Junk-mail distributors face $5000 fine

Fines of up $5000 for distributing unwanted junk mail have been introduced in Auckland City.

Under a new bylaw, it will be an offence for companies to place unsolicited advertising material into letterboxes that are already full or in letterboxes clearly marked "no junk mail". It will also be an offence to place advertising material on cars parked in public places.

Planning and regulatory committee chairwoman Glenda Fryer said the council was responding to public concerns about "no junk mail" signs being ignored and letterboxes being overfilled.

Before the new bylaw came into place six days ago, there were no rules controlling junk mail, only littering laws.

The new bylaw broadly defines junk mail as unsolicited advertising material, including leaflets, brochures and flyers.

It excludes material from councils and utilities such as electricity and water companies, political material, newspapers, community newsletters and charity appeal envelopes.

Glenda Fryer admitted the bylaw was not perfect and some advertisers might try to get around it, but said it would bring more control.

Under the bylaw it will be the company delivering the mail, not the advertiser, who will be fined. Staff trained by delivery companies who break the bylaw could also be fined.

Marketing Association deputy chairman Todd Hunter welcomed the bylaw, saying it mirrored its own code of practice that had been signed by the three main distribution companies accounting for 95 per cent of unaddressed mail.

"This is a good example of how self-regulation should work," he said.


YOU'VE GOT MAIL

* What's allowed:
Newspapers, community newsletters, material from councils and utilities such as electricity and water, political material and charity appeals.

* What's not allowed:
Unsolicited advertising mail, including leaflets, circulars, brochures or flyers placed in letterboxes marked "no junk mail".