“RMA to be repealed and replaced” Hon David Parker M.P. Minister for the Ministry for the Environment Manatū Mō Te Taiao Media Release

"...The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) will be repealed and replaced with new laws this parliamentary term, Environment Minister David Parker confirmed today.  

"...The three new Acts will be the: 

  • Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) to provide for land use and environmental regulation (this would be the primary replacement for the RMA)
  • Strategic Planning Act (SPA) to integrate with other legislation relevant to development, and require long-term regional spatial strategies
  • Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA) to address complex issues associated with managed retreat and funding and financing adaptation. 

“Planning processes will be simplified and costs and times reduced,” he said. 

"... Other key changes include stronger national direction and one single combined plan per region. And there will be more focus on natural environmental outcomes and less on subjective amenity matters that favour the status quo. Better urban design will be pursued. 

Under the NBA there will be a mandatory set of national policies and standards to support the natural environmental limits, outcomes and targets specified in the new law. These will be incorporated into combined regional plans prepared by local and central government and mana whenua.  

“The existing 100-plus RMA council planning documents will be reduced to about 14.”

These changes will build on the National Policy Statement for Urban Development released last year that directs councils to make room for growth both ‘up’ and ‘out’.

David Parker said the National and Built Environments Act, as the core piece of legislation replacing the RMA, will be progressed first. 

“Given its significance and complexity, a special select committee inquiry will consider an exposure draft of the NBA Bill from mid-year. This will include the most important elements of the legislation, including the replacement of Part 2 of the RMA.

“I expect that the complete NBA and the SPA will be formally introduced into Parliament by the end of 2021, with the NBA passed by the end of 2022,” he said. 

The Government is delivering on its promise to reform the Resource Management system based on the comprehensive review carried out last year.

The Media Release is as follows:

(more…)

“Christchurch’s first blue plaque recipient revealed” The Press Online Article

"Christchurch's first blue plaque recipient revealed" The Press (Online Article)

"Christchurch’s heritage buildings are being celebrated and promoted with a new initiative launched in the city this week. ...

"Historic Places Canterbury chairman Mark Gerrard said he hoped the plaque would be the first of many in the city."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/124257215/christchurchs-first-blue-plaque-recipient-revealed

Historic Places Canterbury Media Release: Unveiling Of Christchurch’s First Heritage Blue Plaque

Historic Places Canterbury Media Release (14:02:2021): 
 Unveiling Of Christchurch's First Heritage Blue Plaque.

Historic Places Canterbury is pleased to announce that Dame Anna Crighton will be unveiling Christchurch's first Heritage Blue Plaque. 

The Arts “Shop” in the Heritage Duncans Building.
DATE: Monday 15th February
TIME: 1pm
LOCATION: Ground Floor 139 High Street, Christchurch.

Dame Anna Crighton:
" The unveiling of this Heritage Blue Plaque is a well deserved celebration and recognition of the efforts of Nicky and Joe in the restoration of their heritage listed building. 

" I admire greatly, the sheer dogged determination of Nicky and Joe for their achievement despite the vagaries of CERA and other restrictions.

" The Heritage Blue Plaque is a great way to celebrate and boost the profile of our built Heritage. I encourage Heritage Building Owners to consider it for their own buildings.

Nicky Arts Co-Owner:
" The Heritage Blue Plaque is the final chapter of the recovery from the Earthquake.

" We can now put behind the frustrations of CERA et al and celebrate.

" As a commercial building owner, I can state the Heritage Blue Plaque is a great way to enhance the profile of your heritage building.

Mark Gerrard Chair Historic Places Canterbury:
"This Heritage Blue Plaque will be the first of many that celebrate our city's heritage buildings and enhance their profile.

"Christchurch is now be part of the national project celebrating and raising the profile of built heritage throughout New Zealand.

Media Contact: 

Mark Gerrard mobile 021 157 5043 e: canty@historicplacesaotearoa.org.nz


Background: 
The Arts Family and their Historic Duncans Building “Shop”.
Pre-quake: Nicky Arts and brother Joe ran a family printing business in the Duncan's Building shop they owned.
Since the earthquake they have wound down the Printing Business and sold off the equipment.
After much effort, their heritage Duncan's building “shop” is now restored, earthquake strengthened and tenanted upstairs and downstairs.

The Heritage Blue Plaque project:
The Heritage Blue Plaque project was initiated by Historic Place Mid-Canterbury, It was endorsed as a national campaign by Historic Places Aotearoa and its Membership Organisations.
The Function of the distinctive plaques is for heritage buildings to be easily identified when travelling in a city or town. The Plaques individually and collectively raise the profile our Heritage Buildings.
The Heritage Blue Plaque project is grassroots community lead. Local heritage groups have final approval and funding is sourced locally by fundraising or building owner contribution.

Historic Places Canterbury Deputation to the Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee of the Whole (Christchurch City Council)

Historic Places Canterbury Chair Mark Gerrard gave a verbal Deputation supporting the Staff Recommendation that the Heritage Funding that was not dispersed due to COVID-19 be carried over.
In addition HPC supported the proposed new more relaxed criteria for qualifying for Heritage Grant Funding and the proposed criteria for the new Intangible Heritage fund.

Chair Mark Gerrard presenting the HPC Deputation appears 52 minutes and 38 seconds into the Youtube video.

“Why Aotearoa New Zealand’s early Polynesian settlement should be recognised with World Heritage Site status” Stuff Online Article

"Why Aotearoa New Zealand's early Polynesian settlement should be recognised with World Heritage Site status" Stuff Online

"OPINION: Aotearoa New Zealand likes to think it punches above its weight internationally, but there is one area where we are conspicuously falling behind — the number of sites recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. ... "

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123866681/why-aotearoa-new-zealands-early-polynesian-settlement-should-be-recognised-with-world-heritage-site-status

This article by Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law at the University of Waikato and Valmaine Toki, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Waikato appeared in the "The Conversation" under a Creative Commons License.

https://theconversation.com/why-aotearoa-new-zealands-early-polynesian-settlement-should-be-recognised-with-world-heritage-site-status-149981

“Christchurch mayor devises plan to pay for heritage buildings” The Press Online Article

Christchurch mayor devises plan to pay for heritage buildings The Press online.
"Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel wants the city to consider paying a targeted rate to help fund the restoration of heritage buildings.
She says her proposal will not increase rates. ..."
... Historic Places Canterbury chairman Mark Gerrard said it was good to see Dalziel thinking about ways to fund the restoration of heritage buildings, including the provincial chambers. ..."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/123515077/christchurch-mayor-devises-plan-to-pay-for-heritage-buildings