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Planning Bill

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

185: Functions of territorial authorities

You could also call this:

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

You will have a say in how your area is developed. The territorial authority makes and looks after a land use plan for your district. They also make sure the plan is followed and sort out any problems. You can expect the territorial authority to work with the regional council to create a spatial plan for the region. They will regulate and manage effects as outlined in subpart 1 of Part 2. They must also do any other jobs specified in the Planning Bill or the Natural Environment Act 2025. The territorial authority must check that people are following the rules and standards. If someone is not following the rules, the authority will respond in a fair and reasonable way to encourage them to comply.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1526673.

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

Topics:

Environment and resources > Town planningGovernment and voting > Local councilsHousing and property > Land use

184: Overview of responsibilities of territorial authorities, or

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

186: Information gathering, monitoring, and keeping records, or

"Gathering information and watching what's happening to do your job properly"

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

185Functions of territorial authorities

Every territorial authority has the following functions:
Planning and related functions
making and maintaining a land use plan for the district; and
administering and implementing the land use plan for its district, including—
1. acting as a consenting authority for its district; and
2. undertaking monitoring, enforcement and compliance actions as required to achieve compliance with this Act, national standards, regulations made under this Act, and the provisions of the land use plan; and
3. monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the regulatory plan; and
jointly with the regional council within whose region the territorial authority is located, making and maintaining a spatial plan for the region; and
regulating and managing effects in accordance with subpart 1 of Part 2; and
any other functions or responsibilities specified in this Act or in the Natural Environment Act 2025.

In addition to those responsibilities of a territorial authority, territorial authorities have the responsibility to monitor compliance with standards, rules, and permits and responding proportionately, consistently, and reasonably to non-compliance using the functions and powers available to them under this Act, so as to promote compliance in a way that gives effect to the purpose, goals, and procedural principles of this Act.