Background information

Ten-year review of the regional plans

The ten‑year review of Northland’s three now‑superseded regional plans—covering the coast, water and soil, and air quality—was completed in December 2014, in line with Resource Management Act requirements. These are:

This review assessed how effectively the plans managed the region’s air, land, water, and coastal resources and informed the development of the new, integrated Regional Plan. 

The Proposed Regional Plan was notified in September 2017, with further submission notified March 2018.  During this time, over 400 submissions and further submissions were received.

Background documents

There were two separate hearings – one for genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms (GE/GMO) and one for all other matters. This page has information about the hearings and council decision for all matters, excluding GE/GMO.

Timeline

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    September 2017
    Plan notified
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    March 2018
    Further submissions
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    August - October 2018
    Hearing
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    4 May 2019
    Council decision
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    17 June 2019
    Appeal period ends
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    September - November 2019
    Mediation
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    2022
    Appeals heard
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    31 August 2023
    Regional Plan for Northland - operative in part.
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    October 2025
    Ministerial approval
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    March 2026
    Plan operative

Proposed Regional Plan for Northland – Appeals version

The Council had produced an Appeals Version of the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland.

Proposed Regional Plan for Northland – Appeals Version - Superseded (PDF 26.97 MB)

Appeals

Any person who made a submission on the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland had the chance to appeal the council’s decision in respect of those matters noted. The last day for lodging appeals with the Environment Court was 17 June 2019.  A total of 23 appeals were received.

Read the appeals lodged with the Environment Court

More information on the appeals process can be found on the Environment Court’s website:

www.environmentcourt.govt.nz/court-process/lodge-appeal-or-application

Summary of Decisions Requested and Submissions and Further Submissions reports

Council decision

Submitters had an opportunity to speak to the hearing panel until the hearing closed in October 2018. The hearing panel then wrote a report that made recommendations to Council on the provisions and submissions on the plan.

At is meeting on 16 April 2019, council accepted and adopted the recommendations of the hearing panel on decisions on provisions and matters raised in submissions (excluding GMOs).

Council's meeting agenda (16 April 2019) - see the recommendations

From 4 May 2019, the decisions version of the plan replaces the version notified in September 2017. 

Proposed Regional Plan for Northland – Decisions Version

Proposed Regional Plan for Northland – Decisions Version - Superseded (PDF 6.4 MB)

Several minor amendments have been made to the Proposed Regional Plan - Decisions Version after its public notification, pursuant to Clause 16(2) of Schedule 1 of the RMA.

Minor amendments to Proposed Regional Plan - Decisions Version (PDF 532 KB) 

Hearing panel recommendations

The Council delegated to a Hearing Panel (Rob van Voortuysen, independent commissioner and chair, Joce Yeoman, NRC councillor and Miria Pomare, independent commissioner) the function of hearing the submissions on the Proposed Regional Plan and making recommendations to the council. The exception is the submissions seeking the addition of provisions for genetically modified organisms - the full council heard these submissions separately.

The hearings panel made recommendations in April 2019. 

Report and Recommendations of the Hearing Panel for the Proposed Regional Plan (PDF 1.26 MB) 

Proposed Regional Plan for Northland – Commissioners’ Recommendations Version (tracked changes) (PDF 5.37 MB) 

Staff reply reports for hearing

The hearing reconvened at 6 November 2018 to receive the staff reply report. The staff reply report responded to matters raised at the hearing and recommended changes to the Proposed Regional Plan.

Council staff opening statements

Council staff prepared opening statements for the hearing.

Hearings evidence and written statements

Submitters provided evidence and written statements for the hearings.

Hearing Panel questions and responses

The Hearing Panel asked council staff questions about the Section 42A Reports.

Section 42A Reports

These staff reports responded to submissions and described recommended changes to the Proposed Regional Plan.

The recommended changes to the Proposed Regional Plan are shown in the document below:

The recommended changes to the Proposed Regional Plan map layers are shown in this map:

Open the online map - Proposed Regional Plan - Staff recommendations

The 'General approach' report provides an overview to the approach used for the S42A reports and addresses the more general submissions:

In May 2023 the Environment Court released its final decision on new marine protection rules for Mimiwhangata and Rākaumangamanga.

The court decision directs Northland Regional Council to implement the new rules via our Regional Plan, as fishing was shown to have been causing significant disruption and deterioration to the ecosystems.

Get information, maps and frequently asked questions about the Marine Protection Areas

On 16 June 2020, council agreed to settle the appeal seeking to include provisions in the Proposed Regional Plan regulating the use of genetically modified organisms in the coastal marine area. This was formally done via a consent order, which was signed off by the Environment Court on 05 August 2020.

Go to GE/GMO hearings information

Hard copies of all documents are available to purchase.

Please contact us on the number above or at info@nrc.govt.nz to organise purchase.

For any further information, call our team on: Freephone 0800 002 004.

In this section you will find:

  • technical reports used to help prepare the Regional Plan
  • documents incorporated into the Regional Plan by reference
  • assessment sheets for features mapped in the Regional Plan
    (these can also be accessed via the maps by clicking on a mapped feature – not all mapped features have assessment sheets).

Air quality

Historic heritage

Marine Biosecurity

Outstanding natural features

Natural character

The methodology report and further information about natural character mapping can be found on the Mapping worksheets and methodology page of the new Regional Policy Statement project

Regionally significant anchorages

Regionally significant surf breaks

Significant marine ecological areas

Estuary and harbour assessment sheets

General reports and dispersed value areas

Significant bird areas - Wading and aquatic birds - Open coast and islands

 Significant bird areas - Wading and aquatic birds - Estuaries and harbours

Open coast assessment sheets

Water quality and quantity

Sites and areas of significance to tangata whenua