Natural hazard planning by New Zealand’s local government: a review of regional policy statements and district plans

Abstract

In 2017, New Zealand’s Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) was amended, in part to promote better management of natural hazards. The amendment elevated natural hazards to matters of national importance and consenting authorities were given the ability to refuse subdivision consents on the basis of increased risk from natural hazards. In addition to the right to refuse subdivision consent applications, the Amendment promoted a shift towards a ‘risk-based’ approach to natural hazards. ‘Risk’ here is regarded as a product of the likelihood of an event occurring (i.e. probability) times the impact if it does (i.e. consequence). Assessments of likelihood and impact require very different methodologies; thus a risk-based planning approach must make a clear distinction between these two elements and, in addition, contain provisions for subdivision/land-use.

This report evaluates the extent to which the 2017 RMA amendments have or have not aligned Regional Policy Statements (RPSs) and selected District Plans (DPs) in New Zealand in adopting a ‘risk-based planning approach’ (comprising likelihood + impact + land use) to natural hazards. Adopting a risk-based planning approach would mark a departure from ‘traditional’ approaches that relied on infrastructure (e.g. sea walls, stop banks) and neglect of low probability but high impact threats.