RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT & BUILDING

Constructing a building will generally consume natural resources, most importantly land, water, air, light but also community “resources” such as access to  roads, peace and quiet, views, green space, heritage.

Use of resources is regulated in a broad sense by the Resource Management Act and delegates responsibility to Territorial Authorities (Councils). The TA discharge their obligations under the RM Act by producing a District Scheme which states local objectives and regulations for size, bulk, height and intensity of buildings and roads, and their permitted uses and to what extent they can interfere with the enjoyment of community resources by others. The underlying theme of the RM Act is that there should be planned, sustainable use of resources.