Creating the largest and most complex plan in New Zealand’s history under the Resource Management Act

Auckland Unitary Plan

The development of the Auckland Unitary Plan—a document that guides the use of Auckland's natural and physical resources—is the biggest planning exercise ever undertaken in New Zealand. It involved the review of seven district plans, a regional policy statement, a regional coastal plan, and several regional plans.

Our team was involved in an extensive range of tasks in the development of the Auckland Unitary Plan. This included the review and significant rationalisation of numerous zones, precincts, overlays and provisions, the development of a new plan structure, and determining future greenfield growth areas and areas of brownfield intensification and up zoning. We also helped determine appropriate planning mechanisms, performed the analysis of submissions and evidence, and drafted provisions and panel recommendations. Following community engagement efforts, an independent hearing panel was appointed by the Minister for the Environment and Minister of Conservation to hear the over 13,000 submissions of feedback and 10,000 briefs of evidence. A member of our team was also part of the panel which was ultimately responsible for making recommendations to the Council about changes that should be made to the Plan.

Our team continues to be involved with the Auckland Unitary Plan and is currently assisting the Council in implementing the Government’s residential intensification requirements through changes to the Plan.