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The next step is the hearings process, which is an opportunity for submitters to speak to their submissions on the Proposed District Plan. Further information on the hearings will be issued soon.
Our plan is now 10 years old. We need a modern plan which provides clear objectives, policies and rules to manage the effects of land use activities on the environment. It’s time to check in again with our communities to understand people’s needs and expectations and revisit the direction for our district’s development.
The review will also incorporate any recent changes in legislation, national and regional policy statements, environmental standards and other regulations. One of the changes has been the introduction of the National Planning Standards which sets out the format for the District Plan and will change the way the District Plan looks, including making it easier to find information and read online.
This website is one of the tools that will help you stay informed about:
The three Wairarapa District Councils have resolved to continue having a Combined District Plan for all three districts, and to jointly review the Operative District Plan as a Joint Committee, comprising of delegated members of:
Take a look at the Proposed District Plan here.
Every district in New Zealand must have a District Plan prepared under the Resource Management Act. District plans are needed to manage the effects of land use, including growth. They do this by identifying the key issues in a district and how to manage them. They set out where and how different activities occur, and how resources are used.
District Plans must give effect to national policy statements and regional policy statements. They must not be inconsistent with regional plans and need to be prepared having regard to other management plans, strategies and regulations prepared under other legislation.
Ten years ago our Councils led the way in preparing a combined Operative District Plan which is the first District Plan under the Resource Management Act to be prepared jointly by neighbouring district councils. We have an opportunity now to reflect on how effective a single resource management framework has been for our three districts, which previously had separate District Plans. The aim is to achieve consistent planning outcomes across our combined sub-region, where there were many similar or common planning issues as well as cross-boundary issues.
A Joint Committee of the three councils was established in November 2020 with an independent Chair.
Current members of the Joint Committee are:
David McMahon - Independent Chair
Craig Bowyer - Councillor, Masterton District Council
Alistair Plimmer - Councillor, South Wairarapa District Council
Frazer Mailman - Commissioner (former Masterton District Councillor)
Brian Jephson - Commissioner (former South Wairarapa District Councillor)
Robyn Cherry-Campbell - Councillor, Carterton District Council
Brian Deller - Councillor, Carterton District Council
Jo Hayes, Iwi Representative, Rangitāne o Wairarapa
Kereana Sims, Iwi Representative, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
This Committee is responsible for reviewing the Operative District Plan and preparing and approving a new combined Proposed District Plan covering the Wairarapa.
The District Plan Review process will be jointly funded by the three Wairarapa District Councils.
A technical advisory team has been established to support the Joint Committee. This team comprises planners with expertise from across the three councils to ensure local interests are well understood and represented.
A dedicated administrative support role and a communications and engagement role has been provided by the District Councils.
The revised District Plan will promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources as required under the Resource Management Act, by:
The review will achieve these aims by:
The District Plan allows some activities to occur without the need for a resource consent, as long as specified standards in the District Plan are met. If an activity has the potential to impact adversely on the environment, it is categorised as ‘controlled’, ‘restricted discretionary’, ‘discretionary’ or ‘non-complying’ and may not take place without a resource consent.
When a resource consent application is submitted, a Council assesses any planned development or activities against the objectives, policies, and rules of the District Plan, and considers any effects the activity may have on the environment.
More detail about resource consents, how to apply for them, and how to make submissions on publicly notified resource consents can be found on any of the councils’ websites.
Alignment with local growth strategies and plans is necessary to coordinate land use, infrastructure, financial and urban growth planning for Wairarapa. Local growth strategies relevant to the District Plan include:
The Proposed District Plan is consistent with these strategies and provides the ‘rules’ for turning their aims into actions.
District Plans are linked to a number of national policy documents which all have important roles in giving effect to New Zealand’s resource management system. The following planning and regulatory documents provide regional and national direction which the District Plan must account for.
The Resource Management Act 1991 was re-enacted in December 2023 by the new Coalition Government. At the same time, the previous governments new planning legislation (Spatial Planning Act and Natural and Built Environment Act) were repealed. The District Plan Review and Proposed District Plan will continue to be prepared under the Resource Management Act.
No timeframes have been made available yet for these reforms.
Our newsletters will be made available in pdf format. You will find new editions for your reading and downloading here:
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