Resource Management Act

Matters of National Importance

Section 6(f) of the RMA requires all decision-makers to recognise and provide for the protection historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use and development as a matter of national importance.

Prior to 2003, this historic heritage principle was located in section 7 and decision-makers were only required to ‘have particular regard’ to the protection historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. The elevation of the principle from section 7 to section 6 demonstrates the importance of heritage being adequately protected.

In addition, section 6(e) of the RMA requires all decision-makers to recognise and provide for the relationship of Maori and their culture with their ancestral lands, water, site, waahi tapu, and other taonga.

The term waahi tapu is not defined in the RMA. The Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 Act defines wāhi tapu to mean a place sacred to Māori in the traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual, or mythological sense.

These matters of importance are discussed in more detail in the RMA section of this website.

Last updated at 10:46AM on November 27, 2015