PHOTO: GETTY IMAGESUnpaid and overdue fines in Otago have risen in the past year as the amount of debt owed nears $10 million. In data released to the Otago Daily Times by the Ministry of Justice, the total value of overdue fines in Otago as of November 30, 2025 was $9.6m. In the period between November 30, 2024 and January 1, 2025, the number of unpaid fines rose by $1.2m. The total amount of fines overdue in Otago was 46,930, a 13% increase from 2024. Ashburton also recently moved to the Otago Justice Service Area, meaning the numbers from that area came off Canterbury’s total and on to Otago’s.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 19, 2025 17:08 UTC