Making a Complaint

To make a complaint about noise that you would like investigated, phone Council on 07 884 0060 (Te Aroha and Morrinsville) or 07 881 9050 (Matamata).

Afterhours calls are directed to a noise control officer via an answer phone. Please wait for the “Noise” option and follow the instructions given.

Having as much information available as possible will assist our officers to provide a better service. Please be patient and answer as many questions as you can.

When can I make a noise complaint?

Council responds to noise complaints 24 hour, 7 day a week.  It's a common misconception that we can't take noise enforcement action outside of certain hours (such as before 10pm).

Who responds to noise complaints?

Calls received between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday are investigated by Council’s Environmental Health Officers who are based in Te Aroha. Any calls received outside of these times are forwarded to Councils afterhours noise contractor, Kaimai Security.

Council understands there will always be a need for their involvement in disputes between neighbours. However, Council involvement may not always result in the best result for all parties involved in the dispute. We would much prefer to see a district where all of the residents are more tolerant of the varying ways people live their lives and consider the effects their activities may be having on their neighbours.

How are noise complaints enforced?

Council has three main ways of dealing with noise that has been assessed as excessive:

A verbal warning

Verbal warnings are usually the first step in the enforcement process. A verbal warning is given to the person/s responsible for the noise or the occupier of the property that the noise is coming from. If the instructions given as a verbal warning are complied with, no further action will be taken.

A 'Direction to Abate Excessive Noise'

A 'Direction to Abate Excessive Noise' notice can be issued on the first visit at the discretion of the attending officer. If the person/s responsible or the occupier is cooperative, officers will generally issue a verbal warning. A breach of a Direction to Abate Excess Noise within 72 hours of the notice being issued will result in the officer, accompanied by the Police, either seizing or rendering inoperative the equipment responsible for the noise. A fee of $250 must be paid to Council to cover costs before any seized equipment is returned.  'Direction to Abate Excessive Noise' notices are issued under Section 327 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

An Abatement Notice

Unlike a Direction to Abate Excessive Noise, this notice remains in force indefinitely. Non-compliance with an Abatement Notice is a serious offence and will result in Council issuing a $500 infringement fine for every new offence. Continued non-compliance can result in prosecution. A conviction can result in a $10,000 summary conviction and a $1000 fine for every day the offence occurs. 'Abatement Notices' are issued under Section 322 (1) (c) of the Resource Management Act 1991.