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 (applying below mean high water springs) but other regional plans are optional. Regional plans must give effect to national policy statements and regional policy statements. They must also not be inconsistent with water conservation orders, other regional plans for the region (section 67(3)) 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 and in relation to a planning document prepared by a customary marine title group under section 85
of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, the council
must recognise and provide for the matters in that document, to the
extent
that they relate to the relevant customary marine title area and take
into account other matters in that document. (section 66(2A)).
Regional Councils must attach planning documents prepared by customary
marine title groups to its regional policy statement that it makes
publicly available until it decides that no alterations are required or a
proposed change to address the issues raised in the planning document
becomes operative.
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 have legal effect?
For information about when a regional plan becomes operative click here
What is the current status of regional plans?
The Quality Planning website (http://www.qualityplanning.org.nz)/ 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
