Twenty-five told to turn down the volume over festive season, three stereos impounded

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The district council’s noise control service responded to 82 complaints over the festive season from December 25 to January 5.

Monitoring and compliance team leader Kate Sykes said 25 excessive noise directives were issued to properties and three stereos were impounded.

“A fine will be issued to those properties, and if the individuals wish to reclaim their stereos, they are required to pay the costs of impoundment as set by the council’s fees and charges policy,” she said.

“Noise enforcement officers are required by legislation to be accompanied by a police constable if a stereo is to be impounded.

“This can result in a delay as this is a very busy time of year for the police.”

Ms Sykes said the council asked its noise control service contractors for leniency up until midnight on New Year’s Eve.

“If there were multiple complaints, or two or more complaints from the same individual, then the noise complaint was to be followed up on New Year’s Eve.”

This was made clear in an email to the contractors, Ms Sykes said.