Text messages: We sometimes send text reminders about fines. Do not click any links if you're not sure a text is from us. Find out how you can check texts you receive are genuine. Read more below.
We collect payment for both infringement fines and court fines.
Infringement fees from Police (like speeding tickets) or local councils (like parking tickets) become fines if you don’t pay them on time.
To find out if you have a fine or check your balance, you can call us on 0800 4 FINES. Our hours are 8:00am–7:00pm, Monday to Friday.
We sometimes send text message reminders to people who owe fines. Some texts include a link to our secure payment page so you can pay online, by credit or debit card.
How to recognise a genuine reminder text
A genuine text from us will always:
include your unique 10-digit PPN (Party Profile Number) – this should match the PPN in letters we have sent you
use the government payment domain to link to the online payment portal, as follows:
pay.fines.govt.nz/<with a unique short code> OR https://pay.fines.govt.nz/<with a unique short code>
the domain pay.fines.govt.nz stays the same but the unique short code (for example, qObSO7WL) changes for each message
Here are two examples of the complete format with the sample unique short code – your phone display may or may not include https://):
pay.fines.govt.nz/qObSO7WL
https://pay.fines.govt.nz/qObSO7WL
If you're not sure a text is from us
Do not click the link.
You can contact us about the message or pay your fine in one of the ways outlined in section above – How can I pay?
Protect yourself from scams
We will never ask you to:
share your internet banking password or PIN
pay using itunes cards or cryptocurrency
install software to “help” you make a payment.
Need help?
If you have questions about a text you’ve received or need help paying a fine, contact us.
Infringement fines come from issuing authorities
Local councils, the Police and other authorities can issue you infringement fees for things like:
speeding
illegal parking
not registering your dog.
If you don't pay the infringement fee by the due date, it’s transferred to the court and becomes a fine.
If this happens you will be sent a Notice of Fine, a court cost of $55 will be added to the original amount, and you will have 28 days to pay the new fine amount to the court.
If you pay your fine with the issuing authority after the due date, the court costs will still apply.
Court-imposed fines are given by a judge or JP in court
A Judge or Justice of the Peace (JP) can fine you in court if you’re found guilty of an offence like drink-driving, disorderly behaviour or theft.
If this happens you will be sent a Notice of Fine and you have 28 days to pay the fine to the court.
