Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

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Natural Environment Bill

Natural resource permits - Nature of permits, commencement, duration and review - Transfer and surrender

201: Existing use certificates

You could also call this:

"A certificate that proves you were already doing something on your land when the new rules started"

Illustration for Natural Environment Bill

You can ask the permit authority to give you a certificate. This certificate describes an activity that is covered by section 25. It states that this activity was allowed by section 25 on the date the certificate is issued. You can get a certificate that says what the activity was like on the date it was issued. It must describe the character, intensity, and scale of the activity. It must also say how long the activity is allowed under section 25. Some rules from the Planning Act 2025 apply to these certificates. An existing use certificate is like a natural resource permit, but it is treated a bit differently. It is subject to some parts of this Act, but only certain sections apply to it, like sections 172 to 174.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1539737.

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Topics:
Environment and resources > Town planningHousing and property > Land use
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200: Certificate of compliance where activity does not require permit, or

"Get a certificate to prove your activity follows the rules, even if you don't need a permit."

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202: Notification and registration of activity subject to permitted activity rule, or

"Telling authorities about activities that follow special rules"

Part 4Natural resource permits
Nature of permits, commencement, duration and review: Transfer and surrender

201Existing use certificates

  1. A person may request the permit authority to issue a certificate that—

  2. describes an activity to which section 25 applies; and
    1. states that the activity was an activity allowed by section 25 on the date on which the authority issues the certificate; and
      1. specifies the character, intensity, and scale of the activity on the date on which the authority issues the certificate; and
        1. describes the period for which the activity is allowed under section 25.

          1. Section 179(3) to (7) and (9) of the Planning Act 2025 apply to the request for, and issue of, a certificate under subsections (1) and (2).

          2. An existing use certificate is treated as an appropriate natural resource permit, and it is subject to this Act as if it were a natural resource permit, except that the only sections in this Part that apply to it are sections 172 to 174.