • Train noise is managed through planning and infrastructure designation frameworks
  • Workplace noise is covered by health and safety legislation
  • Noise between tenants with the same landlord is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act – contact the landlord or Tenancy Tribunal
  • Emergency service sirens are not covered by standard noise control.
  • Fireworks are explosives and are not covered by standard noise control – dangerous use should be reported to New Zealand Police or Fire and Emergency New Zealand