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  1. About fines and help to pay

Fines

About fines and help to pay

Overview

We collect payments for infringement fines and court fines. If you can’t pay the full amount on time or need more time to pay, we may be able to help.

Ways to pay

Pay online now Use Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Debit Mastercard or Prezzy Card.
Include your PPN – from your Notice of Fine, letter or text from us. Call us if you can't find it. More ways to pay Choose from several options. You can pay over the phone, in person or from overseas. Or call us to make a plan.

Infringement fines

Local councils, the Police and other authorities issue infringement fees for things like: 

  • speeding

  • illegal parking

  • not registering your dog. 

If you don't pay an infringement fee by the due date:

  • it is transferred to the court and becomes an infringement fine
  • a court cost of $55 is added to the original amount  
  • you will be sent a letter called a Notice of Fine
  • you will have 28 days to pay the court the new fine amount (the fine plus the court cost).  

If you pay your fine to the issuing authority (local council, Police) after the due date, you still have to pay the court cost. 

To find out if you have a fine or check your balance, you need to contact us

Court fines

You might have a court fine if you are found guilty of an offence (for example, drink-driving, disorderly behaviour or theft). A Judge or Justice of the Peace (JP) can fine you in court.  

 If this happens: 

  • we will write to you (the letter is called a Notice of Fine)
  • you have 28 days to pay the fine to the court. 

Help with paying fines

If you can’t pay your fine all at once or need more time to pay, contact us 

The court may give you more time or allow a payment plan

We may be able to give you more time to pay or offer you a payment plan (called a time to pay arrangement). The court will assess your circumstances and decide whether to give you these options. You need the court’s agreement to start a payment plan. 

Court staff may ask you about your finances to make sure you need the extra time. To help with this process you can fill out a Statement of Means form [PDF, 187 KB]. You can either call us to tell us the information outlined on the form or email the completed form to fines.enquiry@justice.govt.nz 

You must add any new fines to your payment plan

New fines will not be automatically added to your payment plan.

If you get a new fine and you cannot pay by the due date, contact us. You need to talk to us so we can add the new fine to your payment plan.  

We can refund overpaid fines

If you know you have paid too much, please call us. We will refund extra payments by direct credit. This can take up to 21 days.  

Find out what can happen if you do not pay a fine

Find out about disputing a fine

Automated calls and text message reminders

We sometimes make automated calls and send text message reminders to people who owe fines. The information below will help you know if a call or text is genuine. 

Automated call reminders

Text message reminders 

Our automated calls will always:

  • always show our caller ID: 0800 434 637
  • give you an option to speak to one of our staff
  • leave a voicemail if you’re unable to answer the call, asking you to call us on 0800 434 637.

Our text messages will always:

  • include your first name
  • include our 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) phone number
  • include a 10-digit reference number (called a PPN).

Our automated calls will never:

  • include information about you
  • ask for your personal or banking information
  • automatically transfer you to speak to a person unless you request it. 

 

Our text messages will never:

  • include any links
  • include a URL to copy and paste into your browser
  • ask you to share your internet banking password or PIN
  • ask you to pay using itunes cards or cryptocurrency
  • ask you to install software to "help you" make a payment.

If you have received an automated call or text message without the information we always include (listed above), it is not from the Ministry of Justice.

If you are unsure about an automated call or text message you have received or would like to check whether you have an overdue fine, please call 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637), Monday to Friday, 8:00am–7:00pm. We will be happy to help you. 

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Find out if you have a fine, check your balance or pay

We're here to help. Contact us by phone or email, including from overseas. All fines need to be paid within 28 days.

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