Operative Regional Policy Statement

The Regional Policy Statement (3MB, pdf) is a document prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) that identifies the major resource management issues for the Bay of Plenty region, and how to sustainably manage the region’s natural and physical resources.

Those issues include:

• Managing our harbours, lakes and waterways.
• Protecting our natural and historical heritage.
• Improving the air quality in Rotorua city.
• Enhancing our native ecosystems. 
• Responding to the region’s future growth, so people can continue to enjoy living, working and playing in the Bay.

Next Regional Policy Statement

The Next Regional Policy Statement (RPS) is currently being developed for notification later this year. 

Check out the Next RPS webpage for more details.

Why is the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) important?

• It’s a statutory policy document that provides an overview of the region’s significant resource management issues.
• It must be given effect to by the region’s city and district councils when developing their district plans. 
• It sets out policies and methods for managing the region’s significant resource management issues.

Operative Changes

Change No. 3 (Additions to Omokoroa Stage 1 Growth Area)

Following approval by the Policy and Planning Committee on 18 February, Change No. 3 (Additions to Omokoroa Stage 1 Growth Area) (249KB, pdf) became operative on 23 March 2010.  View the public notice (484KB, jpg) advising of Change No. 3 becoming operative.

Read more about Change No. 3 (Additions to Omokoroa Stage 1 Growth Area).

Change No. 2 (Growth Management)

On 16 October 2009, Change No. 2 (Growth Management) was made operative and incorporated into the Regional Policy Statement.  View the Public Notice (50KB, pdf) advising of Change No. 2 becoming operative.

Maps associated to Change No. 2 and Change No. 3 – Chapter 17A (Growth Management for the Western Bay of Plenty)

• Map 12 – Index/Growth Management Areas (507KB, pdf)
• Map 13 – Waihi Beach and Bowentown  (747KB, pdf)
• Map 14 – Katikati (936KB,pdf)
• Map 15 – Omokoroa (amended by Change No. 3) (173KB, pdf)
• Map 16 – Bethlehem  (966KB, pdf)
• Map 17 – Tauranga Central - Pyes Pa (776KB, pdf)
• Map 18 – Mount Maunganui  (824KB, pdf)
• Map 19 – Welcome Bay - Kaitemako (758KB,pdf)
• Map 20 – Papamoa  (633KB,pdf)
• Map 21 – Te Puke  (984KB, pdf)
• Map 22 – Papamoa Part 2 and Rangiuru (747KB, pdf)
• Map 23 – Management Areas (733KB, pdf)

Read about Change No 2 (Growth Management).

Change No.1 (Criteria)

Change No. 1 became operative and was incorporated into the Regional Policy Statement on 19 June 2008.  Change No.1 incorporates policies, methods and criteria for assessing specified matters referred to in section 6 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Read about Change No 1 (Criteria).

Order a copy of the RPS

Order the Operative Regional Policy Statement (RPS) by phone 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or email us at info@envbop.govt.nz. The RPS costs $37 (GST inclusive) and is available to view at Environment Bay of Plenty offices, all public libraries throughout the Bay of Plenty and service centres of Bay of Plenty’s city and district councils.

Review of the Operative RPS and development of the Next RPS

On 15 May 2008, the Strategic Policy Committee asked for the RPS to be reviewed. Following the review, in December 2008 Council decided (under Section 79(3) of the RMA 1991) to replace the RPS.  Work is now underway on consulting on and developing the Next Regional Policy Statement.

• Review Report - 15 May 2008 (125KB, doc)
• Maori Committee Report (74KB, doc)
• Review report - 15 December 2008 (186KB, doc)

Matters considered during the review:

• The Monitoring and Evaluation Report (2.2MB, pdf) of the operative RPS was completed to see how efficient and effective it has been (Section 35 RMA, 1991).  The report was approved by the Strategic Policy Committee on 12 November 2008.
• Central Government initiatives, changes and National Policy Statements
• Changes to the RMA, including councils functions
• RMA Amendment Act (2005) requiring that regional and district plans must “give effect to” the RPS.
• Iwi resource management issues identified through consultation with iwi and hapu during the Operative RPS review and through an analysis of iwi management plans (30KB, pdf) lodged with Environment Bay of Plenty. 
• Issues identified through consultation with stakeholders, industry groups, and territorial authorities during the review of the Operative RPS. 
• Research results from environmental investigations, compliance monitoring and state of the environment reporting by Environment Bay of Plenty and other resource management agencies.

Read more on the next Regional Policy Statement.

If you would like further information or would like to contribute to the Next Regional Policy Statement please contact Environment Bay of Plenty:

Email: rps@envbop.govt.nz 
Phone: 0800 368 267
Write: Regional Policy Statement, Environment Bay of Plenty, PO Box 364, Whakatane