Advocacy 

This is your opportunity to have your voice heard. As Ryunosuke Satoro once said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” We advocate, challenge assumptions, and raise awareness about environmental issues in collaboration with our member groups. Together, we amplify our impact and drive meaningful change.

Making Submissions to Councils and Governments

Guidelines for Making Submissions

• RMA information and guides from the Ministry for the Environment which includes information on making Resource Management.
• The New Zealand Environment Guide. This site has practical information for individuals, community groups, and businesses that want to participate in environmental management processes. Its resources include explanations of the Resource Management Act (RMA) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), plus more.

General tips on Making Submissions

In June 2014, the Environment Network Manawatu held a workshop on making submissions for both our members and for the general public. This workshop was facilitated by David Forrest, an independent RMA commissioner. David's presentation included a discussion of differences in submissions made under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and those made under the Local Government Act (LGA). He also provided advice about how to be effective under each, with an emphasis on RMA submissions. Notes based on his presentation are available below.

• An Introduction to Making Submissions. 4 pages, 1 figure, 98 kb.

Additional presenters at this workshop included various council representatives--the recipients of public submissions--and experienced submitters. Below are notes from their presentations.

• Submitting on Resource Consent Applications, The Why and the How: Tips from Mike Smith, Chairperson, Water and Environmental Care Association, 3 pages, 68 kb.
• Submitting to Resource Consents or Plan Changes: Tips from Michael Duindam, Palmerston North City Council Officer. 1 page, 33 kb.
• Making Submissions to Council Planning Processes: Tips from Colleen Sheldon, Horizons Regional Councillor. 1 page, 52 kb.
• Making Submissions to Council Planning Processes: Tips from Rachel Bowen, Palmerston North City Councillor. 2 pages, 67 kb.

Public Consultations We're Involved with

Check out this page for current consultations. Get in touch with us if you'd like to know more!

All Current Consultations in Processes with Councils

The links below will take you to council feeds that show their current consultations or to council policies that submitters might find helpful for making environmental choices.

• Horizons Regional Council, Current Notified RMA Applications. Horizons' list of current RMA applications together with closing dates and information on how to make a submission.
• Horowhenua District Council Consultations. Horowhenua's list of open consultation processes.
• Manawatu District Council Consultations. Manawatu's list of open consultation processes.
• Palmerston North City Council Consultations. PNCC's list of open consultation processes.
• Palmerston North Eco-City Strategy.  PNCC's future-focused strategy for the natural and built environment, a good reference point when making submissions.
• Rangitikei District Council Consultations. Rangitikei's list of open consultations.
• Tararua District Council Consultations. Tararua's list of open consultation processes.