Public notification of Minister's decision on referred independent hearing panel recommendations pursuant to clause 106 of the first schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991.
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform has made his decision on one of the recommendations of the IHP for Variation 3 that were referred to him by Waikato District Council.
This decision was received by Waikato District Council on 23 June 2026. This notice acts as public notification of the Minister's decision as required by Clause 106(1) of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act.
Decisions by the Minister:
- Matter B, Part 1: accepted the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation to rezone the specified area of the site from General Residential Zone to Medium Density Residential Zone 2
- Matter B, Part 2: accepted the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation to incorporate rule MRZ2-S1A to the area subject to the SASM
- Matter B, Part 3: rejected the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation relating to the spatial extent of the SASM overlay and accepted the Council’s alternative recommendation relating to the SASM extent.
The reasons for the decisions regarding Matters B Parts 1 and 2 are:
- the Council’s alternative recommendation for rezoning the site to MRZ2 and incorporating rule MRZ2-S1A is now the same as the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation; and
- the Independent Hearing Panel’s recommendation complies with the requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 to implement the medium density residential standards, subject to a justified qualifying matter, and gives effect to the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 and the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 by enabling greater development capacity for the site subject to an appropriate qualifying matter.
The reasons for the decisions regarding Matter B Part 3 are:
- it complies with requirements under the Resource Management Act 1991 to implement the medium density residential standards, subject only to a justified qualifying matter; and
- it appropriately applies a Site and Area of Significance to Māori qualifying matter to the spatial extent confirmed by the Environment Court; balancing protection of cultural values identified on the site with enabling development capacity; and
- it is consistent with the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 and the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020, particularly by providing greater development capacity for the site.
Where to view the decisions
This public notice and the Minister’s decision can be viewed at the following:
- Online at Variation 3 Enabling Housing Supply
- At Waikato District Council offices and libraries in Ngaaruawaahia, Tuakau, Raglan, and Huntly.
