Streamlined planning process

In April 2020, the Minister for the Environment directed us to enter a streamlined planning process for this proposed change, and in August 2020 the Minister granted us a six-month extension to publicly notify it. Notice of the amendment to the Minister's direction was published in the New Zealand Gazette.

The streamlined planning process was introduced through amendments to the Resource Management Act (RMA) in April 2017. It is a Minister-directed process intended to give flexibility in plan-making processes and timeframes. Using a streamlined planning process has the potential to reduce the time and cost associated with implementing changes to RMA plans, with fewer mandatory process steps and limited scope for appeals.

The streamlined planning process is different to the standard Schedule 1 RMA process, and the process steps and timeframes are set by the Minister. A summary of the streamlined planning process being followed is set out below, and the full statutory requirements are set out in the Minister's Direction (PDF File, 38.03KB) dated 29 April 2020 and notice of amendment (PDF File, 32.08KB) dated 6 August 2020.

Summary of process steps

1. Pre-notification consultation with Te Rūnanga o Ngaī Tahu (the iwi authority) and Ngaī Tūāhuriri (being a hapū of Ngāi Tahu) in accordance with clause 4A of Schedule 1 of the RMA. To be completed no later than 15 working days after the date the notice comes into force.
2. Publicly notify the proposed change to Chapter 6 of the CRPS. To be completed no later than 140 working days after completion of pre-notification consultation (Step 1).
3. Provide an opportunity for written submissions over a period of 20 working days. Public submissions to be received no later than 20 working days after public notification (Step 2).
4. A written recommendations report is to be provided to the Minister showing how submissions have been considered, and the changes (if any) recommended. This will be reviewed by an independent commissioner. The report must be submitted to the Minister no later than 30 working days after the close of submissions (Step 3).

The process steps must be completed within 205 days of the notice coming into effect.