Mr Patchell said $3.5 million in fines and reparation had been remitted in Northland last year. That included $1.8 million in Whangarei, $959,000 in Kaikohe, $561,000 in Kaitaia and $159,000 in Dargaville. In comparison, $6.9 million was remitted in 2010.
Mr Patchell said the most a Northlander owed in fines in 2011 was $69,800.
"The recently passed Courts and Criminal Matters Bill will enhance the courts' enforcement powers to ensure that fines and reparation continue to be considered effective penalties by the community," he said.
The enhanced powers include a credit check of fines initiative, which is reporting of overdue fines and reparation to organisations in the finance industry to help them make lending decisions.
Suspension of driver licences for unpaid traffic-related fines also form part of enhanced powers under the bill.
The credit check of fines will come into force in February and driver licence stop orders in November 2013. "In addition to this, the Ministry of Justice has continued to raise public awareness of the importance of paying fines through TV and online advertising," Mr Patchell said.
A remittal of a fine is an action to resolve some or all of outstanding fines without a payment being made. Remittals are generally only considered for uncollectible debt. Fines are also remitted for alternative sentences, such as community work, home detention or a prison sentence and are often necessary in situations where the person does not have the means to pay. Reparation payments to the victims of crime ordered against offenders by the courts and the newly introduced $50 offenders levy to go to victims of crime can also be remitted.
Courts use all means provided by legislation to collect overdue fines, including clamping vehicles, seizing and selling assets, making compulsory deductions from a person's income, issuing warrants to arrest and preventing overseas travel.