The two-fold purpose of a Regional Policy Statement is to provide an overview of the resource management issues of the region and provide objectives, policies and methods to achieve integrated management of the natural and physical resources. The preparation of the Regional Policy Statement for Northland (RPS) began in 1992 with the document being made operative in March 1999.

The purpose of this report is to satisfy the requirements of both section 79(1) and section 35 of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), and provide the platform for the development of Northland's 2nd Generation RPS. Section 79 (1) of the RMA requires the Northland Regional Council (NRC) to undertake a full review of the RPS no later than 10 years after the statement became operative. Section 35 of the RMA requires the NRC to monitor, amongst other things, the efficiency and effectiveness of policies, rules, or other methods in its policy statement or its plan and make these results available to the public.

Evaluation Process

This document relies heavily on information gathered during the five year review, which was finalised in 2006. The five year review consisted of workshops with NRC staff, workshops with the district council staff, input from tangata whenua and stakeholder workshops, all collectively resulting in an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the RPS. As this comprehensive review was only finalised three years ago, the majority of the results, information and conclusions of the 5 year effectiveness and efficiency report are still valid.

To capture any changes that may have occurred since 2006, workshops and discussions were held with regional and district council staff throughout 2009 and the NRC's state of the environment monitoring report has been extensively reviewed.

Over the past 12 months the NRC has undertaken a number of projects that have influenced this review. The development of the Environmental Picture of Northland, the 30 year strategies for the environment, economy and infrastructure and the Consolidated Planning Framework project have all provided information and analysis of the existing RPS and planning documents.

Format of this Report

The RPS contains 28 sections; however this report only addresses sections 12 to 28. Sections 1 to 11 of the RPS provide background information on Northland and set out the legislative framework and structure for the RPS. Although this report does not address sections 1 to 11, it is acknowledged that some aspects of these sections in the existing RPS need updating. Consequently, it is anticipated that the 2nd Generation RPS will update these sections where applicable.

Sections 12 to 15 are grouped under the heading ‘Part III Resource Management Process' and contain policy related to resource management procedures and processes i.e. integration, community involvement, tangata whenua involvement and monitoring.

Sections 16 to 28 are grouped under the heading ‘Part IV Resource Policy' and contain policy relating to the use, development and protection of various resources i.e. air quality, water quality, natural hazards etc.

This report is set out in the following format for each section:

- Anticipated Outcomes

Lists the anticipated environmental results for the section as defined in the RPS. It is noted that sections 12 to 15, which are related to ‘management process', do not have any anticipated environmental results.

- Policy Mix

Sets out the objectives for the section and discusses the policy approach taken within the section. The policies are usually grouped into several categories, related to the objectives for the section, and the summary discussion is of the policy grouping rather than individual policies. This area also lists the number of methods of implementation that result from the policy direction.

- What's the current state?

Provides a brief summary outlining the existing state of the environment and pressures relevant to the section.

- What has worked well in this section?

Provides a brief summary of the areas that have been identified has having been implemented and are considered to be working well.

- What has not worked in this section?

Provides a brief summary of the areas that have been identified as not being implemented and are not considered to be working well.

- General comments on this section:

Provides general comments.

- Is this section Efficient & Effective?

Provides a brief assessment and commentary of whether the policies and methods are considered to be efficient and effective for the section.

- Emerging Issues for this section?

Discusses any new or emerging issues related to the section as well potential gaps or issues that the section does not currently cover.

- Conclusions

Concluding remarks on the review of the chapter

Reading this Report

This report is intended to be read in conjunction with the Regional Policy Statement for Northland (RPS).

To assist the reader, wherever possible references have been included within this report directing the reader to the appropriate section within the RPS.