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Sites that are important to iwi/hapu and/or that have important archaeological values are identified and protected in the District Plan. A review of these sites is being undertaken to confirm the location of sites on the planning maps and to map extents where possible.
The information about sites in the District Plan was originally obtained from New Zealand Archaeological Association records and from iwi/hapu in the mid 1990s. Despite efforts to improve the accuracy of this data there have been on-going issues regarding the location and description of sites identified in the District Plan. Therefore a wider review of waahi tapu and archaeological sites was initiated in 2007.
Inaccurately located triangles on the planning maps have a significant effect on the day to day administration of the District Plan and can lead to inefficiencies. Also, as a result, there is an increased risk that some sites might be modified.
The review is ongoing with a key focus on building relationships between landowners and iwi/hapu to ensure the protection and management of sites over time. The regulatory purposes of the review are:
Archaeological assessments have been completed and many iwi/hapu are now actively working through verification processes, and also working towards landowner pre-notification consultation.
A plan change has been progressed for sites in the Ngati Rahiri rohe and other changes to the District Plan will be considered as part of the District Plan Review.
A formal change to the District Plan is required before a site can be amended or included in the District Plan. A plan change is a process set by the Resource Management Act 1991.
Before a formal plan change process is initiated there are on-going discussions with iwi/hapu and landowners.
The Council cannot simply update the District Plan maps even if information is known to be inaccurate, as it needs to undertake a Plan Change to do so. This means that the locations of sites on the planning maps are in a transition phase.
The rules only apply to sites as they are currently identified on the planning maps.Resource consent may be required. However, any applications involving sites that are in a transition phase, i.e. not in the correct location yet, will be considered on a case by case basis.
Sites that have been confirmed in an alternative location or sites yet to be proposed for inclusion in the District Plan will not be subject to rules until a plan change is publicly notified. It is recommended that you still talk to the relevant iwi/hapu and Heritage New Zealand to consider how these sites are best managed into the future.
You do not have to wait until the location of the site is confirmed to make a resource consent application – you can apply at any time.
If you are unsure how the review will impact your property Council officers are able to meet with landowners, real estate agents and/or prospective buyers to outline the situation and to discuss the implications.
If you are looking to buy a property it is important to get a Land Information Memorandum (LIM). This will ensure you have all the information that the Council has available regarding the property.
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Page last updated: 02:14pm Mon 25 October 2021