Noxious Plants Act, 1978.

This Act aims at establishing a national system of coordinated bodies responsible for all matters relating to noxious plants; preventing the introduction of new noxious plants into New Zealand and containing the spread of noxious plants already in the country; and fostering awareness of the problems which may result from the uncontrolled spread of noxious plants.
The Act establishes a Noxious Plants Council and defines its functions and powers. Functions of the council include: to initiate and promote a policy on noxious plants administration; to implement national and regional programmes for the control or eradication of noxious plants; to declare noxious plants to be Class A or Class B noxious plants; to prevent the introduction into and the establishment in New Zealand of potential noxious plants. Eight Regional Coordinating Committees shall also be established to coordinate the activities of all District Noxious Plants Authorities within the region. For the purposes of this Act there shall be two districts known as the North Canterbury and Marlborough nassella tussock districts. The Act shall also constitute two boards: the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board; and the Marlborough Nassella Tussock Board. The Boards' principal function shall be to detect and eradicate nassella tussock within its district or to prevent its spread. The text also contains provisions on powers of inspection, offences, penalties, and miscellaneous and transitional provisions. The Act further makes amendments of and repeals various Acts as specified in the miscellaneous provisions and in the Schedule.