New Zealand Legislation: Acts

6 Matters of national importance

• In achieving the purpose of this Act, all persons exercising functions and powers under it, in relation to managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources, shall recognise and provide for the following matters of national importance:

  • (a) the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment (including the coastal marine area), wetlands, and lakes and rivers and their margins, and the protection of them from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:

  • (b) the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:

  • (c) the protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna:

  • (d) the maintenance and enhancement of public access to and along the coastal marine area, lakes, and rivers:

  • (e) the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu, and other taonga:

  • (f) the protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development:

  • (g) the protection of recognised customary activities.

  Section 6(f): added, on 1 August 2003, by section 4 of the Resource Management Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 23).

  Section 6(g): added, on 17 January 2005, by section 4 of the Resource Management (Foreshore and Seabed) Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 94).