Frequently Asked Questions

District Plans must be prepared through a statutory process set out in the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Since the Council began reviewing the current Operative District Plan, it has:

• Consulted widely with the community, landowners, mana whenua, agencies and stakeholders
• Aligned the plan with new national planning standards and policy statements
• Gathered and tested technical evidence (for example, on flooding, biodiversity, landscapes and growth)
• Received and assessed 130 submissions and 26 further submissions
• Held hearings over almost a year

The independent hearings panel has taken its time to carefully consider all submissions and evidence, ensuring the public’s views are properly reflected in the Proposed Plan.

The Council’s approach has delivered a Plan that is robust, future-focused and legally sound.

The Plan updates zoning and rules to better reflect:

• Current land use patterns
• Future housing and business growth needs
• National planning standards

It also integrates district-wide matters such as natural hazards, subdivision, infrastructure, biodiversity and heritage in a clearer and more consistent way.

At this stage, there is no immediate impact on the Proposed District Plan.

The Government has indicated the RMA may be replaced by the Natural Environment and Planning Acts in mid-2026. These reforms propose:

• A regional spatial plan developed around 2027
• One combined regional resource management plan by around 2030

This means the Gore Proposed District Plan will likely be the operative planning framework for at least the next five years, providing certainty for growth, development and infrastructure investment during that period.

Importantly, the Proposed District Plan is broadly consistent with the direction of national reform, so only minimal changes are anticipated as other Southland councils update their plans.

It isn’t. The Proposed District Plan does not classify the entire District as Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori (SASM).

The SASM chapter has been replaced with a Māori Cultural Values (MCV) chapter. This chapter:

• Explains Ngāi Tahu cultural values
• Identifies the types of resource consents where mana whenua input is likely, similar to the current Plan
• Avoids relying on a short list of mapped sites

Cultural values are considered through objectives and policies across the Plan, particularly when a resource consent is already required for other reasons.

This approach provides greater clarity and consistency, and transparency about when and why mana whenua involvement may occur.

Māori do not have a greater say, but councils do have specific legal obligations.

Under the RMA and Local Government Act, councils must:

• Recognise the relationship of Māori with land, water and taonga
• Have regard to kaitiakitanga
• Take Treaty of Waitangi principles into account
• Provide opportunities for mana whenua to participate in planning and decision-making

The Gore District Council also has a Charter of Understanding with the Hokonui Rūnanga, recognising partnership responsibilities.

All this means, in practical terms, that mana whenua input will be considered when certain activities need resource consent – much as it already is today.

It isn’t. Only two Significant Natural Areas are formally identified in the Proposed District Plan, and both are public land. They are:

• Dolamore Park
• Pukerau Red Tussock Reserve

Only specific areas of indigenous vegetation and habitat are identified as Significant Natural Areas (SNAs). These account for approximately 2.5% of the District (about 4,000 hectares).

Most private properties have less than 10% indigenous vegetation, and many have none.

In areas such as the Hokonui Hills, bespoke rules allow farming to continue while protecting biodiversity and landscape values.

While indicative mapping shows where native vegetation may exist, detailed assessments will be used to confirm whether rules apply.

Not necessarily. For many activities, the new Plan is likely to reduce costs and delays by:

• Better matching zoning to existing land use
• Enabling more activities as permitted
• Providing clearer rules and expectations upfront

District-wide rules (such as landscapes, earthworks, biodiversity and Māori Cultural Values) are more focused on specific locations and values, providing greater certainty for landowners and developers

In most cases, no.

The Proposed District Plan continues to support productive farming and rural activities, while recognising differences in land capability and location. Changes mainly relate to:

• Subdivision density, not day-to-day farming
• Managing development in high-risk areas (like floodways)
• Protecting identified indigenous vegetation

Existing farming operations can continue, and many rural activities remain permitted.

In the General Rural Zone, subdivision controls are tighter, with an 8ha minimum lot size (previously 2ha). This change is intended to protect productive rural land, not restrict farming activity.

There is a clear right of appeal. Anyone who made a submission can appeal decisions on the provisions they submitted on. Appeals must be made to the Environment Court.

The appeal period runs from 2 February to 16 March 2026.

Appeals must be lodged with the Environment Court within the appeal period, using the required form, and served on the Council and any relevant requiring authority.

Other parties may apply to the Environment Court to be added to the appeal under Section 274 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Appeal forms and information are available on the Environment Court website - https://www.environmentcourt.govt.nz/forms-fees/.

No. Appeals can only be made on specific provisions that were submitted on. The Proposed District Plan as a whole cannot be appealed.

Not necessarily. If a house is a permitted activity under the Plan, no resource consent or cultural input is required.

Cultural considerations arise only where a resource consent is already required for other reasons, such as mining or activities along the Mataura River. The bottom line is that nothing changes for permitted activities.

District Plan reviews are one of the most complex pieces of work councils undertake. This figure may seem significant, but this review has spanned over five years and involved:

• Technical studies across housing, infrastructure, natural hazards, biodiversity, landscapes, transport, heritage, and growth
• Public consultation, submissions, and further submissions
• A full hearing process before an independent panel, including legal and expert evidence
• Changes to national direction during the process, requiring updates and re-work to keep the Plan legally sound

District Plan reviews are inherently difficult to cost precisely upfront, because several key drivers sit outside Council’s control, such as:

• The number and complexity of submissions received
• The length of hearings and volume of expert evidence required
• Changes in national legislation and policy during the process
• The need for additional technical work to ensure the Plan is legally robust and defensible

District Plan review costs show as a deficit in the Council’s accounts because they are debt-funded.

Because the District Plan delivers benefits over decades, not just today. Debt funding is a deliberate financial decision that spreads the cost of a long-term planning document over time. This is consistent with how councils fund other long-life assets and major projects.

The Proposed District Plan will guide land use, development, infrastructure investment, and environmental protection for the next 20–30 years. Debt funding:

• Spreads the cost more fairly across current and future ratepayers
• Avoids sharp short-term rates increases
• Reflects the long-term value of the Plan to the district

Yes. Council met all consultation requirements under the law and went further.

Consultation started in 2020, with early engagement to help shape a draft plan. The Draft District Plan was shared publicly through online channels, print media and community drop-in sessions.

When the Plan was formally notified in August 2023, Council carried out a district-wide mail drop, targeted engagement, further public drop-ins and wide promotion.

This resulted in 130+ submissions and 5,500+ submission points, all of which were considered by an independent hearings panel.

Once a plan is notified, the law limits further consultation to ensure a fair and independent process for everyone.