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Consents

This page includes information about resource consents and how to apply for them.

Click here for consent monitoring information

Click here for publicly notified consents

Resource Management Act amendment

Central government is embarking on a programme to reform the resouce management system. You can learn more about the programme here.

As part of this reform, Parliament recently passed an amdedment to the Resource Management Act known as the Resource Management (Consent Duration) Amendment. This amendment came into effect on 16 December 2025. This has an impact on existing consent holders and applicants:

Any consent that was due to expire before 31 December 2027 is automatically extended to that date.
If you have already lodged a renewal application, and we haven’t completed processing yet, your existing consent is now reinstated and extended until 31 December 2027.

If you have a consent that will expire before the 31 December 2027, the expiry date will be extended to that date. You can continue to operate under your existing consent and you will need to continue to comply with the conditions of that consent.

If you have lodged a renewal consent application, you will still receive the automatic extension to your existing consent. However, you will have the following choice to make:

continue with your current application and the process continues as normal; or
withdraw the application and continue to operate under your existing consent with the new expiry date.

If you decide to withdraw your application, there are important things to keep in mind:

If your replacement application is for more than what’s covered by your existing consent, you will still need a new consent for the additional activities.
You may need to apply for a new replacement application before your existing consent expires on 31 December 2027.

We will contact consent holders who are affected by the recent changes after the 2025 Christmas/New Year break.

If you have any other questions regarding these changes then please get in touch with the Consent Team by either emailing consents.enquiries@horizons.govt.nz or calling freephone 0508 800 800.

What is a resource consent and why do you need one?

The Resource Management Act and Horizons' One Plan contain rules and guidelines to manage the natural and physical resources of the Horizons Region. These rules outline what activities are allowed without resource consent from Horizons, and what do require resource consent.

Resource consents are tools used to achieve sustainable use of natural and physical resources. They help ensure that the environment we enjoy today will be looked after for future generations.

If you are undertaking the following activities you may need a resource consent:

Discharging dairyshed effluent to land
Discharging contaminants into water, into air or onto land (discharge permit, e.g. domestic effluent, stormwater)
Taking, damming or diverting water (water permit, e.g. for irrigation or stockwater)
Using, disturbing or building a structure on a river or lake bed (land use consent eg bridge, culvert, gravel take)
Disturbing or clearing vegetation from erosion prone land (land use consent)
Using, disturbing or building a structure below the highest point on the coast where the sand gets wet (coastal permit)

Consented activities are monitored to make sure that the conditions are being met.

Sometimes an activity requires more than one resource consent. For example, river protection works may need a land use consent and a water permit. City and district councils also issue consents for some land uses and subdivisions. Contact your local council to check if the activity you are planning requires consent from them.

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How do you apply, and how can we help you?

Before you can receive your resource consent you need to go through an application process, just the same as with any other license or permit. We strongly recommend talking to one of our consents staff before submitting your application, doing so can make the application process easier for you, and avoid unnecessary delays and extra costs.

Due to the Resource Management Act Amendments in October 2009, we can only accept resource consent applications that have all the necessary information. If applications are deficient we have no option but to send it back.

To avoid having your application sent back, we strongly urge you to submit a draft application as early as possible. This means our team can review the draft application prior to the actual application lodgement. This can ensure that we advise you what information, if any, we may still require from you.

Learn more about each stage of the process view our diagram of the application process. Horizons provide a one hour free advice service so get it touch to discuss your proposal or arrange a time via email consents.enquiries@horizons.govt.nz or call our consents team on freephone 0508 800 800.

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Application forms

Horizons have different application forms for the various types of resource consents. These forms are designed to help you provide the information we need to begin processing your consent application.

You should fully complete the forms and provide as much detail as you can with your application/s. For some proposals we may also require supporting information such as plans, drawings or technical assessments. Where possible we would prefer this information to be provided in electronic format, such as USB, or via email attachment and sent to regulatory.administrator@horizons.govt.nz.

The information you provide for your resource consent helps us evaluate the potential effects of your activities on your local environment. It also helps others in the consulting process to clearly understand what you’re intending to do.

Consent Costs

The fixed initial deposit is required upon lodgement of your application. This payment may not cover all of the required costs. In accordance with Section 36(3) of the RMA, Horizons reserves the right to recover actual and reasonable costs for consent applications where the costs exceed the fixed initial deposit. Any additional charges will be payable in accordance with the schedule of additional charges laid out in our Annual Plan. These additional costs will be invoiced directly to the applicant following a decision on your application.

Payment of your fixed initial deposit can be made by via internet banking. The deposit amount can be paid to to 02-0630-0024883-003, using CONSENT HOLDER NAME in the reference field and CONSENTS in code field.

Payments can also be made over the counter using credit card, EFTPOS, or cash.

Processing your application

Your application will be processed with or without notification depending on the level of effects the activity will have on the environment.

Non-notified application
If the environmental effects of your proposed activity are minor, or if required have received written approval(s) from all adversely affect parties, then your application can be processed ‘non-notified’.
Limited Notified application
If the environmental effects of your proposed activity are minor and it has been possible to identify all affected parties, then your application can be processed by limited notification. The only people who can make a submission on a limited notification are those parties directly notified. A submission period of at least 20 working days is allowed for this. If no submissions are received then a decision will be made within 20 working days from close of submissions. Limited Notified applications (excluding hearing) require a fixed preliminary deposit of $7,500.00 (incl GST).
Publicly Notified application
Your application is notified when the environmental effects of the proposed activity are not minor. Anyone can make a submission on a notified application during a specified period of at least 20 working days. Notified applications (excluding hearing) require a fixed preliminary deposit of $20,000.00 (incl GST).

Public Viewer Maps

The extent of watercourses shown on the One Plan Public Viewer Map as having the Flood Control and Drainage (FC/D) value may not reflect the current extent of the flood control and/or drainage schemes. We recommend you contact consents.enquiries@horizons.govt.nz for advice before applying for consent for works in these waterways.

In all cases, the One Plan remains the authoritative document for assessing and determining resource consent applications.