A history of environmental planning - Condensed timeline
Since the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991, we have led environmental planning across land, water, air, and coastal areas. This timeline outlines how regional plans, strategies, and national direction have shaped sustainable management in Waitaha Canterbury.
1989: Establishment of Regional Councils
Regional councils were established across New Zealand, creating a new governance structure for managing natural and physical resources at a regional level.
1991: Resource Management Act (RMA) and Transitional Plans
The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) came into force, providing a comprehensive framework for environmental management. Canterbury Regional Council notified its Transitional Regional Plan and Transitional Regional Coastal Plan, consolidating existing bylaws and regulations.
1993–1998: Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and Coastal Plan
In October 1993, the Proposed Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (RPS) was notified, as required by the RMA. By June 1998, both the RPS and the Regional Coastal Environment Plan (RCEP) became operative, setting the foundation for integrated resource management and coastal protection.
2002–2006: Natural Resources and Water Allocation Plans
Between 2002 and 2004, the Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan (NRRP) was developed, introducing comprehensive land and water management. The Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan (WCWARP) was established and became operative in 2006, addressing competing demands for water in the Waitaki catchment.
2007: Policy Reviews and Collaborative Water Management
The first formal review of the RPS began in 2007. The Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) process was also agreed upon, marking a shift towards collaborative water management involving local government, iwi, and community stakeholders.
2010: Adoption of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy
The CWMS was formally adopted, and Zone Committees were established to guide water management at a local level. In the same year, central government appointed commissioners to Canterbury Regional Council, accelerating freshwater management reforms.
2011–2013: Earthquake Recovery and Second-Generation Plans
In June 2011, a proposed replacement RPS was notified, with a focus on earthquake recovery for Greater Christchurch. The Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) and the Hurunui-Waiau River Regional Plan (HWRRP) were also notified, introducing second-generation planning for land and water resources.
By January 2013, a new RPS became operative, including provisions for the recovery and rebuild of Greater Christchurch following the earthquakes.
2015–2017: Good Management Practices and Plan Integration
Good Management Practices (GMPs) for water quality were developed in collaboration with industry and implemented across Canterbury farms. During this period, the NRRP was phased out as the LWRP became the primary regulatory framework for land and water management.
2019: Housing and Urban Development Targets
Minimum housing targets were added to the RPS, and interim targets were set for the CWMS, reflecting the influence of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.
2020–2024: National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) Amendments
The NPS-FM underwent several amendments, driving significant changes to the LWRP and catchment plans. These national directives ensured that Canterbury’s freshwater management aligned with evolving environmental standards.
2021–2022: Urban Development and RPS Changes
Major changes were made to Chapter 6 of the RPS to support future urban housing development in Greater Christchurch, implementing the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).
2023: Plan Change 7 and Catchment Plan Integration
Plan Change 7 to the LWRP became operative, leading to the revocation or updating of several catchment plans. This marked a move towards integrated and simplified freshwater management across the region.
2024–2025: Legislative changes and paused reviews
In November 2024, the draft RPS review was paused due to amendments to the RMA, which affected the notification of new freshwater planning instruments. By July 2025, the development of a standalone targeted coastal plan change was also paused, with future planning deferred until 2028.