Who can make a complaint about police in Auckland?

Any member of the public, including victims, witnesses or family members, can make a complaint to New Zealand Police or to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

How long will an investigation take?

Timeframes vary by case and seriousness; the NZ Police and IPCA pages describe processes but do not provide a single guaranteed timetable.

Can I remain anonymous?

You can raise concerns anonymously to some extent, but providing contact details helps with investigation and follow-up.

Is there a fee to complain?

There is no fee to lodge a complaint on the NZ Police or IPCA complaint pages; fees are not specified on the cited pages.

Auckland Police Complaints - How to Lodge a Complaint

Public Safety Auckland 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026

Auckland, Auckland residents who need to complain about police conduct have two primary official routes: make a complaint to New Zealand Police or, for independent oversight, to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA). This guide explains where to start in Auckland, what information to gather, how complaints are handled, likely outcomes and timeframes, and who to contact locally. Use the NZ Police complaints page for operational complaints and the IPCA for independent review or serious concerns about conduct or use of force.^[1] For regional contact details for Auckland District Police see the district contact page.^[3]

You can lodge a complaint directly with Police or ask the IPCA to consider it if you are not satisfied.

How complaints are accepted

Complaints about police actions in Auckland can be made verbally at a station, by phone, in writing or by using the online complaints and feedback options on the New Zealand Police website.^[1] The IPCA accepts complaints from any member of the public and may investigate independently or review police handling.^[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

The official NZ Police and IPCA pages describe investigation and disciplinary processes but do not list fixed monetary fines for complainants or standard financial penalties for officers on those pages; specific fines or disciplinary sanctions are set through internal disciplinary rules, statutory processes and, where applicable, court proceedings and are not specified on the cited pages.^[1]^[2]

Enforcer: New Zealand Police Professional Conduct and the IPCA for independent oversight.
Appeals/review: ask IPCA for independent consideration, or pursue judicial review through courts where permitted; specific time limits are not specified on the cited pages.
Fines/penalties: not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: disciplinary warnings, reprimands, suspension, dismissal recommendations or referral to prosecution where appropriate.
Inspection and complaints pathway: lodge with local station or via NZ Police online complaints; IPCA may accept or investigate independently.

Disciplinary outcomes and sanctions for officers are determined by internal disciplinary rules and independent reviews rather than fixed public fines on the complaint pages.

Applications & Forms

The New Zealand Police provides an online complaints and feedback route described on its complaints page and accepts written or in-person complaints at police stations; the IPCA accepts complaints through its online form and by post.^[1]^[2] Specific form numbers or standard fees are not specified on the cited pages.

What to include in a complaint

Names and contact details of all involved persons, including officer badge numbers where known.
Date, time and exact location of the incident.
Clear description of events in chronological order and any witness details.
Supporting evidence: photos, medical reports, CCTV or call recordings if available.

Action steps

Contact your local Auckland police station to record the complaint or use the NZ Police online complaints page.^[1]
If you are not satisfied with the Police handling, refer the matter to the IPCA for independent consideration.^[2]
Keep copies of all correspondence and request confirmation of receipt and a complaint reference number.
If necessary, seek legal advice about judicial review or civil remedies.

FAQ

Who can make a complaint about police in Auckland?: Any member of the public, including victims, witnesses or family members, can make a complaint to New Zealand Police or to the IPCA.
How long will an investigation take?: Timeframes vary by case and seriousness; the NZ Police and IPCA pages describe processes but do not provide a single guaranteed timetable.
Can I remain anonymous?: You can raise concerns anonymously to some extent, but providing contact details helps with investigation and follow-up.
Is there a fee to complain?: There is no fee to lodge a complaint on the NZ Police or IPCA complaint pages; fees are not specified on the cited pages.

How-To

Collect evidence: note dates, times, locations, badge numbers and take photos or medical notes where applicable.
Contact your local Auckland police station to file the complaint or use the online complaints page for New Zealand Police.^[1]
If unsatisfied with police handling, submit your complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority for independent review.^[2]
Keep records of all correspondence, request a reference number and ask for outcomes in writing.
Consider legal advice if you seek judicial review or civil remedies.

Key Takeaways

Complaints are accepted by NZ Police and independently by the IPCA.
Gather evidence and request a complaint reference number.
Escalate to IPCA if not satisfied with Police handling.