Regional policy statements must be prepared for each region. They enable regional councils to provide broad direction and a framework for resource management within their regions. Regional policy statements must give effect to national policy statements and be consistent with water conservation orders (section 62(3)). When preparing a regional policy statement, a regional council must also take into account planning documents recognised by an iwi authority and lodged with the council as well as management plans prepared for foreshore and seabed reserves (section 61(2A)).
What issues do regional policy statements address?
For information about the issues addressed by regional policy statements click here
What is the content of regional policy statements?
For information about the content of regional policy statements click here
What is the effect of regional policy statements?
For information about the effect of regional policy statements click here
How are regional policy statements prepared?
For information about how regional policy statements are prepared click here
When does a regional policy statement become operative?
A regional policy statement becomes operative when all submissions and any references have been resolved and when the regional council publicly notifies the date on which it will become operative (First Schedule, clause 20). A council can approve part of a policy statement if all submissions and appeals relating to it have been resolved (First Schedule, clause 17(2)) and the approved part of the policy statement can then be made operative.
What is the current status of regional policy statements?
Most regional councils now have operative regional policy statements. Some of these will be reviewed soon.
The Ministry for the Environment website has information on the status of regional policy statements.
What are the relevant legal provisions?
For information about legal provisions relating to regional policy statements click here
Where can you get further information?
For further information about regional policy statements click here
