Zoning for housing and business

Providing for growth


Feedback is open

Have your say on these major growth plan changes by 5 May 2025.

Draft Change 1 to the Regional Policy Statement and Draft Plan Change 81 to the Tasman Resource Management Plan are major changes necessary to implement the first 10 years of the Nelson Tasman Future Development Strategy.

These initiatives are crucial for accommodating our current high growth demand, while ensuring that future growth enhances our communities and protects our environment.

This includes strategic upgrades to essential infrastructure, such as water and wastewater systems, new roads and transport links, and improved stormwater management to mitigate flood risks.

Now open for community feedback:

  • New housing areas: Plan Change 81 identifies key areas across the District for residential, business, and industrial growth. New residential zones are proposed for Richmond, Brightwater, Wakefield, Motueka, Tophouse, Tapawera and Tākaka, along with business and industrial expansions in Richmond, Murchison, and Tākaka.
  • Medium Density Residential Zone: A central component of Plan Change 81 is the introduction of a Medium Density Residential Zone (MDRZ). This zone will enable a wider variety of housing options, such as townhouses, duplexes, and smaller homes, helping increase housing affordability and accessibility for everyone. This new MDRZ is proposed to be used in Richmond, Brightwater, Wakefield, Motueka and Tākaka.
  • Supporting economic growth: The plan provides more land for commercial and industrial activities, fostering a thriving local economy. New light industrial zones are planned for Richmond, Murchison, and Tākaka, along with commercial expansions in Richmond, Brightwater, and Murchison.
  • Supporting Māori housing: We are dedicated to supporting Māori housing through papakāinga developments. Rule and policy improvements will allow whānau to live on their ancestral land, strengthening cultural connections and community bonds.
  • Workers’ accommodation: We are changing the rules for workers’ accommodation to make them more flexible and easier to apply.
  • Exploring rural housing options: We are also exploring opportunities to provide more housing options in rural areas. This could mean reducing the consenting requirements to enable additional homes. We are keen to hear from the community whether this vision is widely supported.
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Email us at environmentplan@tasman.govt.nz if you have any questions.

Commonly used terms

Tasman Resource Management Plan: This is the “District Plan” that contains the planning rules and policies for how we can use our land and resources. It contains zones – for example, Residential Zone or Rural Zone – which identify the intended use of that land.

Draft plan change: This is a change to the Tasman Resource Management Plan. It is a public process requiring research, evaluation, drafting and consultation. The changes can be made to the maps (e.g. rezoning) or the words of the plan. If a plan change is “draft” then it is still being developed and worked on prior to formal notification.

Engagement: This is just an early “heads up” and an indication of the content. We will be engaging on a draft of Plan Change 81 and Change to the Regional Policy Statement in early 2025. You will be sent further information at that time.

Regional Policy Statement: Sets out the framework and priorities for resource management of natural and physical resources in the region.

Medium Density Residential Zone (MDRZ): allows for the development of housing with moderate density such as apartments and townhouses and detached homes with smaller lots than those in low density zones.