Protecting landscape and amenity values

The Resource Management Act 1991 is the principal statute governing the management of New Zealand landscapes and features. Section 6(b) requires decision-makers to recognise and provide for, as a matter of national importance, “the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development”. A number of other section 6 (matters of national importance) and section 7 (other matters) are also relevant to the management of landscapes and features.

The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 set out how landscapes and features in the coastal environment are to be managed. Objective 2 is to … protect natural features and landscape values through recognising the characteristics and qualities that contribute to … natural features and landscape values and their location and distribution; identifying those areas where various forms of subdivision, use and development would be inappropriate and protecting them from such activities; and encouraging restoration of the coastal environment. Policy 15 requires avoidance of adverse effects on areas of outstanding natural landscapes and features. It requires avoidance of significant adverse effects and avoidance, remediation and mitigation of other landscapes and features in the coastal environment.

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Last updated at 2:12PM on February 25, 2015