Protecting landscapes and features from inappropriate use or development

Protecting the region's unique landscapes and outstanding natural features requires us to manage and avoid activities such as inappropriate subdivision, use or development. This is a matter of national significance under the Resource Management Act (RMA). To achieve better protection we need greater consistency in how such areas are identified.

Drivers for change

There are increasing risks from changing land uses, increases in population and the rise in exotic plantation forestry.

Climate change and sea level rise may also put outstanding natural features at risk.

What we heard

• Identify and protect unique landscapes in a cost-effective way.

What we can influence

• We can require the protection of culturally significant sites.
• We could also require landscapes at risk from climate change to be identified and restrict land uses that threaten landscapes and features.
• We could better target protection.