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Natural Environment Bill

Natural resource permits - Applying for natural resource permit - Time frames and excluded time periods

138: Permit processing time frames

You could also call this:

"How long it takes to decide on a natural resource permit"

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

If you apply for a natural resource permit, there are time frames for how long it takes to process your application. The time frames are set out in a table and are also subject to other parts of this proposed law and any regulations made under section 308. You can find the table in subsection (3) which shows the maximum time frames for different types of permit applications. When you lodge your application under section 130(5), the processing time starts, and it ends when the permit authority tells you their decision. The permit authority must follow the time frames in the table, which range from 45 working days to 130 working days, depending on the type of permit. If you apply for a natural resource permit, the permit authority might need to suspend processing your application, and they must do this in the way prescribed in the regulations. The regulations will say when and how the permit authority can suspend your application. You can check section 308 to see how the regulations are made.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1523928.

This page was last updated on 14 December 2025 — View changes

Topics:

Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Farming and fishingBusiness > Industry rules

137: Deferral pending application for additional permits, or

"Waiting for more permit applications before deciding on yours"

139: Certain permits must be processed and decided no later than 1 year after lodgement, or

"The council must decide on your natural resource permit within 1 year of you applying."

Part 4Natural resource permits
Applying for natural resource permit: Time frames and excluded time periods

138Permit processing time frames

The maximum processing time frames for applications for natural resource permits—
are set out in the table in subsection (3); and
are subject to—
1. other provisions of this Act; and
2. any time frames or excluded time periods prescribed by regulations made under section 308.

For the purposes of this section, the processing of an application—
begins on the date that the application is lodged under section 130(5); and
ends on the date that the permit authority notifies the applicant of the decision on the application.

The processing time frames for natural resource permits are as follows:

The following table is small in size and has 2 columns. Column 1 is headed Type of notification. Column 2 is headed Maximum processing time frame.
Type of notification		Maximum processing time frame
Non-notified permit with or without hearing		45 working days
Targeted notified permit without hearing		70 working days
Targeted notified permit with hearing		100 working days
Publicly notified permit without hearing		90 working days
Publicly notified permit with hearing		130 working days

A permit authority must suspend the processing of an application for a natural resource permit on the grounds and in the manner prescribed in the regulations.