Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Resource Management Act 1991

Purpose and principles

6: Matters of national importance

You could also call this:

“Important things people must think about when making decisions about our land, water, and special places in New Zealand”

When people are making decisions about how to use, develop, and protect natural and physical resources, they need to recognise and provide for some very important things. These are called matters of national importance.

You need to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and their edges. You also need to protect these areas from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.

You must protect outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.

You need to protect areas where there are important native plants and animals.

You should maintain and improve public access to and along the coast, lakes, and rivers.

You must respect the relationship Māori have with their ancestral lands, water, important sites, sacred places, and other treasures.

You need to protect historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.

You must protect customary rights that are protected by law.

You need to manage significant risks from natural hazards.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM231907.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Conservation
Environment and resources > Town planning
Housing and property > Land use
Māori affairs > Māori land
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
Previous

5: Purpose, or

“This law aims to help people use and protect nature in a way that's good for everyone now and in the future.”

Next

7: Other matters, or

“This law tells people in charge to think about important things like caring for nature, using resources wisely, and keeping the environment healthy when making decisions.”

Part 2 Purpose and principles

6Matters of national importance

  1. In achieving the purpose of this Act, all persons exercising functions and powers under it, in relation to managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, shall recognise and provide for the following matters of national importance:

  2. the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment (including the coastal marine area), wetlands, and lakes and rivers and their margins, and the protection of them from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:
    1. the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:
      1. the protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna:
        1. the maintenance and enhancement of public access to and along the coastal marine area, lakes, and rivers:
          1. the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu, and other taonga:
            1. the protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:
              1. the protection of protected customary rights:
                1. the management of significant risks from natural hazards.

                  Notes
                  • Section 6(f): inserted, on , by section 4 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 23).
                  • Section 6(g): replaced, on , by section 128 of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 (2011 No 3).
                  • Section 6(h): inserted, on , by section 6 of the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (2017 No 15).