Appendix 1: Matters of National Importance and Other Matters
Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA)
Section 6: Matters of national importance
In achieving the purpose of this Act, all persons exercising functions and powers under it, in relation to managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, shall recognise and provide for the following matters of national importance:
(a) The preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment (including the coastal marine area), wetlands, and lakes and rivers and their margins, and the protection of them from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:
(b) The protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:
(c) The protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna:
(d) The maintenance and enhancement of public access to and along the coastal marine area, lakes, and rivers:
(e) The relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga.
(f) The protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.
(g) The protection of recognised customary activities.
Section 7: Other matters
In achieving the purpose of this Act, all persons exercising functions and powers under it, in relation to managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, shall have particular regard to -
(a) Kaitiakitanga:
(aa) The ethic of stewardship:
(b) The efficient use and development of natural and physical resources:
(ba) The efficiency of the end use of energy:
(c) The maintenance and enhancement of amenity values:
(d) Intrinsic values of ecosystems:
(e) [repealed]
(f) Maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment:
(g) Any finite characteristics of natural and physical resources:
(h) The protection of the habitat of trout and salmon:
(i) The effects of climate change:
(j) The benefits to be derived from the use and development of renewable energy.
Section 8: Treaty of Waitangi
In achieving the purpose of this Act, all persons exercising functions and powers under it, in relation to managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, shall take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi).
