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April 2019This guidance is intended to help you understand and interpret the Noise and Vibration Metrics Standard. Read more -
April 2019This factsheet provides a summary of the national planning standards for elected representatives. Read more -
April 2019This factsheet provides a summary of the national planning standards for plan users and the public. Read more -
April 2019This factsheet provides a summary of the national planning standards for iwi/Māori. Read more -
April 2019This guidance is intended to help you understand and interpret the District Spatial Layers Standard and Zone Framework Standard. Read more -
April 2019These national planning standards have been superseded by updated national planning standards which incorporate some minor changes. 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 -
August 2018This users’ guide is to help councils and the telecommunications industry understand and implement the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunication Facilities. Read more -
July 2018These guidelines will help councils with their compliance, monitoring and enforcement responsibilities under the Resource Management Act. 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 2018Part 1 provides an overarching introduction to the purpose of a section 32 evaluation report and discusses the legislative requirements that underpin it. Read more -
June 2018Part 2A of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the plan and policy statement structure and format standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 2B of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the spatial planning tools and zone framework standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 2C of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the definitions standard. Read more -
June 2018Part 2D of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the noise and vibrations metrics standard. Read more -
June 2018Part 2E of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the electronic functionality and accessibility and mapping standards. Read more -
June 2018Part 2F of the National Planning Standards Section 32 evaluation report provides a detailed evaluation of the Tangata whenua provisions standard. Read more -
June 2018Part 3 of this report discusses the proposed implementation approach of the first set of 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 -
June 2018The draft planning standards provide national consistency for the structure, form, definitions and electronic accessibility of Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) plans and policy statements to make them more efficient and easier to prepare and use. Read more -
May 2018This guidance is to help local authorities submit the National Monitoring System information that is required for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. The information is due by 31 July 2019. Read more -
April 2018Mana Whakahono ā Rohe is a new tool designed to assist tangata whenua and local authorities discuss, agree and record how they will work together under the Resource Management Act. This guidance explains how the legislation can be implemented and provides ideas about what could be included in a Mana Whakahono ā Rohe arrangement. Read more -
March 2018This guide provides information about the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) and guidance for completing an application for funding for a waste minimisation project. 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 2018This guide helps councils to make a request to the Minister for a streamlined planning process. It explains the streamlined planning process, including altered decision and appeal processes. 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 -
September 2017The purpose of this guide is to help professionals understand and successfully implement deemed permitted activity processes under sections 87BA and 87BB of the Resource Management Act 1991, brought in by the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017. These sections come in force from 18 October 2017. 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 -
August 2017This document provides guidance for planners and engineers on managing risks from liquefaction. It covers how to determine if liquefaction is an issue that needs to be managed, and appropriate land-use planning and building controls. Read more -
July 2017This document provides an overview of the full funding process, and guidance to help you complete your application to the Community Environment Fund. Read more -
June 2017This draft guidance is for councils or participants considering, or carrying out, a collaborative planning process under Part 4, Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Read more -
June 2017This guidance is for territorial authorities considering, or undertaking, a collaborative planning process to review, prepare or change a proposed plan, which will include addressing designations, heritage orders or notices of requirement. Read more -
June 2017This guidance is to help local authorities submit the National Monitoring System information requirements for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018. 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