Publication Search
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October 2020This report assesses the suitability of using New Zealand Rural Fire Authority’s Fire Danger Rating System as an indicator on wildfire risk for the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ’s environmental reporting. Read more -
October 2020This report describes the climate datasets that were supplied by NIWA for use in Our atmosphere and climate 2020, and outlines the methodologies used to generate them. Read more -
September 2020A new step-by-step process to determine whether to give public or limited notification of resource consents has been introduced by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. Read more -
September 2020A new fast track process for more straightforward applications (district land use activities) has been introduced by RLAA. Read more -
September 2020The following information sheets provide an overview of processes under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) for resource consents, deemed permitted boundary activities, and plan-making. Read more -
August 2020This fact sheet helps iwi authorities understand how the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 relates to them and explains the role of hapū. Read more -
July 2020This summary outlines the principal reasons which led to the review of the resource management system and the Resource Management Review Panel’s main recommendations in their report. Read more -
July 2020The COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 enables eligible infrastructure and development projects to start as soon as possible. This fact sheet provides an overview for local authorities. Read more -
July 2020The COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 allows specific works on infrastructure to occur as permitted activities by specific agencies (referred to as ‘work on infrastructure’). This fact sheet provides an overview of the work on infrastructure process. Read more -
July 2020New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand is a comprehensive review of our resource management system. The review process was an opportunity to design a new system for resource management that delivers better outcomes for our environment, society, economy, and culture. Read more -
June 2020This factsheet outlines changes to compliance and enforcement functions of the RMA. All of these changes take effect on 1 July 2020. Read more -
June 2020This factsheet provides a high-level overview of the changes introduced by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020, other than those related to the Freshwater Planning Process. Read more -
June 2020This factsheet provides a high-level overview of the new freshwater planning process (FPP) introduced by the Resource Management Amendment Act 2020. Read more -
May 2020This report scopes the potential development of a land-use intensity indicator for environmental reporting. Read more -
April 2020This report highlights patterns and trends in implementation of the Resource Management Act by local authorities from 2014/15 to 2018/19, as recorded by the National Monitoring System. The purpose of the report is to identify areas for improvement in policy or practice. Read more -
November 2019The Resource Management Review Panel has been established to undertake a comprehensive review of the Resource Management Act and other significant legislation comprising the resource management system. Read more -
October 2019A six-page summary of our report, Our marine environment 2019, examining the most pressing issues in our oceans, seas, harbours, and coastlines. Read more -
July 2019This environmental reporting factsheet is one of 12 factsheets produced for the Environment Committee’s 2019/20 Estimates examination of Vote Environment. Read more -
July 2019This factsheet about the Ministry's National Direction work programme is one of 12 factsheets produced for the Environment Committee’s 2019/20 Estimates examination of Vote Environment. Read more -
July 2019This factsheet about the Ministry's National Planning Standards work programme is one of 12 factsheets produced for the Environment Committee’s 2019/20 Estimates examination of Vote Environment. Read more -
April 2019This report presents the findings of a review of the effectiveness of the National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission and the National Environmental Standard for Electricity Transmission Activities. Read more -
November 2018This report assesses how well we are developing and maintaining the regulatory regimes we are responsible for, including the state of each piece of legislation, any plans for amendments, and our view of important emerging issues. Read more -
June 2018The Ministry for the Environment commissioned Castalia to conduct an economic evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of the first set of draft national planning standards. Read more -
June 2018The consultation document gives an overview of the draft first set of National Planning Standards (planning standards), what they aim to achieve, and implementation considerations. This consultation document is a companion to the draft first set of planning standards. Read more -
April 2018This infographic provides a snapshot of New Zealand’s land. It presents key findings from Our land 2018. Read more -
March 2018This non-statutory application form is to help councils that wish to request a streamlined planning process under section 80C of the RMA. It includes the information requirements that are set out in clause 74 of Schedule 1. Read more -
March 2018A new streamlined planning process (SPP) was introduced by Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017, which took effect on 19 April 2017. This flow chart shows the steps involved in the Streamlined Planning Process. It should be read in conjunction with the SPP technical guidance. Read more -
March 2018This report sets out our research on tangata whenua provisions in district and regional planning documents and discusses their variation. Read more -
October 2017This report describes the rainfall indices and datasets used in the measure of rainfall intensity in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. Read more -
October 2017This report describes the methodology used to calculate wind gust indices used in the measure of Extreme wind in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. Read more -
October 2017This report describes and outlines the methodologies used to generate, the updated datasets acquired from NIWA for Our atmosphere and climate 2017. Read more -
October 2017This report details the methodologies underlying updated estimates of glacier ice volume change in New Zealand. The estimates were used in the measure of Annual glacier ice volumes in the Environmental indicators Te taiao Aotearoa series. Read more -
September 2017This report investigates how the structure, format, and presentation of RMA plans impact the ability of lay people to navigate and understand the plan provisions. Read more -
September 2017The deemed permitted boundary activity process was introduced by RLAA, to take effect from 18 October 2017. This provides guidance to assist councils with processing these applications. Read more -
August 2017The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) mark a significant change in the way forestry activities are managed under the Resource Management Act. This brochure provides an overview of the regulations for the councils and foresters. Read more -
June 2017This brochure provides a high level overview of the main legislative changes made by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. It provides a useful summary for councillors, executives and members of the public. Read more -
May 2017This report examines how national policy statements on energy and electricity have been implemented and how they could be incorporated into the proposed National Planning Standards. Read more -
May 2017This report assesses metrics (ie, standards and methods of measurement) used in a selection of district and regional plans. Read more -
May 2017This report provides advice on the potential to standardise rules or exclusions for residential activities that could be included in a national planning standard or national environmental standard under the Resource Management Act. Read more -
May 2017This report identifies and analyses relevant non-urban zones and develops zoning framework options. Read more -
May 2017This report examines the use of spatial planning tools across New Zealand and identifies commonalities and differences. Read more -
May 2017This report examines urban zone provisions within district plans throughout New Zealand to better understand the most commonly used provisions and the key differences in the core urban zones. Read more -
May 2017This report reviews the suite of terms and associated definitions contained in 11 regional plans. Read more -
May 2017This report studies five districts (Kaipara, New Plymouth, Taupo, Waimakariri and Clutha) to understand why district councils use ‘effects-based’ plans, and the usability and outcomes of such plans. Read more -
May 2017This report examines differences in structure, format, mapping, and terminology between regional plans. Read more -
May 2017This report reviews the structure of regional policy statements (RPS) developed by councils. Read more -
May 2017This report researches the variation in district and regional plan definitions, and identifies ‘core’ or common terms applicable to district and regional plans to better understand the variation and complexity, and identify where greater efficiencies can be achieved. Read more -
May 2017This document is a summary of preliminary research undertaken by the Ministry over 2013-15 on a number of key planning issues relevant to the creation of national planning standards. Read more -
May 2017This 2013 report identified practice and trends in the structure, format and electronic delivery of RMA plans in New Zealand. Read more -
May 2017This report summarises research on different structure, format and high level content of Regional Policy Statements (RPS) under the Resource Management Act. Read more