Generic
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Legislation
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Background Resources - Legislation | | | | A. The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA)
This is the core of the legislation intended to help achieve sustainability in New Zealand. By bringing together laws governing land, air and water resources and concentrating on the environmental effects of human activities, the Resource Management Act introduced a new approach to environmental management. The Act's purpose is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. The RMA sets out how we manage our environment, including:
- air
- water
- soil
- biodiversity
- the coastal environment
- noise
- subdivision
- land use planning in general.
The Ministry for the Environment is responsible for administering the RMA and ensuring that it is being implemented effectively
Agency: MFE
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B. National Environmental Standards
National Environmental Standards provide the opportunity for central government to promote the adoption of consistent standards at the regional and district levels. National Environmental Standards are likely to contain technical standards guiding environmental management including: Noise, Contaminants, Water quality, level or flow, Air quality, The impact of pollution on soil quality. No national environmental standards have yet been prepared
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C. National policy Statements
National policy Statements enable central government to prescribe policies on resource management matters of national significance. Such statements guide subsequent decision making under the RMA at the national, regional and district levels. National policy statements can therefore significantly affect resource management practices in New Zealand.
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D. Regional Policy Statements.
Regional policy statements must be prepared for each region. They enable regional councils to provide broad direction and a framework for resource management within their regions. Regional policy statements must be consistent with national policy statements and water conservation orders. When preparing a regional policy statement, a regional council must also have regard to planning documents prepared by iwi authorities. Regional plans can cover the following issues: Soil conservation, Water quality and quantity, Air, water and land pollution, Natural hazards, Hazardous substances, Introduction of plants into water bodies, Effects of land use of regional significance, Noise emissions related to the above.
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E. District Plans.
A territorial authority must prepare a district plan for its district. The purpose of these plans is to assist territorial authorities in carrying out their functions under the RMA. District plans must be consistent with applicable, water conservation orders and regional policy statements. District plans must also be consistent with regional plans in regard to matters of regional significance for which the regional council has primary responsibility. When preparing a district plan, a territorial authority must also have regard to any planning documents prepared by iwi authorities. District plans cover the following issues:Effects of land use, Impacts of land use on natural hazards and the management of hazardous substances, Land subdivision, Noise, Activities on the surfaces of rivers and lakes, Financial contributions, Provision of esplanade reserves, Vesting of ownership in the seabed,Provision of public works.
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