Think police are the only agency who can take you to court?

Think again.

As a woman who recently brought several dogs into Tongariro National Park found out, that’s not the case.

The Department of Conservation prosecutes breaches of conservation law and they fined her fined $400 for the illegal trip, after which she posted photos online – one of them posing with a pup beside a “no dogs” sign.

The department is one of more than 40 agencies or organisations have the ability to enforce laws and prosecute people who do not follow them.

While police are responsible for the vast majority of prosecutions in New Zealand, many other bodies have enforcement powers given to them by legislation.

Government agencies like Inland Revenue target breaches of tax obligations, such as the Auckland man recently convicted and sentenced for aiding and abetting his company’s use of electronic tools to evade tax assessments and payment.

The Ministry for Primary Industries prosecutes animal welfare and fisheries offences. In one case, a Queenstown hotel was fined $22,000 for the illegal sale of crayfish caught recreationally as part of a luxury guest experience. Guests were flown by helicopter over the Southern Alps to a remote West Coast beach, where a driver collected live crayfish before returning to cook them at the hotel.

Independent Crown entities with specialist enforcement roles can also lay charges. The Civil Aviation Authority prosecuted an unlicensed pilot in Manawatū last year for flying an aircraft deemed not airworthy in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.

Maritime NZ handles incidents that occur at sea, such as charging Kiwirail for alleged safety failures when the Interislander ferry Aratere ran aground in June last year.

The Commerce Commission enforces legislation related to competition, fair trading and consumer credit.

It filed charges against retailer Noel Leeming for alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act, describing its “Price Promise” commitment as misleading.

Local, city and regional councils can also prosecute, while some organisations, such as the SPCA, have their own inspectors.

So, it’s not just the police you need to stay on the right side of if you want to stay out of the courts.

A file image of a courtroom coat of arms.

A file image of a courtroom coat of arms. (Source: 1News)

Full list of prosecuting agencies

Accident Compensation CorporationCivil Aviation Authority of New ZealandCommerce CommissionDepartment of CorrectionsNew Zealand Customs ServiceDepartment of Internal AffairsDepartment of ConservationElectricity AuthorityEnergy Efficiency and Conservation AuthorityEnvironmental Protection AuthorityEarthquake CommissionFire and Emergency New ZealandFinancial Markets AuthorityMinistry of HealthHeritage New ZealandHealth Quality and Safety CommissionHuman Rights CommissionInland Revenue DepartmentHomes and CommunitiesLand Information New ZealandMaritime New ZealandMinistry of Business, Innovation and EmploymentMinistry for Culture and HeritageMinistry for the EnvironmentMinistry of EducationMinistry for Primary IndustriesMinistry of Social DevelopmentNew Zealand Defence ForceNew Zealand Qualifications AuthorityNew Zealand Transport AgencyOffice of the Privacy CommissionerThe Outdoor Access CommissionNew Zealand PoliceReal Estate Agents AuthoritySerious Fraud OfficeStatistics New ZealandTakeovers PanelWater Services RegulatorHealth NZTertiary Education CommissionMinistry of TransportWorksafe New ZealandLocal, city, and regional councils