We provide complete resource consent solutions for all types of development across Aotearoa New Zealand. You get the advantage of a team of experienced professionals working to obtain your resource consent in the most time and cost-effective way possible.
Project Management / Coordination
Many resource consents are coordinated by either the property owner, a surveyor or an architect, but in our experience, this lack of specialised planning knowledge results in missed opportunities, consents being notified and cost overruns.
We work across the entire life cycle from concept and feasibility through to successfully delivering your projects, engaging with stakeholders and obtaining all required regulatory approvals to get your project off to the best possible start.
Planning
With our wider team of experts based around the country, we use our local knowledge and relationships to ensure that all the rules, policies and intricacies of each council are addressed, with over 95% of our projects have been completed without the need for a notified hearing, saving our clients time, money, and stress.
Our planners are also experienced in the preparation of Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEEs) to support land development of all shapes and sizes across all of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Work with us at any stage. But make it smoother by getting us in from start to finish.
What is a resource consent?
The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) deals with the use of land and
its effects on both people and the environment. It requires local and
regional councils to prepare plans to manage the use of land and
resources to ensure they’re used sustainably.
Most local and regional plans are written in a way that enables certain activities to be undertaken within limits and without needing any further approval, however, other activities that are outside the limits specified will require some form of approval. This is called a resource consent.
The need for a resource consent doesn’t mean an activity or its
effects are bad or high risk. It simply means it needs specific
consideration.
Applications for resource consent are submitted to the relevant council which processes them on either a non-notified or notified basis. ‘Notified’ means people can make submissions to the council on your proposal. ‘Non-notified’ means there will be no public submissions made against your proposal. The Council will then decide whether to grant or refuse the application.
Grab our guide to the Land Use & Subdivision Resource Consent process
It covers all the essential information you need to know before starting your resource consent journey, and some of our top tips for making sure you’ve got all the details covered.
2020 National Policy Statement on Urban Development and Medium Density Residential Standards
In 2020, the central government introduced a new National
Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD) and the new Medium
Density Residential Standards (MDRS) to require councils to change their
planning rules to enable more higher-density housing.
In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the NPS-UD requires Auckland Council to change the city’s planning rule book to enable buildings of six storeys or more within walkable distances of rapid transit stops, the city centre and the 10 large metropolitan centres.
In addition, the MDRS requires councils in New Zealand’s five fastest-growing regions – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Kirikiriroa Hamilton, Tauranga-moana Tauranga, Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington, and Ōtautahi Christchurch – to enable medium density housing of up to three storeys across most suburbs without needing a resource consent, including terrace housing and low-rise apartments.
The permitted activity Density Standards within the MDRS have immediate legal effect from the date that the plan change was notified – 18 August 2022, unless a proposed activity is for:
- 4 or more dwellings per site, and/or
- 3 or fewer dwellings per site and one or more of the proposed dwellings do not comply with one or more of the Density Standards,
- and/or a site that is subject to a qualifying matter (including Special Character Area Residential (SCAR) overlay),
- and/or a site that is in a ‘new residential zone’ i.e., a site in a greenfield area that is proposed to be rezoned to a relevant residential zone.
Download the full Medium Density Residential Standards below.
For more information on how these changes could impact your current or future development plans, get in touch with our team for the most up to date information.
Grab our guide to the Medium Density Residential Standards
By downloading and reading our free guide you’ll have all the basic essential info on the MDRS to set you up for a great journey.
Hear from those who’ve worked with us
We had the pleasure of working with Establish Planning on a complex land use and subdivision consent. Gemma-Rose took the lead and ultimately delivered a fantastic outcome, doubling the site’s density. We continue to work with Establish Planning and highly recommend them to anyone needing planning services.