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Auckland Regional Policy Statement

Review of the Auckland Regional Policy Statement

A review of the Auckland Regional Policy Statement (ARPS) is underway. The first ARPS has been in place since August 1999 and the 10 year review is a significant step forward.

The Auckland Regional Policy Statement sets the direction for growth and development in the Auckland region whilst managing the use and protection of the region's natural and physical resources. It includes such issues as how we tackle coastal development, manage our freshwater supplies and protect our ecosystems. 

See page 28 to find out more about the legislative basis for and the requirements of a Regional Policy Statement

Why a review?

Since 1999 there have been legislative changes and a raft of new national and regional policies, many of which need to have a bearing on an updated ARPS.

Also, while many areas of the 1999 ARPS are working well, we know that some policies can be improved. Also, some issues that were significant back in 1999 are no longer so, conversely other issues - like climate change - that were less prominent in 1999 are now of great significance. 

See page 2 to find out more about the national and local legislative changes that need to be addressed in the review of the Regional Policy Statement.

Process and timing

We are currently analysing feedback we received from the first phase of conusltation on the review of the ARPS and the new Regional Land Transport Strategy. 

This consultation was on the Background Document which identifies the issues and challenges that will form the basis of the reviewed Regional Policy Statement.

At the same time, we are also sought feedback on the background document for the Regional Land Transport Strategy. Many of the issues overlap, so the background documents we produced for each, and upon which we are requested feedback, are labelled Part A and B and are numbered sequentially.

The feedback we received will assist in the preparation of the first drafts of the proposed Auckland Regional Policy Statement 2009 and also the new Regional Land Transport Strategy and will inform other regional strategies and plans. We will be seeking further feedback on these documents.

While we've been working towards having draft documents prepared by early 2009, the committee may review this timetable (pending their considereation of feedback so far).

Background Document

In the Background Document below we have identified the issues and challenges that will form the basis for the review of the Auckland Regional Policy Statement.

ARPS Background Document Part A (291.3 KB PDF)

Have your say

We recently completed our first phase of consultation on the review of the ARPS .  We aim to invite comment on the draft in early 2009.

Telephone enquiries should be directed to Hamish Glenn on 09 366 2000 ext 8660

Relevant reports

Four issues reports (‘think pieces') have been prepared for the ARC and all are available below. The authors, who have different areas of expertise, outline their feelings on the priority issues that the ARPS review should address as a minimum. The principal issues raised are the management of growth, the provision of key regional infrastructure and the quality of the environment.

The reports: