34General powers of chief officers

34 General powers of chief officers (1) The chief officer of an emergency service may, for the protection or preservation of life, property or the environment— (a) with any necessary assistance and force, enter land; or (b) close a street or road to traffic; or (c) bring equipment onto land or into a structure or vehicle; or (d) open a container, or dismantle equipment, using any necessary or reasonable force; or (e) remove, dismantle, demolish or destroy a structure or vehicle; or (f) contain an animal or substance; or (g) remove or destroy an animal, a substance or vegetation; or (h) turn off, disconnect or shut down a motor or equipment; or (i) control, shut off or disconnect a supply of fuel, gas, electricity, water or anything else; or (j) use a supply of water without charge; or

(k) give directions to regulate or prohibit the movement of people, animals or vehicles; or (l) evacuate people or animals from an area to another place; or (m) close any premises; or Examples––premises • government or independent schools • education and care service premises • childcare centres • business premises • health care facilities • residential homes (n) require a person to give information, answer questions, or produce documents or anything else, reasonably needed; or Note The Legislation Act, s 170 and s 171 deal with the application of the privilege against self-incrimination and client legal privilege. (o) require a person to give reasonable assistance to— (i) a member of an emergency service; or (ii) a person acting on behalf of a member of an emergency (iii) a police officer. (2) A power under this section must, if practicable, be exercised in accordance with the commissioner’s guidelines. equipment includes a vehicle. land includes any structure or vehicle on the land.

Chief officers—functions and powers Part 3.2