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Planning Bill

Key roles - Functions and powers of central and local government - Functions, powers, and responsibilities of territorial authorities

184: Overview of responsibilities of territorial authorities

You could also call this:

"How councils decide what happens to land in your area"

You will have a say in how land is used in your area. The territorial authority must make rules about using and developing land. They must also manage natural features and public access to water. You can expect the territorial authority to regulate things like natural hazards and contaminated land. They must also think about historical heritage and how land is used for housing and business. They need to plan how land is used with infrastructure like roads and buildings. Some things, like the coastal marine area, are the responsibility of the regional council, not the territorial authority. But the regional council is not responsible for public access to the coastal marine area or planning how land use fits with infrastructure.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1522608.

This page was last updated on 12 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Environment and resources > Town planningHousing and property > Land useGovernment and voting > Local councils

183: Minister of Conservation has certain powers of local authority, or

"The Minister of Conservation has some local council powers for certain islands."

185: Functions of territorial authorities, or

"What your local council does to plan and look after your area"

Part 5Key roles
Functions and powers of central and local government: Functions, powers, and responsibilities of territorial authorities

184Overview of responsibilities of territorial authorities

Every territorial authority must enable and regulate the use and development of land within its district, including subdivision and activities on the surface of water bodies.
In undertaking its responsibilities subsection (1), a territorial authority must regulate and manage the following matters:
the outstanding natural features and landscapes:
areas of high natural character within the coastal environment, wetlands, lakes, rivers and their margins:
public access to and along the coastal marine area, lakes, and rivers:
effects of natural hazards as they relate to land use:
contaminated land:
significant historical heritage:
the development capacity of land for housing and business; and
the integration of land use planning with infrastructure planning and investment.

The matters described in subsection (2) that are wholly within the coastal marine area are the responsibility of the regional council rather than of the territorial authority under this Act.
However, the matters that are the responsibility of the regional council under subsection (3) do not include the matters described in subsection (2)(c) and (h).