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Go back to "Applying for requiring authority status"

How to apply for requiring authority status

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Before applying

If you are planning to submit an application we encourage you to contact the Resource Management Systems Team by emailing info@mfe.govt.nz. 

We welcome questions about the process and can help identify the information you need to provide with your application. If applications are not supported by adequate and sufficient documentation, we may have to request further information or clarification. This can extend the time required to process them.

Application process

Form to use

Applicants must use the prescribed form – see Form 17 of the Resource Management (Forms, Fees, and Procedure) Regulations 2003.

Application fee

A fee of $511.10 must accompany all applications.

Payments must be made by online banking to:

  • Ministry for the Environment
  • Account number: 03 0049 0003202 000.
  • Please include the applicant’s name in the reference field and the text 'REQAUTH'.

Applicants should include proof of payment of the fee with their application (such as a printout of the payment screen).

Documentation required

Information required

Specifics
Details of the applicant as an organisation
  • Services the organisation provides
  • Company structure.
Application authority
  • The application should be signed off or accompanied by a letter endorsing the application from a person with suitable authority within the company.
Requirement for requiring authority status
  • Evidence of the need for the applicant to have access to the powers of a requiring authority and the degree to which alternatives (such as the resource consent process) are available and would suffice.
Network utility operator status
  • Order in Council or other evidence that establishes the applicant as a network utility operator.
Description of project of work or network utility operation
  • Full description of project
  • Accompanying maps with clear explanations detailing the geographic extent of the project
  • Names of territorial authorities in which the project will occur.
Details of applicant's work
  • The applicant’s objectives, duties, and responsibilities and how the project or work or network utility operation relates to them.
  • Statement of any consequences for the applicant in achieving those objectives, duties, and responsibilities if approval is declined.
Financial responsibilities
  • Latest annual report or other financial statements.
Evidence that the applicant gives proper regard to the interests of the environment

Documentation including:

  • Environmental manuals
  • Environmental policies, plans, protocols
  • Assessments of environmental effects
  • Examples of environmental monitoring
  • Industry standards in relation to the environment
  • Codes of practice in relation to the environment.
Evidence that the applicant gives proper regard to the interests of those affected (consultation)

Consultation documents including:

  • Any consultation policies/plans/protocols,
  • Stakeholder or media consultation documents
  • Terms of reference and meeting notes from community meetings and the outcomes of such meetings
  • Industry standards for consultation. This may include consultation with community groups, local iwi, government authorities and others affected by the proposal.

Consideration and decision process

  • The Ministry for the Environment processes all applications and makes recommendations to the Minister for the Environment.

  • The Minister makes the decision on whether or not requiring authority status will be granted to the applicant.

  • When considering the application the Minister must be satisfied that:

    • such approval is appropriate for the purposes of carrying on the project, work or network utility operation

    • the applicant is likely to satisfactorily carry out all the responsibilities (including financial responsibilities) of a requiring authority under the RMA and will give proper regard to the interests of those affected and to the interests of the environment.

  • The Minister is able to approve an applicant as a requiring authority for the purposes of a particular project or work or a particular network utility operation on such terms and conditions (including provision of a bond) as are specified in the notice.

  • If the Minister approves an application, it is notified in the New Zealand Gazette and comes into force from the date specified in the Gazette notice.

How to apply for requiring authority status

November 2023

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