Biodiversity and Significant Natural Areas

We use criteria to identify areas of vegetation that contain significant values. Areas are generally considered important if they are: 

• • naturally uncommon or threatened ecosystem types.
  • habitats of threatened or at-risk species of native plants or animals. 
  • important seasonal or permanent habitats for species.
  • wildlife corridors between natural areas.
  • representative vegetation or fauna of the district.
  • located in the coastal environment.

The criteria for SNAs has been applied by professional ecologists. They use aerial photography and existing databases of ecological information to identify areas of vegetation including the hill country, the ring plain, and coastal and urban areas.

Identifying sites with significant vegetation and releasing a draft district plan for comment was the beginning of our conversation with the community around SNAs. It gave the community an opportunity to consider how native vegetation in the district will be managed through the District Plan. 

Following our desktop assessment, landowners had opportunities to request an ecological field check to find out more information on the ecological values of the site, or to exclude areas that are not actually significant.  This involved NPDC staff and NPDC-appointed and funded ecologists visiting sites and providing advice on identified areas. 

These visits helped landowners understand the ecological values on their property and provided the opportunity to discuss any management options. It also helped NPDC staff drafting District Plan policies and rules to understand the issues landowners have, so that we could create workable rules. 

We included SNA information in the District Plan through the district plan review. SNAs are identified on the planning maps and details are listed in SCHED6 – Schedule of Rural Significant Natural Areas and SCHED7 – Schedule of Urban Biodiversity Areas.   

The Proposed District Plan was publicly notified in 2019, and decisions were released in May 2023, in accordance with the RMA. Throughout the review process, including the lead-up to public notification, and through the hearing process between notification and issuing decisions, we have worked with stakeholder and community feedback to develop the plan further and resolve any issues. 

Under the RMA, we are required to recognise and provide for the protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna as a matter of national importance.  

The National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB) came into effect on 4 August 2023. The aim of the NPS-IB is to maintain indigenous biodiversity so that there is at least no overall loss. The NPS-IB provides direction to councils on their responsibilities including identifying and protecting SNAs. 

Including SNAs in the District Plan has no practical effects for landowners who wish to continue to retain and enhance native bush areas on their property.  They will not be required to fence or formally protect (covenant) these areas. Existing land use rights will continue without requiring a resource consent. 

Landowners with an SNA included in the District Plan are eligible for rates relief. They can also apply to the nature heritage fund for assistance with fencing. Other agencies also provide assistance to landowners. You can contact us for more information.