Glossary

The Minister for the Environment may 'call in' a nationally significant matter (most likely a resource consent or notice of requirement) under section 141 of the RMA, from the local authority that would normally have determined it, and instead ask a Board of Inquiry or the Environment Court to determine it.

Designation

An authorisation included in a district plan that allows a requiring authority to undertake a public work or network utility project without a land-use consent.

District plan

A plan prepared under Part 5 of the RMA to control the use of land within the district or unitary authority.

Easement (agreement)

An agreement entered into between Transpower and a land owner that secures access to private land in return for negotiated consideration.

Electricity Act 1992

This can be found at: www.legislation.govt.nz

Electricity Commission

The Crown entity established in 2003 in accordance with the Electricity Amendment Act 2001 to oversee New Zealand's electricity industry and markets.

Electricity transmission/ network

The system of transmission lines, substations and other works, including the HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) link, used to connect grid injection and exit points ['Grid entry point': a point in the transmission network at which electricity enters the network. These are typically at, or near, places of generation.]['Grid exit point': a point on the network at which electricity exits the network. Each grid exit point is a substation, where electricity transported through the national grid is converted to lower voltage for distribution by local distribution companies.] and convey electricity throughout the North and South islands of New Zealand.

Existing use rights

Rights under section 10 of the RMA that allow an existing land use to continue, notwithstanding that it may not be permitted by a district plan, provided the activity was lawfully established and its environmental effects remain the same or similar.

ICNIRP

International Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Proposed NPS Policy 6 refers to the ICNIRP guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Internet link: www.icnirp.de/documents/emfgdl.pdf

Minister

The Minister for the Environment, unless otherwise specified.

Ministry

The Ministry for the Environment, unless otherwise specified.

National grid

The assets used or owned by Transpower (and/or its successor/s) for the purposes of conveying electricity.

Nationally significant

A level of importance assessed as being significant on a national scale, having regard to the criteria listed in section 45(2) of the RMA.

NES

National environmental standard − a tool used to set nationwide standards for the state or use of resources. A national environmental standard is issued under section 43 of the RMA.

Notice of requirement

A notice given to a territorial authority by a requiring authority for its requirement for a designation to be included in the district plan.

NPS

National policy statement − national policy guidance for environmental matters that are considered to be of national significance (e.g. the coastal environment). A national policy statement is issued under section 52 of the RMA.

NZECP 34

The New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice 34:2001 (NZECP 34) − a mandatory code under the Electricity Act 1992, implemented by the Energy Safety Service. The Code's purpose is to set safe distances for works and/or buildings from transmission lines. For more information, see: www.ess.govt.nz/rules/pdf/nzecp34_2001.pdf

Objective

An outcome being sought to resolve a significant resource management issue.

Part 2

Part 2 of the RMA sets out the purpose of the RMA (section 5) and other principles (sections 6, 7 and 8).

Policy

A general course of action taken to achieve an objective, identified in district and regional plans or regional policy statements.

Reference Group

The Electricity Transmission Reference Group set up to consider the feasibility and merits of an NPS and/or NES to address issues associated with the management of electricity transmission under the RMA. It comprised representatives of agencies, industries and organisations [Federated Farmers, Electricity Commission, Transpower, Local Government New Zealand, Business New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development), The Treasury, Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Economic Development (Chair).] with a specific interest in electricity transmission. The Reference Group produced a report and recommendations: The Merits and Potential Scope of National Guidance on the Management of Electricity Transmission under the RMA. See: www.med.govt.nz/energy/nps/transmission/

Requiring authority

A Minister of the Crown, a local authority or a network utility operator approved as a requiring authority by the Minister for the Environment under section 167 of the RMA.

Resource consent

An authorisation to use a natural or physical resource, issued under Part 6 of the RMA.

RMA

The Resource Management Act 1991 and its amendments. See: www.legislation.govt.nz

Rule

A regulation in a plan to prohibit, control or allow activities to manage the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources in accordance with the purpose of the RMA.

Section 32

The section of the RMA that requires any person developing a policy or regulatory instrument under the RMA to carry out an evaluation of the appropriateness, alternatives, costs and benefits of what is proposed.

Submission

The written comments, opinions, concerns in support or opposition to a proposed development or a proposed policy statement or plan.

Transpower

The state-owned enterprise known as Transpower NZ Ltd.

Trees regulations

The Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003, promulgated under the Electricity Act 1992.

Whole-of-government submission

A submission to a local authority (likely on a resource consent or notice of requirement) jointly by two or more government departments that sets out the Government's views on the matter (also known as a 'Crown submission').