A regional council may prepare one or more regional plans for its region. The purpose of these plans is to assist the regional council in carrying out its functions under the RMA. A regional council must prepare a regional coastal plan but other regional plans are optional. Regional plans must give effect to national policy statements and regional policy statements and not be inconsistent with water conservation orders, other regional plans for the region and Ministry of Fisheries determinations on aquaculture. When preparing a regional plan, a regional council must also take into account relevant planning documents recognised by iwi authorities and lodged with the council as well as management plans prepared for foreshore and seabed reserves within the region.
What issues do regional plans address?
For information about what issues regional plans address click here
What is the content of regional plans?
For information about the content of regional plans click here
What is the effect of regional plans?
For information about the effect of regional plans click here
How are regional plans prepared?
For information about how regional plans are prepared click here
When does a regional plan become operative?
For information about when a regional plan becomes operative click here
What is the current status of regional plans?
The Ministry for the Environment website has information on the status of regional plans. It also lists by regional council the regional plans in effect in each region.
What are the relevant legal provisions?
For legal provisions relating to regional plans click here
Where can you get further information?
For further information about regional plans click here
