Planning & Resource Consents

A planner interprets the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the relevant district and regional plans to determine what is permitted on your site and what consents are required. On a development project, the planner prepares the resource consent application, manages the relationship with the council, responds to information requests, and works to get your consent granted with workable conditions.

As early as possible. A planner can tell you quickly whether your project is achievable and what consenting pathway is most appropriate. Early planning advice can save significant money and time by identifying issues before you invest in engineering design or architectural drawings. If you are thinking about developing your land, a planning conversation is the right starting point.

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is the primary legislation governing land use, subdivision, and environmental effects in New Zealand. District plans made under the RMA set the rules for what can be done in each zone. Any development that does not comply with those rules requires resource consent. Orogen's planners understand the RMA and can navigate its requirements on your behalf.

A well-prepared application that accurately describes the proposal, addresses the relevant plan provisions, and provides quality technical assessments of environmental effects. Early engagement with the council through a pre-application meeting is also valuable. Orogen prepares thorough, well-evidenced applications that give your project the best chance of approval with conditions you can work with.

Because all three disciplines sit within Orogen, the planner, engineer, and surveyor work from the same plans and share information directly. The engineering and survey work is designed to satisfy the planning conditions, and the planner presents the engineering solutions to the council in the most favourable light. Integrated teams produce better consent outcomes.

Submitting a resource consent application before the design is sufficiently resolved, underestimating the scale of effects on neighbours or the environment, and failing to engage with the council before lodging. Orogen avoids these by preparing thoroughly, seeking pre-application feedback, and managing the council relationship from the start.

Yes. Orogen can act as your planning agent for the full process: initial feasibility, pre-application meeting, preparation and lodgement of the application, managing information requests and hearings, and working through consent conditions. You stay informed at key milestones without needing to manage the day-to-day process yourself.

A resource consent covers planning and environmental matters under the RMA — land use, subdivision, and effects on neighbours or the environment. A building consent is issued under the Building Act and deals with structural safety and compliance with the building code. Many projects need both — we manage the resource consent and can coordinate with your architect or building surveyor on the building consent side.

Plan changes can affect proposed projects, but there are options. If a change is not yet operative, your application may still be processed under current rules. If it makes your development more restrictive, we can advise on what this means for your specific proposal. We monitor plan changes across Wellington's councils and will flag any that may affect your project.