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276A: Evidence of documents
or “Copies of official plans can be used as proof in court cases just like the original documents”
You could also call this:

“The Environment Court usually lets everyone see and hear what happens, but can sometimes keep things private.”

When the Environment Court has a hearing, it’s usually open for everyone to attend. This means you can go and listen to what’s happening if you want to.

Sometimes, the Environment Court might decide that some evidence should be kept private. They can also stop people from sharing certain information. The court will only do this if they think it’s more important to keep the information private than to let everyone know about it.

The Environment Court makes these decisions to balance keeping things open with protecting important private information. They always try to do what’s best for everyone involved.

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Next up: 277A: Powers of Environment Court in relation to evidence heard on appeal by way of rehearing

or “The court can look at evidence again when someone asks them to review a decision.”
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Part 11 Environment Court
Procedure and powers

277Hearings and evidence generally to be public

  1. All hearings of the Environment Court shall be held in public except as provided in subsection (2).

  2. The Environment Court may—

  3. order that any evidence be heard in private:
    1. prohibit or restrict the publication of any evidence—
        1. if it considers that the reasons for doing so outweigh the public interest in a public hearing and publication of evidence.

      Notes
      • Section 277(1): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).
      • Section 277(2): amended, on , pursuant to section 6(2)(a) of the Resource Management Amendment Act 1996 (1996 No 160).