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Resource Management Act 1991

Purpose and principles

7: Other matters

You could also call this:

"Considering the environment and using resources responsibly"

When you are managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, you must think about several things. You need to consider kaitiakitanga, which is a way of taking care of the environment, and the ethic of stewardship, which is being responsible for the resources. You also need to think about using resources efficiently and taking care of the environment.

You must consider the quality of the environment and how to keep it good. You also need to think about the intrinsic values of ecosystems, which are the unique qualities of plants and animals. You have to consider the finite characteristics of natural and physical resources, which means they can run out.

You need to protect the homes of trout and salmon, and think about how climate change will affect the environment. You also need to consider the benefits of using renewable energy, which is energy that comes from natural sources like sunlight and wind. All these things are important when you are making decisions about the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM231910.

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Climate and energy
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6: Matters of national importance, or

"Looking after New Zealand's special places and resources is important"

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8: Treaty of Waitangi, or

"Recognising and considering Māori rights and values when making decisions about New Zealand's natural resources"

Part 2Purpose and principles

7Other matters

  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 have particular regard to—

  2. kaitiakitanga:
    1. the ethic of stewardship:
      1. the efficient use and development of natural and physical resources:
        1. the efficiency of the end use of energy:
          1. the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values:
            1. intrinsic values of ecosystems:
                1. maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment:
                  1. any finite characteristics of natural and physical resources:
                    1. the protection of the habitat of trout and salmon:
                      1. the effects of climate change:
                        1. the benefits to be derived from the use and development of renewable energy.

                          Notes
                          • Section 7(aa): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1997 (1997 No 104).
                          • Section 7(ba): inserted, on , by section 5(1) of the Resource Management (Energy and Climate Change) Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 2).
                          • Section 7(e): repealed, on , by section 5 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 23).
                          • Section 7(i): inserted, on , by section 5(2) of the Resource Management (Energy and Climate Change) Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 2).
                          • Section 7(j): inserted, on , by section 5(2) of the Resource Management (Energy and Climate Change) Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 2).