Submissions reopen for Waimakariri District Plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is seeking further feedback on the proposed Waimakariri District Plan.
Council staff have notified a summary of submissions to the proposed District Plan, which was first notified in September last year.
The summary of submissions includes variations notified in August in response to new medium density housing standards applying to the Greater Christchurch area.
This followed the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 in December.
This directed the council to adopt medium density housing standards for the district’s main urban areas.
The new standards allowed for up to three homes and buildings of up to three storeys to be built on some sites without a resource consent, provided certain conditions were met.
Conditions included maximum heights, setbacks from boundaries, no more more than 50% of land covered by buildings and at least 20% of the section must be landscaped with trees, grass or garden beds. Building consents would still be required.
The legislation allowed councils to identify areas deemed inappropriate for medium density housing and the submissions process was an opportunity for residents to help council staff to identify those areas. Qualifying reasons included natural hazards, lack of infrastructure and character.
The proposed District Plan, notified last year, also introduced a rural lifestyle zone in the east of the district with a four hectare minimum section and a general rural zone in the west with a 20-hectare minimum.
This was in a bid to protect the district's rural character.
The new submission process is an opportunity to comment on the submissions which have been received, but not a call for new submission points, council staff said.
The summary of submissions can be viewed on the council’s website, waimakariri.govt.nz/districtplanreview, or by visiting a council library or service centre. Submissions close at 5pm on Monday, November 21.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Poll: Canterbury is thriving on paper... but are you seeing evidence of Canterbury's improving economy?
As reported in the Press, Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman recently gave a shout-out to our region, calling Canterbury a "stand-out" for how we recover from tough times. With tech firms growing and exporters investing, the business side of things is looking bright!
👉 But we know that "business growth" doesn't always mean the weekly shop gets any cheaper. While the city expands, many families feel like they’re just trying to keep their heads above water.
We want to know: With the business buzz of 2026, do you feel like things are finally looking up for your household, or does it still feel like a climb?
-
0% Yes
-
0% No
-
0% In some areas ...
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Loading…
