Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

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1  Introduction

1.2  The Resource Management Framework

1.2.3 Policies and Plans

The RMA establishes a system for resource management planning at the national, regional and local levels (see Figure 2). The policy and planning documents provided for by the RMA are described below¹. Central to the purpose of each of these documents is the promotion of sustainable resource management:

The Minister for the Environment can prescribe technical standards relating to the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources. Methods for implementing these standards can also be prescribed.

National policy statements are prepared by the Minister for the Environment and state policies on matters of national significance.

Preparation of the New Zealand coastal policy statement is the responsibility of the Minister of Conservation. The RMA requires that there will, at all times, be at least one statement. Coastal policy statements present policies to achieve the purpose of the RMA in relation to the coastal environment.

Each region is required to have a regional policy statement. The purpose of a regional policy statement is to provide an overview of the significant resource management issues of the Region and the policies and methods to achieve integrated management of natural and physical resources. The RPS will provide policy guidance/direction to territorial authorities.

Regional plans are prepared by regional councils. They assist regional and district councils to carry out their functions under the RMA and may focus on specific resources, activities, issues or geographic areas. A purpose of regional plans is to deregulate the Resource Management Act while providing greater certainty via standards and rules. With the exception of regional coastal plans, the preparation of regional plans is optional. However, it is only through regional plans that councils can develop regional rules.

Territorial authorities are required to prepare district plans. These assist territorial authorities to carry out their functions under the RMA. District plans may contain district rules.

Figure 2: The Planning Framework - National, Regional and Local

While each of the above policy statements and resource management plans are ‘stand alone’ documents, it is important that integrated to resource management is achieved. Regional policy statements must not be inconsistent with any national policy statement, a New Zealand coastal policy statement or any water conservation order³. Regional plans and district plans must not be inconsistent with the regional policy statement or other regional plans or any national policy statement, New Zealand coastal policy statement or water conservation order⁴.

In addition to the policy statement and plans mentioned above, the RMA also makes provision for the preparation of joint plans⁵. Regional councils and/or territorial councils can agree to prepare and administer a combined regional plan and/or a combined regional and district plan for the whole or any part of their respective regions or districts.

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Footnotes

1. The purpose of the various types of policy statements and plans and the processes to be followed in their preparation, are detailed in s43 to s67, and s72 to s75 of the RMA.
2. See section 1.3.
3. RMA, s62(2). Water Conservation orders are detailed in Part IX of the RMA. See Glossary.
4. RMA, s67(2) and s75(2).
5. RMA, s80.