Zoning for housing and business
Providing for growth
Update - Draft Change 1 to the Tasman Regional Policy Statement and Plan Change 81 to the Tasman Resource Management Plan
November 2025
Following the Strategy and Policy Committee's decision on 18 September to proceed with notification of the plan changes, the Council made two requests to the Minister for the Environment for approval to notify PC81. The requests are to seek an exemption to the plan stop directive from the Minister to enable notification and to request from the Minister, the use of the streamlined planning process (SPP). Approval to use the SPP creates an automatic exemption to the plan stop directive.
The requests were submitted in late September 2025. The Minister requested further information relating to the plan change and the use of the SPP in early November. That information was supplied on 10 November, and we are currently waiting to hear whether or not the minister will grant approval to use the SPP.
The proposed changes respond to Tasman’s urgent housing and business land needs, aligning with the Nelson Tasman Future Development Strategy (2022) and the recently adopted Māpua Masterplan (2025).
Community voices shape growth and zoning plans
Mid 2025 we completed a district-wide engagement process in on Draft Change 1 to the Tasman Regional Policy Statement (TRPS) and Plan Change 81 to the Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP). The draft changes aim to provide for sustainable growth and infrastructure planning over the next decade.
The Environmental Policy team thanks our feedback contributors and visitors to the Meet the Planners community sessions. There will be further opportunities for community input when the proposed changes are formally notified later this year.
You can still access the supporting plan change documents and overview for reference here. Please note that these drafts are provided for context only, as they have been superseded. Final versions will be made available once the plan change is formally notified. For further information contact the team, at environmentplan@tasman.govt.nz
Background
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.
Topics we sought community feedback on:
- 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.
