Section 32 Reports - Proposed District Plan

The Far North has a number of urban centres spread over a large area. Many are experiencing growth which is expected to continue, while others may decline. This chapter’s changes include:
• Consolidation of residential zones into one General Residential Zone
• A Mixed Use Zone to replace the Commercial Zone
• Light and Heavy Industrial Zones replacing a single Industrial Zone

• Strengthening of rural subdivision provisions to prevent inappropriate land fragmentation and preserve highly productive land for primary production activities.  
• Activity based rules to minimise incompatible activities in rural zones that may compromise primary production activities. 
• A new rural lifestyle zone that specifically enables rural lifestyle blocks
• A new horticulture special purpose zone, surrounds parts of Kerikeri and Waipapa to: 
  • protect the significant established horticulture industry and supporting water infrastructure
  • providing for its growth due to its high economic contribution to the District
  • preserve this highly productive land for horticulture use. 

• A new Rural Residential special purpose zone that provides for lots as small as 2,000m²

• A new Settlement zone to support rural communities, to provide for housing, community services, and business opportunities.       

This chapter focuses on creating three separate zones – Open Space, Natural Open Space, and Sport and Active Recreation Zone to allow better management of activities. Changes in language and the introduction of activity-based rules will also be introduced.

The Far North has a rich cultural identity, with a strong Māori population across our district’s communities. Key changes in the Proposed District Plan are:

• A new Tangata Whenua chapter
• A new Treaty Settlement overlay for general title land that has returned to iwi or hapū.
• A new Māori Purpose Zone – land administered under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993
  • Enabling provisions to provide for the relationship of tangata whenua with their land and foster social, economic and cultural wellbeing.
  • New provisions to protect the cultural significance of the Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Beach Management Plan Area.

A settlement zone has been applied to 35 small coastal and rural settlements across the district, to provide for residential activities as well as a range of other activities such as community and business development, provided there is adequate on-site infrastructure services.  

There are three airports in the Far North – Kaitāia, Kaikoke and Kerikeri (Bay of Islands). This chapter focuses on:

• Creating an airport zone to protect regionally significant infrastructure
• Provisions to align with the proposed district plan’s hybrid approach
• Facilitate the continued operation of airport activities
• Includes standards relating to the location of buildings, structures and vegetation to protect the airspace

   

The Carrington Estate Zone includes a country club, golf course, accommodation and winery. Changes in this chapter will align structures and formats with National Planning Standards 2019 and introduce a ‘hybrid approach’, focusing on effects and activity-based rules.

The Horticulture Processing Facilities Zone provides for large-scale processing and storage facilities. Changes in this chapter include additional facilities in Kerikeri, Waipapa, and Awanui. Structure and format changes will align with the hybrid plan approach.

There are three hospitals in the Far North – Kaitāia, Bay of Islands (Kawakawa), and Rawene. The proposed District plan approach is to introduce a Special Purpose Zone to allow the hospitals to operate, expand, and develop to meet the needs of their communities. The new Zone will provide clear direction for the hospitals regarding the type of activities anticipated.