Topic

Town planning

This page contains different parts of laws about Town planning, within the topic of Environment and resources.

Related Plain Language Law

Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002

This law helps keep you and your community safe from harm by planning for emergencies and managing risks.

3: Purpose

Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002

What happens to environment rules during an emergency

111: Restricted application of Resource Management Act 1991

Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002

Important services like power, water, and transport that help keep you safe in an emergency

Schedule 1: Lifeline utilities

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for local governments to serve their communities effectively

Local Government Act 2002

This part explains what words mean in the Local Government Act

5: Interpretation

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

How your local council is set up and can change

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

How local councils and community groups are run and make decisions

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for groups that help run towns and cities

Local Government Act 2002

Council-controlled groups should follow their goals, treat workers well, and help the community

59: Principal objective of council-controlled organisation

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for creating a plan about how new buildings help pay for community stuff

106: Policy on development contributions or financial contributions

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for keeping towns and cities clean, safe, and fun

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

What to do after checking a community's drinking water

126: Requirements following assessment of community drinking water service

Local Government Act 2002

What information councils needed when checking town toilets and rubbish collection

127: Information required in assessment of sanitary services

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Councils must keep providing water to their communities

130: Obligation to maintain water services

Local Government Act 2002

Councils can stop or give away small water services if most people agree

131: Power to close down or transfer small water services

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for deciding when to close a water service

134: Criteria for closure of water service

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for giving a water service to a community group

135: Criteria for transfer of water service

Local Government Act 2002

Rules about who can provide water services

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules about places where people can play and relax outdoors

Local Government Act 2002

Parks can't be sold or given away without asking people first

138: Restriction on disposal of parks (by sale or otherwise)

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules and powers for local councils to make and enforce laws in their areas

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Councils can create local rules to manage their community

146: Specific bylaw-making powers of territorial authorities

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for making trade waste laws need special steps and approvals

148: Special requirements for bylaws relating to trade wastes

Local Government Act 2002

Regional councils can create special rules for their land and services

149: Power of regional councils to make bylaws

Local Government Act 2002

The government must follow some rules made by local councils

153: The Crown bound by certain bylaws

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules about getting rid of toilet waste and dirty water from businesses

Local Government Act 2002

Rules about putting poo and other waste into big pipes

195: Discharge of sewage

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for businesses putting waste water into council drains

196: Discharge of trade wastes

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Explaining important words used in local government rules

197: Interpretation

Local Government Act 2002

What a council must put in its plan for getting money from builders to pay for community stuff

201: Contents of development contributions policy

Local Government Act 2002

What's in the list of payments for new buildings and developments

202: Contents of section 201 schedule

Local Government Act 2002

How councils can use money for parks differently when there are enough parks already

206: Alternative uses of development contributions for reserves

Local Government Act 2002

This law works with other laws about buildings and managing resources

211: Application of other Acts

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules about changing fences, structures, and plants still work with other building laws

222: Provisions of Resource Management Act 1991 and Building Act 2004 continue to apply

Local Government Act 2002

Breaking the rules and getting in trouble: What happens when you don't follow local laws

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Wasting water after a warning is against the law

224: Offence relating to water wastage

Local Government Act 2002

Breaking rules about water channels and personal drains

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

The Minister's Power to Help and Fix Problems in Local Councils

Local Government Act 2002

Changes, cancellations, and keeping old rules: Updating and fixing local government laws

Local Government Act 2002

Councils must create a plan for dealing with rubbish if they don't have one already

286: Waste management plan

Local Government Act 2002

A list of New Zealand's local councils and how their areas are set

Schedule 2: Local authorities

Local Government Act 2002

How councils and regions in New Zealand can be changed

Schedule 3: Reorganisation of local authorities

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for plans made by groups run by local councils

Schedule 8: Statements of intent for council-controlled organisations

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for councils doing work on private land without owner's permission

Schedule 12: Conditions of constructing or undertaking works on private land without the owner's consent

Local Government Act 2002

How councils work out fair costs for new buildings in their area

Schedule 13: Methodology for calculating development contributions

Local Government Act 2002

What the Minister was allowed to do in local government (but not anymore)

Schedule 15: Powers of Minister

Local Government Act 2002

Changes made to other laws because of this new law

Schedule 16: Consequential amendments

Local Government Act 2002

List of old rules about local government that are no longer used

Schedule 18: Enactments repealed

Local Government Act 2002

List of old local laws that are no longer used

Schedule 19: Local Acts repealed

Local Government Act 2002

List of old government rules that aren't used anymore

Schedule 20: Orders in Council revoked

Local Government Act 2002

Rules are made to check how well local services are working

261B: Secretary must make rules specifying performance measures

Local Government Act 2002

Plans and reports that show what local councils are doing and how they spend money

Schedule 10: Long-term plans, annual plans, and annual reports

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

How to challenge fees for new buildings or developments

Schedule 13A: Procedure relating to development contribution objections

Local Government Act 2002

A plan for taking care of important town services for a long time

101B: Infrastructure strategy

Local Government Act 2002

Why councils can ask builders to help pay for new things in growing towns

197AA: Purpose of development contributions

Local Government Act 2002

What happens when people sign a special agreement about building things

207D: Effect of development agreement

Local Government Act 2002

Rules about what local councils can ask developers to do in special agreements

207E: Restrictions on use of development agreement

Local Government Act 2002

How the law changes are put into place smoothly

Schedule 1AA: Application, savings, and transitional provisions

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Making sure people have safe drinking water when there are big problems with water companies

127: Duty to ensure communities have access to drinking water if existing suppliers facing significant problems

Local Government Act 2002

Checking if your area's wastewater and cleaning services are working well

128: Requirement to assess wastewater and other sanitary services

Local Government Act 2002

Local Government Act 2002

Rules for creating or changing local decision-making areas in big city councils

Schedule 3A: Establishment or reorganisation of local board areas in unitary authority districts

Income Tax Act 2007

Tax rules for selling land previously used as a landfill if you notify the tax office

CB 8: Disposal: land used for landfill, if notice of election

Income Tax Act 2007

Tax deductions for unused resource consent application costs

DB 19: Expenses in application for resource consent

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for deciding on requests for activities not related to fish farming

Resource Management Act 1991

The law says some people need to stop asking for permission to use the beach or ocean.

165BB: Some applications for coastal permits must be cancelled

Resource Management Act 1991

You can't ask for or decide on fish farming in the sea until there's a special area set aside for it in the local plan.

165BC: Certain applications not to be processed or determined until aquaculture management area established in regional coastal plan

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for Using Land, Air, and Water

Resource Management Act 1991

Important Law Words

Resource Management Act 1991

What words mean in the Resource Management Act

2: Interpretation

Resource Management Act 1991

What 'effect' means in the Resource Management Act 1991: any change that happens because of something, whether it's good, bad, big, or small.

3: Meaning of effect

Resource Management Act 1991

Acting under someone else's resource consent with their permission

3A: Person acting under resource consent with permission

Resource Management Act 1991

This law explains which foreign ships and planes don't have to follow New Zealand's rules.

4A: Application of this Act to ships and aircraft of foreign States

Resource Management Act 1991

This law aims to help people use and protect nature in a way that's good for everyone now and in the future.

5: Purpose

Resource Management Act 1991

Looking after New Zealand's special places and resources is important

6: Matters of national importance

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules about how we use and take care of land

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules about how you can and can't use land to protect the environment

9: Restrictions on use of land

Resource Management Act 1991

Using land in a way that was allowed before the rules changed

10: Certain existing uses in relation to land protected

Resource Management Act 1991

You can keep doing something you've always done on lakes and rivers if you started it before new rules began.

10A: Certain existing activities allowed

Resource Management Act 1991

You can still use your land if you had a building consent before new rules started.

10B: Certain existing building works allowed

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for dividing land into smaller pieces

11: Restrictions on subdivision of land

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules to protect the coastal marine area

12: Restrictions on use of coastal marine area

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for what you can and can't do in lake and river beds

13: Restriction on certain uses of beds of lakes and rivers

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules about loud sounds and quiet times

Resource Management Act 1991

Keep the noise down to a reasonable level on your land or in the water.

16: Duty to avoid unreasonable noise

Resource Management Act 1991

Bad things that can happen because of how we use our land and resources

Resource Management Act 1991

Special activities that are important to certain groups of people

Resource Management Act 1991

You might not be in trouble if you had to break rules because of a sudden emergency you didn't expect.

18: Possible defence in cases of unforeseen emergencies

Resource Management Act 1991

What happens when plans are changed

Resource Management Act 1991

Some planned rules used to apply straight away, but this law is no longer in effect.

19: Certain rules in proposed plans to be operative

Resource Management Act 1991

Some rules in plans don't count if they've been cancelled

20: Certain rules in proposed plans not to have effect

Resource Management Act 1991

You can keep doing something you were already legally doing, even if new rules say you need permission.

20A: Certain existing lawful activities allowed

Resource Management Act 1991

Extra rules and details about the law

Resource Management Act 1991

Everyone must do their jobs quickly and not waste time when following the rules in this law.

21: Avoiding unreasonable delay

Resource Management Act 1991

This law reminds you that you still need to follow other rules even if you follow this one.

23: Other legal requirements not affected

Resource Management Act 1991

Government Jobs and Rules

Resource Management Act 1991

What Ministers can do and must do

Resource Management Act 1991

The Minister for the Environment's jobs under the Resource Management Act

24: Functions of Minister for the Environment

Resource Management Act 1991

The Minister for the Environment checks if local councils are doing their job properly and suggests how they can improve.

24A: Power of Minister for the Environment to investigate and make recommendations

Resource Management Act 1991

The Minister can step in and do the local authority's job if they're not doing it well enough.

25: Residual powers of Minister for the Environment

Resource Management Act 1991

The Minister can ask a council to create or change a plan to help manage the environment.

25A: Minister may direct preparation of plan, change, or variation

Resource Management Act 1991

The Minister can ask local groups for information they need to do their job.

27: Minister may require local authorities to supply information

Resource Management Act 1991

What local councils can and must do

Resource Management Act 1991

What regional councils do to help manage the environment and resources in their area

30: Functions of regional councils under this Act

Resource Management Act 1991

What jobs do local councils do to look after the environment and manage land use in their area?

31: Functions of territorial authorities under this Act

Resource Management Act 1991

How to write a report on a proposal to change environmental rules

32: Requirements for preparing and publishing evaluation reports

Resource Management Act 1991

What happens if a local authority doesn't do its evaluation job properly?

32A: Failure to carry out evaluation

Resource Management Act 1991

Explains how local authorities can give some of their responsibilities to other groups

33: Transfer of powers

Resource Management Act 1991

A local authority can pass on some of its tasks to employees or helpers, but not all important decisions.

34A: Delegation of powers and functions to employees and other persons

Resource Management Act 1991

Local authorities must gather info, monitor the environment, and keep records to help them make good decisions.

35: Duty to gather information, monitor, and keep records

Resource Management Act 1991

Keep records of local iwi and hapu contact details and interests

35A: Duty to keep records about iwi and hapu

Resource Management Act 1991

Paying for help from your local council with plans and rules

36: Administrative charges

Resource Management Act 1991

What local councils and people asking for permission must do

Resource Management Act 1991

No need to discuss resource consent applications with others under this law.

36A: No duty under this Act to consult about resource consent applications and notices of requirement

Resource Management Act 1991

What local councils and other government groups must do and can do

Resource Management Act 1991

Working together: How local authorities can make joint plans with communities

36B: Power to make joint management agreement

Resource Management Act 1991

A local authority can make a decision on its own if others can't agree in time.

36C: Local authority may act by itself under joint management agreement

Resource Management Act 1991

What happens when groups work together to make decisions about managing resources

36D: Effect of joint management agreement

Resource Management Act 1991

How to end a joint management agreement by giving notice

36E: Termination of joint management agreement

Resource Management Act 1991

How to get more time or be excused from certain rules

Resource Management Act 1991

Asking to change or delay rules you must follow under the Resource Management Act

37: Power of waiver and extension of time limits

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for extending or waiving time limits under the Resource Management Act

37A: Requirements for waivers and extensions

Resource Management Act 1991

Who can make decisions about resource management rules and time limits?

37B: Persons to have powers of consent authority for purposes of sections 37 and 37A

Resource Management Act 1991

People who make sure the rules are followed

Resource Management Act 1991

Who can be an enforcement officer and what are their jobs and rules?

38: Authorisation and responsibilities of enforcement officers

Resource Management Act 1991

Hearings are open to the public and try to be fair and not too formal.

39: Hearings to be public and without unnecessary formality

Resource Management Act 1991

Who can be chosen to run a hearing and make decisions

39B: Persons who may be given hearing authority

Resource Management Act 1991

What happens if someone is not accredited to make decisions under the law?

39C: Effect of lack of accreditation

Resource Management Act 1991

Who can speak at a hearing about a resource management issue

40: Persons who may be heard at hearings

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for how hearings work and what happens when you're involved

41: Provisions relating to hearings

Resource Management Act 1991

Who's in charge and what they can do at a hearing

41A: Control of hearings

Resource Management Act 1991

Give evidence on time when asked by the authority

41B: Directions to provide evidence within time limits

Resource Management Act 1991

What to expect and do when you're at a hearing: rules and instructions from the person in charge

41C: Directions and requests before or at hearings

Resource Management Act 1991

Keeping secret information safe during council hearings

42: Protection of sensitive information

Resource Management Act 1991

Information about written documents that provide details or updates

Resource Management Act 1991

Getting a report from the local council to help them make a decision about your application

42A: Reports to local authority

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules help keep our environment safe. They are made by the government and local councils. These rules are called standards and policies.

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules to protect New Zealand's environment and keep it clean and healthy

43: Regulations prescribing national environmental standards

Resource Management Act 1991

What's in the rules to protect New Zealand's environment

43A: Contents of national environmental standards

Resource Management Act 1991

What happens when national environmental standards and local rules or consents disagree?

43B: Relationship between national environmental standards and rules or consents

Resource Management Act 1991

How national environmental rules work with special area plans

43D: Relationship between national environmental standards and designations

Resource Management Act 1991

What happens when local bylaws are stricter or weaker than national environmental rules

43E: Relationship between national environmental standards and bylaws

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for creating national environmental standards that the Minister must follow

44: Restriction on power to make national environmental standards

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules that guide decisions for the whole country

Resource Management Act 1991

What national policy statements are for: guiding big decisions that affect New Zealand's environment and people.

45: Purpose of national policy statements (other than New Zealand coastal policy statements)

Resource Management Act 1991

How the Government Makes National Environmental Rules

46A: Process for preparing national environmental standards and national policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

Using other information in environmental rules by referencing it

46B: Incorporation of material by reference in national environmental standard or national policy statement

Resource Management Act 1991

What is a Board of Inquiry: a part of the law that was removed

47: Board of inquiry

Resource Management Act 1991

Telling the public about a proposed national direction and asking for their thoughts

48: Public notification of proposal for national direction and inquiry

Resource Management Act 1991

Telling a board of inquiry what you think

49: Submissions to board of inquiry

Resource Management Act 1991

How a hearing is run, now no longer part of the law

50: Conduct of hearing

Resource Management Act 1991

What a board of inquiry must consider and include in their report

51: Matters to be considered and board of inquiry's report

Resource Management Act 1991

The Minister looks at suggestions and decides whether to approve, change or cancel a proposed national policy statement.

52: Consideration of recommendations and approval or withdrawal of statement

Resource Management Act 1991

Changing or cancelling national environment rules

53: Changes to or review or revocation of national policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

The government must tell everyone about new rules for the country and any changes to these rules.

54: Publication of national policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

Councils must update their plans to match national rules and tell the public about the changes.

55: Local authority recognition of national policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

Explains how special rules help protect New Zealand's coast

56: Purpose of New Zealand coastal policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

Creating a plan to protect New Zealand's coastlines

57: Preparation of New Zealand coastal policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

What's in a Plan to Protect New Zealand's Coast?

58: Contents of New Zealand coastal policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules for including extra information in official plans about New Zealand's coasts

58A: Incorporation of material by reference in New Zealand coastal policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

Rules made by local governments to guide how an area should be looked after and developed

Resource Management Act 1991

Regional policy statements explain how to manage natural resources in a whole region

59: Purpose of regional policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

How regional councils make and update plans for their area's development

60: Preparation and change of regional policy statements

Resource Management Act 1991

What regional councils must think about when making or changing planning rules

61: Matters to be considered by regional council (policy statements)

Corrections Act 2004

How prisons and community work centres follow the Resource Management Act

178: Application of Resource Management Act 1991

Food Act 2014

The boss of a region can take over some jobs and responsibilities from the local council.

Food Act 2014

Reviewer can make you pay costs if you waste the other party's time or money.

360: Reviewer may require payment of costs in review of decision by relevant territorial authority

Building Act 2004

Trusted dam owners don't need to get a yearly safety check for their dams.

150A: Annual dam compliance certificate requirements not to apply to accredited dam owner

Building Act 2004

Explains how dams are classified as risky in big earthquakes or floods based on their size and chance of breaking

153A: Meaning of earthquake-prone dam and flood-prone dam

Building Act 2004

How much it costs to check if rules are followed

Building Act 2004

The boss must check if the rules about approving building plans are working well

402A: Chief executive must review regulations made under section 402(1)(kb)

Building Act 2004

Permissions for using the same building design in many places

Building Act 2004

A special approval shows that building plans follow the rules, but you still need permission to build.

30A: National multiple-use approval establishes compliance with building code

Building Act 2004

To get approval for using the same building design many times, you need to send a special form with all the right information to the building boss.

30B: How to apply for national multiple-use approval

Building Act 2004

How the boss decides if a building plan can be used lots of times

30E: Processing application for national multiple-use approval

Building Act 2004

Small changes to building plans can be made without filling out special forms

45A: Minor variations to building consents

Building Act 2004

Making small changes to approved building plans is allowed, but big changes need a new approval.

45B: Changes to plans and specifications that have national multiple-use approval

Building Act 2004

This section explains the rules people must follow when making decisions about buildings to keep everyone safe and happy.

4: Principles to be applied in performing functions or duties, or exercising powers, under this Act

Building Act 2004

What 'allotment' means: a piece of land with clear boundaries shown on a plan.

10: Meaning of allotment

Building Act 2004

A regional authority manages and oversees everything to do with dams, including safety and building rules.

13: Role of regional authority

Building Act 2004

Different authorities have special jobs when it comes to buildings with dams

14: Roles of building consent authorities, territorial authorities, and regional authorities in relation to dams

Building Act 2004

People thinking about building can ask for important information before they start

32: Owner may apply for project information memorandum

Building Act 2004

This explains what you need to include when asking for information about your building project.

33: Content of application

Building Act 2004

What you need to know before you start building: information about your project

35: Content of project information memorandum

Building Act 2004

The city council can tell you that you might need to pay money to help build things in your area before they approve your building project.

36: Territorial authority may issue development contribution notice

Building Act 2004

Council must give you a certificate if you need special permission for your building work

37: Territorial authority must issue certificate if resource consent required

Building Act 2004

The local council must tell the heritage group if someone wants to build near an important historical place.

39: Territorial authority must advise Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga in certain circumstances

Building Act 2004

Rules about getting permission to build things

Building Act 2004

You need to fill out a special form and provide plans and other important information to ask for permission to build something.

45: How to apply for building consent

Building Act 2004

The rules for when the building people say you can build something.

49: Grant of building consent

Building Act 2004

When you get permission to build something, you receive a special document with important information.

51: Issue of building consent

Building Act 2004

Rules about building in places that might be dangerous because of nature

Building Act 2004

Rules about building on land that might be unsafe because of things like floods or landslides

71: Building on land subject to natural hazards

Building Act 2004

Even if land might be dangerous, you can still get permission to build if it's safe and reasonable.

72: Building consent for building on land subject to natural hazards must be granted in certain cases

Building Act 2004

Rules for telling people about special building permissions on risky land

73: Conditions on building consents granted under section 72

Building Act 2004

Rules for buildings meant to last less than 50 years and what you need to do with them when their time is up

113: Buildings with specified intended lives

Building Act 2004

You must tell the council if you want to change how you use a building, make it last longer, or split up the land it's on.

114: Owner must give notice of change of use, extension of life, or subdivision of buildings

Building Act 2004

Rules for changing how a building is used to make sure it's safe and follows the building code

115: Code compliance requirements: change of use

Building Act 2004

Rules for subdividing buildings to ensure they meet safety standards

116A: Code compliance requirements: subdivision

Building Act 2004

The city council must make rules about unsafe buildings in their area.

131: Territorial authority must adopt policy on dangerous and insanitary buildings

Building Act 2004

The person in charge of a dam must tell the local authority how safe the dam is and give them proof from an expert.

135: Owner must provide classification of, and certificate for, dam to regional authority

Building Act 2004

The person in charge of an area must quickly say yes or no to how a dam owner groups their dam.

136: Regional authority must decide whether to approve or refuse dam classification

Building Act 2004

A trusted dam owner can classify their dam without needing extra checks, and the local council will accept it right away.

137: Dam classification provided to regional authority by accredited dam owner deemed to have been approved

Building Act 2004

If the local government doesn't agree with how you've labelled your dam, they will make you get an expert to check it again.

138: Regional authority must require re-audit of dam classification that it refuses to approve

Building Act 2004

If a local council says no to a dam safety plan, they must tell the dam owner to get an expert to check it again

145: Regional authority must require re-audit of dam safety assurance programme that it refuses to approve

Building Act 2004

The owner must check the dam safety plan regularly to make sure it's still good

146: Review of dam safety assurance programme

Building Act 2004

Dam owners must give a yearly safety certificate to show they're following the rules to keep their dam safe.

150: Owner of dam must supply annual dam compliance certificate

Building Act 2004

Regional authorities must keep a list of all the dams in their area.

151: Register of dams

Building Act 2004

The regional authority can take quick action to keep people safe if a dam looks dangerous

157: Measures to avoid immediate danger

Building Act 2004

Regional authorities can use extra powers besides the ones listed for dealing with dangerous dams.

160: Power of regional authority not limited

Building Act 2004

Local authorities must create rules for unsafe dams in their area

161: Regional authority must adopt policy on dangerous dams, earthquake-prone dams, and flood-prone dams

Building Act 2004

The rules explain how to make, change, and check the rules about dangerous dams every few years.

162: Adoption and review of policy

Building Act 2004

The boss of the building department can ask a group of experts for help with making decisions.

171: Chief executive may seek advice from building advisory panel

Building Act 2004

What local councils must do and are allowed to do

Building Act 2004

Local councils must share building information with the government to help keep track of building trends and earthquake-prone buildings.

218: Territorial authority must provide information to chief executive for purpose of facilitating performance of chief executive's function under sections 169 and 169A

Building Act 2004

This explains how to measure how tall a dam is in different situations.

133B: Measurement of dams

Building Act 2004

You must tell your local council about big dams you own and if you sell them to someone else.

133C: Obligation to notify regional authority of classifiable or referable dam and change of ownership

Building Act 2004

The local government can ask dam owners to figure out how dangerous their dams are if they're in special areas.

134A: Regional authority may require owner to classify referable dam

Building Act 2004

Rules for sorting canal dams into different groups based on how risky they are

134BA: Classification of dams that are canals

Building Act 2004

Rules for making safety plans for canals that have different risk levels in different parts

148A: Dam safety assurance programme for dams that are canals

Building Act 2004

Rules for keeping several dams safe when they make one big water area

148B: Dam safety assurance programme for 2 or more dams forming single reservoir

Building Act 2004

If you think your dam might be dangerous, you must tell the local authorities right away.

153B: Owner must notify regional authority of dangerous dam

Building Act 2004

Finish earthquake safety work by 1 April 2024 or your building's special deadline

133AM: Deadline for completing seismic work on or before 1 April 2024

Building Act 2004

Rules for changing buildings that might fall down in an earthquake

133AT: Alterations to buildings subject to EPB notice

Building Act 2004

A building that could collapse and hurt people or damage property during a moderate earthquake

133AB: Meaning of earthquake-prone building

Building Act 2004

The boss of buildings must create a plan to find buildings that might fall during earthquakes.

133AV: Chief executive must set methodology for identifying earthquake-prone buildings (EPB methodology)

Building Act 2004

Rules about how to handle buildings that might fall down in an earthquake

401C: Regulations: earthquake-prone buildings

Building Act 2004

This part of the law tells you which buildings have special rules for earthquakes, and which ones don't.

133AA: Buildings to which this subpart applies

Building Act 2004

This explains how strong a building is during earthquakes compared to new buildings

133AC: Meaning of earthquake rating

Building Act 2004

What 'low', 'medium', and 'high' seismic risk mean for building safety

133AD: Meaning of low, medium, and high seismic risk

Building Act 2004

Local councils must find buildings that might fall down in earthquakes within set time limits.

133AG: Territorial authority must identify potentially earthquake-prone buildings

Building Act 2004

Councils must find buildings that could be dangerous in an earthquake and block roads or paths.

133AF: Role of territorial authority in identifying certain priority buildings

Building Act 2004

What city councils can do about buildings that might fall down in an earthquake

Building Act 2004

What's in the Earthquake Prone Buildings register?

275A: Content of EPB register

Building Act 2004

Rules for dangerous or insanitary buildings in special areas don't apply, but some actions taken before can still happen.

123B: Buildings in areas designated under subpart 6B

Building Act 2004

How to take care of buildings in special places

Building Act 2004

People in charge can make decisions about buildings in special areas

133BJ: Responsible persons may exercise powers under this subpart

Building Act 2004

Quick work can be done to make dangerous buildings safer right away

133BV: Urgent works to remove or reduce risks

Building Act 2004

Some building work doesn't need a special permit called a resource consent.

133BY: Resource consent not required for certain works

Building Act 2004

Rules for buildings and dams in special areas

133BZA: Application of subparts 6, 6A, and 7 in designated areas

Building Act 2004

Rules for unsafe dams in special areas still apply to actions taken before the area was made special

153AA: Buildings in areas designated under subpart 6B

Consumer Guarantees Act 1993

Changes made to the rules about buildings

Biosecurity Act 1993

The council checks if their plan is good and fair before moving on to the next step.

94: Fifth step: satisfaction on contents of plan and requirements

Biosecurity Act 1993

The council decides on a regional plan and explains their decision in a report.

95: Sixth step: decision on plan

Biosecurity Act 1993

How a council creates and approves a plan

97: Making of plan

Litter Act 1979

What jobs do councils and other groups have to keep our place clean?

Litter Act 1979

Councils can choose to use fines for breaking rules, and they must tell the public first.

13: Territorial authorities may adopt infringement notice provisions

Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

How local alcohol rules and district plans work together

93: Relationship of local alcohol policies and district plans

Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

Inspectors must report building problems to the council under the Building Act 2004 rules

279: Building Act 2004

Freedom Camping Act 2011

Words and rules to help you understand the law about camping in public places

Freedom Camping Act 2011

Rules for changing from old camping laws to new ones

9: Transitional, savings, and related provisions

Freedom Camping Act 2011

What counts as land owned by the New Zealand Transport Agency

6A: Meaning of NZTA land

Land Transport Act 1998

Rules about guessing vehicle weight and dangerous cargo

148: Presumptions relating to axle weights and dangerous goods

Public Works Act 1981

Changes to roads and drains when building railways

170: Alterations to roads, drains, etc

Public Works Act 1981

Outdated rule about clearing things that block airports

188: Removal of trees, buildings, etc, interfering with use of aerodrome

Public Works Act 1981

Rules for lakes made by government projects

190: Regulations as to use of lake formed by construction of Government work

Public Works Act 1981

The Minister's special drain powers were removed

194: Minister to have powers of territorial authority

Public Works Act 1981

You must be told if someone wants to create a new irrigation system in your area

200: Notification of investigation of proposed irrigation scheme

Public Works Act 1981

Creating and changing irrigation districts through voting and official orders

208: Constitution of district, etc

Public Works Act 1981

Rules for digging safely near electric poles, towers, and other public structures

237: Excavations near public works

Public Works Act 1981

Changes made to the Town and Country Planning Act 1977

244: Amendments to Town and Country Planning Act 1977

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

How rules for dangerous substances work with land and water rules

230: Relationship between regulations relating to hazardous substances under this Act and Resource Management Act 1991

Civil Aviation Act 2023

Some laws don't apply when subdividing airports or building access roads

234: Application of other Acts to airport subdivisions and laying out of access roads

Civil Aviation Act 2023

Airport owners must discuss their future plans with important people before making decisions.

232: Airport operators must consult concerning spatial plans

Civil Aviation Act 2023

Building an airport: how the government helps get the needed land

228: Acquisition or taking of land for airport

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How you can answer people's comments about your application

55: Response to comments provided under section 53

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The panel decides without listening to people talk

56: Hearing not required

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Steps for holding a hearing about a fast-track application

57: Procedure if hearing is held

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The Minister can decide some activities are okay even if they don't normally qualify.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

First step for special projects that need approval quickly.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA checks for similar requests or existing permits

47: EPA makes recommendation on whether there are competing applications or existing resource consents for same activity

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel can ask for extra information about land use requests

68: Panel may request or commission advice on concession, land exchange, or access arrangement

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The Minister helps decide on special deals for land use and access.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Things you need to do before sending in your application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel leader gives important project information to the decision-making team

52: Panel convener provides information to panel

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Changing who's in charge of a project in the Fast-track Approvals Act

117: Order in Council to amend authorised person in Schedule 2

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Talking to important groups before asking for special project approval

11: Consultation requirements for referral application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

When panels must decide on approvals

79: Timing of panel decisions

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Stopping your request for approvals before a decision is made

45: Withdrawal of substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The EPA has special jobs and powers to help decide big applications.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Changes to a law about fast-track approvals for building and land use

119: Amendment to Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister can set rules for certain land activities to protect the government

78: Appropriate Minister may specify standard conditions

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel tells Minister about their planned decision and reminds them they can take over

77: Panel informs appropriate Minister of proposed decision

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel can let the right Minister decide if they're unsure about risks

75: Panel may transfer decision to appropriate Minister

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

What happens when the Minister takes over the decision on your application

76: Process if decision is called in by, or transferred to, appropriate Minister

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Explaining what words mean in the 'Cost recovery' part of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

103: Interpretation

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister can let EPA handle money matters, but can still do it themselves

105: Delegation of cost-recovery function by Minister

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister can decide if an activity is allowed before someone applies for a project

39: Minister may make determination under section 23 or 24

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

You must give all the details needed to explain things clearly

44: Information must be specified in sufficient detail

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Rules for paying money to help with the costs of fast-track approvals

109: Regulations may impose levies

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel tells you their plan to say no and asks for changes before making final decision

69: Panel provides draft decisions to applicant before declining approval

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister decides what happens after accepting a project referral application

26: Referral of project if referral application accepted

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Steps to follow before applying for a special project

29: Pre-lodgement requirements for listed project

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

First steps to ask for permission to use a resource

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Finding out if someone else already has permission for the same activity

30: Identification of existing resource consent for same activity

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

First steps to apply for swapping land

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The Minister has special powers to make decisions quickly.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister can decide a project is important before someone asks for it

38: Minister may determine that project is priority

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The person in charge chooses people to review important applications

50: Panel convener sets up panel

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister can take over important land decisions before a panel decides

74: Appropriate Minister may call in decision

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA can ask for project information from groups and councils to help with applications

90: EPA may request information from relevant administering agencies and local authorities

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA can help panels by making some choices, but must follow rules and work quickly

92: EPA powers to make certain decisions

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA shares important papers on their website for everyone to see

93: EPA must publish notices and other documents

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Paying for help when you want approval to do something

104: Cost recovery

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA helps pay for other groups involved in fast-track approvals

110: Contribution to costs of relevant third parties

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Speeding up big projects to improve New Zealand

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

What this law is called and how people will refer to it

1: Title

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

This law helps build important things faster in New Zealand

3: Purpose

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Words and phrases explained: What key terms mean in this Act

4: Interpretation

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Special rules for when things are changing or old rules still apply

6: Transitional, savings, and related provisions

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The government must follow this law too

9: Act binds the Crown

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Rules for working quickly and wisely when using this law

10: Procedural principles

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

When you ask for something to be approved quickly, you make a referral application.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How to ask for a faster way to get your project approved

13: Referral application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Agency checks if your application is ready and fits the rules

14: Responsible agency decides whether referral application is complete and within scope

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister asks for thoughts on a new project

17: Minister invites comments

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The Minister can ask for more details about an application

20: Minister may request information

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister sets rules for big projects after accepting them

27: Minister specifies matters for accepted referral application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister's decision on a project is shared with everyone

28: Notice of Minister's decision on referral application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Challenging decisions made during the approvals process in court.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

You can challenge a panel's legal decisions, but not their judgement

99: Appeal against decisions only on question of law

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How to challenge a panel's decision in court

100: Procedural matters

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Getting important papers to the right people

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How to give someone a document for the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

113: Service of documents

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Rules made by the government to help laws work properly are called secondary legislation.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Changes to other laws to make this law work

121: Amendments to other legislation

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Paying back the costs of a faster approval process

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Changes to help speed up approvals

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

What you need to do when asking for approval for your project

43: Requirements for substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Fast-track approvals work like regular approvals and follow specific rules

96: Status of approval when granted

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The Minister must get a report about Māori rights and interests in the project area

18: Report on Treaty settlements and other obligations

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA gets a quick report about your project from another agency

49: EPA obtains section 18 report for listed project

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Keeping your current permission while asking for a new one

95: Exercise of existing approval under specified Act while applying for approval under this Act

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

EPA checks if your project application is ready and follows the rules

46: EPA decides whether substantive application is complete and within scope

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

When the EPA can stop looking at your main request for a while

60: When processing of substantive application may be suspended

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel asks for public feedback on big projects

53: Panel invites comments on substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Rules for inviting comments on environmental applications

54: General provisions relating to invitations given under section 53

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Minister can pause big project applications for more information

62: Minister may direct suspension in processing substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

You can ask to pause your application review

64: Applicant may request suspension of processing substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

When the panel stops reviewing your application for too long, they decide to return it or start again

66: Return of substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The panel can ask for more details or reports to help them decide

67: Panel may request further information or report

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

What goes into a panel's decision report

87: Content of panel decision documents

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

When your permission starts working

97: Commencement of approval

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Panel tells people about important decisions and puts them online

88: Issue, service, and publication of decision documents

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Fixing small mistakes in decisions

89: Minor corrections

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

You can use other laws to ask for project approval, but there are rules if you use this Act

94: Use of specified Act to apply for approval

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Activities that are not allowed in certain places or situations

5: Meaning of ineligible activity

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Asking for permission to swap land before starting a big project

33: Land exchange application lodged with Director-General of Conservation

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

A substantive application is a formal request to get something approved.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

You get to comment on important applications before they are decided.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

A panel listens to your ideas and makes a decision.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

A faster way to get approval for projects is now available.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Decisions made by a special group of people

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Papers that help make big decisions

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Rules for swapping land in special projects

32: Sections 33 to 36 apply to land exchange

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How a panel decides on big project approvals

81: Decisions on approvals sought in substantive application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How Treaty settlements and other agreements affect decisions on projects

16: Effect of Treaty settlements and other obligations on decision making

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

The person in charge makes a decision about your application.

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Report tells Minister about using public land for projects

19: Report in relation to use of public conservation land

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

How the Minister decides if a project can use the faster approval process

22: Criteria for assessing referral application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Allowed people can ask for many project approvals at once

42: Authorised person may lodge substantive application for approvals

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Stopping work on a major application for a while

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Schedules 5 to 12 are important rules you must follow

115: Schedules 5 to 12 have effect

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

What the Minister does when they get an application

15: Process after Minister receives referral application

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

What happens after the Minister gets an application to speed up a project.

About this project

What is this project?

This project is an experiment to take difficult language, and make it easier to read and understand for everyone.

How do we do this?

What's our process for taking the law and turning it into plain language?

Why is the law written like it is?

Laws are often hard to read. They use a lot of words and language we don't usually use when we talk.

Should we use AI for this?

What are the good and bad sides of using AI?

Is this information the actual law?

We hope that this information will help people understand New Zealand laws. But we think that it's important you talk to someone who understands the law well if you have questions or are worried about something.

You can talk to Community Law or Citizen's Advice Bureau about your rights.

Remember that AI can make mistakes, and just reading the law isn't enough to understand how it could be used in court.